Pushing aside the attendants and mentally noting the décor of the beautiful, well-lit room, Mrs Parkash Kaur, the proud ‘dadi’ (paternal grandmother) picked up her grandson. The joy of holding one’s grand –son surpassed everything…The stigma of being barren in the sense that till one doesn’t bear a son has passed the ‘parivaar’ (family).

Rhea watched her mother-in-law, this sophisticate matron who ruled the elite, select echelon of the ruling Jat families which mattered with an iron glove melting at the sight of her progeny. It didn’t matter that Kudrat was the first born, cynosure of everyone’s eyes. She would have to fight forever. From the moment of conception, to the suspense of what sex the baby would be to. The girl child has to even fight for the right to be born from within.

This strange dance between the x and y chromosomes determines destiny in every household of Punjab striking at the heart crossing all boundaries of wealth, caste, creed.

Shrugging and quashing these philosophical thoughts Rhea thought mercenarily of the shagun, Mama had brought. Would it be a diamond ‘n emerald set from Suhaas or a polki one from Suranas??

Well, she knew she had hit the jackpot.

Blessings.....dejavu'

The blue chikankari georgette suit had been stitched and delivered to coincide with the birth, the conviences of planning and delivering a child had made life so much more orderly. One could choose the date, time and voila! have a baby with the best of ‘rashees’ (acc. to Punditji).

This influence of Hinduism and rituals was rooted deep in our psyche. And by the way the blue was chosen deliberately, not even the Fates could cross the line with her today.

Words failed her, when she gazed upon kakaji for the first time .He was beautiful as all babies are, tears fell from her eyes.Her mind wandered and started reminiscing when Karan was born and ‘Vade Bibiji’ (her authoritarian mother –in –law) had acquiesced her as the bahu. Her position and her identity were cemented after 8yrs.of barrenness, sly remarks and the gazillion powders and mix which ensured 100%conception.

Why is that, when we talk about equality of woman and revival of Sikhism, free and compulsory education and all sorts of projects started by the so-called custodians of power; Punjab is passing through its darkest times?

Are we the custodians of the future or the mute murderers of humanity in the name of these dogmas which inflict us????

Mrs Prakash Kaur took out a bundle of crisp notes from matching blue Aigner clutch and ceremoniously vaaroed it and gave it to the nurse on duty. The nurse gasped , but thought strange are the ways of these Punjabis…..

congrats !! its a boy..

Rhea delivered the “heir ‘to the zameen, finally in the most exclusive birthing clinic in Delhi which resembled a 5-star hotel more than a hospital. Honestly, the receptionist was Botoxed more than the Page 3 babes of the social circuit. Giving birth to the much –awaited Waaris of the khaandaan relieved her troubled , stressed out mind .Rhea had realized that a woman in Punjab is known by the sons she produces and not by any other qualification .This ailment affected the strata of the society from top to bottom and was weakening it like termites …..

All this so- called modernity and advancement in equality was a hog-wash. Surrogate mothers were being roped in and were the nom de guerre these days.Mrs Prakash Singh entry enveloped in a cloud of Allure followed by the retinue of maids who were carrying the congratulatory thaals of laddoos( to be touched by kaka ji ) and distributed among the people in the pind of qadoville!!

wait for the drama tmrw...