“A Story of Friendship, Love, and Sacrifice”:
By Lokanath Mishra:
Rajesh, a young accountant in a small town bank, had just started his career after completing his degree in commerce. His best friend, Sushant, a probationary officer in another bank, invited him to attend his sister’s marriage. Rajesh was looking forward to celebrating this special occasion with his friend’s family.
As they waited for the arrival of the baraat, the wedding procession, there was an inordinate delay, and the guests started murmuring. Finally, the groom’s family arrived, and the family breathed a sigh of relief. But little did they know, the worst was yet to come.
As the groom was getting off the horse, his leg caught in the stirrup, and he tumbled! He fell down, hit his head on the ground, and passed out. The scene was chaotic, with complete mayhem all around. A doctor was quickly called, and he declared the groom dead due to a head injury.
The groom’s family, in their grief and shock, started saying that the bride was manhoos, a bad omen. They blamed her for the unfortunate incident, despite it being an accident. The poor bride and her family were being victimized over nothing. What was her fault in all that transpired? Should a person be blamed for someone else’s bad experiences?
Sushant and his family were devastated, not just because of the tragic incident but also due to the unjust accusations against his sister. They knew she was innocent and didn’t deserve to be blamed. In this difficult time, they approached Rajesh with a request. They asked him to consider marrying his sister, given the circumstances.
Rajesh, who had always admired Sushant’s sister for her intelligence and kindness, agreed to marry her. Despite the tragic circumstances, their marriage turned out to be a beautiful union, built on mutual respect and trust.
This story highlights several important social messages:
Don’t blame the innocent: The groom’s family blamed the bride for the accident, which was unjust and unfair. We should not blame someone for something that is beyond their control.
Superstitions can be harmful: Believing in superstitions like “manhoos” can lead to unfair treatment of people. We should focus on facts and reason rather than superstitions.
Support and kindness matter: Sushant and his family showed great kindness and support to Rajesh when they asked him to marry his sister. Their actions demonstrated the importance of standing by someone in need.
Love and understanding can conquer all: Rajesh and Sushant’s sister built a strong and loving relationship despite the tragic circumstances of their marriage. Their story shows that with mutual respect, trust, and love, couples can overcome any challenge.
This story also highlights the importance of standing up against injustice and supporting those who are unfairly treated. It shows that kindness, empathy, and understanding can make a significant difference in people’s lives.