Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a smart, attractive professional lady. Her marriage was arranged to one smart attractive professional gentleman. Together they built their marriage under the huge umbrella of the Great Indian Joint Family.
The first few years were heaven. They both worked together, went on vacation all over the world, their home had all the amenities that are deemed necessary in the modern day life style. Then slowly everything began to change. The lady had more qualifications than the gentleman. Her annual income was slightly more than that of her husband. The modern professional gentleman could not take it any more. So the torture started. Small things, publically belittling his wife in company, flirting with other women in full view of his wife, making day to day life difficult for her, tantrums if she was late from work …… all that which finally led to her giving up her job.
She got depressed, stopped reading, stopped looking after herself. She wandered around in that huge house a shadow of her former self. Other members of the family noticed the change but wondered if they should interfere or not.
This state of affairs would have continued for ever …… the lady sacrificing herself for the sanctity of her marriage, the man a victim of his own ego. But another lady stepped in. The Saas.
Her mother in law was not highly qualified, had barely studied upto Class VIII. She enquired into the reasons for this change in her Bahu. She even got lawyers home. She bullied her son to take an appointment with a marriage counsellor. Threatened to get a divorce for her daughter in law. It was an uphill task that lasted three stormy years.
It all ended today.
The Bahu has joined World Bank at a very senior position.
Her husband has not made any objections.
The mother in law is quietly triumphant.
She said in her unassuming practical way “Anyaya vekhan vaala anyaya karan vale to vadda paap karda hai”
(The witness of oppression is a greater sinner than the oppressor)
Thank you Madam – you have added to my unshakeable belief in the power of a mother
