Anidita - My Soulmate I trust

Anirudh is punished but he didn't give up

I  came to Patibabu house for tuition and I was  asked to sit in study room by Shubhra maa.

She gave water and roshogullas to eat. Those are my all time favourite. But I  politely refused because maa gave me strict warning not to eat anything from Patibabu house.

He saw this and came to study room. He asked your Bhatuk chacha also to join them. He silently sat in other side and Patibabu is checking his homework and asked him to write words in Hindi, Bengali.

He later came to me.  I immediately stood up and bent down, to  touch his feet to take his blessings. Ksj, Shubhra maa saw this and got happy with my values. He just took 2 steps back and asked why are you doing this. I said by bending head and folding hands that 'as you  are teaching me, you are my  shikshak babu, so a shishya is taking blessings of guru.'

He said it's not required, can I ask you something. I just nodded. May I know  why you are talking slowly and  by bending your head Bondita.

I slowly told that my Thakuma and maa taught us that we should always bend our heads infront of men, not to speak loudly and always be alert with outside men, we are not supposed to laugh loudly infront of them or speak against them.

Once I spoke and laughed loudly so Thakuma reprimanded me and asked me to behave properly. I felt ashamed of myself that she got upset because of me. This is the reason why I am like this.

Patibabu is hell irritated with what my elders taught me..

He took me to their mandir and shown Durga maa and asked me  if she is bending head with shame or fear or if she is looking confidently to kill demons and protect the needed.

I told that she is looking confidently. He then asked if she is standing or sitting equal to her husband Lord Shivji or stood beside him covering her face with pallu and suppressing, belittling herself.  I replied that she always stand equally with her husband.

Then Patibabu explained that Durga maa is setting example to all women in the world that women are not weak they should not bend their heads with shame  infact they should raise their heads with confidence, enthusiasm and look forward.

He asked me if I had seen any goddess in feet of her husband. I shook my head as no. Then he clarified that it means that women are supposed to be given respect  they are not supposed to be at feet of men. He explained that women should also study equally with men and both are equal.

If women are so Inferior then why did god create them and sent into the world. Why we are born to our maa -a woman? A man only can carry his own son and bring another man into this world, right? Why are they dependent on women? Have you ever thought of it?
Why goddess of knowledge is Saraswati Mata. And we do her puja right? Now tell me in what ways are women inferior and should always bend their heads with unnecessary shame and fear.

My eyes got widened and asked him 'So I can raise my head and can speak by looking into others eyes.'

He said yes not only you Bondita, every girl and woman has to do it, live their life confidently. Think Bondita, think..Ask questions, argue and learn and put your points infront of others. Don't suppress yourself. Tark Karo, fark mitao.'

I felt so amazed by his words no one taught me to think in this way. A smile crept on my lips and unknowingly I jumped out with joy.  He too joined me in smiling.

Just then Shubhra maa is giving Bhatuk roshogullas and again asked me to take it. I hesitatingly looked whether to take or not, but patibabu asked me, 'Bondita, what did I tell you just now?'

I immediately smiled and took roshogullas plate from her and ate happily. Those are my favourite sweets but in Krishnanagar Thakuma used to give our sisters very rarely. When I ate once during puja, she reprimanded me very badly for not keeping my hunger in control.