A MARVEL IN MARBLE

THE JAIN TEMPLE AT RANAKPUR

(By Subbaram Danda)

We stood stunned, looking at the magnificent façade of the Jain temple at Ranakpur.  It was a spectacle.  The marble edifice shimmered gorgeously in the mid-day sun.  The long flight of steps leading to its main entrance, the porches in three tiers, the rows of towers and the central dome at the top provided a delectable treat to the eyes.  We had read a lot about this abode of worship but what we actually saw surpassed all those accounts.  We were gazing at an exquisite sanctuary of spiritual art.

The front view of the temple

We – my wife and I – were visiting the Jain temple on our way from Jodhpur to Udaipur in the course of our Rajasthan vacation in March 2015.  It was an important item on our itinerary.  Ranakpur is located at about 165 kilometres south of Jodhpur and about 90 kilometres north of Udaipur. 

The temple seen from another angle

A pious Jain businessman constructed the temple in the 15^th century following a vision he had.  In this effort he received the patronage of the liberal king of Mewar, Rana Kumbha.  It came up in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli range of mountains.  Renovated from time to time, it stands on a basement of 48,000 sq.ft.

The temple is dedicated to Rishabhadev, the first of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras.   A Tirthankara is a “liberated being”, who has severed all earthly bonds, crossed the stream of rebirths and attained the status of the omniscient.  He guides others on the path of renunciation and emancipation.  Rishabhadev, being the first, is also known as Adhinath (the first Lord).  The temple is one of the five major pilgrim centres of the Jains.

The massive temple has four separate entrances, one in each of the cardinal directions.  All of them lead visitors, through columned halls, to a central arena and finally to the sanctum.  In it there is a four-faced marble image of Lord Rishabhadev.  The sanctum is surrounded by several smaller shrines.   One more line of cells with holy images encircles these shrines.  Towers and domes rise above these shrines and cells.   

As we walked up the steps and passed through the main portal of the temple, a vista of architectural splendour unfolded before us.  We stood in a spacious high hall, where pillars, pedestals, capitals, lintels and the domed ceiling displayed intricately sculpted floral designs, animal motifs, celestial figures, dancing nymphs and geometrical patterns.  We saw many foreign visitors listening intently to guides, who waxed eloquent on the special characteristics of the temple.  They looked at every piece of artwork in awe. 

The ornate pillars, pedestals, capitals and lintels as seen from the front high hall

The intricately chiselled designs on pillar capitals and the ceiling 

The sculpted embellishments on a ceiling under a dome

Far ahead of us was the sanctum, where worship was going on for the principal idol of Rishabhadev amidst the chanting of hymns.  Many devotees thronged the assembly hall in front of it.  We offered our prayers from a distance and moved on. 

Hall after hall and corridor after corridor presented a variety of creative carvings.  In all, we were told, the temple has 29 halls, 80 domes and 1,444 pillars.  What is awe-inspiring is the fact that each pillar is unique in design and each dome’s ceiling is different. This feature offered us plenty of photo opportunities and we clicked liberally.  Only the idols of worship were not to be photographed. 

  

Each of the 1,444 marble pillars in the temple is different in structure and design

Animal motifs and geometrical patterns enliven the temple

Celestial figures and dancing nymphs on pillars

Within the temple complex we could see several open courtyards, which would allow sun rays to penetrate the temple, illuminating its interiors.   A significant effect of it is the wonderful play of light and shade on the pillars. As the rays shift through the day the pillars appear to change their colour from pale yellow to light gold. 

  

A tower as seen from a courtyard

  

Among other noteworthy features were two big bells placed near the sanctum.    Along a corridor a wall displayed an image of 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath.  It was enclosed within an intricately carved band of flowers, mermaids, snakes and knots.  Elsewhere we came across life-sized marble elephants standing at the centre of small halls. 

