"OK", the police man said " we will bring her after a few days when she will become disable- broken hand or leg. We trust you will take care of her only then"
Niruben retorted " I think you do not have a daughter of your own.. other -wise you would not predict such cruelty to such a nice little girl?"
The police man really got disturbed and said with heavy heart "Niruben, I also have a daughter and that is why I have brought this miserable dove. She has a mental shock, she is not able to re-collect anything but her name, Khusbu (Sweet fragrance). Some one has left her at the orphanage at Palanpur. She does not recollect her parents, village, address-- anything. Orphanage does not have another girl of her age and she is prone to fall, get injured, that is why I said you will accept her only after she has met with an accident- broken a limb."
Niruben said" OK, you can leave her with me. Addition of one to sixty will not be a burden" and Niruben took Khusbu in her lap with a mother's love and a miracle happened; Khusbu entwined to her new mother … not ready to leave her.
Police constable gave some money to Khusbu as every Indian elder does while departing from a child, blessed her, saluted Niruben and left.
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Hajipur is a village (Taluka Kalol) 30 kms from Ahmedabad. In about 2 ½ acres of land at the periphery of the village is MANTHAN. There is one woman staying with her sixty adopted daughters. All sixty suffering from some disability-polio or such other disease –
There is a proverb: "Fools rush where angles dare not" but this woman was not foolish - she had her vision .
The field where Niruben and the Girls stayed in 1991;could be approached through a small dusty foot path leading to hutments- 3 to be exact. At the far end opposite to these huts were flower beds, blooming, full of laughing bright flowers-One if counts will find them to be sixty. In one corner, one could see and hear the free laughs, and lot of noise from some, sixty disabled girls, aged 5 to 15 yrs, playing- enjoying life, full of vigor-merry making. When one reached there, the girls would stop their play, stare at you but when they will see Girishbhai following , all will start on time: Mamaji, Mamaji: Welcome-Namaste, Namaste.
Whole atmosphere will change, each girl will be jubilant and their small world would cheer up- brightening the sky. Responding with love and affection, Girishbhai, a Multimillionaire, owner of Sonal Industries will pick up a small polio affected girl and take her on his shoulders.
On hearing the noise, a dignified woman, wearing bobbed hair; well dressed; in all white, will emerge from one hut and welcome you. Without any effort, without your knowledge, instinctively your hands will get folded and say Namaste. …….You would be facing Niruben Raval - mother of some sixty five disabled daughters. about whom so much has been written
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