This post was lying in my draft folder for more than a year now. May be today is the right time to post this. When the whole world is talking about International Woman's Day, Woman's rights and empowerment I choose to write about a man who respected woman, a man who lived by his principles.
The year was 1944. World War II was going on and there were foreign troops in India-the allies of the British.
It was a lazy Sunday evening in Madras. Shankari was standing by the compound of her house. There were about 6-7 houses inside that compound. Three young Australian soldiers were passing by when they saw her standing alone. Shankari was a young housewife and quiet beautiful. The soldiers approached her, thinking she was 'available.' As they neared her, she sensed their intention by the smirk on their faces. One of them almost grabbed her hand. She screamed and ran inside and got inside the first house in the
compound.
Mr.Kulkarni stayed in that house with his two kids. Seeing her in a state of fear and panic, he rushed out to see what the problem was all about. Towering before him were three Aussie soldiers. In all cockiness they told him to send Shankari with them. Mr.Kulkarni told them calmly yet firmly that she was a respectable lady from a respectable family and they should leave her alone. They could have easily overpowered him. But, something in his stance told them to back off. To cut the long story short, he saved Shankari from the soldiers.
There are people in the society who in situations like these, walk away from the scene thinking- unless it is not happening to them,they should not bother!
Then, there are also people in the society who do not hesitate to do the right thing at the right time. THEY ARE OUR EVERYDAY UNSUNG HEROES, like Mr.Kulkarni.
My father told me this story after my grand dad passed away. Yes, Mr. Kulkarni was none other than my grand father.
My grandpa became a widower at the age of 33, He had two kids...dad and my aunt. He vowed never to remarry for the sake of his kids, though there was immense pressure from his family.
I never did get to know my grandpa very well as he spent most of his time in a ashram in Pondicherry. He was detached that way.
Today, when I see my dad bonding with my children, I do regret for not knowing my grandpa well enough. But, I do hope that we will carry on his braveheart legacy.
The year was 1944. World War II was going on and there were foreign troops in India-the allies of the British.
It was a lazy Sunday evening in Madras. Shankari was standing by the compound of her house. There were about 6-7 houses inside that compound. Three young Australian soldiers were passing by when they saw her standing alone. Shankari was a young housewife and quiet beautiful. The soldiers approached her, thinking she was 'available.' As they neared her, she sensed their intention by the smirk on their faces. One of them almost grabbed her hand. She screamed and ran inside and got inside the first house in the
compound.
Mr.Kulkarni stayed in that house with his two kids. Seeing her in a state of fear and panic, he rushed out to see what the problem was all about. Towering before him were three Aussie soldiers. In all cockiness they told him to send Shankari with them. Mr.Kulkarni told them calmly yet firmly that she was a respectable lady from a respectable family and they should leave her alone. They could have easily overpowered him. But, something in his stance told them to back off. To cut the long story short, he saved Shankari from the soldiers.
There are people in the society who in situations like these, walk away from the scene thinking- unless it is not happening to them,they should not bother!
Then, there are also people in the society who do not hesitate to do the right thing at the right time. THEY ARE OUR EVERYDAY UNSUNG HEROES, like Mr.Kulkarni.
My father told me this story after my grand dad passed away. Yes, Mr. Kulkarni was none other than my grand father.
My grandpa became a widower at the age of 33, He had two kids...dad and my aunt. He vowed never to remarry for the sake of his kids, though there was immense pressure from his family.
I never did get to know my grandpa very well as he spent most of his time in a ashram in Pondicherry. He was detached that way.
Today, when I see my dad bonding with my children, I do regret for not knowing my grandpa well enough. But, I do hope that we will carry on his braveheart legacy.
very cool story of your grand dad...and def good on him for standing up for her....we can not look the other way...
ReplyDeleteMen like him are rare. I'm so glad your wrote about him.
ReplyDeleteWe need more men like him!
ReplyDeleteWow, good to know about him!
ReplyDeleteI have not quite understood why you kept such a precious story hidden for so long. Your grandfather sounds like a great human being. What a wonderful piece of family memento to be passed on from generation to generation, like an heirloom really!
ReplyDeleteOh and that was a really apt title!
DeleteWow! Hats off to your grandfather. Great man
DeleteYou are rightly proud of your grandfather. There are people in this world- men and women- who can quell the worst bullies with just a look. My ma was one such woman. Like your grandfather. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story, Janaki. You should be so proud of your grandad. Yes, I wish you had known him better, but so glad your Dad told you this story.
ReplyDeleteThere are people who make you ashamed to live in the same world as they do and then there are people like your granddad who make you feel proud to share space with them. What a wonderful man!
ReplyDeleteWoww.....great man he was!!! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful story about a great human being!
ReplyDelete