Unsung Hero

By -
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

Location: Piscataway Township, NJ, USA

Comments

  1. Shivani SinghJune 10, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    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. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 11, 2014 at 11:13 AM

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

      Delete
  2. RachnaJune 11, 2014 at 12:44 AM

    Fabulously penned, Saru! I remember reading about him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. joshi danielJune 11, 2014 at 1:02 AM

    lovely and an excellent tribute :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ankita June 11, 2014 at 1:27 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. Someone is SpecialJune 11, 2014 at 4:55 AM

    An excellent tribute Saru!

    Someone is Special

    ReplyDelete
  6. BikramJune 11, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 11, 2014 at 11:31 AM

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

      Delete
  7. Cloud NineJune 11, 2014 at 8:57 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 11, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 11, 2014 at 11:53 AM

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

      Delete
  9. SimranJune 11, 2014 at 11:26 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. K.A. AcharyaJune 11, 2014 at 12:45 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. BushraJune 11, 2014 at 2:39 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 12, 2014 at 10:25 AM

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

      Delete
  12. ManiparnaJune 11, 2014 at 6:00 PM

    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 !

    ReplyDelete
  13. C SureshJune 11, 2014 at 10:35 PM

    That's a man deserving of applause

    ReplyDelete
  14. M S MahawarJune 11, 2014 at 11:40 PM

    well written...deeply touched!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anita SabatJune 12, 2014 at 12:32 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 1:01 AM

    Always inspirational to see the cycle broken. Lovely words!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nima DasJune 12, 2014 at 1:10 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 12, 2014 at 10:47 AM

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

      Delete
  18. RekhaJune 12, 2014 at 1:22 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yogi SaraswatJune 12, 2014 at 1:33 AM

    Nice words dedicated to father.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Donna BurmanJune 12, 2014 at 2:01 AM

    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..

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 2:27 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. tks316June 12, 2014 at 4:10 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  23. Shiva KumarJune 12, 2014 at 4:17 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. Preethi VenugopalaJune 12, 2014 at 4:29 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  25. VeenaJune 12, 2014 at 4:36 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 12, 2014 at 11:41 AM

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

      Delete
  26. PayalJune 12, 2014 at 4:44 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 4:48 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 12, 2014 at 11:53 AM

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

      Delete
  28. Rajeev MoothedathJune 12, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    An inspiring story & an inspiring poem Saru!

    ReplyDelete
  29. CifarJune 12, 2014 at 8:02 AM

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

    Silence Must Be Heard

    ReplyDelete
  30. Abhijit RayJune 12, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 12, 2014 at 12:01 PM

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

      Delete
  31. AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    A beautiful rendering for such a fine human being !

    ReplyDelete
  32. JayantaJune 12, 2014 at 2:25 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 13, 2014 at 8:53 AM

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

      Delete
  33. Ankur AnandJune 12, 2014 at 8:55 PM

    so beautifully penned :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. AmitAagJune 13, 2014 at 3:17 AM

    Great tribute!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lancelot QuadrasJune 13, 2014 at 5:50 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 13, 2014 at 8:59 AM

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

      Delete
  36. Ritesh AgarwalJune 13, 2014 at 6:52 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. CYNOSUREJune 13, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    Hats off...!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Pooja AbhayJune 13, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Such a wonderful tribute!

    ReplyDelete
  39. hindustanisakhisaheliJune 13, 2014 at 6:32 PM

    I say Happy fathers day!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. MadhureshJune 14, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    Quite inspirational. Appropriate post on Fathers' Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 14, 2014 at 2:05 PM

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

      Delete
  41. Sindhu Devi KJune 16, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 16, 2014 at 5:06 PM

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

      Delete
  42. संजय भास्‍कर June 16, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    Inspirational Such a wonderful tribute!

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousJune 16, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    so touching :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beloo MehraJune 16, 2014 at 12:25 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 16, 2014 at 5:28 PM

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

      Delete
  45. smJune 16, 2014 at 3:10 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  46. UnknownJune 19, 2014 at 2:10 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 20, 2014 at 2:20 PM

      There is hope and such instances are inspiring.

      Delete
  47. UnknownJune 19, 2014 at 2:11 AM

    Thanks for sharing in your sweet words

    ReplyDelete
  48. prathima gangadharJune 19, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    Beautifully written

    ReplyDelete
  49. Saru SinghalJune 20, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    True that! Thanks for reading, Ash.

    ReplyDelete
  50. PriyashiJune 21, 2014 at 2:46 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  51. UnknownJune 26, 2014 at 3:50 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJune 28, 2014 at 11:40 AM

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

      Delete

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