The circular image of 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath

An elephant in marble

Posing with another elephant statue amidst sculpted pillars

As we kept going, it was not hard to realize that the entire temple is a treasure trove of spiritual art.  An elderly woman from the US, who struck a conversation with us, was exuberant in her praise of the temple.  She did not mince words when she said, “I have not seen such a wonder in my life so far.  Every element here is a masterpiece.”  We could not but be in agreement with her.  What we were witnessing was poetry in stone.  

(Ends)

April 25, 2015

ON THE TRAIL OF JAMES BOND

IN ROMANTIC UDAIPUR

(By Subbaram Danda)

A view of Udaipur

As my wife and I entered Udaipur in the course of our Rajasthan tour in March 2015, driving on its crowded narrow streets, a huge board of a hotel caught my attention.  The last line on it read in bold letters, “We show James Bond film Octopussy every evening at 7 p.m.”  For a moment I was intrigued.  Why should the film be run by the hotel and that too every day?    Soon some more similar hotel boards with the same text confronted me. 

Suddenly I recalled what I had read in travel books and on the internet.  Almost the entire film Octopussy had been shot in Udaipur.  Many tourist sights of the city can be seen in the widely popular film.   And several of these attractions were there on our itinerary too.  The hotels were trying to attract foreign tourists by showing the film to them and offering to take them to those sites.  Excellent marketing strategy!

I am an ardent fan of Ian Fleming, the author of James Bond thrillers.  For the uninitiated, James Bond is the lead character in the novels -- a British spy with the authority to kill.  His code is 007.  I have read almost all Bond novels.  Naturally I also love the films produced on the basis of the novels. 

Octopussy is the 13^th Bond film starring Roger Moore in the main role.  Though the title is borrowed from Ian Fleming’s work, the film plot is vastly different.  

In the film, Bond is assigned the task of unravelling the international ramifications of the theft of invaluable relics from the Soviet Union. The trail leads him to Udaipur, where the operatives have set shop.

Octopussy is the name of a wealthy woman accomplice of an international smuggler involved in the theft.   Swedish-born bewitching American actress Maud Adams plays this role.  She resides in two palaces – Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Palace – each built on an island in Udaipur’s famous Lake Pichola.  James Bond stays in another palace -- the luxurious Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel on the banks of the lake.  

Lake Palace, now a luxury hotel

Exterior view of Jag Mandir Palace

Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel

Lake Palace, built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1754, has been converted into an expensive private luxury hotel. Its lush pools, lavish suites, stunning pavilions and dreamy fountains came in handy for the film maker to add glitz and glamour to the flick in abundance.

Jag Mandir Palace was put up by Maharana Karan Singh in 1620. Its neatly-tended gardens, open court yards and above all life-size statues of elephants at the entrance and elsewhere are a sight to behold.  The film exploits these to the full extent. 

An open courtyard of Jag Mandir Palace

In the courtyard of Jag Mandir Palace

A garden in Jag Mandir Palace

Elephant statues in the garden of Jag Mandir Palace

Incidentally, Jag Mandir Palace has an interesting tale to tell.  Mughal Prince Khurram, who later came to be known as Shah Jahan, had a dispute with his father and this forced him to seek refuge with the then ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar at Udaipur.  Subsequently Khurram stayed at Jag Mandir Palace.  He was reportedly overwhelmed by Udaipur palaces all around and wanted to build such edifices himself, if he had an opportunity.  This inspiration eventually led to the construction of the world famous Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaj.

Shiv Nivas Palace, completed by Maharana Fateh Singh at the beginning of the 20^th century, served as a royal guest house.  Among the world celebrities it hosted was King George V of the United Kingdom.  It was later turned into a luxury hotel.   

Our programme in Udaipur included a boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola with a halt at the Jag Mandir Palace.  In the film James Bond also sails on the lake frequently.  Our ride enabled us to have a look at all the palaces from our boat and also provided an opportunity to step into Jag Mandir Palace, which is currently a resort with yoga and meditation facilities.  Weddings and other events also take place there.  

