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My daughter happened to buy this book as she is fond of reading Sudha Murthy's writings. I have listened to her opinions on the books she had read but never followed her by taking them up to read myself as I was more interested in other popular writers.
On the day it was announced that a cyclone would hit Chennai I was at home and had the urge to read some book and as this one was on the table and I took it up for a casual browsing and soon I became interested . Sudha Murthy had narrated various experiences she had had in her life .
The first chapter, 'Bombay to Bangalore', spoke of a personal intervention that rapidly changed the life of a young,bright girl who would have otherwise been like that flower of which Thomas Grey speaks of as having lost its fragrance in desert air. I enjoyed the simple narrative style of Sudha Murthy and went on to read the full book. The title chapter left an impression of a caring person who did not reveal her multi- lingual capability that she used to understand and handle the particular situation .I once more applauded her subtle handling of the situation without much ado . I felt that the remote village in Odisha was her Kasi .
'The three pond' made me think more and I realized for the first time that there are simple village folks who had shown great determination and sacrifice in order to help their progeny in a meaningful manner. "Really great" and for the first time I felt ashamed as I had always thought that our nation was full of 'good for nothing' ,worthless people and all the great ones had migrated to other countries.
I was filled with pride and happiness that my country too , had courageous women who have shown immense courage and sacrifice to improve their world in which they were born. From that day on wards, I started to accept India with all its limitation and shortcomings and an attitudinal correction was made mentally within me.."What have I contributed ?"..I wondered and felt small .The simple village women and men, though illiterate, never faltered in their self less contributions for the betterment of society.
For the first time I felt happy that my daughter was hooked to an elegant,inspirational writer.'
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