War Accelerated Liberalization: Social Liberalization Of A Conservative Town

The misdeeds of the vice-chancellor and the autocratic ways of the principal caused the National Engineering College to degenerate. It was restored to the path of progress by the efforts of Goraknadh who staked his life in that endeavor. At the pre-marital visit of the bridegroom Mukhesh and his father Ambareesh to Goraknadh's house for a meeting with his daughter and bride, Jahnavi. The groom misbehaved and left abruptly because he heard rumors that she was in love with a Harijan. His allegation made her begin loving him. Construction of vedavyas's house began. During excavation for the foundation a Shiv Ling surfaced; a temporary shelter was built for it which served as a Shiv temple. It accentuated religious fervor among people. Sailaja and Niranjan loved each other. Realizing how conservative their parents were, they gave up the idea of marriage. She was permitted to invite all her friends for her wedding. War suddenly erupted between Pakistan and India, one day before Sailaja's marriage. Because of the absence of discrimination in the army, Lokesh wanted to join the army later. Now he decided to join the army the very next day. Tridev convinced his parents and joined the next day. Niranjan joined the army and then informed his parents. All the three were sent to the forward areas. Omkar completed his medical degree and joined his father Ashutosh. He advertised for a helper. He refused to give Bharatram the job because he was a Harijan. He was tired of trying and failing to get a job. He tried to commit suicide by running into a speeding car; he failed, got wounded and was taken to the nearest hospital, Ashutosh's nursing home. Now the doctor had a change of heart; he treated Bharatram and gave him the job. Jahnavi joined Ashutosh nursing home as a nurse. Sadhuram wanted to get Bharatram married to Gouri but he refused to get married till at least one of Ashutosh's problems was resolved. Bholaram, father of Lokesh, took the letter he received to Radharaman who also received a similar letter. The letters informed them that Lokesh and Tridev who were sent on a mission, did not return. Bholaram could not suppress his sorrow and slipped as he stepped out; he was admitted to Ashutosh nursing home. Ashutosh received a letter that Niranjan left the camp but did not return. Ashutosh buried the letter and its contents deep within himself. Bharatram convinced both sides for the marriage of Lucy and Omkar. First they were married according to Christian rites and later according to the Hindu rites. The war ended as suddenly as it began. Lokesh and Tridev returned soon after the war and related how they were wounded and how a Muslim Lady doctor treated them and returned them to the Indian Army Camp. In 1947 when the doctor's family was migrating to Pakistan, an orthodox Brahmin protected them, gave them shelter and treated them as honored guests for three days; that gesture changed the lives and attitudes of the Muslim family and they began helping people in need, irrespective of their religion or nationality. Their story profoundly influenced the residents of Devipur. There was no means of getting any news about Niranjan; his parents felt miserable. Because Lucy was also assisting in running the nursing home, Ashutosh gave up active practice. Niranjan was taken a war prisoner and was selected to be returned to India under an Indo-Pak agreement for exchange of some prisoners. At the last minute someone else was smuggled in his place and he was thrown out to die. A Muslim school teacher saved him, nursed him to health and married him. Later, he wrote a cryptic letter to Ashutosh indicating how they can be retrieved and brought to Devipur. Ashutosh's wife Sarvani deciphers the letter and they succeed in bringing the couple to Devipur with the help of a Collector from each side of the border. The couple was married at the Temple of Shivji. All couples new and old joined in the merriment, along with the invitees.

• | Author: Ramakanth Jonnavittula
• | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• | Publication Date: Sep 27, 2016
• | Number of Pages: 388 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1539124711
• | ISBN-13: 9781539124719