Boat ride on Lake Pichola

In the boat

Our hotel room in Udaipur was lake facing and we could comfortably see boats on the lake pass by.  Exactly opposite to our room across the lake on the other side was a ghat and an open paved area.  One evening we could see colourfully-dressed Rajasthani women come in a procession and gather there.  Several women carried images of Issar and Gangaur, manifestations of Shiva and Parvati.  Music, dance and other cultural programmes followed.  We learnt that it was a festival gathering to welcome the Spring season.  Several special boats with music bands and dancing youngsters sailed past the place on the lake. 

A view of Lake Pichola from our hotel room

Boats participating in the Spring festival

The Octopussy film too has a similar event shot at the same place, where James Bond was received.   The film incorporates many other scenes of the city in abundance – street-side shops selling a variety of wares, autorickshaws weaving through crowded lanes, women in colourful saris moving around and children playing in gay abandon.   Tennis player Vijay Amritraj plays the role of a companion of Bond in the film.

Udaipur finds a place not only in Octopussy but also in several other international and regional films.  Citizens of this city are proud of not only their heritage and culture but also the fact that it continues to attract film producers from all over the world.  

We did not stay in Hotel Lake Palace or Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, as they were highly expensive, and so their interiors could not be caught by our camera.  However, we were able to capture in our photographs several of the sights featured in Octopussy, as if we had been on James Bond’s trail! 

April 11, 2015

OUR DAY OUT AT MEHRANGARH FORT

THE JEWEL OF JODHPUR

(By Subbaram Danda)

In front of the Citadel of the Sun

With high expectations we headed for the mighty fort of Mehrangarh in Jodhpur, driving on the narrow and bustling streets of the city.  Former US first lady Jacqueline Kennedy had described it as the eighth wonder of the world.  Noted English writer and Nobel Laureate for literature Rudyard Kipling had called it “the work of the giants” having been overwhelmed by its “colossal proportions.”  These comments had naturally aroused great curiosity in us.

The fort occupied a place of pride in our itinerary for Jodhpur, which was in the first leg of our Rajasthan tour from May 17 to 24, 2015.  The other places we -- my wife and I -- visited were Ranakpur, famous for its all-marble Jain temple, and Udaipur, well known for its romantic lakes and palaces.

As we moved on and accelerated up a hill, all of a sudden the fort shot into our view, literally stunning us.  It glowed majestically in the late morning sun.   Our first reaction was, “Wow, it is here, right in front of us. What a grand structure!”  After some more minutes of driving, we were at its entrance. 

Jodhpur, the Blue City, as seen from the ramparts of the fort

The foundation stone for the fort was laid in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, a famous king of the former princely state of Marwar.  He belonged to the Rathore clan of Rajputs, who were believed to be descendants of Mehr – the Sun.   Rao Jodha named the fort Mehrangarh – the Citadel of the Sun.  On its completion, he shifted the capital of Marwar from the nearby town of Mandore to the fort. 

The statistics of the fort are formidable.   It stands on a rocky hill about 400 feet above the surrounding plains, overlooking the city.  In some places its walls rise to a height of 120 feet (as tall as a modern 12-storey building) and are 70 feet thick.   It has seven imposing gates.  The fort was expanded by successive rulers over 500 years.  

Besides being a mighty defensive structure, the fort served many purposes.  It was the seat of official administration.  The king lived in palaces inside with his family and close relatives.  It was the centre of royal patronage for music, dance, painting, literature, martial arts and weapon-making.  A few temples also came up in it.   Now a large part of the fort has been converted into a museum.  

Higher floors of the fort

After security checks and buying tickets for entry into the fort and for using our still and video cameras, our trek began.  We also engaged an official guide.  He took us in an elevator, a thoughtful senior citizen friendly addition of recent times, straight to the top floor.   A row of cannons on the ramparts beckoned us.  They are said to be among the rarest in India. From there we could see the city below with closely packed blue houses, from which Jodhpur acquired the name of Blue City.   

