Gangaa

Episode 3

There is no empty bed in any of the orphanages. Raghav ji takes Niranjan’s name so Mrs. Kidwai from Ashray Orphanage tells him of one place.

A lady (widow) tells another widow (girl) that life is too big. This is how they have live it. She (Sudha) picks up clothes from the terrace and tells the girl to do the same. Hand over anything expensive to Pishi Ma so she can keep it safely. Raghav ji brings Ganga there. Ganga looks at all the ladies, girls clad in white sarees intently. Raghav ji greets the same lady. She looks at Ganga and gestures her to come to her. she is emotional seeing Ganga all dressed up in a red saree. Ganga tells her her name. The lady knows that Ganga lost her father and her husband. I wonder why women have to bear so much pain in life. Such a young age and see what she has been 

through! She calls out for Pishi Ma who comes there holding a big stick in her hand for support. She tells her that Ganga will stay with them from now onwards. She sends her with Pishi Ma so her vermilion can be cleaned and she can change in a white saree. Sudha is having a hard time holding back her tears. Raghav ji leaves. Sudha looks at Ganga’s jewellery sadly.

Mamta and all the other widows are sitting at the Ghaat with a polythene before them. people come and give food to them. Pishi Ma comes there with Ganga. She notices everything around her. all the widows get up and circle around Ganga and Pishi Ma. The ladies ask her many questions about her background and her husband. Ganga is in tears. Pishi Ma tells her that the other women too have lost their husbands and the society snatched their right of living. They are here by God’s grace. They spend their lives by praying to God and eating what they get by other people. We all have to do this only now. Ganga runs away, saying she doesn’t want to live with them.

They chase her when Ganga hugs Sudha, asking her to save her. Sudha points out that she cannot run away from her fate. Sudha forcefully takes her to the Ghaat while Ganga tells her to leave her but in vain. She makes some ladies hold Ganga and brings clean water to clean the vermilion off Ganga’s forehead. Ganga asks them to leave her and cries badly for her Bappa. Sudha opens her hairs. Her bangles get broken next and the aalta is removed. They make Ganga wear a white saree afterwards. Little Ganga stands there sadly. She looks at all the ladies one by one. Pishi Ma explains the custom to her. Your life loses all colours when you lose your husband. We are not your enemies. We just did what happens with us women. You are lucky that you got to stay here or you never know where all you would have to roam. People will give you food on their own now. They run away from a widow’s shadow even. There is either sin or repulsion in the eyes of people for a lonely woman. There is no dearth of people in this world who will not think once before taking advantage of women. Ganga asks for her clothes and jewellery. Bappa had bought them from far for me. I want them. Mamta repeats Pishi Ma’s words but Ganga is not ready to follow any of them. Pishi Ma insists that this only is her fate now. Ganga looks up towards the sky sadly.

Niranjan is still worried about Ganga. He is not so comfortable with the idea of Ganga staying in that orphanage with widows. It is her age to play and study in school when she had to go there. Raghav ji says you have a very soft heart. The world is hard these days. You did what all you could do for her. Rest it’s her fate!

Sudha tells another girl named Mamta to keep all the clothes in her office. I will send it to Mrs. Kidwai’s office so she can use it for others. She asks Pishi Ma if Ganga has calmed down. Did she eat anything yet? Pishi Ma smiles. She is hot headed. She will eat in a while. Sudha nods and leaves.

Ganga is looking at river Ganga from the terrace. She recalls her anxiety about the river and the city Banaras. She thinks of her father and their last ride together to Banaras.

Mamta brings food for Ganga. She refuses to eat it. I saw you all have asking for the food from people. My Bappa has taught me to earn and then eat anything using your own money. The girl is taken aback but tells her that big words cannot curb / end the hunger. We all eat it and now you too have to eat the same food. Ganga stays put. I am the daughter of a farmer. I can stay hungry but wont take food like this. The girl makes a bite for her but Ganga pushes her hand away. The plate makes a loud noise and it falls on the ground floor. Sudha lady looks up and is not happy as she notices Ganga standing upstairs.

Everyone gathers downstairs, including Ganga. Sudha questions Ganga. How dare you throw it? Ganga refuses to eat the food that they have begged. Sudha gets angry. It is written in the scriptures that a widow has to live on alms only. Ganga repeats her Bappa’s words. What’s the need of begging when you have two hands and feet? You, Pishi Ma and Mamta are liars too. You all eat the food that you beg for. Disgusting! Sudha feels bad / hurt. You are disrespecting us. She picks up a stick and asks Ganga to apologize. Ganga stays put. I am not wrong, why should I apologize? Sudha beats Ganga so Pishi Ma comes to her rescue. Sudha is not able to understand why Ganga is not saying sorry to her. Pishi Ma requests Ganga to apologize. Ganga shouts that she is not at fault. Sudha says your fault is that your husband is dead. Ganga retorts that she isn’t dead yet. She is very much alive! Sudha looks at her in shock. She leaves from there without saying anything. Ganga looks at Mamta, Pishi Ma and all the other ladies.

Sudha is undergoing multiple emotions as Ganga’s words echo in her head. She cannot hold back her tears anymore and cries.

At night, all the ladies have fallen asleep. Mamta comes there with a lantern. So much anger? You were beaten so much yet you dint apologize. You cannot throw tantrums here. You have to follow the rules of this Ashram if you want to live here. Ganga doesn’t want to live here. I will run away. I have no idea where but I wont stay here. Mamta requests her to eat something. You need strength to run. Ganga agrees. Mamta goes to bring something for her.

Ganga looks at her wounded palm. She remembers her Bappa telling her that her right palm holds her self-respect and her left palm is her strength. You can get anything in life if you don’t give up. Bappa you told me that my destiny is in my hands. I will win. Your Ganga wont give up!