The Jasmine : Wild Fragrance

by Venkat Bathini

  Hod: Is he there now?

  I was waiting outside the Inquiry room. The staff called me in. There were butterflies in my stomach. I did not know what went through inside the room.

  I looked at Michelle. She gave a puzzled look…. @*&$?

  I felt that this was our last day at KGH as the committee would have found us guilty.

  Hod: Mr. Richard Tell me are you not feeling guilty of what you have done?

  I was speechless, was about to say sorry and plead for my guilty.

  “Hey congratulations Richard!!!” This was loud enough.

  Mr. Richard you did not even inform us that you and Michelle are getting married.

  I was in Pleasant Shock and my face was expressing all soughts of expressions joy, fear, shock and literally everything. Michelle held my hand which made me comfortable. We quickly moved out of the room and ended up in cafeteria.

  Michelle: Two things: 1. I am not guilty of any wrongdoing and have been asked to continue in NICU dept.

  2. I am going to marry you.

  I was very happy after listening to this. I felt relieved as I was going through ambiguous situations.

  Michelle: You asked me once; when are we going to get married and have kids.

  Well, the time has come.

  #Michelle has spread her arms open. She was on a emotional high and shed tears looking at me. I hug her tightly.

  We informed our parents. We got married at the St Mary church, London.

  We had good time with hospital staff at KGH at our marriage ceremony.

  We have spent our our honeymoon at private cottage in the countryside, Scotland. The best part of the honeymoon was we did not experience any hallucinations.

  #Maybe the psychiatrist James was correct. We were missing our social life.

  Everyone should take a break from their routine life to overcome mental/occupational stress which is a part of life for professionals.

  We enjoyed the nature and the company of each other!!!

  Chapter 10

  We both were in company of each other most of the time at the hospital and home. We could not come out of the guilt due to Jasmine’s death. We largely held ourselves responsible for this.

  Hallucinations did appear at times, but the Frequency was relatively low.

  I still remember that Sunday; when an idiot box has shown us the path of enlightenment had relieved us of our sufferings. It was 11 am in the morning and both of us were still asleep in the bed. We were not getting enough sleep. We slept early in the morning at around 05.30 am.

  I kissed her on the cheek and said “Michelle my sweetheart; Good Morning!.” She was still asleep and did not respond. I got up from bed; prepared toast & coffee. I lifted her in my arms while she was still asleep and shifted her to Sofa in the drawing room. I switched the Television and was watching the Discovery channel which is our Favorite.

  There was program name ‘Mystic India’ that was being telecasted. It was documentary about south Indian temples in India and the history associated with it. That day it was about the famous ‘Madurai Meenakshi’ temple in Tamilnadu, India. It was showing a Priest performing religious rituals in the temple. We suddenly felt some kind of vibration around us. Both our minds and eyes were hooked at the television. It was some kind of psychic vibration to be more precise.

  Then I started feeling ‘auditory hallucinations’ of baby cries and followed by mantras/slokas that were used by priest in the temple alternatively. I was very disturbed and held my ears with both hands to avoid the noise. I turned right and did not find Michelle on the sofa.

  Richard: “Michelle; where are you?” I started searching in every room and ended up in bedroom.

  I found Michelle looking at dressing table mirror. She was just extending her hand towards the mirror and backed her hand suddenly. She fell back and was in mild shock.

  Richard: “Michelle, what happened?”

  Michelle: “I just saw jasmine’s image in the mirror;” when I tried touch her, it disappeared.

  Richard: Hey just listen to me. Don’t panic.

  #I held Michelle to my chest and she broke into tears.

  Richard: There is nothing like what we feel. I believe these are hallucinations that we are experiencing. We slowly moved to hall and sat on the sofa. I offered some water to Michelle to relax her.

  Lot of visitors especially international tourists were sharing their experience of this visit to Madurai Meenakshi temple. The program was showing the famous jasmine market in Madurai from which jasmine flowers are transported to several places and known for its unique fragrance.

  My sixth sense was hinting some connection between infant ‘Jasmine’ and this place called ‘Madurai.’