Cannons on the ramparts of the fort

Then on, our journey was through labyrinthine walkways, down steep staircases, past several palaces, through numerous galleries and across many courtyards.  It was an exhilarating exercise.  We heard our guide narrate stories of what kings of various generations did, their styles of ruling, their pastimes and their intrigues.  

A palace overlooking an open courtyard

The star attraction in the fort is undoubtedly its palaces.  They are named either on the basis of their interior décor or in terms of their function.  Important among them are Sheesh Mahal (Mansion of Mirrors), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Jhanki Mahal (Peep Mansion) and Takhat Vilas (Mansion of Maharaja Takhat Singh).

They were built or extensively renovated by different kings at different times.  Every ruler left his mark on them.  Mughal influence could be seen on the architecture of the palaces, as the Marwar kings maintained good relations with those emperors, though there had been skirmishes now and then. 

     

We liked the Sheesh Mahal most for its exotic mirror work.  What was noticeable was that large pieces of glass had been affixed on the walls and the ceiling instead of a mosaic of tiny fragments.  Another feature was superimposition of brightly painted religious figures over the mirrors.  It was essentially a “private temple”. 

The Sheesh Mahal

The Phool Mahal (Palace of Flowers) is regarded by some as the grandest of all the “period rooms” in the fort.  It was a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure, where music, dance and other performances took place.  Its ceiling glistened in rich gold filigree.  The Phool Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhay Singh and the gold for it came from Ahmedabad in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious Mughal governor, Sarbuland Khan.  

The Phool Mahal

The Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) built by Raja Sur Singh is the largest of all the mahals.  It was used as an exclusive Durbar Hall, a hall of private audience accessible only to those very close to the ruler.  The wooden ceiling is rich in gold leaf and mirror work.  Windows and door panels were made of coloured glass.  Pearls were not in evidence in this palace! 

The Moti Mahal

The Jhanki Mahal (Peep Mansion) originally served as a place from where royal ladies could peep into the courtyard below and watch official proceedings there.  Today it houses a collection of royal cradles.  They shine in gold leaf and mirror work.   Figures of fairies, elephants and birds were lavishly incorporated in their making.   

The Jhanki Mahal

The Takhat Vilas was built and lived in by Maharaja Takhat Singh, Jodhpur’s last ruler to reside in the fort.  It was a blend of traditional and British styles.  The floor is painted like a carpet.  A cloth fan (punkah) hanging from the ceiling and drawn by servants with ropes provided breeze to the occupants. The glass spheres on the ceiling were of British origin. 

The Takhat Vilas

A major attraction in the fort is an all-marble coronation seat displayed in a court yard.  It looks simple but elegant.   Every ruler since Rao Jodha had his coronation here.  No visitor fails to take a photo of it. 

The coronation seat in marble

We were astounded by the wide variety of ancient memorabilia housed in numerous galleries – arms, palanquins, howdas (seats for use on elephants), paintings, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.   Each had its own specialty.

Of great interest was the armory section, which has the personal swords of many kings.  The sword-hilts embellished in jade, silver, ivory and rhino horn attracted everyone’s attention.  There were shields studded with rubies, emeralds and pearls.  A show case contained the sword of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great (the lower one in the picture).  It is not clear how it came into the possession of the fort museum.  

The sword of Mughal Emperor Akbar (the lower one) 

An ornate, gilded and domed palanquin called Mahadol , placed in the centre of a hall, was  another item over which our guide waxed  eloquent.  It was acquired by Maharaja Abhay Singh after a successful battle with Gujarat.  It needed a team of 12 men to carry it.  

A domed palanquin

On show were objects that had been imaginatively created.   There was a bronze cannon sculpted like a mythical animal with the face of an alligator and the body of a wild boar. What purpose it served was anybody’s guess.  

