Sunday Story: Sky Is the Beginning

Mohita had been an extremely bright and talented child since her childhood. Quite early on, she had developed an affinity for sciences, especially fascinated by the universe and how it functioned. Noticing her increasing interest, her paternal uncle, Sharad chachu, who himself was a science enthusiast, started bringing her books, toys, kits and everything else he could to keep that interest alive. 

Sharad chachu also introduced Mohita to his favourite scientists—the likes of Einstein, Faraday, Tesla, Newton, Darwin, Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lady Ada Lovelace, Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, Vikram Sarabhai, and Homi Bhabha—the list was endless. And to his satisfaction, she too started admiring them just like he. She was so fascinated by all these scientists and their work that she made up her mind to become a scientist when she grew up—more particularly, an astrophysicist.

At first, Mohita’s parents too played along, thinking it was just one of those phases of childhood fascination, and that it would soon pass. But, the contrary to their belief seemed to be manifesting. As Mohita grew, so did her passion for science and her seriousness toward becoming a scientist. And it did not seem to be going well with her parents, especially her mother, who was worried that if this continued, Mohita would not grow up to be a “good” woman, and more importantly, a good “wife”.

One day, when she couldn’t stand it anymore, Mohita’s mother went to her husband to discuss her worries with him. She asked him to talk to his brother, Sharad, and ask him to not try to lead Mohita on the same path as himself. Her husband promised her that he would try to talk both Mohita and Sharad out of it. 

A few days passed by but Mohita’s father did not find the opportunity to talk either to Sharad or to Mohita. Meanwhile, Mohita’s mother had also been looking for a chance to try to make her daughter understand what was actually the right thing to do for her. And then, she found that chance.

Mohita had been sitting in her room after lunch, tinkering with the new astronomy kit that Sharad chachu had gifted her the day before. Mohita’s mother went up to her and inquired after what she had been doing. Mohita excitedly told her about the kit and the new things she had learnt as she tinkered with it. Her mother smiled at her and sat by her side. She took the kit from her hands, placed it on the table, and then took Mohita’s hand in hers. She told her that while these activities and interests of hers were amusing, she should not pursue them seriously for they would act as a hindrance when she grows up and has to take care of her family.

At first, Mohita thought that her mother was not serious. But the hanging silence between the two of them made her realise that she actually was. After a while, her mother left the room, leaving Mohita in bewilderment. For the rest of the day, Mohita remained silent and inactive than usual.

Sharad chachu noticed this change in her behaviour and went up to her later in the evening to inquire about the reason behind it. When he got to know what had passed between Mohita and her mother, he told Mohita that her mother was not entirely at fault for thinking so for she had come from a family that believed that the primary role of women was to take care of their family and serve them. And she actually meant the best for her. But at the same time, Mohita was also not doing anything wrong in wanting to pursue science. Times were changing and girls had the right to pursue what they wanted to. He assured Mohita that with time, her mother would turn around and be the proudest person when her daughter became the most famous female scientist in India.

Mohita’s worries gradually faded away. Sharad chachu’s words provided her with the reassurance and the renewed zeal she needed to continue on her journey of becoming an astrophysicist and contributing to the development of her country’s space program.

Liked this story? Here is another to inspire you—Following the Right Footsteps