Story Of A Braveheart

Tejaswini was a 12th pass. She studied in her village school at Chandus in Chakan, Pune. Chandus was a pretty village. Lush green trees, a beautiful river flowing on one side of the village, cool breeze and lots of flowering and fruit trees around, rich in flora and fauna. Children of this village were super happy during the rainy season as the village grew greener and summer season for the mangoes. Though the people who lived there were poor, they were very happy with what they had. Most of the people did farming. They kept enough grains for themselves and the excess was sold in the nearby market.

Tejaswini was a very sharp girl, was good at her studies and even at all that she did. She had scored 91% in her 12th standard. She knew knitting, stitching and farming as well. She had a dream of becoming a police officer. She had collected all the information related to the entrance exam, the books that she would need and the money that would be needed for the entire training. She was quite determined to become a policewoman. There was only one hurdle in her way, her parents wanted her to learn about household chores and farming. Ther wanted to marry her off as soon as she turned 20. They had no plans and the money to help her study further.

The village Chandus was popular for the kind of rice that they grew. The variant name was ‘Indrayani'. Tejaswini's father was a farmer too and they grew Indrayani rice variety on their farm. When cooked the rice smelt like heaven. This variant was loved in the nearby cities too. People from cities would come to the village on weekends to buy the rice. 

One fine day, Tejaswini and her father were working on their farm. Tejaswini was helping her father to arrange the paddy field. Her hands were working at super speed but her mind was somewhere else. She was dreaming of being in training for IPS officers. She was wearing a nicely ironed ‘khaki' uniform, marching on drum beats. Tejaswini’s eyes had welled up with tears. She thought this dream will always remain a dream. She started concentrating on her work. 

From far away Tejaswini heard her friend Kanta calling her name. “Teju, Teju look what I have for you". There was so much excitement in her voice that, at once Teju (as she was lovingly called by her best friend Kanta) stood up and started running toward Kanta. She didn't even care for her soiled hands and feet due to the slimy mud she was working in. The rain had just started pouring hence the muddy fields. 

Kanta and Teju stood panting in front of each other. “What is it Kanta?”, asked Tejaswini still her heavy breathing had not stopped. “Teju, look at this pamphlet, an opportunity to fulfil your dreams is here.” Kanta held the pamphlet high up for Teju to jump and get hold of it. Both started giggling. Finally, Teju got hold of the pink paper. She carefully held it not to soil it with her muddy hands. The advertisement was from a nearby city college that wanted to sponsor needy but intelligent girls for anything they aspired of being in life. There was going to be an entrance exam and then an interview. Teju was super delighted. She hugged Kanta and had no words to thank her. Once again she started day-dreaming that she had already got through the entrance and the interview, she was determined to crack this one. Suddenly Teju's smile faded. Now she was only worried about one thing. CONVINCING HER PARENTS. 

• To be continued.....

In the next part, we shall see whether Teju will be able to fulfil her dreams.