A cannon with the face of an alligator

The paintings section provided a rare insight into the lifestyles of the rulers.  Undeniably they patronized this fine art very well.  One painting depicted Maharaja Man Singh playing polo – with royal women!  It was amazing to learn that in those days womenfolk took an active part in sports and that too in exotic games like polo.  

A painting of a Marwar king playing polo with royal women

A temple for Chamunda Devi, the family deity of Marwar kings, could be seen on the far end of the fort.  It remains a very popular Hindu shrine.  A large number of devotees visit it even now especially during the festival time of Navaratri.

The fort has a heart-rending exhibit.  It makes every visitor go through a moment of poignancy.  On a stone wall near the main gate, one could see carved on it many palm prints of royal ladies, who had thrown themselves into the burning pyre of their deceased husbands -- a practice called Sati.  Before the gruesome act, in a ritual, the ladies had to leave prints of their right palm on the wall, which were later etched on it permanently.   

Palm prints of royal ladies before they committed 'Sati'

Undoubtedly the Mehrangarh fort is a treasure trove for history buffs, archaeology enthusiasts and travel lovers.  The memory of our visit to the fort will certainly linger long in our minds.  

April 04, 2015

"THE CRITERION" PUBLISHES MY SHORT STORY

My short story "Dreams, Fears and Secrets" has been carried in the 6th Bumper Anniversary Issue of THE CRITERION, an online bi-monthly international journal in English, just released.  The story is woven around the ambitions and apprehensions of two sisters and how they manage to conquer them.  THE CRITERION is a highly acclaimed journal, which carries a variety of research papers and scholarly articles, besides poetry, fiction and book reviews.

Dreams, Fears and Secrets

Subbaram Danda

It was springtime.  The mellow rays of the morning sun played hide and seek with clusters of white clouds in the blue sky.  The distant rolling mountains radiated a magical charm.  The chirping of the birds on nearby trees was rhythmic. There was romance in the air.

This scenery would have delighted anyone but not Ramya.   The 25-year-old woman was inspecting the paddy crop she and her husband had raised in their two-acre field in a village near the South Indian city of Thanjavur.  She was not happy with their farm operations, as the returns they got were just enough to make their both ends meet.  She had a mother-in-law and a one-year-old boy to look after.  Besides the farm land, a small tiled house was all they possessed.  She was a middle-school drop-out.

Ramya was ambitious.  She longed to live in a palatial building with an elegantly-tended garden.  Her lifestyle should be the envy of everyone around.  She looked forward to doing something novel and ground-breaking to realize her dreams.

She kept a watchful eye on the people in her village.  She noticed that some of her neighbours had overnight become rich.  What was their secret?  Like them, she would also like to strike gold. 

Ramya’s elder sister Preeti was lucky.  She was ravishingly beautiful.   Captivated by her looks, a rich businessman’s son had married her.   A chartered accountant, he was a partner in a leading auditors firm, which had offices in all major business centres of the world.  He headed the Dubai unit and took her there with him.

They lived in a swanky residential suite in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 2,723 feet.   Preeti’s letters and photographs of her lavish lifestyle added fuel to the fire of Ramya’s aspirations.   When she invited Ramya to spend a week with her and arranged for her travel documents and tickets, her joy knew no bounds.

For the first time in her life Ramya boarded a plane.   From Dubai airport she was driven to her sister’s home in a six-door limousine.   En route the sight of innumerable skyscrapers in incredible shapes made her feel she was in a world of fantasy.

She spent a full day savouring the delights of Burj Khalifa.  Its 160-plus storeys, extensive architectural embellishments, classy shops, posh restaurants and azure swimming pools amazed her.  The high-speed elevators of the tower were themselves marvellous.  As she entered one and moved up whisper-free, its floor-to-ceiling glass walls all around enabled her to take an awesome view of the city’s landmarks, the desert and the sea.   At the observation deck at level 124 she walked along its entire perimeter and felt she was on top of the world. The dancing fountains in pools below around the tower sent her excitement soaring.

