First Encounter

Here with you all I am sharing a bit about a funny conspiracy which I came across some four years before. I may go a bit lengthy about this whole story that it may seem to be a small novella to you all. If you feel that its not at all suitable for reading in a blog then readers suggestions are most welcome.

To begin with ...its about a conspiracy of money, murder, loot and ongoing judicial case which is going on in one small village of India.

I got to know about the whole story when I was travelling in one of the remotest areas of Western India. To reach the place is also not an easy game. You have to travel by bus till a place from the nearest town, with the bumpy ride of almost 4 hours to reach the place called Thava. Thava, itself is a spooky town and by any means if you happened to reach there in evening after 6 pm you are sure got to be an easy prey of the marauding tribes men,who are in the alcoholic stage by their lenient doses of the liqour and ready to swing your neck if they are capriced by your luggage and strange behaviour. So, the moment you reach Thava, be smart indeed not to be late after 6 pm and if so then be ready for all your roller coaster experinces. Well, I was surely the biggest fool of the first timers and in my jest to have all the adventorous and weird experiences crossed all the time bondations and reached the place by 7.15 pm. Well one reason for my smartness inherent ignorance was that, I was not knowing the region except with my so called studious skills of cartographic and regional maps and first hand published book on the region which were written by some administrative officers of the region almost a decade ago in form of Gazetteers. That offcourse , remains a foolhardy way of looking the practical truths which are so different from what we read and see in forms of print or visual media these days....

Part-II

..what happens when you are tensed. Your physiology does not supports your psychological condition. You perspire from your single hair of the scalp till the edges of your toes. Gasping for air as the terror around is horrific.Single shiver in the air makes you feel as the whole of the blackening sky and soil is all set to kill you till the spores of your skins. In the horror of dense dark you forget that you have the potential to breath and your legs freeze and disallow you to drag you even a step ahead. Ohh! that could have happened if you had got down from a bus in the late evening all alone in a small desolated town which was all mist and sulking for light.

Imagine youself, all to yourself with counted souls in the bus leaving you behind with a caution saying, "What on earth made you take a decision to get down on this haunted village where no sane man walks in the evening after 6 pm and only revenging men in arms!". I was stunned for a while and cursed the driver and conductor of the bus, saying in mind,were they sleeping when I bought the tickets for Thava some four hours before? However, after getting down from the bus I gathered the little left courage in me perhaps it was not left at all! Lifted my bag and tried to search for torch, as the whole village was dark without a single light. With a lot of trouble and shivering hands I retrieved the torch which graciously denied to work.I prayed to God please save your angelic daughter who is caught up in this devilish hell! Possibly, God heard his beloved daughter and almost 200 yards away there was a small candle flickering...it was for the moment more brighter than the 100 watt tubelight for me and with full speed I ran towards it.Sometimes, devils come in disguise and here to make situation more haunting I saw over there a very old man sitting besides the lonesome candle with almost million wrinkles on his face and some extra large teeths, he raised his face and frowningly gave an exclaimed gesture without saying anything, symbolically, to say as if I was one of those notorious marauders who possibly had taken away his all the jewels which anyone could ever imagine to possess. His glance was enough to tell me that either rush away or I will chase you till you die!

I tried to gather my jilted soul to normalcy which was denying to recover and with heavy ankles I returned and came back to the place where I had got down... I was numb by now and did not knew as how to move ahead!!!

PART-III

In a dim night while waiting on the edge of the road one often left with no option except to imagine for all the possible ways to seek ventures to enhance one's survival instincts.

Could the surround in pitch black due to lack of even a single spark makes a person capable to arouse ones nocturnal potentials! Yes, possibily that happened and with gods grace and with the gradual expansion of moonlight slight by slight everything around turned from black to blue. Might be that night turned me more spiritual and increased my faith in the supreme almighty. I dont remember weather those nights were moonlit or not but surely that one particular night stupendously was well lit.

Everthing was by that hour of night was more clear and visible and I could see the alley and lanes of the sparsely inhabitated village. There was an average width road, one side of which was the bus stand with a lonely passenger thats me. Who was yet not sure as which way she has to go?

