Parineeta

The Bank would be closed for the next three days. The day was hectic and strenuous. My entire staff had left by 8pm, and I too was in the quick rush of closing for the day. Through my chamber, I could see a lady, clad in a white saree sitting on a chair in the Banking Hall. Holiday mood had gripped me too, moreover, my wife and son would be waiting for me. I instructed Ram Dayal, the

watchman to close all doors and windows and to tell the lady to come after three days. She disappeared very soon, immediately I too left for home. However, my mind was not at ease, even after reaching home. I shared the incident with my wife and son who advised me to relax.

Holidays came to an end very soon. Monday morning, found Tom Sawyer miserable…………I was reminded of Mark Twain’s story. The Bank would be packed to capacity. I would have to do my best supervising, delegating work, and quickly disposing of customers. As of a flash, this lady in white, came to my mind. Would she come again today………… “Good morning Sir, Good morning

Sir”………I was happy to hear the energized and rejuvenated voices of my staff after the holidays. They were all quite younger to me, hence looked upon me as a father figure.

How quickly the day passed into dusk, none of us realized. My staff left after work, and the lady in white reappeared. “Sir, shall I drive her away? Ram Dayal, asked. “ No, let us find out what she wants,” said I. As soon as I approached her, she stood up and touched my feet in obeisance. Gesturing towards a chair, I told her to sit down. “What’s the matter, madam? If I am not wrong, you had also come a few days ago, I enquired. There was silence for some time. Amidst sobs, she began her saga……………

“Sir, I think you did not recognize me. I am Parineeta. I was working as a Customer Assistant, in your branch ten years ago, when you were the Branch Manager, in my village.” What with transfers every three years, I come across many customers but I never fail to recognize my staff. “I am sorry, but I think you have changed beyond recognition hence, I couldn’t place you,” said I. “Yes Sir, I was a fresher when I joined your branch and you always appreciated my work and mentored me perfectly.” “Yes, yes, I now remember………….our entire staff had attended your wedding too.” I recollected. “But now…………..” I think she understood what I was hinting at.” Yes, Sir, my husband passed away a few years ago. After my wedding, you were transferred to another place. In the beginning, everything was fine. After a few months, I was forced to resign. Belonging to a small village, my in-laws considered it infra dig to allow the daughter-in-law to earn. They had immense wealth and landed property, and my husband assisted his father in property matters. There were always a flow of guests, and festivals and functions were celebrated with great éclat. Moreover,

only to make a show, charity too would be done on a large scale. Many a time, I suggested to my husband regarding money matters, but it only fell in deaf ears.”

 “Suddenly, fate took an unfavorable turn. The death of my husband in an accident, my father-in-law’s illness…………money drained out for his treatment, finally, he too didn’t survive. I was little aware, that in his ostentation my father-in-law had even mortgaged the house we lived in. After his death, the house had to be sold to pay off debts. My mother-in-law went away to stay with her brother. Finally, the cruelty shown by certain relatives brought me from riches to rags. I now realize how important it is for a woman to be empowered, to stand on her own feet. That satisfaction itself gives great confidence. I now repent for the blunder I committed. It is now extremely difficult for me to make both ends meet. The future of my twins looms large before my

eyes. I am ready to pick up from my broken pieces. Sir, if you could suggest a way out.”

I was shattered, when I heard her story, and my mind became blank for a moment. I remembered what a skillful employee she had been. Worries must have weighed down upon her, the once good looking, young girl, looked much beyond her age. She was a quick learner. Her pitiable condition

and untold miseries wrenched my heart, but that was not what was wanted then. Rural India, still has to become aware and realize that education and employment are above wealth, whether it be a man or a woman. Wealth is transient and can disappear like a bubble. Utterly shocked by her downfall, I couldn’t think of a way out. I asked her to give me some time.

The next day, I called for her and suggested her to open a Customer Service Point. Since she had already worked in a Bank, it would be easy for her to do this job. Simultaneously, she wouldn’t need to leave her own place. This process of self-employment with minimum investment

would prove helpful and beneficial to her. I had a computer at home, which I gave her. In the front room of her house, she converted into an office. She also required permission from the Bank, which I gave. Her CSP was now connected to my Bank. She just had to help the people of her village in opening accounts. The illiterate villagers usually hesitate to open accounts with Banks, due to cumbersome formalities in account opening. Hence CSPs, facilitate them and ease matters.

Moreover, Parineeta had won the hearts of all the villagers with her good behavior. They readily agreed to be of help to her if she was getting a commission. Being a smart girl, she picked up work very soon, and also took charge of other products like insurance etc. At the end of my term, when I was transferred once again, I left with the satisfaction that I could help a girl to stand on her feet and to fend for herself. “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish

and you feed him for a lifetime.” My joy doubled when her name flashed in the newspapers and her achievements were read out in the regional news that she was successful in motivating a large number of people of her village in opening accounts, and she also ensured that each family

of that village, had opened an account.

 “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. Moreover, the treacherous, unexplored areas of the world are not in continents or seas, they are in the minds and hearts of men.”