Gayatri Devi was a simple minded and kind hearted lady. She had a deep faith in God. One day she was sitting outside of her house in evening and children were playing in the street. Raja a six years old boy was running after other boys with a stick saying, “I am Captain Thakur, I will kill you.” Gullu a small girl about four years old also came there and asked Raja, “Raja I also want to play this game”. Raja said, “No you can not play this game as this is a game of boys. Only boys can play this game as they are strong enough to kill enemies. Girls can not dare to handle guns and all. So you go back home. ”
Gayatri Devi was listening to all this. She called Raja near her. Along with Raja, Gullu and all children immediately came to her. Children in street used to call Gayatri Devi as Devi Amma. Raja said, “Yes Devi Amma, you called me.” Gayatri Devi said, “Do you know, who is Captain Thakur?” Raja said, “Devi Amma, Captain Thakur was a very brave soldier.” Gayatri Devi asked, “How do you know this?” Raja said, “My Appa (father) told me about him. He killed all the enemies with his punches and gun. I will also become Captain Thakur and will kill all enemies.” Gayatri Devi said, “Then your father must have told about Pilot Sunanda Thakur, daughter of Captain Thakur. She fought bravely with terrorists and lost her life for the country. Why do not you allow Gullu to play with you?” Raja said, “Devi Amma, she is a girl and can not kill enemies.” Gayatri Devi said, “No Raja, you must know that Rani Lakshmi Bai was a brave girl. She fought for the freedom of our country and killed English people. You must allow Gullu to play with you.” Ok Devi Amma. Raja called Gullu, “Gullu come. Let us play. Now you become soldier and we will run.” Yeah! Gullu happily started running to catch all.
Many of the relatives of Gayatri Devi were in Indian Army. She was married to Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur. Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was a brave Indian soldier who alone had successfully completed many dangerous secret missions to kill terrorists all over the world. His mother, Bharti Devi Amma used to call him Lion. He had been honoured with many prestigious awards by the governments of many countries. He was a big reason of fear for the terrorists. Now again, he was appointed for a secret mission by Indian Army. He could not come home for many months and there was no news about him from anywhere. One day news came to Gayatri Devi about the missing of her husband Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur when he was on a secret mission. The news spread everywhere in the town. Gayatri Devi, her family members, all the relatives and neighbours were very upset to know about the missing of her husband. Everyone started assuming that Captain was no more. It was somewhere in the mind of Gayatri Devi also. But she was not ready to accept this and whenever people said about the missing of Captain, she always shouted on them saying ”he will come back”.
For next ten years there was no news about her husband from anywhere. The name plate decorated in tricolour with the name of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was still hanging outside on the door of his house.
On the days when Gayatri Devi felt emotionally upset she used to go in her husband’s room where she kept all his belongings very systemically. She used to watch his medals, awards, trophies, his Army uniform hanging on the front wall and remembered all her past memories, sitting for hours. All his pictures of receiving awards from President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, Chief of Indian Armed Forces and many other big names of country and outside country were beautifully framed and decorated on the walls by Gayatri Devi.
Many times Gayatri Devi went to army headquarter, to army officials and ministers for the help to know about her husband but she got no satisfactory reply from them. Moreover she started facing financial problems. So she started sewing clothes to serve her family. Her father in law was also in army and died in a war.
Gayatri Devi was not much educated but she was very active and intelligent. Her husband had a computer at home and once he asked her to learn it. She took a lot of interest in learning computer. Just in few days she got an expertise in computer. She saved picture of her husband in Army uniform on her computer desktop. She started teaching computer at home after her household activities. She also liked internet surfing, free astrological tips and horoscope.
Once she was checking emails on her computer. She found an email which read as-
“I am Princess Albenda, a 21 years old girl. At my age of five years my mother died. My father was a great politician and freedom fighter in Kingdom of Nigeria. He was shot dead by enemies. My relatives are also my enemies. I know that your husband is in Indian Army and good news is that he is alive and safe. He was appointed for a secret mission in Nigeria from your country. He was working with my father to help our country to get independence from enemies. After my father’s death, he protected me from enemies. I consider him as my father. From last one month he is not with me. Most probably he has been appointed for another secret mission. Before this he gave me your contact and told about you that you are a very loving mother. He also told me to contact you immediately in case I face any problem in his absence. Please do not tell anyone about this as it can be dangerous for his life. Now I am alone in this world and not safe. I am an innocent girl. I beg before you to save my life.”
