Zabak Divdi

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Zabak Divdi" by Kumarpal Desai:

Book Title: Zabak Divdi Author: Kumarpal Desai Publisher: Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan

Overall Theme: "Zabak Divdi" is a collection of inspiring true stories aimed at children, highlighting courage, bravery, resourcefulness, and altruism demonstrated by young girls. The book aims to instill these values in young readers and promote women's empowerment. It showcases how ordinary girls, through their quick thinking and selfless actions, can illuminate the lives of others and make a significant positive impact.

Detailed Summary of Each Story:

1. Zabak Divdi (Page 4-13):

   • Setting: Chuli village in Saurashtra, about 100 years ago, during the reign of the Zala kings.
   • Protagonist: Zabak, a 14-year-old girl from the village, known for her brightness and beauty. She is the daughter of Chhagan Seth, a respected merchant.
   • The Incident: Zabak is on her way to the well to bathe after receiving beautiful jewelry and clothes from her maternal village for her upcoming marriage. Behind a pilu tree, she spots 5-7 men with covered faces, fierce expressions, and weapons. Frightened, she instinctively calls out, "Mama, I've come to fulfill your wish. I am Zabak, Chhagan Seth's daughter."
   • The Revelation: These men are Miyana bandits who have come to loot the village and are waiting for dusk. The leader tells her to go home, recognizing her as his niece. Zabak realizes they are planning to rob the village that night.
   • Zabak's Action: She rushes home and informs her father. Chhagan Seth gathers the village elders. They decide to hide their valuables and prepare for defense. The village's community spirit is highlighted, with everyone taking responsibility for their protection.
   • Village Defense: The villagers, including shepherds, charans, potters, and barbers, gather their weapons. Harijans with drums signal the alert. The 'Udiya' community strengthens the thorny fence around the village, leaving only one gap. They create a barricade of carts and camels.
   • Women's Role: The women, led by Zabak, gather stout sticks (sambhela), washing poles, and churners to defend their homes. They spread mung beans on the courtyards to make attackers slip.
   • The Confrontation: As dusk falls, the bandits arrive. Their scout reports that the entire village is prepared. The bandit leader, realizing the village is united and strong, decides to retreat. However, one leader wants to save face and suggests they demand a tribute from Zabak.
   • Resolution: Chhagan Seth meets the bandits. They demand five rupees as a token from Zabak. Chhagan Seth offers them hospitality (roti and buttermilk). The bandits praise the village's unity and leave, impressed by Zabak's courage and the village's preparedness. Zabak is lauded for saving her village.

2. Bae E Bija (She Does for Others) (Page 14-21):

   • Setting: New Delhi, after school hours at a Jain Kanya secondary school.
   • Protagonist: Sweety (real name Ravinder Kaur), an 11-year-old girl, who loves ice golas.
   • The Incident: While buying an ice gola near the school, Sweety notices three bulky men dressed as sadhus wandering around. They are carrying large bundles.
   • The Discovery: As Sweety walks home, she sees a small child's leg dangling from one of the sadhu's bundles. She also hears the sound of a child crying from another bundle. She realizes these "sadhus" are likely child traffickers.
   • Sweety's Action: Instead of getting scared, Sweety decides to investigate. She bravely approaches the men, remaining silent and observant. When she hears the crying and sees the leg, she becomes more determined. She starts shouting loudly, "Run, run, this fake sadhu is kidnapping children! Run, run!"
   • The Confrontation: The sadhus try to scare her off, but Sweety persists. Realizing they are about to be caught, two of the sadhus flee, while the third, named Bhikshu Danawala, is caught because he was carrying too many heavy bundles and couldn't escape quickly.
   • The Rescue: The villagers and police arrive due to Sweety's alarm. The bundles are opened, revealing three rescued children:
     • Muhammad Vakif (4 years old), lured with biscuits.
     • Rajendra Kumar (2 years old), sleeping.
     • Seemarani (5 years old), Rajendra's sister, lured with promises of sweets and food.
   • Recognition: The children are reunited with their grateful parents. The police officer commends Sweety for her bravery, awarding her 100 rupees and a certificate, stating that a country with fearless girls like her will always prosper.

