The Undying Faith
This is the story of Shanti Nanda who receives her letter after 16 years…
Mrs Nanda,
This is Aman Verma, from Life Hospital, Bhuj. I have been handling the case of your husband Mr Jai Nanda who has been seriously injured in the earthquake which occurred on 26th of January. I want to inform you that your husband’s condition is getting worse day by day and I fear that he would barely survive in this condition. I would request you to please be here as soon as possible.
Regards
Aman Verma
(senior doctor)
Shanti was now lost in her 16 year- old memories…
16 Years Ago (26th January ‘2001)
“ Har Shyam Aankhon Par,Tera Aanchal Lehraye,Har Raat Yaadon Ki,Baarat Le Aaye Main Saans Leta Hoon,Teri Khushboo Aati Hai, Ek Mehka Mehka Sa Paigam Laati Hai, Meri Dil Ki Dhadkan Bhi, Tere Geet Gaati Hai, Pal Pal Dil Ke …” the radio sang in the voice of legendary Kishore Kumar…
“Tring tring…..” the phone rang.
“Yes?” a 32 -year- old Shanti answered.
“Shanti it’s me, Jai. Right now I am at the railway station, we have reached Bhuj now, my train will reach by the evening.”
“Oh that's great, then see you in the evening and have a safe journey too…”
“Yes, I just can’t wait to see you both again. By the way I bought some gifts for….” Jai’s voice was interrupted
“Hello Jai, can you hear me? Hello?” Shanti asked but there was no response from the other side all she could hear was the people shouting in panic. Suddenly the connection of the network was broken so as Shanti.
“What would have happened? Why were the people in the background screaming ?” a frightened voice asked herself.
She immediately turned on the news channel on TV.
“A 7.7 Richter earthquake has been observed in Bhuj, Gujarat. It is said that it the worst quake in India in the last 180 years. The current state cannot be defined as all the communicating networks have been broken with the area.” the news anchor said.
Shanti was injured deeply, she didn’t knew what to do. All she could hear was the scream which she heard on the phone.
Weeks passed but she didn’t got any information about Jai.
Present Day (30th January ‘2017)
“I think all that happens actually happens for good…” she said to Jai who was sitting besides him sipping his tea.
“At Last, you found Aman’s missing letter… ” he said
“Yes, now you believe that I really wrote that letter. The fault was of the post office for the delay and all these years you blamed me…” Dr Aman Verma said in a bit of a dramatic voice to Shanti.
“Ok -ok, I agree Doc. But see what a coincidence, today you are here to meet your daughter and today we found your missing letter…” Shanti replied.
“Yes mom, it is really a good omen right papa?” a 24 -year- old female figure said.
“Yes my love!” Doc replied as he hugged her daughter.
Shanti never stopped searching for him, after so many tries she found the address of the hospital in which Jai was admitted. Fortunately, Jai survived the earthquake. He was found lying near the railway tracks by Dr Aman itself few days after the quake. Doctor Aman took care of Jai during all these days and saved him from death. He helped Shanti and Jai during those critical situation. Dr verma was no longer just a doctor for them after that, he was their new friend for life. Soon this friendship was turned into family, the relation of “In -Laws”…
The Earthquake of 2001
For those who don’t know about the event which occurred on the account of India’s 51st Republic Day. 26th January ‘2001, an earthquake occurred on the land of Gujarat. The earthquake’s epicentre was 20km from Bhuj. A city with a population of 140,000 in 2001. The city is in the region known as the Kutch region. The effects of the earthquake were also felt on the north side of the Pakistan border, in Pakistan 18 people were killed. According to the officials, the intensity of the quake was 7.7 Richter. The quake was the worst in India in the last 180 years.
The name of the song used above is “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” sung by the evergreen singer Kishore Kumar from the movie “Blackmail” starring Dharmendra and Raakhee. Song link given below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMuRRXCuy-4
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