The Peepul Tree

Victor flanked by Baleshwar and Mrs James

Victor set up his practice in Saraya and was paid a salary of Rs 180 per month. All employees of the Saraya Sugar Mill and Saraya Distillery, owned by the Majithia family were treated free of cost. Apart from this he built up a sizable private practice and was inundated by patients from the surrounding areas, some from as far away as Mustang in Nepal. He often made house calls to the big "zamindaars" of the locality and it did not take long for him to gain a most impressive reputation.

He employed a compounder, Baleshwar Prasad ,and an Indian Christian nurse, Mrs James (I don't think anyone knew her first name!).  Baleshwar was a pillar of strength at a time when Victor was trying to familiarise himself with an alien country, an unknown language and strange customs, traditions and beliefs. Mrs James was a birdlike woman with the strength of an Amazon. She would work tirelessly by his side for the next forty years, till she collapsed during a particularly complicated delivery case, struck down by a massive cardiac arrest which killed her on the spot.

One of the first things that struck Victor about this rural countryside was the horrifying condition of women, especially when it came to labour and childbirth. Most deliveries were done by the village "dai" and the mortality rate for mother and child was extremely high. Victor decided to build a maternity wing adjacent to the hospital and he and Baleshwar sat down to draw up plans and choose a suitable location. After plenty of deliberation a spot was proposed and agreed to, but when the time for construction came everything ground to a halt since an insurmountable problem had arisen.

A gigantic "peepul" tree would have to be cut down for the work to begin and this was something that could not be done since the "peepul" was held sacred by popular belief.. Victor was disappointed since it would mean building the maternity block a distance away from the main hospital. Baleshwar told Victor not to worry and that he would find a solution.

A couple of days later an old sadhu was found ensconced under the problematic "peepul". As was usual, the villagers would gather around to air their grievances or seek a blessing. The old ascetic had them stupefied because he seemed to know everything :- whose child was ill, who was fighting over a land problem or whose cow was not producing enough milk. He solemnly recommended a "pooja" to rid the village of all ills.

Over the next few days the sadhu was seen lighting smoky fires into which he threw unidentified objects amidst much rolling of eyes and intoning of prayers. He apprised the village elders with a glum face that the tree was inhabited by a malicious "bhoot" who was the cause of all the problems. He claimed to have found a solution and told the gullible folk to gather around the tree the next evening .He instructed them to all carry axes as he would undertake one final "pooja" to rid them of the evil entity.

At the appointed time the terrified villages gathered to witness the final prayers. After the usual chanting and eye rolling, the sadhu let out a dreadful shriek and screamed to the villagers to start cutting down the tree "jaldi jaldi" since the evil spirit had fled to the "peepul" tree in the next village. The simple folk sprang into action, chopping at the gnarled trunk with all their might, until it toppled over with a massive groan,.

The relieved inhabitants showered the holy man with praises and gifts before returning to their huts with much lighter steps. They were free of the dreaded "bhoot" and now all would be well.

After calm had been restored, Victor found Baleshwar and the old sadhu standing expectantly before him. Baleshwar grinned and said he hoped that now the construction of the maternity ward could begin. The villagers had cut down the sacred tree themselves so there would be no objections.

The sadhu, looking like holiness personified, quietly extended his hand for a baksheesh of two rupees which quickly disappeared into a fold of his loin cloth. With a blessing of long life and many children he walked away with quiet dignity.

The maternity ward was ready to receive its first patient six months later.