My grandfather was a Civil Engineer who specialised in ground water issues. A
graduate from Roorkie University ( when it was called Thomson College), joined
the irrigation department and worked initially under the British and then for
many years for the UP government. He was instrumental in the building of many
dams and consulting on some very big hydel projects. Later he joined the
Roorkie University as a professor in Civil Engineering department and retired
as the head of the department. He contributed
a great deal in the nation building and was instrumental in seeing India
progress toward self sufficiency. My grandmother also did her bit by being a
support to him and even otherwise. When the 1962, war happened she and many
ladies like her knitted sweaters for the soldiers. They even donated gold to
the government to fund the war. This background was needed to put in context
the content of this blog.
When I was a
child, one day I asked my Grandmother, “Dadi, why did baba not participate in
the freedom struggle, especially when he was Gandhiji’s follower, instead he worked for the
British?” She replied, “Not everyone can go out on the street and fight, he had
to take care of the house and his family also” I am not sure as a child if I clearly
understood that statement or accepted that answer.
The story goes
such that my grandmother was my Grandfather’s 2nd wife. His 1st
wife died out of some illness. He was so distressed that he actually wanted to
leave everything and join the freedom movement with Gandhiji. He was however
coaxed by his family to not quit his work and soon he got married again, this
time to our grandmother. They had 4 children and as mentioned above in post
independence period the contribution of my grandfather was notable. In the hall
of fame of Roorkie University, he has been mentioned as one of the pillars of
the university. Those who study and work in ground water issues would know that
there is a Chaturvedi Theory by him. So he did contribute to this country in
ways that only he could have done.
However, my
grandfather’s story is not the main part of this blog. The main focus is when
the need arises should we or should we not fight for our rights, for our fellow
country men’s rights, for our freedom, our expression? I have been told many times by my family and
friends not to speak on social media, not to unnecessarily take up issues, not
to participate in protests. They operate out of concern for me and out of fear
that something may go wrong. The technology is up there and Government or
agencies these days can track anyone they wish to. I do not deny that the concern of my loved
ones is not in vain… However I still do what I do… Maybe I am in a state of denial that nothing
will happen to people like us; we are small fish for the big brother. Maybe I
am dictated by the quote “When in doubt remember, if not me then who? If not
now then when?” But maybe just maybe somewhere I react and respond to the
question of that little girl who asked her Grandmother, “why did baba not
fight?” Maybe I want, that tomorrow when my grandchildren (children of my
nieces and nephews) ask me where you were, or what did you do? I can say that I
fought. I stood up. I was there when it mattered.
If we fight today then maybe we can see a
tomorrow where a different kind of nation building will be possible. If we do
not, then maybe tomorrow we will cease to see the nation as it should be and it
may be too late then… The contributions of people like my grandfather and those
before him who actually fought the mighty may all go waste. Next time someone dear warns me or deters me,
I will have to repeat, “When in doubt remember, if not me then who? If not now
then when?”
© Shubhra
August 16, 2019
August 16, 2019