  Richard: Michelle, just calm down and listen to me carefully. I think we have a solution to our problem.

  Michelle turned towards me and looked at me.

  Richard: Yes, I believe there is some mystic connections with the hallucinations we are facing and India. If I am not wrong the parents of Jasmine are from India.

  Michelle: Yeah, Some place in South India.

  Richard: let me check. “I immediately rang up to Dr. Bhoj who is pursuing his MS in the same KGH and also a relative of Jasmine’s parents.

  Bhoj: ‘This is dr. Bhoj speaking.’

  Richard: Hey Dr. Bhoj, How are you? Well I just wanted some information about Jasmine’s parents.

  #I did not even wait till Bhoj responded.

  Bhoj: Yes, what do you want to know?

  Richard: From which place in India does Jasmine’s parents belong to

  Bhoj: Madurai, Tamilnadu which is southern part of India.

  #For a moment I was speechless. This was like a confirmation that there is something about ‘Madurai.’

  Richard: Thanks Bhoj. We were just planning to visit India this summer, so thought of making a trip to Madurai also as we heard a lot about it. Would you mind accompanying us since we have a language barrier?

  Bhoj: Oh definitely. This summer I am leaving to India.

  Richard: Wow great! Thank you Bhoj once again.

  Bhoj: No Problem. It’s my pleasure.

  I held the hands of Michelle and sighed her that everything is going to be alright!!!

  Chapter 11

  We all reached to a place called Madurai, TamilNadu India where Sarita’s Family members reside. Sarita’s Father is Muthappan, a local businessman with strong political links. He runs Diagnostic centres, Real Estate, Finance business in and around Madurai City.

  We all visited Muthappan’s House which is centrally located in Madurai. His family consists of his wife Saroja, Son Karthik and Daughter in law Priya.

  At Muthuppan’s residence:

  Sarita hugged his father and cried. Muthappan and his wife consoled sarita. He had hard time controlling his tears. There was anger, grief and uncontrollable sorrow that their family’s first grandchild was not alive. All their dreams were shattered. Later, they welcomed us into the house.

  Bhoj: Ok friends, I am leaving to my hometown. I just came to see Ayya (Muthappan).

  #Dr. Bhoj touched Muthappan’s feet and took blessings. I noticed that Muthappan was angry on Bhoj for some reason and did not look into his eyes. He sighed his wife to invite Bhoj into house and have lunch. Bhoj was invited, but he politely rejected.

  Richard: Dr. Bhoj, I thought you will stay with us. We thought of planning to visit some places in Madurai.

  Bhoj: Don’t worry, I will be back soon. Your journey is not complete without me. I have some appointments to finish. Anyway, Karthik will take care of you. He knows every nook and corner of this city. Enjoy your trip…Bye!!!

  #Dr. Bhoj left to his village which is close to Madurai City.

  Sarita breaks down by looking at their parents. Rushes towards her mother and hugs her. Saritha’s mother consoles her. Muthuppan pats on her daughter’s back and consoles her.

  Muthuppan: Son-in-law, Please welcome. By the way, who are they? (pointing towards the doctor
s).

  Vishu: They are the doctors at KGH, London. They are the one who took care of jasmine.

  Muthuppan: Please come inside..(Stares at us while entering the house, he’s angry as he holds us responsible them for their grand daughter’s death). #Muthappan’s looks revealed it all; It was like a hawk eying for fish. It was as if we were the prey for him who travelled all the way to India to get hunted by him.

  Vishu: Uncle, Let’s go Inside. I understand your concern. But, they are not god, they are doctors. I know they have done their best to save Jasmine.

  #Muthappan looked at Vishu, seemed bit convinced but his level of anger remained the same.

  Muthuppan: Maybe..But they have not even left a last sigh of Jasmine. First heir in our family. I imagined a lot about Jasmine when you spoke from London after her birth. My eyes are eagerly searching to find her.

  After having dinner, all the family members including doctors sit in the lawn and discuss next day’s plan.