The road got scattered in three different routes; one went towards west straight to another district, east was from where I came and right in front of me was a cobbled passage to south. Possibly,that was the one where I was supposed to carry on my further journey...moreover adventures. But its said; 'faith brings fear too...',eventhough, I knew why I came in the village and where I need to go...I was still waiting for some angel to help me seek my routes. I was petrified enough to push myself for my cause.

In between I must explain, it was in no way an adventerous tour made out in wake of seeking some exotic tourist spots. It one among the sections of project which I was doing under a research body. I was supposed to select some welfare organisations working for the welfare cause in the rural backdrop of western India. I chose the destination after discussing it with my senior who vaguely heard about the place but never tried himself to visit it.Possibly most of the organisations were studied by him on paper with 100% positive evaluations depending upon how much undercover payments they all give! To be precise other organisation were also not visited by him or them (its specific here for no one person could be blamed in certain instances of lethargic administration, when the entire system constitues of laid back babus or clerks!) , no matter how the various social welfare oganisations were easy to travel and accessible to reach. Hopefully, he told me about one welfare organisation which was located near some beach resort...where he had a perfect time with his family; certainly not the offcial one!

Here, now in the thick night full of fear and frenzy of perspiration I decided to pursue the so called "Sewa Kendra" (welfare organisation), surely at that moment of life I was in desperate need of that sewa.

Usually when nerves are low then we tend to forget the wisest things we did or possessed to act in the accordance of the surrounding.As the time passed things turned out to move in streamline although suspicion and threat was evident in every flutter of air. When I saw a human shadow coming from cobblled passage treads towards me, I lost all my nerves and all the scary stories of pirates and thugs started banging my head. I was unable to think for a while as there do exist some skills to drive at one person if we are in danger. Standing still remained possibly with closed eyes seeking some divinely support remained only option.The air for a while was still...and I heard a gentle voice from besides which said, "Madam, are you same who wrote letter to us about your arrival today, sorry, I got late, there was some urgent social obligation to perform. Can I carry your bag."

Aah, do devils really sound so sweet or its my imagination? I turned towards the man, he was a kind and peaceful in appearance, his white shirt and dark trousers were adding to the calm inherent in him. His noble persona, made me come back to my senses, although I was still mumbling for thoughts. He repeated once again, are you not Ms. Bina, you wrote to us about your arrival. I recalled and blissfully nodded saying, yes, I am same.

How far is the Ashram?

'Its 3 kms from here, sorry to say, we need to walk down as at this time we wont get any vehicle', he politely stated his inability to offer me the luxury.

Oh! Its fine, at least two of us will be there to cross the passage. I smiled and asked for the direction to move on.

So, whats your name, are you part of Sewa Kendra? What you do there?, I suddenly became more vocal and started bombarding him with my anxious questions.

My name is Sanjay, I work as pimary teacher and also as attendant of Sewa Kendra for visitors.

I was delighted by his answers and was joyous in spirits that 'cool I survived the danger by being wise at least in past.'

The walk of three kilometers was pleasant in the breezy night and on the way I asked several things about Sewa Kendra and its founder Mansingh. In the pleasant walk when we arrived to village Thava...I dont remember!

...I dont remember when the passage came to an end as it was not tiring walking admist the natural surrounding and crop fields in the pleasant night. When we were about to arrive it was almost 10 (22 hrs)by now the whole ashram could have been asleep to my expectations. However, in reverse it was not!

The entrance was as pleasant as I could have ever imagined. I was surprised to see that in the remote and horrific area where robbers are expected thrived the amazing abode of learning and human excellence. Offcourse, there was no electricity and every nook in small houses and structures of the settlement had tinkling lamps. The entire conglomerate of the Sewa Kendra looked like a birthday cake to be as in the middle of the homes was a raised moors where its founder Mansing lived in its cherry topping hut.

He was waiting there for me to arrive. Sanjay told me to move fast because, Dada, as Mansing was respecfully called by the name was waiting for me to have dinner with him. Following his words, as if taking some orders I rushed with equal speed possibly more because the long walk and whole days efforts actually made me realise need of my appetite.

There was a lot to know from Dada, but the dinner was served and I was dutifully ordered to have meals soon and take rest to begin my day next morning on early hours...