Princess Albenda
Reading this email message Gayatri Devi was with mixed feelings of emotions and happiness. She lost in her past memories. Her family was very patriotic and had a passion of making and distributing sweets to celebrate Independence day every year. One month before every Independence day her husband Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur, daughter Sunanda and the whole family used to make thousands of National flags and used to distribute everywhere in their locality. Their neighbours also joined them in doing all these things. On every Independence day they put a new flag on the roof of their house. In the month of August every year it was like a festival in their colony because of the preparations for Independence day.
All people had a lot of respect for their family.
Memories of her daughter and husband came to her mind. Since her childhood her daughter, Sunanda wanted to serve country by joining Indian forces. Gayatri Devi and Captain Vikramjit Singh both supported her at every step and one day she became a pilot in Indian Airforce. Two years back, her daughter Sunanda was kidnapped by the terrorists. One day Sunanda escaped from the cell of terrorists. Anyhow she managed to make a call to Gayatri Devi and told about what had happened to her. Before Gayatri Devi could do anything, next day she came to know that her daughter Sunanda was killed by the terrorists.
Gayatri Devi worked very hard to earn for her daughter’s studies after her husband’s missing. She forgot all her desires for the sake of her daughter. Her daughter’s death spoilt all of her dreams. All these memories made her upset.
Now she was living with her son and seventy five years old mother in law, Bharti Devi Amma and …….
Suddenly someone knocked at the door. She went to open the door. It was her twenty years old son, Govind outside. Today he came back home before his office time. After her daughter’s death she was planning to purchase a house but her son, Govind went in depression. He could not concentrate on his work and started coming back from his office at any time before his office time. He developed a habit of drinking wine which affected his liver badly. Doctor advised him for an operation but he was not having enough money for the operation. Gayatri Devi was trying her best to collect money for his operation. The money she collected for her daughter’s studies was also not enough for the operation of her son.
When her son, Govind entered in the house, she shouted at him, “Today again…… You are from a very reputed family of great soldiers. Your ancestors have sacrificed their lives for the country. You must not drink wine. Your liver is badly damaged. Why don’t you understand ?”
Govind was not intoxicated and said, “Don’t worry dear mom. I have not drunk wine today. I am fine. See, who has come with me.”
Today he was not alone. An old monk with white beard, wearing a long orange gown and having a heavy bag hanging on shoulder, was with him.
Gayatri Devi knew that monk and was very happy to see him. She welcomed the monk. The monk was their family Guru, Aacharya Vishwanath ji. He went to the Himalayas for many years. Today he met to Gayatri Devi’s son, Govind on the way. Govind requested the monk to visit their house. Govind ran in the room to bring a chair for Aacharya Vishwanath ji. Gayatri Devi washed his feet and went in kitchen to arrange food for him. Later on her mother in law, Bharti Devi Amma also came out and touched monk’s feet. She told Aacharya Vishwanath ji about what had happened to them in past years and started weeping. Aachary Vishwanath ji made her calm and said, “Don’t worry Amma. Don’t cry. Now I am back. Your son was a lion. He must have fought bravely for the country. I can find about his location now. He asked Gayatri to bring a plate full of water and some flowers. He covered the water of plate with flower petals. Then he closed his eyes and chanted some lines. Suddenly he opened his eyes, removed the layer of petals from water and shouted, “He will come. No one can kill him. He is a lion. Amma your son will come to you soon. As I can see him in any foreign country. There are some enemies surrounding him. But your son is a lion. I can promise you he will be back before this Independence day.”
Bharti Devi Amma, Gayatri Devi and Govind all were very happy to know this good news.