Preeti and Ramya spent the next few days sight-seeing.  Burj Al Arab, the super luxury hotel with its unique sail-boat architecture, was picturesque.   Shopping at the “City Centre” mall, Gold and Spice Souks was a memorable experience.   The night cruise on the Dubai Creek, a major salt water channel that divides the city, in an ornately-crafted sturdy Arab boat with dinner thrown in, proved a fantasy trip.  The “Desert Safari,” a roller-coaster drive in a four-wheel land cruiser up and down steep sand dunes, was spine-chilling.  

On return to her village, Ramya became doubly determined that she should do something to re-write her own fate.  She wanted to uncover the secret behind the riches of her neighbours, but they would not oblige her.  She turned to her close friend Leela living a kilometre away, who had also minted money within a few years.   

One evening Ramya walked to Leela’s house, an architect-designed compact but elegant bungalow.  After sipping tea in a gold cup Ramya broached the subject.   Her friend was helpful.   “It is all simple.  But you should have grit, determination, patience and confidence.”  Moving closer to her, she whispered a lot in her ear.   Ramya was flabbergasted.  Regaining her composure she exclaimed, “Fantastic.  It looks like a modern mantra to roll in riches.   I will also do it.” 

A few days later Ramya told her husband:  “I intend to go to Delhi on a lucrative job, suggested by my friend Leela, who has recently become affluent.   Let mother-in-law take care of our child till I come back.”

The man was aghast.  She did not disclose to him her actual plans.   She just told him, “I will let you know everything once I settle down there.  I seek your co-operation. No questions right now, please.”   The next day Ramya left for Delhi carrying a letter from Leela.

In Dubai, Preeti and her husband led a happy life, each caring immensely for the other.  Every now and then they went on a holiday.  Preeti could not have asked for more. 

However, one problem tormented them.  Though they got married several years ago, they were childless.  They consulted a leading lady doctor of Indian origin specializing in fertility issues.   Tests and scans disclosed no physical abnormality in either of them.   She referred Preeti to a psychiatrist.   After some attitudinal tests, he subjected her to psychoanalysis.  During the session, when he was making a suggestion, she screamed, “Oh, no, I don’t want to conceive.  I hate getting pregnant.  I am mortally scared of carrying and the process of delivery.  That is why I have been skilfully avoiding the advances of my husband during those few vital days in a month.  I love him alright.”    

The psychiatrist’s report provided details of Preeti’s confessional outbursts on her attitude towards pregnancy.  It shocked her husband.  “How can she do it to me?  This is betrayal of the first order,” he lamented within himself.  But heroically he kept his cool. 

The two sought the lady doctor’s advice.  She told them, “You don’t have to despair.  You can have a baby biologically born to you two. Preeti does not have to conceive.  The baby will be carried and delivered by another woman called a surrogate.  It is a sort of outsourcing pregnancy.”  It was an incredibly mystifying piece of news for Preeti and her husband. 

The doctor explained, “This is one of the miracles of modern medicine.  Surrogate pregnancy can be brought about in several ways for different reasons.  The first surrogate birth, a baby girl, was reported in the United States in 1986.  Since then thousands of similar births have taken place globally.  In India the first one was in 1994.   In recent years the country has witnessed rapid progress in this field and is now the most sought-after destination for couples worldwide looking for this procedure. Anand, a town in Gujarat, has acquired the reputation of being the surrogate capital of the world.”

She, however, warned them:  “One should be very careful in choosing a clinic for the purpose.  Bogus advertisements and touts are aplenty.  There have been dreadful failures and untoward developments. If you are interested, I can refer you to a renowned hospital in Mumbai, where the doctors and the staff are really capable and truly devoted.  Without hassles, you will have your own sweet baby literally delivered to you.   But be prepared.  It is expensive, though significantly cheaper than elsewhere in the world.”

