
Though Patna is quite a big city , being the capital of Bihar, but unlike the metros it still has its own quaint charm...since long we have had various sellers visiting us now and then selling their stuff at our door steps....faces of people who have become familiar with time , as they do turn up once or twice a year....the kashmiri shawl waale Ghulam Nabi Mallik with his collection of shawls , phirans, jackets , koties and bundies , the bengali saree waala dada with his taant, tanchuyi, baluchari , dhakayi & tangail sarees, the kolkatta embroidery waala with his collection of embroidered kurtis , sarees , bedspreads, tablecloths etc. Then there are, the once in a while traders like 'arwa basmati chawal' and 'makhana’(foxnuts) waalas who come from surrounding villages to sell their produce directly at a better price ....all this " home shopping" ( in the literal sense😁) is sometimes good...good stuff without much hassle . But all this narration is to tell you all about a woman who I admire because of her spark and gusto....she is Zohra......a churdiwaali....now in her late fifties she has been a frequent visitor to our house since ages....😊 earlier I used to see her always with a baby bump , carrying a big basket on her head loaded with strings of bangles and bundles hanging on her shoulder ....always smiling and cracking jokes...even if you didn’t want to buy she would always manage to persuade you...a very articulate woman but one who would win your heart by her affection and sweetness. I used to get concerned for her seeing her pregnant every year and carrying such heavy loads inspite of being in that condition. Today she came after a long gap and asked me to buy some bangles ....I wasn’t interested but then who can refuse her with her sweet talk....after I bought some for my daughter in law , she admonished me " bhabhiji aapka haath itna khaali kyun...bas ek ek bala pehnyega? ...aese kese ...teej aa raha hai aap hindu loganka toh bahut bardka parv hai na, toh ahwa tanik laalka churdi hum aapka pehna deb" pulled my hand towards her and before I could protest she slipped some red bangles on my wrists ... for which , she refused to take money . I paid her for the bangles I bought for Neha ...gave her a glass of cold water and something to eat . Zohra the woman who has been selling bangles since a long time , to earn for her family under all circumstances , with her dauntless spirit and simple charm . Zohra the woman , who smiles through her troubles and woes, Zohra though poor and uneducated , nevertheless a woman of strength and spirit .
