Hello! Marriages are made on earth, Choosing the right partner is of worth. Here is the thirty fifth video on ‘Spinning into a Career’.
Ruchi’s uncle in Baney gets the horoscope of a boy that matches with Ruchi’s horoscope. Her uncle meets the boy. The boy is frustrated with meeting girls for marriage and declines to come. Ruchi’s uncle coaxes him and says, ” Let this be the last girl you will see for marriage.” After a lot of coaxing the boy agrees. Ruchi goes to her uncle’s house to see the boy. While in the train to Baney, Ruchi feels something different. As the train swerves, she looks at the sun’s rays and is delighted. She dresses up in her uncle’s house. The boy comes along with his sister. He appears to be sharp and has glasses. He is slightly taller than Ruchi and has a brown complexion. He is straight nosed, has lively eyes and appears to be decent. Ruchi asks him whether he will allow her to get PhD, to which he agrees. She informs him that she is a lecturer in college and teaches in a school as well. He asks for a glass of water and leaves for home.
After returning home to Sharanai, the boy’s sister speaks to Ruchi’s dad on the phone and says that they want 200 grams of gold, to which Ruchi’s dad says no. He can afford only 120 grams of gold. Ruchi’s uncle phones her dad and says that Ruchi is expected to sweep, swab and keep the house clean since the boy’s sister likes that. Ruchi retorts and says that the boy wants a servant and not a wife. She tells her dad to cut the phone. She will work for one more year and buy a better husband. But Ruchi’s mother insists that he is the best match for Ruchi since he appears to be strict and principled. He is stern and takes decisions promptly.
After two weeks, the boy’s sister negotiates for 120 grams of gold. A day is decided in the month of January for the engagement. Ruchi prepares thirattupal, a sweet made by condensing milk and sweetening it with sugar for her engagement. While traveling towards Baney, she is wary about her future. She is forced into marriage because of her health and conditions at home. Her mother wants her to get married. Every time she enters the home in the evening, her mother shouts at her, “Get married and go. I don’t want your salary. What’s the use of educating you? You will earn money and give it to your husband.” Her mother is worried about her getting old and she has to dispense with the responsibility of her daughter.
Ruchi’s brother works for Conclave Computer Services in the Gulf. He visits home once in a year. He brings imported sarees and several other things. He is quite liberal with money. He pays the auto driver ten times more than the actual fare. The boy’s sister resides in BP colony. Her husband works for Bharat Pharmacy Limited. Ruchi wears a good kanchipuram sari and she is surprised to find her fiancee wearing a faded green shirt. The exchange of fruits and clothes take place. Ruchi has earned some money by coaching students. She gives it to her fiancee as varadakshina or gift. Ruchi notices that the green bandhani sari given to her is not of good quality.
The priest chants the mantras. After the function upma and rava ladoo are served. Ruchi’s hunger is not satiated by the little amount of food. She pities her would be husband, who is not allowed to speak to her, and while moving out of the house, his sister instructs him to cook rice for supper. The ladies comment that this relationship cannot be changed. Ruchi feels a thud in the heart. She is not sure whether she will marry him.
Thank you for listening. We shall continue with ‘Spinning into a Career’ in the next video. Till then, good bye!
Video can be viewed on You Tube by typing ‘Spinning into a Career’ by Usha Raman.
