"No connection can ever be broken, if love holds tight at both ends"- Arjun Sharma.
In the mansion of Sharma family:-
Arjun came inside of the house. By observing his presence, Rajesh came near him.
Rajesh:- Arjun! Go and fresh up! We have some discussions with you!
Arjun:- About what, papa?
Rajesh:- I shall tell you later!
Arjun:- As your wish!
Arjun went inside his personal room, washed his hands, feet, face and immediately changed his clothes. After that, he came down stairs in the dining room.
Arjun:- Yes papa, did you want to tell me something?
Rajesh:- What have you decided?
Arjun:- About which are you saying this, papa?
Rajendra:- About your marriage?
Arjun:- Sorry to say, but I don't want to marry!
Kavya:- Any particular reason for that?
Arjun:- No, chhoti maa!
Sumitra:- Tell that, it is Ishita!
Arjun (looking down):- Yes grandma!
Kalyani:- Who told you that you have to marry Ishita?
Arjun:- Uncle is papa's best friend. He is requesting papa again and again for this marriage. Even on the day of Samesh's engagement, he was giving pressure for her marriage with me!
Rajesh:- Arjun! Manish is only my friend and you are our son! How could you think that I would fall in his provocation and fix your marriage with Ishita?
Arjun:- No, no, papa; actually...
Kalyani:- Then, what is your opinion about the marriage now?
Kavya:- Are you ready for the marriage with...
Arjun:- With whom? Have you already chosen the bride for me?
Sumitra:- With Saubhaagyashree Gupta!
Arjun:- Saubhaagyashree..
...... I mean..... Saubhaagyashree....
This name automatically adorned his face with a satisfactory smile. He was uttering the name again and again.
In the house of Gupta family:-
Saubhaagyashree:- Maa, papa! Have you called me?
Katyayani:- No Sona, I didn't called you!
Kailash:- And I also didn't call you!
Saubhaagyashree (in mind):- They didn't call me! Then, who called me?
Saubhaagyashree:- Bhabhi, have you called me?
Rouhi:- No Sona, I didn't!
Saubhaagyashree:- Sampreeti and Sanjana, have you two called your bua?
Both of the kids:- No bua!
Saubhaagyashree (in mind):- Holy smokes! Then, why it seemed to me as if someone has called me! Even he/she is calling me now! Who is taking my name so often? How I can feel that call? Do I know that person? Why that person is calling me? Is he/she in danger? But how can I help him/her? I can't reach to that person! But still, my heart is shambling as if that person is in danger and calling me for help! Oh Almighty! Make everyone happy and safe! Whoever is calling me, please provide my happiness, comfort and protection to them!
Saubhaagyashree was surprised with this experience. She thought, it might go away in few moments; but it was happening to her again and again. Every time, Arjun was uttering her name; she felt as if someone was in danger, calling her for help and the sound seemed so familiar, as if both of them knew each other for zillion and gazillion of years. This thought was interrupted by Sampreeti and Sanjana. Both of them entered into her personal room to listen a story from her.
Sampreeti:- Bua, will you tell us a story?
Sanjana:- You promised us, bua. Please tell!
Saubhaagyashree:- Okay, I will tell! But, at first tell me your favourable category of stories!
Sampreeti:- Sanjana, history or geography?
Sanjana:- I think, legends and myths would be better!
Sampreeti:- No! It will be boring!
Sanjana:- Then, what a biography?
Sampreeti:- Yes, that's great!
Saubhaagyashree:- Have you decided?
Both of them:- We will listen any biography of any famous person!
Saubhaagyashree:- Okay, so; I will tell you the life story of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasaagar!
Both of the kids:- Vidyasaagar! That means 'The ocean of education'?
Saubhaagyashree:- Yes, he was that much educated, that's why; he was given this Tagment. His real name was Ishwar Chandra Bandopadhyaya. He was born on 26th September of 1820 at Birmingha village of Midnapore area in West Bengal. The moniker "VIDYASAAGAR" was conferred on him to honor his immense knowledge across several subjects. People also referred him as "DAYA-R-SAAGAR"; that means 'The ocean of mercy and kindness'; in recognition of his benevolence. You know, the famous Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta, a contemporary of Vidyasaagar, said "he had the genius and wisdom of an ancient sage, the energy of an English man and the heart of a Bengali mother".
Sampreeti:- Wow, bua! He was really a diamond!
Sanjana:- Exactly! He was so kind towards the common people! This much talented man should be arrogant and proud! But he was so different from rest of the people and society!
Sampreeti:- Bua, please tell; what happened next?