Part-IV

After having my meals, offcourse alone. As Mansingh after waiting for almost an hour left for another assignment in a nearby village. I took my delicious meals constituting lavish tastes of dal, chawal, roti, sabji and salad. It was simple but delicious as I was deadly hungry after my adventers of almost 10 hours without any food. After this I was aided by one of the student of the ashram Radha. Radha was a beautiful girl of around 12-13 years of age studying in standard 7th, she guided me with her usual efficiency in hilly terrain and taught me as how I must walk without tumbling down.She took me to the guest room and in between I kept on asking few questions about ashram and her school in it, in my almost broken and flattering Gujarati, to which she smilingly turned down all my question. Either she was not understanding for what I was asking or she was least bothered to answer them. It was bit embarrasing as it was the most modest way to turn down the appreciation, Radha was offcourse, smart enough for me to handle. We arrived till the room and she solemnly shown me my bed and other assessories and handed me the keys.Her gesture was calm and appealing she briefed me about schedule of next morning, which was too early right from the day break. I was amazed as weather I will be able to get up at such an early hour...for a while I thought of asking for lenient excuses, then realised it is better to take my present requirements of drowsy calls than fearing about the coming morning. I waved good night to my new pal and took blanket high up the hairs and slept deeper than ever. In the morning the prayer bells rang and children of ashram started cleaning the aisles and raking leaves, I cant assume, when? However, I felt ashamed when Radha knocked door of my room and asked for Tea, I hurriedly woke up and apologised; 'Radha I am sorry I am late...did prayer got over?' 'No I came to call you for it, would you like to have tea before coming for it.', Radha politely asked. 'Dont embarras me please, I dont take morning tea, its fine. Give me 10 min. I will be there at prayer ground.'I gulped my words. After Radha left I did all my morning activities I suppose in fast forward and flew for the praying ground. At prayer ground it was a pleasant scene with a gathering of around 300 people with students, ashram staff and on the stage there was a very pleasant and down to earth grandfatherly person, well known as 'Dada'. After prayer, he send me a message that soon after the breakfast I can accompany him to visit another village called Besat and on the way I can ask all what is required to know by me. As the same day he was leaving for another place for some 7-8 days. It was an opportunity and call of duty, which was not likely to be turned down. Hence, I agreed and after a couple of hours, I was again travelling admist hills, jungles and few persons on an old mahindra geep of 70's model. The ride was fiery and funny because of its constant jerks, admist which it was too difficult for me to even concentrate my mind to frame a question. Dada was a jovial person, and kept the tough ride easy, his consistent chuckles kept all the people to smile.

PART-V

It often appears that in the bigger issues there is always a miniscule link. The microcosm of the events and the complexities evident in small actually symbolize the larger canvas of the dilemma. When looking to Dada and his life; I feel the same. It’s like rising from the royal getting entangled in the ramshackle and then reinventing again yourself like a phoenix. Yes, the life of Dada was blend of all. He was born in the Princely state of ‘Mahid’, not large indeed like Mughals’ but evidently powerful enough in the region to gain ample respect and support of the people. It was times of national movement in India the young prince was studying at Mumbai University, and could not resist himself to participate in the nationalist movement. The heroic adventures off him let him to leave his royal entourage as he was now in the lists of prime culprits in the region for another decade or so till the Independence of India was achieved. In these all decades from 1920’s onwards till 1947 independence times, he remained an activist and blew bombs so long he was with the reactionary groups. However, Gandhi’s call made him more stable and he joined the methods of Satyagriha as new form of protest. His work area now became the tribal territories of Western India, where he motivated tribal’s to participate in the nationalist struggle and make the British flee ha nation. The method of peaceful retaliation was more efficient as the powers were in less dominance and left with no option to act repressively against the peaceful protestors. He mobilsed the young and old equally for the movement and the day of destiny arrived. India was free. Certainly, it was a day of rejoice for him and for his allies, even then he had something else in his mind. For independence was the step for growth the child was born there was a long way to go to make him realize that what a nation means to when we are young and energetic to take care of it. Dada then decided to move on; he left the place where he had mobilsed people enough to take care off their destinies. He chose to work in more remote and backward region. So, he got married with his long time revolutionary partner Devki and the newly wedded couple moved to a remote village of Sangabar further east in the Jungles. Here the further smaller principality existed the King was lower in privileges and royal status, the kind to which Dada was once associated even then…Kings are Kings so the whole principality was under his sway and the Palan king was respected and almost worshipped. The new nation had different issues, Kingdoms were no more and education was new age mantra, so he had to initiate a new movement in this small kingdom among its people. Which were; educate them, make them see the new world and throw away the narrow royal thought and act. However, the king turned out to be supportive as he himself was keen to see the wider world. So, the royal princes were his first students. Dada began a trust and started working under the new organization. There were local businessmen different from the local people who became his other trustees. Then there was one royal landlord who was insistent to be part of the revolutionary social movement. Things started moving with great pace, there were some five new schools opened in the further interior villages; Dada insisted that he will work in the remotest village. Possibly, he was keen to spend some quality with his longing family and beautiful wife, and as the things were well organized they could take the privileges to move in the more silent regions.

