My parents are no different than any other parents. But I have special regards for both of them not because they cared us as but both of them sacrificed much for their parents, brothers, their families and for all their relatives too. My mother tells that they were very poor in jharkhand. We had only small piece of land which was not sufficient for four brothers. My father had to work as a servant to a businessman. He also worked for sometime as daily wager in Ranchi. When he went Andamans in 1954 as a Forest Labourer, he was hardly 19-20 years old. He left behind my mother, my elder brother and sister. My brother and sister were hardly 2-3 years old at that time.
In 1959, when people were being asked to settle in Andamans permanently under colonisation scheme, my father too opted for it. Over a period of 2-4 years, he took his parents, my mother, my elder brother, sister, his third and fourth brother. Only my Second uncle was left behind in Jharkhand. My father helped both of his third and fourth brothers to settle them in Andamans, got them married. I remeber, my parents gave shelter in our home to a lot many people from Jharkhand who were new in Andamans.
I was first to born in Andaman. So, I have seen the hardship we and my parents faced in Andaman. We were six brothers and one sister. I had one elder brother and one elder sister. We had enough grains to eat but there was always scarcity of money. My both sister and brother were studying in different Islands so my parents needed money for their studies. Often I had to sell vegetables, rice or milk etc so that we get money to buy things needed for home. In 1976 I went Port Blair to study further after my middle School. In fact before that my parents had planned that I become a Priest but it was God's will, I didnot get ticket to travel by the ship and had to stay back and to join Nirmala School. Two years passed well but when I joined 11th class there was serious cash crunch at home. So till harvest season was over, I had to live a rented house at Port Blair for six months because they had no enough money to meet my expenses of the hostel. Inspite of this, they struggled and educated all of us. My three Uncles are no more but at least their families have a settled life, wherever, they are. My father was a hard working and generous man whereas my mother was simple but strict disciplinarian. She was hard-working too and was deadly against wastage of food or any thing available in family.
In the year 1982, I was offered a seat of MBA at Coimbatore. I asked permission of my parents. I knew they didnot have much money but they agreed. Unfortunately due to some deficiency in my degree, the University sent me back and continued with my M.A. studies. In December, 1982 I got a job of Lower Grade Clerk and got posting in the College itself. I sent Rs.150/- to my father from my first salary. He was so happy that he enjoyed as much as he could and gave Rs. 50/- to my mother. Someone told him that " अब तो आपका बेटा बाबु बन गया है. My father replied him, हां, कम से कम हेड क्लर्क तो रिटायर होगा. I still remember those words of my father.
In 1985, I joined CSS in Delhi and thereafter, my visit to my parents was very rare but they continued their hard work and for money they always depended on me. The money I gave them were utilised for the good of entire family. Today we have pucca semi built house. A big area of coconut, banana, beetle nut and spices plantation. They were happy with my achievements and this was always visible on their faces.