The doctor’s advice appeared refreshingly different and temptingly promising.  Preeti jumped at the idea. 

Soon the husband and wife visited the Mumbai hospital recommended to them.  A senior doctor, after going through their medical reports and subjecting them to new tests, told them:  “In your case it is going to be what we call gestational surrogacy.  Under this procedure, sperms of the husband will be fused in-vitro (in the lab) with the eggs extracted from the wife.   When a fertilized egg becomes an embryo, it will be placed in the womb of a surrogate, who has already been screened and prepared for the purpose.  She will go through the full course of pregnancy.”

The doctor explained further:  “The surrogate mother will stay in our residential complex for better monitoring.  She will get necessary food and medicines, including vitamins and nourishing supplements.  Her own children can stay with her and her husband can also visit her periodically.  She will sign an agreement that after the delivery, she will hand over the baby to the biological parents.”

The Mumbai doctor went on:  “We have on our register about 100 would-be surrogates, all medically and psychologically screened.   You can meet and choose any one of them.   If you agree, we can also suggest the best woman suited to you.”

The doctor took them round the hospital and showed them the various state-of-the-art facilities there.  They also had an opportunity to talk to a few surrogate mothers waiting to deliver babies in the next few days. 

Preeti and her husband opted for the most expensive package of Rs.15 lakhs, which would cover all expenses.   Half of it would go to the surrogate mother.  They left to the doctor the choice of selecting the most suitable surrogate.  She could belong to any religion or caste.  Even after the delivery, they would take care of her interests.   Money was no constraint for them.  They would meet her at the time of taking delivery of the baby.   Preeti’s husband was particular that the matter be kept a closely-guarded secret, as he did not want to expose his wife’s eccentric reservations on pregnancy at least for a while. 

They stayed in the hospital only for the days of the procedure involving them and then rushed back to Dubai. When they received reports that the entire implantation process went off well and the surrogate mother was making good progress they felt jubilant.  They sent expensive clothes, sweets, flowers and other gifts to her.  

Two days before the projected delivery date, Preeti and her husband arrived in Mumbai.  Early in the morning on the predicted day, they received a call that a baby girl was born to them.   “The infant is very healthy, cute and charming.  The mother is also doing well.   She is waiting to meet you both.”  They felt they were in heaven.

The two rushed to the hospital.  The Resident Medical Officer led them to the room where the surrogate and the baby were resting.   It looked like a suite in a five-star hotel.  They entered the inner enclosure and what they saw there stunned them.   The surrogate mother was none other than Ramya!  She was also shocked.

For a few moments they kept looking at each other in utter disbelief.  Then smiles lit up their faces.  Ramya lifted and kissed the baby a couple times, as tears swelled in her eyes, and handed it over to her sister.  The little one appeared to smile oblivious of the mysterious ways of the world around.  

The next day Ramya disclosed to her sister what all happened.  “In my anxiety to become rich at any cost at the earliest, I applied to this hospital’s branch in Delhi to be a surrogate mother.  After extensive tests they accepted me.  They also called my husband and got his consent. I stayed in the capital city waiting for my turn.  Within a fortnight the chief doctor asked me whether I would be interested in moving to Mumbai for a surrogate pregnancy.  I was their choice because medically I met all their requirements.  I accepted the offer as the terms were very attractive.  Immediately I shifted here, though my own child remained in the village.  My experience here has been very pleasant.”

Soon, at the invitation of Preeti and her husband, Ramya and all members of her family relocated to Dubai.  One day, while fondling the baby, Ramya crooned, “I am very lucky.  My dream has come true sooner than expected.”  The baby smiled back as if refuting her claim.  The little beauty appeared to convey, “I am the luckiest. I am enjoying the care and love of two mothers!” 

(Ends)