Part1
Chapter 1-An End and a Beginning
Date: 13 March,1909
Time:12A.M.
Place: Krishnanagar, West Bengal, India
Zamindar Krishnendu Haldar was pacing nervously his ears strained to hear the first cry of his newborn child.The rain n thunderstorm wont stop.He felt distressed and disturbed because he sensed something was terribly wrong.As he filled his pipe for the nth time, he heard the wails of his first child.The voice was sweet yet strong as if she was abhoring the way the Dai was holding her-all upside down in the most ungracious way.Unfortunately the Dai was not smiling because she had a bad news to deliver that Mrs Haldar was no more.
The Haldars, Zamindars in Krishnanagar District were the much loved and respected family. They were prosperous, educated and idealistic.They actively particiapetd in social works and had opened numerous schools and hospitals in the villages.They were open minded and modern who believed in female education and widow re-marriages.The Haldars even built separate schools for girls.But the family was not a happy lot.The elder brother Hrishikesh Haldar was a renowned Barrister practicing in Burma, a part of India during those days.His wife Gargi Devi,a well-read lady was attached to various charitable organizations and an active participant in the reform movement. unfortunately they were childless.
Krishnendu Haldar was the second and only brother. After 8 years of marriage to Nirmala Devi, they were expecting some good news. the family have been eagerly waiting for this day .hrishikesh and his wife had also arrived from Burma They were ready to usher in a new generation who would carry on the legacy of the family.As the large Oak doors opened and the dai entered the main hall carrying the small restless bundle, the entire family stood in stunned silence.her expression gave it all away.Krishnendu haldar turned away from his only child and moved lifelessly towards the delivery room.
Six months had passed since that fateful night but Krishnendu had not yet overcome the grief.It was as if even he had died along with his wife.He had no interest in life not even his new born. Gargi Devi took the entire responsibility of rearing the new life.Having no child of her own, she happily became her ‘Ma’. the serious and sober Hrishikesh was happy to be the little one’s slave. The elder relatives had arrived to welcome the new member of the family.They all wanted to celebrate the occasion and hold an “annaprashan” for her. The Purohits were called to prepare the little ones horoscope and give a date and time for the occasion.
