"Shank baja, Ulu dewa, Boron dala niye asho" screamed the head of the Banerjee family. Shubra Banerjee.
"After years, my dream of becoming a mother - in- law has come true" echoed the voice of Shubra. From the way she danced, the radiant glow from her face to her makeup, spoke it all. Everyone danced to the tune of the dhak, just like the sidhur khela during Durga Puja. Yet there was a difference. During Durga Puja the joy was purely bidding a farewell to Ma Durga for staying with us and then returning to her in-laws, but the same exciting dance, welcoming a bahu was something unbelievable. Yet the impossible was being displayed and the notun bou wondered, "what will be my fate in this house?" Just as she entered, grih pravesh, she looked at the door and whispered to herself, "Fate sealed"


Two fates were sealed that day and the dhak was a confirming sign for both.


"Mrs. Shubra Banerjee" fate sealed in terms of becoming a MIL. Her dream fulfilled.
"Mrs. Anjali Banerjee" fate sealed in terms of becoming a bahu, but was it her dream? Who asks a newly wed? Even if asked, now being married, all dreams out of the window, aha.. door.


As soon as the grih pravesh was done, the pada (area) friends went back to their abode, Anjali was shown the way to the kitchen. "Notun bou, payesh kore khawao. Mukh ta jemni misthi, shemni misthi payesh ta jano hoye kintu" ordered Sasuma. (Newly wed daughter -in-law. Make some yummy kheer for all of us. The kheer must be sweet just like you are)
The kheer was very well appreciated by one and all and the entire credit was taken by none other than SasuriMa. "Roope Lokhi, Gune Saraswati" (Beautiful as Goddess Lakshmi and intelligent as Goddess Saraswati), though intelligence was yet to be proved, but if Anjali had proved her skills as Lakshmi successfully, her skills as Saraswati would be hiding somewhere which Sasuma knew how to unleash.


The next day onwards, Anjali the well educated CA (chartered accountant) received or was recruited for a new position, "home-maker"


Whenever she tried to speak to her husband, who had very well told her that she should be independent and have an identity to herself, of-course during courtship period, now turned a deaf ear towards her and always said, "You have enjoyed few years of being a professional, now enjoy being a home-maker. After a year or so, we shall talk about your joining work."


MIL, never discouraged the dil. She never forced Anjali towards any household chores especially cooking, yet Anjali being a good sanskari woman, was like a shadow to her sasuma and tried to learn the basics of managing the home and cooking. After all, while at her fathers home, she was the princess who only knew the nitty-gritty of the outside world. Home was managed purely by her mother. A life every girl leads at her fathers home.


In this journey as a home-maker, she completed a year and now she was restless to begin working as a CA. She approached her husband who called in for a family discussion into the matter. MIL did not deny but provided a diplomatic reply, "Anju, in your professional life, you have managed finances / accounts of companies, but home is a different affair. Why don't you show us your skills in home financial management. Prove my saying true. "Gunne Saraswati" (Intelligent as Lord Saraswati) What option she had now.

FATE SEALED. Whether she dreamed of being a homemaker or not, she had to embrace the dream.


A decade, imprisoned in her fate, yet Anjali dreamed. She wanted to make herself known to the outside world. At home, she had proved her skills, not only into cooking but also managing finances and most importantly as a mother. Her daughter Pinky, was as beautiful as her only, but the way she dressed her, styled her and portrayed her in front of everyone was indeed remarkable. Pinky was a talented student and participated in competitions mainly involved in Speech and drama and was a confident speaker. All thanks to her mother. Yet did she deserve a credit? "NO"
All accolades to Pinky, obviously because she bagged the trophy and a general remark which Anjali should take as a compliment, "Every home-maker does this for her children. Big deal. What credit? " Blah!!! Blah!! Blah!!! Anjali would be hurt, but did she have anyone out there to hear her?


Anjali neither had a say in the house, nor any of her demands or wishes were taken care off. If she wanted to go to a party, and wished for a new dress or saree, "Oh! Damsel. You are so pretty. Your beauty will catch attention. No one will bother to look at what you are wearing dear. Also, you hardly go out. So even if your clothes are repeated, who will remember? Why spend, when after one time wearing, it will kiss the wardrobe only."
Anjali, though knew how to get her way out. Her charms were enough but sometimes she felt miserable in the life she was leading.

It was then that she got an opportunity to be selected as a member for the Ladies wing of the Durga Pujo committee. Something was better than just being an imprisoner in the four walls of the house and Anjali took an advantage of the same. She participated in the meetings and get together, a kind of small kitty party and gelled along with other members who were just awe of her skills in dancing, singing and cooking but most importantly her dressing that enhanced her personality. She received compliments all the time. Even a simple jeans and top made her look stunning. Being a part of the Lady wing, she ultimately found herself an identity. People knew her apart from just being a home-maker. Lady wing members were into organizing cultural events, in which she was the lead. She would teach dance o kids and adults and of-course was their make-up artists. When it came to charity, she was the highest donour, that too she did not have to beg to her husband because being the financial manager at home, she budgeted the house expenses well and saved anormously.


Being a part of the Lady wing, Anjali received an exposure which ultimately helped her realise her dream. During one such events, Fashion show, Anjali was spotted by one of the Lakme India sponsoror. He wanted her to participate in one of the leading fashion show contest, but would Anjali agree and even if she agreed would her family agree?


Finally, she put across the pamphlets of the Fashion show in front of her family during the dinner meet. Firstly she was reprimanded for participating in the Lady wing fashion show and was ridiculed by her princess Pinky, who felt her mother was not even an inch beautiful than she was. This insult, Anjali had taken personally and during one of the meetings with the lady wing members, she confided her wish to participate in the contest, based on confidentiality. The members agreed and they forged a plan. "Will the plan be successful?" "End result of Anjali participating? No one knew the end, but Anjali was determined to prove herself and win back her identity. Just like a daily routine, she would attend the Lady wing meeting. She would leave home on the context of participating in events, kitty party and the family had no doubt on her. How could they? After all she was the obedient, tongue tied bahu.


"Dhak baaje, ulu dawao. Elo Amader Mrs. India, Anjali Banerjee" one could hear the streets echoing with this line. Every window, terrace and street was filled with people who were out to see that "Mrs. India" Dancing along with the dhaaki and the car that escorted the crowned Mrs India along with the sponsors reached the Banerjee house. Hearing the commotion Sasuma hurried to the door accompanied by the princess grand-daughter. They were shocked to see Anjali walking tic-tac wearing heels, a glittering gown, heavy makeup and a crown shining at her head and a Mrs. India stash across her shoulders and holding a bouquet and smiling. Shubra Sasuma could not believe what she was seeing but most importantly she did not know whether to jump in joy or cry in pain, yet one could see streams of tears flowing across her cheeks and she just could not move as if freezed.


After 3 long months of hide and seek, whereby Anjali was preparing and winning rounds to reach the finale, whereby at home everyone knew she was in the Lady wing event or meeting. Her friends were all partner in crime. Some lied on the phone, while some escorted her to the venue while some helping her to take off the heavy makeup. Yet, the end was fruitful and that is what they liked more. The results of their lie. Anjali won the contest.


Anjali Banerjee, whose fate had been sealed as a home-maker, now turned her fate fulfilling her dream. She was now recognised for her talents. She had an identify for herself and now she was basking in her new found identity.

A new fate sealed.

"Mrs. Anjali Banerjee" fate sealed as the 1st Mrs. India