Aacharya Vishwanath ji had brought some rare ayurvedic medicines from Himalayas. He gave some ayurvedic medicines to Govind for the treatment of his depression and liver diseases. He suggested Govind for some Yoga exercises for the better cure of his diseases. He said Govind, “I will visit your house next month again and I want improvement in your health. Do not take any tension and strictly avoid alcohol if you really care for your family.”
Govind promised Aacharya Vishwanath ji that he will respect and follow all the instructions and advices given to him. They all thanked Aacharya Vishwanath ji and requested him to stay at their home for next few days. But he refused to stay there and left in evening after some rest.
After the words of Aacharya Vishwanath ji about her husband, Gayatri Devi connected these words of Aacharya with the email received by her from Princess Albenda. Now she had a firm faith on email of Princess Albenda as there was no reason also to ignore that email.
At night she shared the story of Princess Albenda with Bharti Devi Amma and Govind but did not tell about the news of her husband’s alive. She reminded Govind, “My dear son, there was no one to help your sister when she was in trouble and devils (terrorists) killed her. I can not forget the day when her dead body covered in tricolour reached at our home. I lost my daughter and could not do anything for her. We must help this innocent girl.”
Because of his illness, Govind got irritated on every small thing. He shouted on her and asked her not to read such emails. He said, “We are already passing through a bad phase of our life and you……” She kept quiet before her mother in law that time but the whole night she thought about it.
Next day Govind went to the office and mother in law went in the neighbourhood to accompany the ladies of their colony who used to sing patriotic folk songs in the memories of brave Indian soldiers, every evening in the month of August.
Gayatri Devi could not stop her emotions and decided to help Princess Albenda. She sent one email to her which read as-
“Princess Albenda as per said by you in email, I have not shared about my husband with anyone. Please tell me about him. How is he? Give my message to him that we cry a lot for him. Ask him to talk to us. I have started getting wrinkles on my face. His mother has grown very old and weak. His daughter, Sunanda was also kidnapped and brutally killed by terrorists. His son has become a patient of depression after the news of his missing and the death of his daughter Sunanda. We don’t want anything from God except him. Princess you have given me the best gift of my life in form of news about my husband. May God bless you! I am a mother. I had a daughter of your age who was killed by terrorists. I look my daughter in you. You don’t worry my daughter. I have a mother’s heart. I can understand the feelings of a daughter in trouble. I am ready to help you. Tell me, how can I help you?”
Gayatri Devi
In evening she got another email from Princess Albenda which read as-
“Do not worry mom. Dad is fine. He is like a lion. He has no fear of anyone. He is doing very good. He uses to tell me about you, grand mother and all. He cares a lot for you all. Soon after completion of his secret mission he will reach India to give you all a surprise on Independence day. He asked me not to share this surprise with you. But I can not hide it from you. After reading your email I cried a lot. But no more cries now. Ok! I become sad to think what will happen to me when Dad will be back in India and I will be alone again before enemies. Dad was saying to take me to India with him. But till he will come back from his secret mission, my life is in danger. I don’t know if I would meet and see you ever.”
Princess Albenda
Gayatri Devi replied to the email which read as- “You are my daughter now. Nobody can do wrong to you. Do not get discouraged. Believe in God. Soon your dad will be with you and you both will be in India. Your grand mother and all would be happy to meet you. Tell me, what can I do for you?”
Gayatri Devi
After news about her husband’s alive, today Gayatri Devi was on the seventh sky. Smile was on her face. She ran down stairs and said to Bharti Devi Amma and Govind that she wanted to celebrate Independence day like previous years. She asked her son to make the arrangements for Independence day celebration and also invite all the neighbours.
Next day when Gayatri Devi was designing some creative pictures and logos on computers for coming Independence day celebrations, she found an email from Princess Albenda which read as-
“Thanks for your kind response. You are truly a mother. As you know that it is the most difficult thing for a girl to survive in the world alone. Your words encouraged me a lot. Now I am not feeling lonely as I have got a kind mother like you. I take you as my mother and want to call you as mom. Ours family was a family of freedom fighters. My all ancestors fought for the Independence of Nigeria. Like my ancestors, I also want to fight for independence of my country and eagerly waiting for the day to come.
