Sangeeta couldn’t pass PMT in her second attempt also. On persuasion, she tried again for the third time and could score 82.5% yet didn’t find an entry because of mass-copying fraud at centers in Bhind-Morena changed the scores drastically. Thus several candidates boosted all over the state had to suffer because of the mass-copying. Due to the reservation policy in admission, copying and ‘settings’ created a vicious circle from which it became impossible for general category to find a seat.
These failures left a deep wound to Sangeeta and she warned me, ‘Never take the name of PMT before me.’ We stopped talking about her medical entrance at our home. But her efforts, sincerity and determination must be rewarded.
One of my friends had a brainstorming discussion with Sangeeta and finally she was convinced to appear once again for the medical entrance. She put a rigorous hard work for the show and finally she was selected. Her disappointment and dejection were superseded by happiness and rejoice. After years of gloom, happiness has knocked our doors. We were laughing amidst tears.
She went to visit her grandparents to seek their blessings. After her visit, Daddaji summoned me to enquire. He asked, “Sangeeta will go to Indore to study medicine?”
“Yes.” smilingly I apprised him.
“I don’t understand what kind of father you are!”
“What is wrong?”
“How old is Sangeeta?”
“She is to turn twenty.”
“You aren’t at all worried about her marriage?”
“Marriage will be after her studies.”
“How long will she study? When do you intend to arrange her marriage?”
“When she becomes a doctor.”
“She will remain alone in Indore for four years. Doesn’t this scare you?”
“Nothing to fear. After all, those study in outstation places has to go alone.”
“How should I make you understand?”
“You try to understand me, Daddaji. None in the family could qualify as a doctor. Sangeeta is going to be one, ‘your granddaughter Sangeeta’. Allow her to go. Everything will be all right. Don’t worry.” I tried to convince him. Perhaps, he agreed so the way for her departure was paved.
Thiruvalluvar, a poet from Tamil Nadu, wrote, ‘Be it river, lake or pond regardless of its depth and impurity, a lotus is bound to bloom.’
**********
Sangeeta was to be admitted at Indore Dental College. I went with her. We stayed at my niece Mamta Agrawal’s residence. After completing admission formalities, we went to see the hostel. I was surprised to find that it was like a stable. A big bungalow of the British period was converted into a hostel for girls by erecting brick walls in large sized rooms. The roof, according to the architecture of that period, was very high. Hence the walls were eight feet in height, like the present day partitions into cabins of an office. Thus conversation, noise, tape recorder becomes audible in the adjacent cabin. Every room had eight beds. Some cots had sagged down thus giving the sleeper the pleasure of a cradle plus a curved belly after rising in the morning. In addition, there were common bathrooms, kitchen and the awe of the seniors. The food was being cooked in a kitchen near overflowing drains. The stench and dirty conditions defied all the standards of hygiene and sanitation. I didn’t find that hostel suitable, however, my pocket was empty for a private hostel. Hence, we had to agree. Sangeeta was to stay there, reluctantly, though.
Next morning we reported at the hostel with luggage. The lodging and boarding facilities that existed there made me upset but Sangeeta said, “Don’t worry, Papa. I shall become accustomed to this within a few days.” Leaving her at Indore I returned with a heavy heart. After all, one has to lose in order to gain something.
Sangya, younger to Sangeeta by two years, also made an attempt at the PMT but failed. She declared her innings by saying, “This is not my cup of tea!” I could understand that she assigned the boring task of studies and to achieving something worthwhile to her ‘would be’ husband. She got admitted at V.P.College Bilaspur in B.Sc.Ist year (Microbiology). Her younger brother, Kuntal was at that time studying in a high school. Sangya and Kuntal did not find studies interesting. They liked other activities much. In fact, we became carefree about their careers. They may study as long as they want or do whatever they wish to do, kept us relaxed. During his school days, Kuntal was attracted to sweetshop, so during his leisure time either he would come to the shop or else would roam around with his friends.
These failures left a deep wound to Sangeeta and she warned me, ‘Never take the name of PMT before me.’ We stopped talking about her medical entrance at our home. But her efforts, sincerity and determination must be rewarded.
One of my friends had a brainstorming discussion with Sangeeta and finally she was convinced to appear once again for the medical entrance. She put a rigorous hard work for the show and finally she was selected. Her disappointment and dejection were superseded by happiness and rejoice. After years of gloom, happiness has knocked our doors. We were laughing amidst tears.
She went to visit her grandparents to seek their blessings. After her visit, Daddaji summoned me to enquire. He asked, “Sangeeta will go to Indore to study medicine?”
“Yes.” smilingly I apprised him.
“I don’t understand what kind of father you are!”
“What is wrong?”
“How old is Sangeeta?”
“She is to turn twenty.”
“You aren’t at all worried about her marriage?”
“Marriage will be after her studies.”
“How long will she study? When do you intend to arrange her marriage?”
“When she becomes a doctor.”
“She will remain alone in Indore for four years. Doesn’t this scare you?”
“Nothing to fear. After all, those study in outstation places has to go alone.”
“How should I make you understand?”
“You try to understand me, Daddaji. None in the family could qualify as a doctor. Sangeeta is going to be one, ‘your granddaughter Sangeeta’. Allow her to go. Everything will be all right. Don’t worry.” I tried to convince him. Perhaps, he agreed so the way for her departure was paved.
Thiruvalluvar, a poet from Tamil Nadu, wrote, ‘Be it river, lake or pond regardless of its depth and impurity, a lotus is bound to bloom.’
**********
Sangeeta was to be admitted at Indore Dental College. I went with her. We stayed at my niece Mamta Agrawal’s residence. After completing admission formalities, we went to see the hostel. I was surprised to find that it was like a stable. A big bungalow of the British period was converted into a hostel for girls by erecting brick walls in large sized rooms. The roof, according to the architecture of that period, was very high. Hence the walls were eight feet in height, like the present day partitions into cabins of an office. Thus conversation, noise, tape recorder becomes audible in the adjacent cabin. Every room had eight beds. Some cots had sagged down thus giving the sleeper the pleasure of a cradle plus a curved belly after rising in the morning. In addition, there were common bathrooms, kitchen and the awe of the seniors. The food was being cooked in a kitchen near overflowing drains. The stench and dirty conditions defied all the standards of hygiene and sanitation. I didn’t find that hostel suitable, however, my pocket was empty for a private hostel. Hence, we had to agree. Sangeeta was to stay there, reluctantly, though.
Next morning we reported at the hostel with luggage. The lodging and boarding facilities that existed there made me upset but Sangeeta said, “Don’t worry, Papa. I shall become accustomed to this within a few days.” Leaving her at Indore I returned with a heavy heart. After all, one has to lose in order to gain something.
Sangya, younger to Sangeeta by two years, also made an attempt at the PMT but failed. She declared her innings by saying, “This is not my cup of tea!” I could understand that she assigned the boring task of studies and to achieving something worthwhile to her ‘would be’ husband. She got admitted at V.P.College Bilaspur in B.Sc.Ist year (Microbiology). Her younger brother, Kuntal was at that time studying in a high school. Sangya and Kuntal did not find studies interesting. They liked other activities much. In fact, we became carefree about their careers. They may study as long as they want or do whatever they wish to do, kept us relaxed. During his school days, Kuntal was attracted to sweetshop, so during his leisure time either he would come to the shop or else would roam around with his friends.
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