Being a woman in a patriarchal society has its own disadvantage but being a widowed woman just after four years of marriage, that’s too with a girl child may seem to be a curse sometimes.
But the society cannot stop a woman like Mina Mukherjee who knows no compromise and fights against all odds of the society. Although an unfamiliar name, her revolutionary traits make her an
epitome of empowerment. She looks older than her age as her forehead bears the signs of her struggle.
An Income Tax Officer, Mrs. Mukherjee lost her dream of becoming a doctor in spite of topping the Medical Entrance exam because of her gender in a male-dominated family. Her struggle began since then.
After graduating in Chemistry, she experimented with diverse fields as she pursued a degree in English followed by Law. Her versatility also led her to different careers from a teacher to an auditor to a Sales Tax inspector to an Income Tax Officer.
She lost her husband just after four years of her marriage when her lonely voyage of life began. She greets everyone with a serene smile on her face though she knows many of them will not show up again after their work is done.
Her eyes glitter in enthusiasm as she talks about her dream to establish a charitable hospital. "I wish I can do something for the society so that people don’t die without treatment just because they don’t have money,” she quips.
A few drops of tears come up and she says, “ My husband wanted to change the society but time didn’t give chance to him. I don’t know how much time I have but I have to move on.”
Mrs. Mukherjee works five days a week which starts at 10 in the morning and she returns home at 8 pm. No family welcomes her. She misses her best friend that’s her daughter who has to stay away from her because of her work.
Mina brought her up alone and never allowed any obstacle to come in her daughter’s way. Since the age, when others celebrate their prime, she struggled through the
evil gazes avoiding so-called sympathies, she managed to walk through the coarse road of life alone.
She faced oppositions in all spheres, her own brothers became hostile but her determination remained unshaken. She did break down sometimes but her indomitable spirit gave the courage to stand back.
“Strength lies within” ─ she believes, “you may get hurt, you may fall down but if you have will, you will go on”. Gardening takes most of her time on the weekends and the rest of the time she spends with her pets and newspapers and also doing other household works. After 21 years of struggle, she wants to retire.
Her loneliness sometimes becomes depression but everyone surrounding her gets a warm smile from her and many others get inspired.
