Unsung Hero

No merry galore
No extra dash of penny
Yet, he is a hero
Unlike many

He collected money
Uncoiled her daughter's demand
To give her education
He sold his land

Daughter will go away
Been irrational and bold
Could have collected instead
A pot of gold

Senseless shackles
Her destiny is not to be a bride
A flag-bearer of his clan
She is his pride

Could more be kind enough?
To break free
Fathers supporting daughters
Is a jubilant ceremony

An inspiring story 
And my heart brims
Singing praises of fathers
Like him

A tribute to Tej Bahadur Verma, a daily wager who sold his land to fund his daughter's tuition fee. His 13 year old daughter Sushma Verma is pursuing Masters in Microbiology. A gem she is, supported by gem of a father. How often we see fathers supporting their daughters like this in India? And that too someone from a humble background. 

Image Source and Details - Here

Comments

  1. Applause...can u hear it Saru...it is for you. For composing such a fitting tribute.
    Sure for the father as they say in our local lingo 'Shat Shat Pranam'.
    Alas! if all fathers and mothers could feel the same for that which they consider a paraya dhan...or burden...or expense...or some botheration. Alas!
    It is a pleasure every time i visit ur page. Thanx again for sharing this beautiful and touching composition, the information and the picture. :)

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    Replies
    1. You are right, 'shat shat pranam' to such fathers. And it's always great to hear from you. Thanks a ton for reading.

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  2. Fabulously penned, Saru! I remember reading about him.

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  3. lovely and an excellent tribute :)

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  4. Amazing Saru! emotions and respect clearly reflect in the poem. Such people are the the real heroes :)

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  5. An excellent tribute Saru!

    Someone is Special

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  6. definitely saru.. such stories are to be TOLD and made FOLK LORE.. so more and more daughters are saved and given a life .. I dont talk much of future or past but I do wish I have a daughter .. :) and I hope i turn out to be a good father..

    I have read some beautiful poems you have written but this one hits the bulls eye..

    and hats off to Sri Tej bahadur Verma.. we need more of them GOd bless

    Bikram

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    Replies
    1. I agree, such stories should be told as a folklore. Thanks for a generous comment and for reading, Bikram.

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  7. Beautiful...father- a girl's blessing! Well written Saru :)

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  8. Girls are not always Parayadhan... That is what the father-daughter relationship. India needs many more families like this... God bless them. Thanks for bringing this story for all of us.

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    Replies
    1. No, as you said, they are much more. Thanks for reading.

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  9. That's something to be acknowledged.
    Lovely poetry :)

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  10. A great tribute to the worthy man, Saru. Hats off to the father!

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  11. A great father and a greater tribute by a lovely woman! You are a perfectionista when it comes to poems!

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    Replies
    1. He is indeed and thanks for a generous comment, Bushra :)

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  12. A wonderful tribute to the man, his courage and the way he has nurtured his dream...the dream to make his daughter an erudite woman .... great !

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  13. That's a man deserving of applause

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  14. Truly a celebration, Saru. India needs more such fathers. May the daughter make her father proud...

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  15. Always inspirational to see the cycle broken. Lovely words!

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  16. This is real India , where father's care for giving education to their daughters. salute to such fathers! We should have many many more such dads.Its great inspiration for bloggers like me to write on such issues. well done Saru.

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    Replies
    1. Such fathers break the chain and are the ones who inspire others. Thanks for reading, Nima.

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  17. Wish more and more fathers become so supportive of their daughters. This land will be truly blessed.

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  18. An inspiring story
    And my heart brims
    Singing praises of fathers
    Like him
    Fathers are special aren't they? So beautiful Saru.. Touched my heart..

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  19. He has set an example for the rest around him........Hope they come up too.....

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  20. Amidst a surfeit of torrid flagrance, these people who deny going the normal way, are the only source of hope we're left with. :)

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  21. Good one, Inspirational story and pouring of your spirit through poetry.

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  22. Glad to know of this fathers. A big thank you to all such fathers. Thank you Saru for penning down such a wonderful tribute.

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  23. 13 Years and masters in Microbiology..sounds great !!!
    Hats off and thank you Saru for the inspiring Post through poetry..
    Great Job :)

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    Replies
    1. She is a gem for sure, a prodigy. Thanks for reading, Veena.

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  24. Great Words Saru, Really liked your thoughts :) keep it up!

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  25. If only all the fathers thought like this man. Just yesterday an uncle came to me for some advice for his son's career and when I asked about his daughters he said and I quote"betiyon ko to bahar nahi bhejna. Bas graduation ho jaye phir shadi"
    Thanks for sharing the lovely poem. Shows there is till hope.

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    Replies
    1. What!!! Such fathers are responsible for imbalance in our society. :(

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  26. An inspiring story & an inspiring poem Saru!

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  27. grand salute to that man and to you for sharing his deed so beautifully

    Silence Must Be Heard

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  28. Hats of to father who thinks "daughter is not tension, but equals to ten sons". If we cannot educate our daughters, country has no future. This man is doing just that.

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    Replies
    1. Well said, Sir. Such people are building future of this country.

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  29. A beautiful rendering for such a fine human being !

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  30. Wonderful!!! He is a true father. Wish the father -daughter duo a grand success in life. Thanks for sharing this.

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    Replies
    1. Wish them with loads of good wishes. Thanks a ton for reading.

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  31. I Applaud and Salute the Father. To do what he did for his daughter's aspirations is a sign of the pure unconditional love!
    This is an example for what should be done!

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    1. Yes, right example of what needs to be done more often in India.

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  32. nice that u have dedicated a post to him....good work Saru

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  33. Quite inspirational. Appropriate post on Fathers' Day!

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    1. It's truly inspirational and yes, apt post for Father's Day. :)

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  34. Very well presented Saru! Very much inspiring! If we have any disability, it is only our mind, nothing else! Great father! Promising daughter! May God bless them...

    TC! Keep smiling :)
    Regards,
    Sindhu
    Tantu
    The Arts & Me

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    Replies
    1. Yes, you said it very well. Disability is always in our minds. Thanks for reading and sharing your views, Sindhu :)

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  35. Inspiring indeed! Thanks Saru for sharing this, and for your beautiful poetic tribute to him. We need more fathers like him.

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    Replies
    1. We definitely need more of such fathers. Thank you for reading, Beloo. :)

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  36. beautiful poem yes very few fathers can do such act in India

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  37. On one side we hear stories about parents kill girls and on the other side we hear stories about such parents who takes pride in educating their daughters. What I say, your heart wells up when you hear such true stories. There is still hope.

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    1. There is hope and such instances are inspiring.

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  38. Thanks for sharing in your sweet words

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  39. True that! Thanks for reading, Ash.

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  40. True words Saru..... loved this post..... :)

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  41. Not only a father, or a mother or a brother; there is an unsung hero (I'd even put best friends into that category, albeit on the lower line!) because of whom we have been inspired not only to take the big steps, but with those tiny steps in life that mean a lot to us.
    Love this piece.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we find inspiration around us. Thanks for reading and glad you liked this post.

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