3. Janani Ne Navjivan Aapyu! (She Gave New Life to the Mother!) (Page 22-29):

   • Protagonist: Pragya, an 8-year-old girl, intelligent and thoughtful, who keeps a diary.
   • Context: During the Indo-Pak war in 1970, Pragya shows patriotism by foregoing her birthday celebration and donating the money to the defense fund.
   • The Incident: One day, Pragya is absent from school due to illness. Her mother, Damyanti Ben, is at home with her two-year-old brother and a house helper. Damyanti Ben, who has been feeling unwell, suddenly experiences a severe seizure (epilepsy attack) after bathing.
   • Pragya's Response: While the house helper is stunned, Pragya, despite her young age and her mother's dire condition, remains calm. She directs the helper to hold her mother down and immediately calls her father at his office. She then uses her diary to find the number of their family doctor, Dr. Khanduja, and calls him, explaining the emergency. She also informs nearby relatives.
   • Medical Emergency: Dr. Khanduja arrives quickly and begins treatment. The mother's condition worsens, requiring her to be moved to the hospital and then the All India Medical Institute. She fights for survival for 72 hours, needing mechanical support to keep her heart beating, and stays in intensive care for 45 days.
   • The Outcome: The doctors confirm that Pragya's quick thinking in calling for immediate medical help was crucial for her mother's survival. The story emphasizes that if a doctor hadn't been called so promptly during the first seizure, her mother would not have survived.
   • Pragya's Legacy: The narrative concludes by stating that while stories of mothers sacrificing for children are common, a child showing such understanding and acting so swiftly to save a mother's life is rare. Damyanti Ben expresses her gratitude, saying her daughter illuminated her life and gave her a new one.

4. Rang Gujaratn (The Colorful Gujarati Woman) (Page 30-40):

   • Setting: Ugdi village in Nakhatrana taluka, Kutch, Gujarat.
   • Protagonist: Kanta Ben, a 20-year-old farmer woman from the Kanbi community. Kutch is described as a land with water scarcity but rich in strong, hardworking people.
   • The Incident: On April 2, 1963, Kanta Ben is working in the field with her husband, father-in-law, and other villagers. Their peaceful day is shattered when a ferocious, wild boar, injured by a hunter, charges into the field. The boar is described as large, strong, and enraged, capable of causing immense destruction.
   • The Panic: The villagers panic. The men are unsure how to confront the dangerous animal, and the women are terrified.
   • Kanta Ben's Courage: Kanta Ben, however, remains resolute. She understands the grave danger and decides she must act to save lives, even at the risk of her own. She quickly decides to use an axe (kuhado) she remembers seeing in the barn.
   • The Fight: She retrieves the heavy axe, rushes towards the charging boar, and, despite the boar's immense power and ferocity, she swings the axe. The boar, enraged by the blow, attacks her, but Kanta Ben skillfully dodges its powerful charges. She continues to strike the boar repeatedly with the axe.
   • Victory: Undeterred by the boar's fury or the injuries she sustains (implied by her later treatment), Kanta Ben fights bravely and eventually fells the wild boar.
   • Recognition: Her bravery is lauded by all the villagers. She is credited with saving lives. She receives medical treatment for her injuries. In recognition of her exceptional courage and presence of mind, she is awarded the "Veershree Shri Purani Prize" for the year 1963-64 as the "Rang Gujaratn" (The Colorful Gujarati Woman).

Key Takeaways and Values: The book emphasizes:

• Courage and Bravery: Facing danger with strength and determination.
• Presence of Mind: Thinking clearly and acting decisively in critical situations.
• Altruism and Selflessness: Prioritizing the well-being of others over one's own safety.
• Community Spirit: The importance of unity and mutual support.
• Women's Empowerment: Showcasing the strength, intelligence, and capability of girls and women.
• Patriotism: Demonstrating love and dedication to one's country.