My introduction with Neelam was in one of the Lohri functions at Agarsein Park. Her melodious voice singing Punjabi folk lore“ sunder mundriye hon, Tera Kon vachara ho, Dulla Bhatti wala ho.’
This formal introduction turned into informal friendship and I got to know Neelam at close quarters. The more I got to know her, I found in her a warrior woman who accepted all the challenges of life which very few women do. Instead of crying and looking for support, she stood up to it like a warrior. This is why I call her “Veerangna”.
Born in a middle class family in Amritsar, her father was self made person who started from scratch and built up and Empire in auto spare parts. Both the parent had basic education and work conservative in nature full stop the believed in education but could not imagine a working girl in their family full stop neelams hurdles started when she was 10 months old.
Her left leg was paralyzed after a severe fever as she was not vaccinated for Polio. Unfortunately her mother was ignorant of polio vaccination. Initially she had to compromise on her education. Later on she washed her parents for admission into the same school where her brother studied. She joined school at the age of eight. But God had blessed her within intelligent brain so she made up for she loss by doing double classes in a year. Yet life was not easy for her. She had to compromise at every step. Her mother was very strict with her and made her do all the physical and mental tasks without any concession for being handicapped. Once she rebelled and in her fit of frustration asked her mother if she was her real mother. It was heartbreaking for both mother and daughter. She realized that her mother was preparing her for future when mother would not be there to support her. This made Neelam well versed with every sphere of her life.
After school her family rejected and discouraged her from going to college but Neelam was adamant. She joined college without being a burden to the family. She walked the long distance without taking any help or favour from anyone. Neelam was determined to get over her weakness. She passionately participated in everything. BF cooking, singing, stitching, printing and what not.
After college she came to Delhi for Fashion Designing. It did not materialize because of the anti reservation movement at that time. So she had to be satisfied with a degree from a private institute in Amritsar. Her mother was a pillar of strength but perhaps god wanted to toughen Neelam. Her mother died in an accident. At that point of time her mother was looking for a suitable matrimonial match for her. But her sudden death shook the whole family and Neelam took the responsibilities of setting her sister and brother as well as her fathet. Life went on smoothly. She started her boutique which was known as one of the leading boutiques of Amritsar.
There was another turning point in her life when at the age of 33, she got a proposal of marriage rom Rahul, her husband. His family consisted of just him and his mother. Her husband, Rahul Vizh is a real gift to Neelam. A blessing in a real sense. He accepted her with her handicap. According to Neelam her mother in law was a wonderful lady know less than a goddess. That shows the health of a relationship. If mother in law was a ‘devi’, Neelam must have had a pure mind which could appreciate the love, affection and sincerity of others in the family.
Now Neelam is the lady of the house. She has a son who is studying abroad in computer engineering. Har boutique is very famous and well known and I am one of her clients I have been able to know an observe her closely as a result. Besides the tailors working at home, she does cooking herself and managed the household with part time help, attends to the clients, keeping herself abreast with the new designs and material in the market. Her husband extends his helping hand no doubt. During the kovid era when the boutique was attached low m she started supplying food she is well known for her kulcha and chanas.
Her very recent challenge was shifting the house, into a temporary flat till she ships into her own flat in SFS Hauz khas. I am quite impressed with this young smart, business woman and conscientious householder who has accepted every challenge. Hats off to Neelam who lives life like a warrior. She has made a beautiful life for herself and her family instead of cursing God for her a handicap.
