#MoHMusings *Diwali* “Maa, do you know about that Sahib who distributes shawls outside the temple on Diwali?” Lakshmi asked her mother. “Yes beta, did you manage to get any?” Maa asked hopefully. “Yes, maa, we managed to get two shawls. I took Chotu along.” Maa was ecstatic. She took Lakshmi in her embrace. “Well done beta, well done. This will serve as our God and protect us during winters.” Maa, Baba, Lakshmi and Chotu lived together in one of the dirtiest slums in Kolkata. They were professional rag pickers. The legacy had been passed down to them by Baba’s father. While little Chotu concentrated on broken pieces of plastic which he could use as toys, Lakshmi and their parents would search for items that could serve for their daily necessities or stuff they could modify and sell in the market. Festival for them was finding rotten apples or discarded clothes in the garbage heap. On Diwali too, Maa and Baba were busy inspecting the large garbage bin. Chotu had been sent to the temple so that he could return with some alms or any gift bade sahib would want to give the poor children of the slum on Diwali. Lakshmi had gone to work in ‘Gori memsaab’s house’. Memsaab would invite her friends over for dinner so she’d need more helping hands. In the Evening, when Lakshmi returned, she was greeted with three pairs of hopeful eyes. She had come with hundred rupees and some food. Gori Memsaab had given her some rice and curry. Gore sahib had given her sweets somebody had given him as a gift. Chotu rushed to examine the black polythene bag she was holding. Baba took Lakshmi on his lap and said, ‘You actually are Goddess Lakshmi. You bring prosperity in our lives.” Maa smiled, “See, even Chotu brought us thirty rupees and a lot of sweets. We’ll have our little feast today. I’ll keep the money safely.” “Lakshmi didi, we will first go out and see the colourful bombs. I love the loud sound they make. When I grow up, I will work in a cracker factory. I’ll take a lot of crackers from there for myself. I won’t share it with anyone.” Chotu said. “Yes Chotu, I will pray to God that you get a job there. I will take up a job in a hotel. I will bring good food for you everyday.” “Didi, you mean the food you brought today?” “Yes Chotu, that food.” “So much food? Does that mean didi, that we will celebrate Diwali like Bade Sahab every day?” --Sreyasi Verma
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:17:56 +0000
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