My only dream in life is to help all those people who sacrificed their lives and happiness of their families for the freedom of their motherlands. I want to help them become independent and provide them with a safe shelter. I love India. The people of India are known for their great sacrifices, bravery and their loving nature all over the world.
Dear mom, I want to share one thing with you that my father left two million dollars for me. I am not safe in my country so as my money. I want to send my money in your account which I will collect from you later on if I could save my life. In case I fail to do so and enemies kill me, then kindly give one part of my money in donation to the Indian Army Welfare Fund and use rest of my money to make a trust for the welfare of families of freedom fighters all over the world. Send your account details to me on my personal email ID dreamscometrue@albenda.”
Your daughter
Princess Albenda
In evening, Govind came back from the office. Gayatri Devi told him that the girl, Princess Albenda had two million dollars and wanted to send that money in her account. Govind felt attracted to the money as his mother and family was suffering a lot because of financial crisis. He was very happy to know about two million dollars. He immediately showed his consent to Gayatri Devi to help that girl. He felt sorry to her and said,” Mom, I was very upset after I shouted on you unnecessarily. You were right at that time. We must help that innocent girl. Our help to that needy girl will give peace to the soul of our dear Sunanda.”
Gayatri Devi sent all her account details to email ID dreamscometrue@albenda provided by Princess Albenda.
She typed, “Dear Princess, I am forwarding all my bank details to you. Your money will be safe with me. You take care of yourself only. I have very good plans for your dreams. Soon we will start a trust to help family of freedom fighters. I have a very nice name for the trust. The name is ‘Captain Vikramjit Singh Shelter Home for Freedom Fighters’. I hope you would like it. Eagerly waiting for you.”
Your mom
Gayatri Devi
After two days Gayatri Devi got a phone call from one unknown number. The man who made that call asked her to check her email urgently.
She immediately switched on her computer and checked the email inbox. There was an email message from an unknown email ID.
She hurriedly looked at the email message on her computer screen. The five lines in the email shattered her all dreams within few seconds.
It was an email from Princess Albenda which read as-
No more burdens for you to care and manage bank account.
My dear foolish mother!
Being emotional and greedy is dangerous.
Your account balance is zero now.
Thanks for the timely help.
Your daughter
Princess Albenda
After reading email message, she was totally blank. She was deeply shocked to know that the account balance was zero. Initially she started saving money for her daughter’s studies. After her daughter’s death she was planning to purchase a house. Later on because of her son’s illness, she had only one reason for collecting money and that was the liver operation of her son. Now her hopes were shattered poorly. She was mentally shaken and broken thoroughly. She could not believe on it for a long. She started weeping very loudly.
After some time she controlled herself. Govind made her calm. Soon she understood that she had been cheated by Princess Albenda.
Both the mother and son went to the bank to know the fact. Bank officials confirmed that the account balance of Gayatri Devi was actually zero and it was a fraud done to them. They started quarrelling to the bank officials. Security guards of the bank reached there immediately, caught Govind and saved the bank officials from him. Gayatri Devi stopped Govind from fighting with bank officials. Govind threatened bank officials that he would give a complaint to the police against them. Bank officials said to them, “It was your mistake not by the bank. Why did you give your bank account details to an unknown person?”
Then both mother and son started blaming each other for that loss. The bank manager of that bank, Lt. Colonel Bahadur Singh Thapa was a retired person from Indian Army and also a good friend of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur. After few minutes, the bank manager came and told them, “We were working on the server to provide our all customers a special and free security feature ‘Rakshak’ on the occasion of coming Independence day. Someone was trying to take out money from your account. But because of the alertness of our bank officials, we could stop that transaction. Your money is safe in our bank.”
Then Gayatri Devi and Govind asked bank head about the email they received for zero account balance. He politely replied, “Our bank officials sent that email to make you alert. You are very careless. Are you not reading cases of such frauds in the newspapers everyday? These cheaters are not less than the terrorists. They make people emotional, give them various types of greeds, get their personal informations and cheat this way. You must not trust on these fraud email messages. You must not be emotional and greedy. The email ID dreamscometrue@albenda is totally fake. Your dreams can come true when you are honest, work hard and use your mind in the right direction. So be aware in the future.”
