**Real-Life Wonder Women**
In the summer of the late 90s, during March when school admissions were just beginning, parents gathered on the balcony of a prestigious English medium school, anxiously waiting for their children to come out after the entrance test for nursery to first standard. Among them was a mother who was particularly nervous for her daughter, having prepared her for the test for a whole month. When her five-year-old daughter finally emerged from the classroom, the mother was filled with excitement and eager to ask about the test. And she asked her how was your test? did you solved all the questions? However, for the girl, the exam was hardly significant; she barely understood what it was all about, so she said ,hmm Ammi(yes mother)!
she was like now you will buy a new doll for me, you promised me for that, mother was happy and full of joy, mother said ,now we will buy doll for you and icecream also
A few days later, the results were posted on the notice board. Once again, the mother stood on the balcony holding her daughter's hand, anxious about the outcome. as her breath hitched, and a wave of warmth spread through her chest as tears blurred the names on the list. Her fingers tightened around her daughter's small hand."when she saw her daughter's name on the list of those who had passed.
However, on the bottom of the same page, it was mentioned that there would be an interview scheduled for the parents to assess their qualifications and, indeed, their English-speaking skills. Upon reading this, the mother felt numb as a coldness spread through her, a hollow feeling in her chest. The words on the page blurred, and the sounds of the bustling school faded into a distant hum. Having only completed the 9th standard, her knowledge of English was limited to broken reading skills, and speaking the language felt like an unattainable goal. She wondered if she could learn English. She asked people to teach English,but after a couple of days, she realized that it seemed impossible. She found herself feeling completely lost and without a way forward.
Then she looked at her daughter's face and decided to speak with the principal of the school. She explained that her daughter was intelligent and deserved a good education.
“Does it really make sense that parents must know English? What about those parents who are poor and can’t speak English but still dream of a good life for their children? Are we to assume that if parents are illiterate, their children will also remain so?”
Expecting a good career for my child is my only dream, if i cant speak english doesnt mean my daughter can not learn English, your parents or grandparents must have been in my place as i am now!
Despite her passionate plea, the school board denied her daughter's admission. The mother, determined, sat outside the office with one request: to grant her daughter admission; otherwise, she would not leave the school. Noon passed,sun was about to set, birds were returning to their home, and she remained there, and as the school day ended, it was evening, yet this stubborn mother did not give up hope.
Finally, her perseverance paid off, her hope won the battle, and her daughter was admitted to the school. Over the years, the girl excelled and was recognized by UN global peace organizations for her essay writing on topics related to the climate change. She won second place in a national essay competition held by a well-known journal "Awaj the voice" for Ashoka legacy and global peace . She completed her degree and master’s with distinction in an English medium and now expected to give an interview for the child development project officer, indeed in English!
Today, she often participates and hosts Google Meeting sessions, and each time her mother sees her, she beams with pride and her daughter nods to ask, “What happened?” The wonder woman simply smiles and replies, “kuch nhi(nothing).”
she has recently written a poem for her mother in English to express her gratitude for her.
I don't want to be like you
Self-less as you, and often compromise
Your emotions for us
You defeat the world for us, but
Go behind when it's you and us
I don't want to be like you
Committed as you, and often compromise your eternity for us
Sometimes morning newspaper,
And sometimes lunch and queues are there
I don't want to be like you
Fondness as you, you know
The zest of others he likes that, she likes
That and so on
Anyway shirk all your choice
What do you like is empty as an
Earthen pot
I don't want to be like you
Caring as you, sometimes tear-filled eyes
Yet, imploring us to have food,
I don't want to be like you
Daring as Jhansi ki Rani(Queen of Jhansi)
Go on war for the fortune of us
But subsumed when we failed as
Koi bat nhi(it's okay)
You know???
I don't want to be like you
Because I can't be like you
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