Keval Rai was teaching a history lesson. While teaching he explained, ``Sati and dowry were some of the social evils of those times''. Suddenly a cry was heard from the back of the classroom. It was Mukti crying, " Oh mother! why did you go away leaving me ?''Mukti's memories went back to the years when she lived with her parents. She remembered her father's death in an accident and the arrival of her grandmother. She forced Mukti's mother to commit sati. She assured her that she would take care of Mukti. But soon after her mother's death her grandmother turned out to be violent. She tortured her and taunted her making her feel every time that Mukti was a heavy burden on her head which she wanted to get rid of. Not only this but she also made her do all the household chores.
Years passed and she left Mukti in an orphanage. Now whenever Mukti heard of any sati case she was disturbed and started shouting and screaming. The authorities at the orphange thought that the girl was insane and admitted her into a mental hospital. There she found a doctor who was sympathetic towards her. She loved Mukti and cared for her. Later she adopted her. Years have passed and now it may be hard to believe that the little girl, Mukti, is a feminist working against `Sati' - a social evil.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.