Gayatri Devi and Govind both were happy to know that their money was safe. They took an oath not to believe on fraud emails and to aware more and more people about these frauds. They thanked the bank officials and came back home.
When they reached at home their street was full of police. The policemen were inquiring about Gayatri Devi and family. Gayatri Devi asked about the matter from the policemen. Singham Rao Gokhale, DSP Crime Branch told her that she had been found as a culprit by the cyber cell department because she had a contact with a terrorist from foreign country. Because of coming Independence day cyber crime department was on high alert. She was suspected to do something wrong on the coming Independence day. Moreover she had not shared the secret that Captain Vikramjit Singh was alive. She had been found guilty of giving financial support and funding to the terrorist as per reports from cyber crime branch who had taken prints of email conversation of Gayatri Devi with Princess Albenda.
Gayatri Devi requested before all policemen that she was not a criminal. She did not share anything because as per email the life of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was in danger. She had lost her young daughter who fought for the country. She belonged to the family of freedom fighters. She could not cheat with her country. Nobody listened to her and she was taken to the police station for further inquiries.
Govind immediately called his uncle, Lt. Colonel Bahadur Singh Thapa, the bank manager, to clear all the matter. Lt. Colonel Bahadur Singh Thapa reached in police station along with all local reputed people and political leaders and explained everything to the police. In support of Gayatri Devi, all of them, appreciated the sacrifices done by her family of freedom fighters. The police officer felt sorry to her for the inconvenience caused to her. Lt. Colonel Bahadur Singh Thapa told to the DSP Crime Branch, Singham Rao Gokhle, “I am a retired person from Indian Army and now working as a bank manager. It was a fake email to cheat Gayatri Devi and because of alertness of my bank employees the money transfer was stopped. Gayatri Devi’s husband Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was my best friend and he was sent on a secret mission by the Indian Army and till date he is not back.”
After knowing all the facts Singham Rao Gokhle, DSP Crime Branch requested Gayatri Devi to forgive him as he was new and did not know about her great family of freedom fighters. Gayatri Devi was a kind lady so she immediately forgave him.
Then all the police officers and staff gave her a grand salute. Gayatri Devi and Govind both felt a proud moment for them.
Singham Rao Gokhale said to Gayatri Devi, ” If you have forgiven me really then kindly accept my invitation for the program on the occasion of Independence day. As you are from the family of our National Hero Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur and brave Pilot Sunanda Thakur so you are the best personality to be the chief guest of our program on Independence day. There will be cultural activities and prize distribution from your auspicious hands. Kindly accept my invitation.”
Gayatri Devi accepted his invitation happily.
Police officer himself accompanied Gayatri Devi and Govind in his car to their house.
When they reached at home, her mother in law, Bharti Devi Amma told them that there were some guests in the room at first floor. Both went in the room, they saw some soldiers from Indian Army were waiting for them. All the soldiers stood up and saluted Gayatri Devi. One of these soldiers was Captain Murti Krishnan who was the friend of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur. He handed over a letter from Indian Army to Gayatri Devi. She started trembling after holding the letter. She could not dare to read that letter. Govind took the letter from her, opened and started reading. It was a good news for them about Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur. Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was alive. He was coming back to India after more than ten years. Captain Murti Krishnan told Gayatri Devi that it was an invitation for them to come in New Delhi on 14 August as Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur will come back in India and after his arrival in India, Prime Minister will honour him on the occasion of Independence day in New Delhi. Gayatri Devi, Bharti Devi Amma and Govind, all burst into tears. Captain Murti said to Gayatri Devi, ” My sister, Congratulations to you all ! Captain Vikramjit is alive and coming back. You must be happy that your husband is a great soldier. He has made everyone in our country proud by his act of bravery. Whole Nation was praying for him. He is safe. Soon he will be with us. Now we want to leave for New Delhi. Kindly reach with all the family members. I will send a car for you on 14 August morning.”