PART-VI

It is said that not all the beautiful and organized things could remain so forever. One morning an ally of him in the Trust came from the Sangabar capital and told him that he is been called immediately in the head quarters. Dada hurriedly took his essentials and started riding his cycle for now for another five hours he was supposed to travel by the same more. Its was late in the afternoon that he arrived in the office at capital town and the business men trustees along with the King told him that they have received summons from the court that the trust is maligned with the illegal activities. Dada was stunned for a while he checked all the finer details every months how come such a thing occurred? He rechecked the whole documents but the errors were there. Next day he was in the sessions court… and after the fast track court hearing he was given a sentence of two months with the immediate effect of payment of Rs. 20, 000/- it was a huge amount for him at that particular point of time and also a shame to his career of social work. He was down to its lowest now. When he returned to his home his wife was even more worse for the young wife was carrying his young son and expecting the second child. King and other trustees sacked him from the board and also took away his job. He was now a penniless king. Somehow, his activists’ wife was courageous indeed she told him to not to loose heart and let him face the sentence in the meantime she assured him to arrange the amount of penalty. She went for all her relatives and activist friends even then the sum gathered was not enough. She still expected some 5, 000 Rs more. The problems don’t come in on event they come in floods when they arrive. When she came back to Sangabar her elder son fell ill because of malaria and due to lack of adequate care succumbed to diseased. She was broken to utmost. The entire situation seemed grim…to her, possibly the pathos and agony of the events were shaking enough to move any soul coming across to her life. That moment King Palan came to his senses and decided to help her. Though she lost her child but now could save her husband from an extended tenure of prison service. Dada now came back from jail and with vigor started working again in the village. However, now his expecting wife was not in a position to fight back against the system and was not ready to take up any incident to loose another event which could lead to loose another expected child. She kept on insisting him to leave the place so that they will make another region to be their karmbhoomi (workplace). Dada had to give up and so a month later the couple moved to Thava where they I got down in the beginning of the story. When Dada told me the story and we took a break to have tea and got down from the Jeep, I asked him; Dada how did you felt when Devki told you to leave the village. He said, “I felt as if someone has asked me to leave the battle right in the middle, as you get the news that your son is no more who was fight in the same ground. I believe Devki had the strong persuasive power or may be I was taken weak to deny that I loved my son now more than her. You know, one of the schools, of Thava is now in name of my son who died.”

I did not asked anymore questions after that, after the tea session we moved on. Surprisingly, we were now passing through the Sangabar state (now it is one of he district sub-division). I was pretty curious now and when he told me that w will passing through it for another 1 hour then I kept on taking pictures of the town. Dada kept on smiling and said; you seemed to be fairly fascinated by the place I said; ‘Yes’. He said; I feel the same, but sometimes its too hard to go back to the things which you left with lots of bitterness. I nodded with approval but as the jeep moved in the region I got more and more curious. When we left the place I asked him further enthusiasm, “Dada never you felt to explore the reason why you were cheated?” He said, off course I did but possibly, destiny did not allowed me to investigate, after I left Sangabar I got so much busy that I really did not go time to investigate about though I am eager to know what was the reason I get various versions of the stories from my friends and allies of the town. However, now I am least bothered as I am growing old and now have many other stories to share with you all.” He smiled back. I could not stop my self now as I was growing further tempted to meet the people of the conspiracy. I asked; “Dada if I will go to Sangabar state now will I meet all those people who were part of your trust, are they all alive now?” He was now wide eyed; “what you want to say, you want to get down here at Sangabar now and want to meet all my former colleagues. You cant do this, you don’t have enough days and have to submit report to office about work of Thava. Though that’s a different part that we are not much concerned about these evaluations…they will by all means get reversed as per the choice of the authorities.” There was a hidden sarcasm in his manner. I could sense that inherently he wanted me to get down at that vey instance and give him all the reports of the people involved in the conspiracy which brought so many wraths to his family and social reputation. After a pause of some ten minutes he told me. When you will get down at Sangabar stop after ten minutes from now you will meet Gurudas he is the post master of the Sangabar post office, he stays right in front of the bus stand. You can tell him your name and your association with me. He will help you in all your stay and accommodation. In case of any urgency jus give me a call from post office telephone, for which he will help you too. I was overjoyed, knew that its going to adventures and I will get to see old time kings! While getting down he asked me; “When you will be back I will be waiting for you at ashram and will keep all the other reports of the ashram ready fro you so that you can take them back with you when you return ”