  Karthik: Mrs.& Mr. Richard welcome to Madurai. Any place you would like visit specially?

  Richard: The famous “Meenakshi temple.” Hmmm also nearby places in & around Madurai. This is the first time I have been to India.

  Karthik: Any specific reason to visit the temple?

  Richard: yeah..I have dreamt of this temple and the same I happen to find in a program in Discovery channel which broadcasted the famous temples of India. I discussed the same with Vishu also.

  Muthuppan: joins both his hands and prays the goddess Meenakshi. “That’s the power of goddess Meenakshi. It has followers all over the world.”

  Vishu: Ok Fine. We will make it to the temple tomorrow followed by some surprise places to visit for the doctor couple.

  Karthik: By the way meet our good friend and our highly trusted servant, Pandiyan alias Pandi.

  Richard: Hello Pandian! I am Dr. Richard from London.

  #I extended my hand to give handshake. Pandian said Namaste by joining both hands. I replied back with Namaste. I noticed that Pandian looked us in a peculiar way. I guess there were some inquisitive thoughts going in his mind. He looked as if the Britishers returned again to India and may be this time with a bigger plan to snatch their freedom.

  Karthik: Pandi, show them their room.

  #Pandi showed us our room. Its a huge room with certain type of architecture where the ceiling was dome shaped and the entire set up was different.

  Myself and Michelle laid on the bed.

  Michelle: I hope this temple town ‘Madurai’ shows us the path to relieve ourselves from pain.

  Chapter 12

  At the Flower Market:

  We were in the Madurai Flower Market famous for its aromatic Jasmine flowers. Almost every other woman I saw had this Jasmine flowers planted in her hair. We have purchased several other varieties of flowers to offer to the goddess. Michelle was excited to see this flower market and immediately captured these through her camera. I was excited equally as Michelle was wearing a silk saree and her hair beautifully decorated with aromatic Jasmine flowers.

  We visited the Famous Meenakshi Temple and involved in the Pooja. Muthappan Was a an influential person who directly accessed the main entrance. Myself and Michelle were mesmerized with the holy look of goddess Meenakshi. I turned towards Michelle and sighed her if this was scene which she visualized/came in dreams. She nodded her head indicating yes. I could relate the mantras rendered by the temple priest to the ones which I heard in London.

  There was a sense of relief when we came out of the temple. I was feeling optimistic as we were half way through and there was a strong inner feeling that things will set right.

  Michelle: what next?

  Richard: Yeah, where are we heading towards?

  Karthik: Let all us proceed for a lunch at AMMA mess & taste the flavors of south India.

  Muthuppan: They are our guests. We can treat them with best food at our home.

  Vishu: Mama, it is a part of social gathering and anyway we will make it to home for dinner.

  #The word ‘Uncle’ which typically means Father in law is referred to as ‘Mama’ in Tamil.

  Karthik: Vishu is correct!

  Muthuppan: OK Proceed as you wish. I am going to the finance company, today there is a meeting with investors.

  -------- Muthuppan leaves in a separate vehicle --------

  #Michelle, Richard, Karthik & Vishu visit AMMA Mess and have a sumptuous meal.

  Richard: Let’s go to the country side and have a fresh breath of air.

  Michelle: Yeah, that would be a great experience. I have never visited India before. I want to see rural india from close quarters.

  #We travelled and reached the village Usilampatti. Usiliampatti – is a town in Madurai District which was famous for a wrong reason – Female Infanticide in the late 80’s. The female infants were put to death by insane practices such as milksap from an Oleander shrub or Cactus plant will be squeezed, mixed with castor oil and fed into the newborn's throat.

  Muthappan had several acres of land in the village in which banana, mango and other commercial crops were cultivated. It was a lush green village surrounded by paddy fields and beautiful mountains.

  We were enjoying the nature sipping the coconut water offered to us. Just then, we heard the cries from nearby place. I saw a young woman crying loudly unable to control her tears.The language barrier was not a hurdle to understand the grief experienced, Michelle tried to console her. Karthik enquired with the old woman and understood the situation.