Saubhaagyashree:- Vidyasaagar grew up in abject poverty, as his father Thakurdas Bandopadhyaya had a meager income of Rs. 8 per month. He studied under the street lights; because his family couldn't afford a gas lamp. After spending his childhood in village, he went to Calcutta for further studies. He learned English numbers by following the milestones' labels on his way to Calcutta; at the age of eight years. Through the course of his education, he received numerous scholarships.
Sampreeti:- That means, he leaned the English numbers himself! No one helped him! Such a genius!
Saubhaagyashree:- Exactly! No one helped him. It was his magic of merit and capability!
Sanjana:- After that, bua? Please tell!
Saubhaagyashree:- In Calcutta, he studied at Sanskrit college; where his subjects included Sanskrit, Grammer, Philosophy, Astronomy and Dialectics. In 1851,he became the Principal of Sanskrit college, where he had earlier stints as assistant secretary and literature professor. Between 1851 to 1855, he along with other reformers, opened many schools for women across Bengal. He used his own income to open 35 schools and was able to enroll 1300 students. Vidyasaagar is known as "FATHER OF BENGALI PROSE" and is credited with simplifying of the Bengali alphabets. His book "BORNO PORICHAY", which means introduction to the alphabets, is a popular primer in Bengal to this date. Among others, he translated William Shakespeare's plays to Bengali. A revolutionary reformer, Vidyasaagar also fought for women's rights to education and believed that, men and women regardless of their castes, should receive equal educational opportunities. He faced major opposition from the Hindu upper castes in doing so. His departure from Sanskrit college as assistant secretary occurred in such circumstances, but that didn't pale his enthusiasm.
Sampreeti:- That means, bua, didn't women have the right for education before Vidyasaagar's arrival?
Saubhaagyashree:- No! Before his arrival, no one thought about women education and development. People thought that women are there to serve men in every aspects of life. Women don't deserve to be educated! Vidyasaagar changed the hypocritical mentality of sanctimoniousness.
Sanjana:- Wonderful! He was so ahead from his time!
Saubhaagyashree:- Yes, that's why, he could think what is unthinkable and unpredictable for others!
Sampreeti:- What happened after that, bua?
Saubhaagyashree:- Vidyasaagar proposed and pushed for the widow marriage Act of 1856 in India, following this, he even looked for suitable matches for child and widows. He felt the need to build a specious house to keep his collection of 18000 books and manuscripts in good condition. So, he bought a bigha of land and built a relatively large but modest house in the center. As he was the principal of Sanskrit college, he would walk to his college every day. Many famous people visited his house during his life time and also after his death. Later, when the house was taken over by the outsiders from his decendants, his invaluable collection of books was donated to Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, where it is found till this day. The two rooms in the first floor, which were personally used by him, now display the documentary evidences of his life and times. The rest of his house is being used as a vocational training center for women. An annex is built at the back of house. The vocational center will be shifted and then; the main house will be a library and museum.
Sampreeti:- Wow, bua! His life story is really very inspiring! Can people visit his house now?
Saubhaagyashree:- Yes! They can visit there. The house is being opened on every week day.
Sanjana:- We have learned so many things from the Story. Thank you, bua! We will try to follow his path of life!
Saubhaagyashree:- My pleasure, dear!
In the personal room of Krishnendu:-
📞📞𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- This is not fair, Navarun! After two weeks, there will be my marriage and you want to go to hospital on that day also!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Krish, please try to understand! I can't take leave!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Really? I don't think so!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Krish, I promise you that all our family members shall reach in your house on the day of marriage!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- And engagement? No, no, no! You are giving me unnecessary excuses! You all are coming in this week!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- But, not only my duty; papa has also some important works regarding his business, how will we come? Please my dear friend! Don't be angry!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Give the phone to uncle!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Okay, hold the line!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Yes, I am here.
Navarun went to their dining room where his father was sitting and handed over the phone.
𝕰𝖐𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖘:- Hello, krishnendu! How are you?
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Very bad, uncle! I am not fine! When will you all come?
𝕰𝖐𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖘:- Very soon!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- No, no! You all are coming in this week. I don't want to hear any argument!
𝕰𝖐𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖘:- Okay, okay, fine. We are coming on the day after tomorrow! Happy now?
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Very very very happy! Thank you, uncle!
𝕰𝖐𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖘:- Mention not, dear!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- But papa, what about your work?
𝕰𝖐𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖘:- I will postpone it!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Listen, try to learn something from uncle!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Yes, I will learn! By the way, congratulations! my best friend! For the upcoming precious moment of your life!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Thank you, but it will surely fade away without the presence of my best friend!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Don't worry! I will surely come!
𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖚:- Okay! Take care! Bye, bye!
𝕹𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖚𝖓:- Good bye and same to you! ☎☎
So, guys, this is the thirty sixth chapter of the book. Hope you will like it.
Don't forget to tell about your opinion in the comments section.
Next update is coming soon. Till then, stay safe and healthy.