My article today is based on the system in which a family gets so entangled in the web of money that it becomes incapable of seeing the feelings of others. A person caught in the web of money cannot remove the blindfold tied on his eyes.
There were many customs in the old times which have ended today. There is a tradition which existed earlier and still exists today. The name of that tradition is “dowry system.” Dowry is a social evil in the society, which leads to unimaginable atrocities and crimes against women.
Is Dowry Illegal?
The dowry system is illegal in most nation including India, but is still prevalent. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, was introduced in the Indian Parliament by the Government of India. The act was designed to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry in India. However, this system continues. And I have to say with great disappointment that this system has neither ended nor will it ever end.
I will try to highlight the suffering of a father and his family due to the dowry system through a short story.
Let’s start the story:
In the scorching heat, without having lunch, Prakash had just stepped out to go to the bank when he heard a voice from inside. “It’s Mukesh ji’s call, he wants to talk to you,” Asha(Prakash’s wife) said to Prakash. There was a strange fear somewhere inside Asha, is there any other demand?
Prakash, please transfer one lakh rupees to my account. My son wants to buy a new luxury car before his marriage. I have bought the car, but I am short of one lakh rupees. Mukesh said, showing his dominance. Prakash hesitatingly says, “Mukesh ji, I gave you 50 thousand rupees last week. It is a bit difficult to arrange so much money so quickly.”
Mukesh angrily says, “You are saying no to me. You know your daughter is going to marry my son.” And anyway, I am buying this car for your daughter, how long will I be alive now. You cannot do this to your daughter. What kind of a father are you?
Prakash was forced to say “yes”. But he does not understand what to do, where to go, whom to ask for help. Without saying anything to anyone, he walks towards the bank.
Prakash thought to himself, “If I don’t give the money and Mukesh ji doesn’t allow this marriage to happen, my daughter will be defamed. I will not let this happen to my daughter for just one lakh rupees. I will arrange the money anyhow.”
After Prakash returns home:
As Aastha(Prakash’s daughter), gives the glass of water to her father, her attention goes to her father’s hand. The ring that Prakash’s father had gifted him in celebration of him getting a job was not in his hand today. Aastha was very surprised why her father did not wear the ring today which he always wore and which was associated with the memories of her grandfather?
Astha: Dad, why didn’t you wear that ring today?
Prakash: It seems it fell by the wayside, I tried looking for it but couldn’t find it.
Aastha understood that there was a big lie hidden behind her father’s truth. But she was unable to understand why he was doing this.
Every other day Mukesh would call Prakash and trouble him for one thing or the other. There was a time when Prakash and his family would go to sleep without having any food. Many nights passed when Prakash and his family went to sleep without eating.
Seeing her parents upset, Aastha started to feel that she is a burden and she was born only to trouble her parents. She wanted to solve all the problems. But she was not able to understand how.
One day Mukesh calls Prakash and says-
My son has been promoted to a good post. If you want to marry your daughter to my son, then transfer Rs 5 lakh to my account
Prakash says with teary eyes: Mukesh ji, I did whatever I could. I gave more than I could afford. Where will I get another 5 lakhs from? Have mercy on me Mukesh ji.
Mukesh: I don’t know anything, I just want 5 lakhs. If you want this marriage to happen then transfer 5 lakhs to my account.
Darkness starts appearing before Prakash’s eyes and he becomes unconscious. Aastha and Asha immediately take him to the hospital.
After regaining consciousness Prakash tells Aastha in sadness and despair – “I’m a loser Aastha, I can’t do anything for you. Today I feel like I am a defeated father who cannot do anything for his daughter.” Aastha somehow controls her tears and leaves from there. Gathering courage, she thinks that now she will talk to Rajiv (Mukesh’s son).
Aastha calls Rajiv and tells him everything, hoping that maybe Rajiv will help her in this.
Rajiv says- “Aastha, the elders of the house discuss these matters. It would be wrong for me to interfere in this matter. And if my father has asked for 5 lakhs, then your father will have to fulfill his demand I’m sorry I can’t help you with this.”
Hearing such bitter words from Rajiv, Aastha said to herself- “This is definitely a sign from the universe. This sign is telling me that I will not be able to spend my entire life with this person. There is a huge difference in our thoughts. He is not fit to be my life partner.”
At the same time, Aastha calls Rajeev again and says- “I have never seen a weak person like you, who does not have the courage to speak the truth. Even if your father does not ask for 5 lakhs, I will still not marry you.
One more thing, I will not ask you for the money that my father has given you. I will think that my father has donated this money to someone in need. I just have one request, please return my father’s ring.
Next morning Aastha goes to her father and says- “Papa, you are not a loser but the best father in the world.” As long as practices like dowry exist in our society, every father will consider himself a failure. Which is absolutely wrong in my opinion.
Aastha returns her father’s ring and says- “Dad, this marriage cannot happen now but I make a promise to you. I will complete my law studies and try my best to eradicate crimes like dowry.
My purpose in writing this article today was:
I wanted to present to you the pain of a father through my words. However, it was a fictional story, it has a very deep meaning hidden in it. Today the world has progressed so much, but even today some section of the society is backward in its thinking.
It is a matter of great shame that a system like dowry is still alive in this world. Before taking dowry, remember one thing I said, “The future is waiting for you. Karma never leaves anyone.” If you want to know more about “karma” you can read my previous article: A Curse That Became Life’s Greatest Lesson
If any such incident has happened with you or around you, please share it in the comment box below. And don’t forget to share your views on practice like dowry.
“Stay connected, keep smiling!”