  Karthik explained to us that the women recently gave birth to a baby girl which was killed by offering oleander sap as their family members especially mother in law was expecting a baby boy. We were shocked to learn this.

  Richard: Oh My God! This is ridiculous. How does the gender of a baby make a difference?

  Karthik: It does Richard especially in small towns like these. The upbringing of girl child involves lot of expenditure as it includes offering Dowry. This is beyond their capacity. A male child is seen as a potential bread earner for the family.

  #We saw a villager along with his wife walking towards their home. Karthik greeted them and enquired them about where they have been to. To which the villager replied, that he had been to Madurai to abort the baby girl child whose gender was revealed during scan. Karthik asked if it was Meenakshi hospital, to which the villager replied yes.

  Karthik: Take care of your wife. Let me know if you have any scanning to be done in Future, I will offer discounts.

  #we looked into the eyes of the lady, there was immense sorrow on her face as it was her first child. She was helpless. The villager along with his wife left the place.

  I asked Karthik why such a thing is prevalent in Madurai. Is there any law to prevent this? Why private hospitals are encouraging gender scanning.

  Karthik: We really do not encourage such a thing. People have already prepared their minds; we just act a source to fulfill their needs. If we are not doing it, someone else does it. We are tapping this opportunity.

  #These things have created curiosity in me to find out the scale of scanning and abortions that took place in hospitals on a daily basis.

  Richard: Thanks for bringing us here. It’s such a beautiful place. Seems like the hospital owned by your family is famous in Madurai. Is it fine with you if we visit your Hospital?

  Karthik: Oh why not? We have to head back to Madurai. Our hospital is synonymous with Madurai city.

  We visited the Meenakshi Hospital named after the goddess ‘Meenakshi.’ The hospital was well built with good state of the infrastructure. The outpatient numbers were high especially pregnant women who were more eager to find the gender of the child rather than the health of the baby.

  To certain departments, the access was restricted and was kept confidential. I noticed there were patients with other problems like cardiology related were waiting in Queue.

  Richard: Are there not sufficient doctors? I see there is huge queue.

  Karthik: Re
taining doctors is tough task. Either they move to city like Chennai or any other Metro city in india for their personal advantage where are they are paid well and can ensure great lifestyle. Others move to foreign countries for higher studies or jobs. We have to hire the doctors on contract basis or reach out to them based on the demand.

  #I felt karthik was talking pure business — Demand & Supply theory.

  Richard: What if you get a highly Experienced doctor from abroad working for Indian salary at your hospital for another 6 months?

  Karthik: That would be really great. This will really give a push to my hospital’s image. By the way who is it?

  Richard: It’s me. I would like to extend my services to the people of Madurai.

  Karthik: Hmmmmm….Congratulations! You are hired Dr. Richard.

  #Myself and Michelle started working in the meenakshi hospital at respective departments.

  Chapter 13

  I had immense pleasure serving the people of Madurai, but at the same time I was helpless that I could do nothing to stop the gender scanning. I, Michelle and Pandi used to travel to nearby villages to identify the pregnant women and educate them on pretext of conducting ‘Free Health Camps.’

  We have named our Health Camps as ‘Jasmine.’ We were providing Medical aid as well as nutrition supplements for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Muthappan came to know about our Health camps. He was worried as it would affect his business. We had a discussion over this and managed to convince that we were actually promoting the hospital as we introduced ourselves as a part of Meenakshi Hospital. These camps have really improved the health of women in and around Madurai, but the social stigma which was carried over for years continued and remained untouched.

  While we were returning from hamlet after conducting health camp, we noticed a huge crowd gathered around on highway. We suspected it was an accident and rushed towards the spot. The person who met accident was none other than Muthappan’s son in law – Vishu. We immediately provided the First Aid to prevent the blood flow. He was rushed to the Meenakshi hospital. We learnt that Vishu was riding a bike and was hit by an unknown speeding vehicle. Vishu was admitted to ICU. The Hospital did not have stock of this rare blood group and had to approach several blood blanks to get that blood unit.