Killing Poverty

Anuj knew poverty as his very dear friend. From the time he could remember, he and poverty were very close to each other. He was born into a family of two elder girls and himself the only boy. His father was a factory labourer who remained without work for most part of the year due to some skewed policy of recruiting laborers in the factory work force. The family income was supplemented by his mother cooking food and supplying it to some nearby cheap eateries. 

All the three girls and boys were going to the same govt free primary school where absenteeism was the one constant factor because the teachers rarely showed up and we're conducting merrily their paid tutorial classes. Only those who could afford, attended the paid tutorial classes. Anuj and his two elder sisters had to sit out at home most of the time due to the non conduct of the classes at the government school. 

All the good things in life were alien to Anuj and his sisters. Even education which was now made mandatory by the government through an Act of law in the parliament was a luxury to them. They only knew manual labour and to exist in life they had to toil hard. His sisters toiled hard with the household chore and Anuj toiled hard running errands for the household to keep it in existence. Their father was perennially at home without work. Whereas he should have been working to bring in money to keep the members happy. But it was reverse situation always. 

During festival time situation became worse for the Anuj household. There was only gloom and doom all around. When the neighborhood was decked in best of colours and everyone was enjoying having fun with good food, Anuj and sisters were hiding behind their dingy walls to keep themselves hidden from public glare due to shame. 

But, however, Anuj and his ilk were a happy lot, surprisingly, even in so much of deprivation. Their horizon for happiness was not too far fetched. They were happy if they went to bed with their stomachs full. Even amongst so much of compromises and sacrifices, they never quarrelled among themselves. The household was one of calm and pacifism whereas the whole neighbourhood was up in arms for having to not getting any of their desires fulfilled. When the neighbours were fighting and quarrelling, Anuj and his family members remained non chalant, unperturbed and cool. This was a total paradox and the Anuj family remained an enigma to the whole neighbourhood. This is why their family was idolised by the locality. 

But, Anuj, hoped in his own thoughts that their struggles had an end or the end seemed to be in sight. He couldn't comprehend that their troubles would ever see the finishing line. He didn't know the nadir of their suffering. Things began to change after their sisters reached the high school stage. His eldest sister was a good seamstress and could stitch clothes lightning fast and with dexterity. She had been stitching clothes since time immemorial or Anuj knew her to be. After completing her school when his Radha didi entered college, there she participated in a clothes stitching competition, where she stood first. As a prize winning offer she got a contract to stitch school uniform for a government primary school that was being promoted by local lawmaker, herself a lady. This was the turning stone for Anuj's Radha didi. With her income now Radha supported all the years unfulfilled desires of the full family. Anuj's mother was much relieved from her meager income from her cooking. After the success of Radha, Anuj's next elder sister Shruti got a job in the police force. The government was encouraging young girls who were in college to take up challenging job in the police force in order to maintain law and order and peace in the society. Shruti didi had the secret desire to serve the society by maintaining law and order was not known to Anuj and his family members. But as this job in the police would bring a lot of respect for Shruti and family, and whole lot of financial security, the family did not relent. Shruti's appointment in the police was an added bonus for the family because she could help with the food ration supplied by the department. 

Good times were now with the family. Anuj, his parents and both his sisters were rejoicing the turn of events. Their other relatives who had shunned them so long due to pity and some due to shame were now looking at them with a different colour. The society was also showering lot of respect to Anuj and family. 

But the icing on the cake was yet to be revealed. Anuj had not imagined the change in his life story. He had become tall and robust by playing cricket. Batting was what Anuj liked although he was not a good fielder. His teammates constantly poked him to hone his fielding skills because without being a good fielder, one cannot become a good cricketer and not get a chance to play in the eventful league games. Six months of hard training Anuj became a fielder of some stature. This stint helped Anuj to clinch a team berth in his college team. 

Very soon league cricket was coming in a big way in the country with jaw dropping prize money. There would be many teams and lot of young talented players. Gone were the days when youngsters would dream to get a call to represent the country. Now the dream was to play for the rich franchisee teams with huge prize money. Each player had a price on his head on the basis of his achiements and potential and he would participate in the auction to be purchased by any of the franchisees. Though Anuj was not a big league player with a lot of achievements to his credit but being young and tall was lucky enough to be picked by a franchisee team with a seven digit prize money. This huge moolah changed his life's trajectory for ever. This was the icing on the cake which Anuj had never comprehended. He was now the talk of his club, his neighbourhood, his society and everywhere he was known. 

For a kid who had befriended poverty, this abundance of affluence was almost impossible for Anuj to sink into his head. With one stroke of his cricket bat, Anuj had sent poverty out of the playing field like a huge six. His parents were waiting for such a shower of angel money. For many years they were waiting to marry off their elder daughter Radha who was now reaching the prime of her womanhood. Even the second daughter Shruti who was now a confirmed Police force employee was waiting on the sidelines with her fiancé also from the Police force. With the great nudge and push from Anuj, the nuptial ceremony of both the girls were duly completed. 

Anuj, now presented his parents with a new gift. A prized bungalow awaited them. It has been a long, long journey full of ignominy, toil and hardships for his parents. They had never ever imagined that in this very lifetime they would be blessed with so much of good fortune. Anuj was very happy for them. 

Then after his further exploits on the cricket field, Anuj signed mouth watering endorsements for various commercials which swelled his already fattened purse. Finally, Anuj could say to himself that he had done away with poverty for good. He planned a big celebration. He called both his sisters and their families and his present teammates, his relatives and friends. A big image made of flammable materials like Wood etc.was erected on his lawn. A big BANNER written 'POVERTY' was embossed on the hay covered image. A priest was called to chant mantra before a fire sacrifice is done. Then at an opportune time, Anuj took a burning torch of fire and lit up the 'poverty' image. He took pride on himself on being able to kill 'poverty'.