Lord of the Files – #BarAThon

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For Lord of the Files – “What Life really needs is much more love, compassion and less of paperwork

lord of files barathon

This is my entry for the fifth day of #BarAthon 2017, the fortnight-long blogging marathon for bloggers, organised by Blog-A-Rhythm! Today’s prompt is ‘Lord of the FILES’, featured in my fictional story.

Chandan was sleeping with his entire kin when they stormed through doors with sticks and live torches, gents of the family were sleeping on bunks near main door (as per their patriarch order) hence fell first victims of their hatred, in the midst of extreme chaos, shouts and smoke all he could manage was a last glimpse of his own people burning before someone pushed him to the rear door that opens towards the rail tracks. Disoriented he kept running towards the chugging sound without turning back, his eyes were on fire from the heat within.

1982, Modinagar district Ghaziabad India, Sulekha told bank manager nth number of time that she never gave anyone authority to withdraw money on her behalf from the account, but he gave her the same impassive look. She again narrated the entire story of Chandan’s migration from Rawalpindi Pakistan to Modinagar, India during Partition, their marriage, age and years of her kids birth, their marriages, etc… etc.. All she heard in return from his is – ‘mataji koi kagaj patri hai kya‘? (do you have any documents with you) she felt defeated, but doesn’t want them to know this…. she know they all are eyeing her wealth, she has to look brave and strong. With a confident look she picked up her papers, put them in a polythene bag and left only to return again prepared. Bank Manager said again, ‘mataji, bina kagaj ke kuch nahi ho sakta‘. (without proper paperwork nothing can be done)

It was the winters of 1970 when Chandan Malkhan married Sulekha, Chandan Sweets (Rawalpindi Waale) is a well known name in the entire area famous for it’s Karanchi Halwa and pure desi ghee sweets. Everyone loved the sweet delicacies made here, be it a marriage or a birthday – a box of Chandan Sweets is a matter of pride. Blessed with 2 sons they had a perfect family anyone can dream of, his dreadful escape is the matter of past… he never shared the memories of that ghastly night with anyone, not even his wife all they knew was he came to Modinagar from Pakistan during partition and settled here working day and night to make a better living.

 

Everything was just perfect when one fateful day Chandan passed due to cardiac arrest, and like a typical 1980s Indian family without writing his will and mentioning a nominee. With each passing day the power struggle in brothers turned into deceiving, hiding from and manipulating each other. Sulekha’s love and confidence on her boys never made her suspicious of their ill motives, taking advantage of her inadequate education and unconditional love they took her thumb impression on ‘Power of Attorney‘ declaration and left her to live on rags or beg.

Wife of Late. Chandan Malkhan of Chandan Sweet’s is living a life of a beggar, from riches to rags!

A local news paper headline state the ordeal she was going through, an NGO came forward to help her, to educate her about legal rights and to fight her case in the court of Law against those who cheated her, she is fighting for what is her’s, she’s fighting for her rights, fighting for many like her who have been left being a LORD but only of the FILES aptly named – The Lord of Files…

 

Author’s thought – today we have came a long way from what is mentioned in the story, however still there are many such families where writing a ‘legal will’, mentioning a ‘nominee’ is still considered unnecessary. Kindly educate people around you, specially your house help, any elderly you know in or near your family. This is important, not that everyone is greedy but proper ‘paperwork’ is the perfect work.

Catch more from the Blog-A-Thon series:

Day 1. The Fault in our Stares

Copyright © Dipika Singh ‘Gleefulblogger’
All rights reserved. This post or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

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