On 14 August they reached New Delhi. A huge crowd having Indian tricolour flags and big banners with the name and pictures of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur was eagerly waiting for him. Patriotic Songs were being played on high volume. People all over the country were playing with fire crackers to welcome the brave Indian soldier. At about five in evening, a six feet tall and sturdy soldier entered in the Airport Hall escorted by a special team of soldiers with high security measures and media persons all around.
He came near his mother, touched her feet and said to Bharti Devi, “Amma, here is your Lion. Your Lion is back.” His mother, wife and son embraced him tightly and cried a lot. He said, “Why are you all crying? I am back now. Now we will all live together.”
In high security his family was taken to a safe place. On next day, his family was taken to the Red Fort in Independence day function. Prime Minister hoisted the National Flag and National Anthem was played. In his speech, Prime Minister appreciated the bravery of Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur and all Indian soldiers. When his name was announced for the Bravery Award, all people there clapped for a long. He was honoured by the Prime Minister of India.
After the award function, Captain Vijramjit Singh Thankur reached to his native place where he had been brought up. He cried on the way when he came to know about the death of his dear daughter, Sunanda. Gayatri Devi said, “Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur, please don’t cry. Your daughter was a very brave girl. She killed her enemies before she was shot dead. You must be proud of her.” Her statement made him calm. On his whole journey he talked to his family about all people in his native place.
All the people in their city welcomed Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur with music and band. All local ministers, leaders, relatives and friends reached to meet him. Captain thanked them all for their prayers for his well being. He said, “I am alive because of all of you.” Keep showering your blessings on my family in future also.
His friend and Bank manager, Lt. Colonel Bahadur Singh Thapa and DSP Singham Rao Gokhle also reached there. Lt. Colonel said, “My friend I am proud of you. You are very brave and a real Lion.”
Singham Rao Gokhle said, “Welcome back Captain. You are our National Hero. It’s great to see you. I invited Gayatri Devi ji as the chief guest in Independence day programme by our department. It is rightly said that everything is done for something good. See now you are back. Next time I would be very happy to have you and your whole family as chief guests of our program. Accept my invitation in advance. All laughed and Captain Vikramjit Singh said, “For sure. Definitely we will come.”
The same day Gayatri Devi got one more message from email ID dreamscometrue@albenda which read as-
“My dear mom, I was going to deposit my money to your bank account but on the way enemies snatched all the money from me. They left me alone on the roads to die of hunger. I don’t have money even to buy food for me. Kindly send me some money urgently otherwise your another daughter will also die soon. I am sending my bank account details to you.
Your daughter
Princess Albenda
Gayatri Devi told the whole story of Princess Albenda to her husband and showed that email to him. Both of them laughed a lot at the email.
Captain Vikramjit Singh said, “Gayatri in my young age Maharana Pratap, Vir Shivaji, Mahatama Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and all National Heroes were a big source of inspiration for me. I learnt to work hard. But today’s generation is not working hard. They are in the world of good technologies but not using it in the right direction. They are trying to make money by shortcuts instead of hard work.”
Govind said to Gayatri Devi to give a reply to that email to have a fun.
Gayatri Devi typed, “Dear Princess, it made me very upset to know about you. Today we are celebrating our Independence day with your Dad, Pride of Indian Army and Lion of his mother, Captain Vikramjit Singh Thakur. We all were eagerly waiting for you to come to us. But….. A mother can not see her daughter in pain. Don’t get afraid of anything. Your old mom can not come to you but I am sending my precious treasure of advice for you which will help you to get rid off all your problems. I wish a real Independence for you from Dishonesty and Greed which are your biggest enemies. You are a clever and intelligent girl. If you take yourself as my daughter then kill these enemies as soon as possible. People who are true by their souls and don’t tell lie, definitely get their dreams come true. So be honest, work hard and never cheat the people. I will be proud of you.”
Hoping Independence for your Nigeria soon.
Happy Independence Day!
Your mom
Gayatri Devi
Thanks
By Dr. Vikas Kumar Sharma, Hisar, Haryana
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