The hospital ward is full of beds, they are divided by green curtains. The curtains have been drawn back and four health professionals have come to scrutinize a patient who is in bed. There are two male consultants, who are specialist doctors, and two female nurses. The consultants are wearing a white apron and has a stethoscope around their neck. One of them is holding a clipboard which has the patient’s details on it. The nurses are wearing blue tunics and looking caringly at the patient. She is a lady who is in her mid-thirties. Recently she underwent a minute surgery. “She is alright now”, said the consultant. Mr. Gopal Shetty smiled.
After a couple of days, Mrs. Laxmi gopal shetty has been discharged from the hospital. This couple belong to an opulent family. One thing that is alarming this family now is…they don’t have an inheritor for their wealth. Mrs Shetty’s sudden health breakdown stipulates her suffering for a child. After a cogent talk with their family doctor and other specialists they opted for a method called surrogacy. But they chose to keep it as a secret since they belong to a typical carnatic family who still run on archaic methods. So they framed a fictional business trip and left the city.
After a week, their doctor introduced a lady named Meenakshi to the couple. “ I conducted all the required tests, everything is perfect, she will definitely be a right choice to us”, said the doctor looking at the couple. Mr Shetty came closer to his wife , took her hand into his and kissed it saying “ get ready to enjoy your motherhood dear”. Mrs Shetty cried out with happiness. The specialists made all arrangements, but Mrs Shetty stopped it saying that she wanted to spend some more time with Meenakshi.
Everybody left the place, Meenakshi and Mrs Shetty had a long conversation almost for about 5 to 6 hours. That night Mrs Shetty was unable to sleep, in their long conversation Meenakshi said that she belongs to a village where there is no electric supply at all. Mrs Shetty got struck at this point. “Such kind of villages still exsists??” , she questioned herself. Somehow she managed to sleep that night.
The day after, before the sunrise , she took her husband and went to Meenakshi’s village, Sholpur. At the entrance of the village, there are two long nicely sculptured pillars with a welcome note carved on it. There is a long narrow muddy road with neatly fenced fields on its either sides. They entered a street, every house is reflecting the ancient tradition ,the walls are beautifully painted. But Mrs Shetty noticed that there is electric supply to that village. She turned towards her husband…but yes, they didn’t reach their destination yet. After travelling for ten minutes, Mr Shetty stopped the car. Both of them got down from the car.
They couldn’t believe what they are seeing, infront of them is a long narrow bridge made of strong ropes and quality pieces of wood. To the other end of the bridge is the second half of Sholpur. The local government officials, took care of first half of the village only neglecting the other half. The couple slowly crossed the bridge. This part of the village is exactly like what Meenakshi described to Mrs Shetty. No electricity, irregular muddy roads , there is no greenery at all. There are 2-3 sources for drinking water that too half polluted. Mrs Shetty who always stayed in city and lived a rich life..didn’t even imagine that there are people who are still suffering for basic needs.
She sat alone for a couple of hours in the local temple there, Mr Shetty came to her and sat close to her. She started writing something, she finished it, kept the note there and left. Mr Shetty took it and read it.
“We are from a rich family, but we don’t have a heir for our wealth. We started our journey to fulfil this wish. Here Meenakshi is not helping us… “poor is helping rich”. When a poor is helping us..why can’t we (rich) help them?? I don’t want motherhood now…I want to lit the light of hopes in their hearts…I want to adopt this village!! will you help me??”
Mr Shetty smiled and closed the letter saying “ My wife is mother to a village now.”
