A small encounter with Mrs Koppad!

Maha Shivaratri, a day dedicated for devotion towards Lord Shiva. My faith observes this day as a festival of great importance. Our family did it too. We were fasting as one family and performed Shiva Pooja. Made 16 Shiva Lingas and were chanting Shiva Naama. Of course, I was part of all these along with my 'Work from Home'(Hubli) scheme for today.

So tonight is the day,  I have to start back to my karma bhoomi(Bangalore). As the time was nearing to start from home, I was still running around in the home. I sat with my brother for some serious talks. As we started speaking we were late to Bus stand. However, we deemed we can talk until I board the bus. I thought that was a great idea. Our conversation was around Nayavanchakaru (Pecksniff ). I was really disheartened to know about someone from my acquaintances. Today I’m not even comfortable calling that person as a relative of mine.  Ignorance could have been a bliss but I couldn’t resist reacting.

To avoid this topic of Pecksniffs, I started talking about my mother Mathe Mahadevi. Again,  the sibling talks. I was of the opinion, may be today mum was happy as we both were around here on a festival day. But there was something missing, maybe I wanted to talk and I did not know what to talk about. So I rushed to the Bus stand with Anna.

In no time,  I saw Mathe Mahadevi ( another name for Matha Parvathi) at KSRTC waiting lounge. This time, it wasn’t my mother. But she was a mother to a one and half-year-old child. I told Vinu,  look I know her. He immediately responded, who do you don’t know? Mrs Mahadevi was about to sit on one of the chairs opposite to us in the waiting lounge.  A man in his 30s took the child from her hand and allowed the lady to sit.  I said,  look I really know her. He asked who is she, as he had not seen the lady yet. I said, she is Mrs Koppad. You remember the Siachen hero?  Now Vinu kept his phone aside and turned to the other side. He asked me,  are you sure?  I said Yes. I even showed the little cute baby girl and said,  look I remember that child very well from the news footage.

I told him,  I want to speak. He said you are going to remind her of a lot of things girl. Why do you want to stir her emotions?  I convinced myself not to speak by now. I was entering the mode,  wherein,  the next one week I would mentally be absent where ever I would go. I was getting shivers. I couldn’t gulp the spit in my throat. I sat blankly looking at the lady. And there comes the first tear. 10 minutes passed and I was convincing myself not to do anything stupid. My bus arrived. I took my bags. I stood still and said,  I want to speak now. He said ok.
'Mahadevi ji' I addressed her,  she lifted her head up. 'Mahadevi ji'? With a questioning tone. She said yes.
Me and Anna: Namaskara ri (we bowed our head with our hands folded)
Madam: Namaskara ri.
Me: How are you, madam?
Madam: I am fine.
Me: How is your daughter?
Madam: She is fine.
Me: Is that your mother?
Madam: She is my Grandmother.
Me: Okay. Traveling to your place?
Madam: We are traveling to Bangalore.
Me and Anna: Ohh!
Anna hurriedly opened his wallet. Lady was surprised as to know,  what was happening. Anna got his Business card. We handed it to the lady. Anna said,  akka avre anything regarding your baby’s education please contact us without any hesitation. Be it her admission or any information you would want to know. Lady smiled and said Thanks Anna avre. I added,  akka avre, anything if you need in Bangalore please call us.

Mother Mahadevi, a brave woman was now almost getting emotional. That’s the point which I did not want to bring her to. I said, take care, madam. She said thanks ri.  I said,  I’ll take your leave madam and left. The baby just entered the lounge with a packet of Lays with her uncle. Now I had reached a point, which I did not want to. I wanted to hug the baby so long,  that I did not want to leave her and go.

Now there was nothing incomplete for the day,  I met a brave woman who must be barely of my age. But she is no less than a hero to me. A small encounter but a lifetime memory. As I was walking out of the lounge I turned and waved my hand. Madam acknowledged with a smile. Now that’s what I call a Strong Woman, who smiles through her pain. Her words still echo in my mind - "I'll raise my daughter like a son and send her to Indian Army" and "Our entire village celebrated his rebirth and we awaited his return"
A day to remember! My respect and salute to both Late Hanumanthappa sir and Mahadevi madam. Lots of love to the little girl.

My head bowed with my hands folded,
V