She Was Different

Born in a middle-class family Gayatri was an intelligent child. Although her mother was uneducated yet she made a point that Gayatri gets a basic education. Gayatri wanted to pursue her studies further, but the village had no collage and her father dint like the idea of walking miles every day for studies.

After a few years, her father married off Gayatri to his friend's son. The family was from old fashioned landlords in Rajasthan. Dheeraj, the groom was involved in the family business from childhood and he lacked education and so did the others in the family. 

Gayatri was happy in all ways in the new life. She had many maids in Haweli and most of the day Gayatri would spend taking rest or assisting in kitchen. But she was surprised to see how lack of education has changed the condition of villagers.

 Despite all comforts what made Gayatri restless was the lack of knowledge. All the ladies of the village were never been sent to school, rather at the age of 14 they were married.

Even the educated boys were hard to count.

The myths and beliefs of villagers were strong enough to be broken.

Gayatri wanted some change, but who could help her. She tried explaining things to Dheeraj, and all he would suggest her to go and visit her native house for a change, or to have kids to keep her busy.

Deep down Gayatri decided only to embrace motherhood once the village embraces education. 

So one night being restless, she asked Dheeraj to take her to the Sarpanch. Ladies never approached for any concerns to the Panchayats. Even Dheeraj's grandfather was one of the members in it. Dheeraj got angry from her and asked her to cease the marriage and go back to her books.

Gyatri without telling anyone approached dadaji and asked him to give her permission to set up a school in the village else she would not have kids. After a lot of thinking dadaji agreed to her condition. And asked her to do all by herself if she can.

No one helped Gayatri in setting up the school. Rather people would make fun of her. Her hardship was too much to give up. But this was the last and only chance she had. Without anyone, besides her she kept on going.

Soon a family in the village lost their girl child for not treating her illness medically and choosing the local ' jhad fuk' system. 

Gayatri took the heat and explained all the importance of education, for their kids to live a better life. She told us how education bring us power, make us stronger to protect our families.

She set up a school in the backyard of her Hawelli. Initailly only 2 girls came, but seeing the way Gayatri giving a reason for every small happening, villagers were amused.

Soon the classes flooded with kids.

She would teach them, night and day.

The kids would be happy to see how their names could be spelled and written. They loved signing on slates. The girls knew the basics of womanhood and the baseless myths related to it.

The village was improving. 

After three years Gayatri was blessed with a baby boy. Throughout her pregnancy she kept on teaching. As she knew a pause for today can be a full stop forever. Struggling with health yet Gayatri would help each villager with their problem. 

After few years Gayatri applied for application to open government school in a village. Looking at great efforts by Gayatri the jila panchayat named the school on her name as Gayatri Devi Inter school. 

Finally, this was an award to her uncountable efforts and strength she showed. And as Gayatri grew older, she handed school duties to Vigyan her son. Although Dheeraj wanted Vigyan to look after the land and many landing works. But Gayatri insisted to let him continue what she started.

And who has the power to fight with a brain like her, so Dheersj agreed finally. It has been 25 years today the schools runs, kids come and become better people.

Everyone before leaving town for further studies comes to take blessings from Gayatri.

Vihaan has taken responsibility for school really well. The village is better now, the health of kids has improved, the rate of child marriage decreased. The myths are replaced by logic.

Sitting on her chair, Gayatri is happy for not waiting for others to bring a change rather than initiating one by herself. And all she wants is the lamp she burnt years back to keep lightning forever