For a moment it was like I was at a different world for time being. As advised, I met Mr. Gurudas at the post office. He told me that who all I would like to meet in this whole part. I told that, I want to meet all the former Trustees of Sangabar Educational Trust. For time being he kept silent then told me that it will be difficult as most of them have either died or left the place there is only one person in the trust who is left he is Mr. Jadunath Khure. He was the youngest among the trustees, and lives now in the neighboring village Joban. The night was longer than usual for me, Gurudas told me some more stories. When Dada left Sangabar Trust, there were 6 schools, but now only two are left, apart from there were 7 trustees among which now there are only two one Jadunath and the other is his own son Jayesh. The story was bit clear now. Still I wanted to make scattered pieces to be more clear. Next morning I went to the schools which were run under Sangabar Education Trust. School was in a grim state. There were no sheds on the classroom and children were more like laborers’ in the nearby farm of Jadunath. I asked Gurudas to take me to the King’s palace, he started smiling and said; there is no palace now it’s a small hut where the former king’s son lives. Who is already fighting a legal battle of reacquiring the status of a trusteeship from Jadunath I met kings son and had to give sigh on the lost royal status. Then the last step was to meet Jadunath. To my surprise Jadunath was simpler than my imagination; I could not understand that such a simple man of his stature could be the usurper of power. I asked him several questions and to all my queries very calmly he gave the answer. I was perturbed as what is the story. Lastly, I decided to meet the son of King and the teacher of school once again.

PART-VII

Its often becomes clear that many incidents of life are preconceived. When everyone around tells us that the thing that we have seen is crystal clear. Then, we tend to accept the destiny. Though conscious inherent always keep knocking us to wake up and tear away all those veils which have kept us covered in the mists of illusions. Possibly Dada, for long had been living in that haze and when someone tampered that half awake urge to know the past then he eagerly supported the cause. Next morning I met teacer of the school, she was a lady of around 50 years and associated with the girls wing. Savita as she was known shared her turbulent life and a treasured opinion that had Dada been with the school things might been much better.I need to agree, but the question remained why the present trustees are the way they are? She gradually opened the chapters...when dada left the town, king and few traders remained as trustees. The power of kings was already in ebb, so the gains were more on the traders side.However, among traders also two factions developed. The one owning more lands now took the reigns, the king in such condition protested. But the conspiring situation was meant to takeover not only the trust but also the vast amount of property which was with the royal seat. Soon, with the consent of the other traders Sheel sheth and Jadunath, king was manipulated to donate all his land to the trust. One night in a brutal manner king was strangulated by the goons of Jadunath. When the other party inquired about the same, then in strange manner the other members were also made to disappear from the scene in mysterious circumstances. By the end of the story I was shivering with horror. I inquired about the King's family,she told, the royal son for a long time remained absent from the scene, to save his life, since last two years he lives in the town after receiving support from the local officials and has now reopened the case and the legal petition has been filed against Jadunath. In the afternoon I met kings son, the meeting was congenial. There was a lot of hope evident in his voice. He later arranged my return to Thava for next morning as now I knew how difficult things were turning towards a positive direction.Its said; Justice delayed is justice denied.However, here it was no justice but an effort under work to make the destiny realise that there is something called judice which always returns. While leaving Sangabar, I felt that I grew bit more with my awareness about something which happens away from our communication networks.

Content and image copyright BINA SENGAR