" Come on, wake up Ved " , Mom ordered while preparing the breakfast in the kitchen. Hardly could Ved open his eyes. The moment his eyes were wide open, he saw that his little brother Arjun, was packing his game stuffs into a trolley bag. He could also hear the ringing bell from the puja Ghar. It must be Grandma doing her puja rituals on the auspicious occasion of Navratri. He could smell the sandalwood with which Grandma prepares tilak for the nine days of Navratri. The scented sandalwood was slowly filling the air with purity, freshness and positivity. " The room has been booked, oh! Thank you so much " , Dad replied on a phone call. It was then Ved completely gained consciousness and in no time, jumped out of his bed. He was now aware of the happenings around him.

Ved and his family were supposed to leave for a puja vacation on the very first day of Navratri. Ved is a boy of fourteen years but his presence of mind, his intellect, his personality, his inquisitive nature defines him more like a matured adult and less like a teen. He was thrilled for the journey in the days to come. He knew that he will be coming across a variety of religions, food, languages, races, tribes, clothes etc. Remembering this, he rapidly ran towards his book shelf, which comprised of a good number of history books, indicating plainly that Ved must be fascinated with these books. He started searching for something. Immediately his fingers touched a hard covered book, he knew he found out. He pulled it out to confirm. It was a black coloured diary of a medium size. He was keenly gazing at it. He started flipping the pages of the diary with enthusiasm. He merrily moved his palm on the pages in order to feel the smooth texture of the new pages. It seemed as if he was tickling the pages just like a mother tickles or cuddles her baby out of love. Interrupting this reverie, a voice cracked: " Ved, Hurry up! we are already late, we have to reach the railway station within two hours ". " Yes Mom " , replied Ved. Ved instantly got back to his senses and hurriedly began packing and kept his diary along with a pen securely by creating a special place for it in the corner of his bag.

After a while, it was time for them to leave for Varanasi station. Their first travel was from Varanasi to Nalanda. The moment they were about to leave, Grandma stops them: " wait, we all have forgotten something ". Thereafter Grandma brought a puja plate holding various puja articles such as ghee lamp, Chandan ( prepared by grinding sandalwood by hand upon granite slabs ) and bell for the purpose of tilak. Tilak means a mark which is generally worn on the forehead. The marks are made by hand using sandalwood paste, charcoal, turmeric paste, ash etc. Tilak is being practiced since ages in India. Indians regard tilak as sacred and auspicious. Indians also believe that tilak brings good fortune. People say Indians are superstitious but there is a logic behind each and every belief. Tilak is applied between the eyebrows which is a point of immense power and piety and is referred to as Ajna Chakra, the seast of all human thoughts and past memories. Tilak helps conserve the subtle energy and maintains focus. Indian women also for a similar reason wear a bindi on the same spot. Grandma did the tilak for each of the family members. The family settled with their luggage in the car, which would take them to the railway station. Ved took a window seat after defeating his competitor Arjun, who was contending for the same. Ved now had the opportunity to look through the window. He was watching each and every passing things with much amusement. All of a sudden, his eyes got attracted to a statue just in front of the Banaras Hindu university. He was familiar with the university but whose statue is that? Why is the statue there? He was bombarded with questions. He instantly turned towards his father for the answers. " Dad, whose statue is that and why is it situated just in front of the university? " , asked Ved. Dad answered with a soft smile: " Ved, isn't it strange that you have no idea about one of the greatest freedom fighters of India?, the statue is of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya who is also respectfully addressed with the title ' Mahamana ' which was conferred to him by our infamous kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Mahamana played a vital role in the Indian Independence Movement. He was an important figure in the Non - Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements respectively. Malviya issued a manifesto urging concentration on the ' Buy Indian ' movement in India. He is also remembered for his role in ending the Indian Indenture System, especially in the Caribbean. Very few know that he was one of the founders of scouting in India ". Joining the conversation, Driver said: " Sahab, ye bhi to bataiye ki kaise unhone hamari Ganga Maiya ki raksha ki thi " ( " Sir, do also let him know how Malviya protected our Mother Ganges " ). Dad continued: " Yes son, Malviya also founded Ganga Mahasabha to oppose the damming of Ganges. He compelled the British government to sign an agreement with Ganga Mahasabha and other Hindu religious leaders on uninterrupted flow of Ganges in Haridwar and protect Ganges for future obstructions. This agreement is known as Aviral Ganga Raksha Samjhuata ". Ved kept listening to the answers and penned down each single information. " But, why is the statue standing infront of the university? " asked Arjun. Although Arjun was disinterested in the ongoing conversation, he playfully brought the original question of Ved into focus. This time Mom had a say: " Along with a notable politician, Malviya was also an education reformer and Indian scholar. He strived to propagate modern education among Indians and eventually cofounded Banaras Hindu University at Varanasi in 1916. And this University is the largest residential University in Asia ". Ved appeared satisfied with the answers.

Until then, they reached the station. Ved and family boarded the train. Thanks to the structure of the train compartments that both the competitors got to their destinations, the most wanted window seat. After a minute or two, a woman with her eight years old daughter , Durga entered the same compartment. Everyone started staring at Durga with much surprise. Durga was dressed up in a cream - coloured saree. She also had a bindi stuck between her eyebrows. Her little wrists worn a pair of simple undecorated bangles. Her tiny feet were wrapped in a plain coffee brown slip-ons. Mother lifted Durga in her arms and made her sit on the seat comfortably. She was troubled with her attire inspite of mother's help. Out of curiosity, Ved straight away questioned Durga's mother - " Aunty, why is your daughter in such an uncomfortable attire? ". Durga promptly answered: " Bhaiya, I am Durga Bhabhi for today ". " Who is she? " asked Ved. It felt like a childish answer to Ved . There was an awkward silence. " Oh! , You mean Goddess Durga, right? " , Grandma lovingly looked towards Durga for an assured reply. Durga: " No Dadi, I mean Durga Bhabhi ". Grandma also faced a failed attempt. Durga's mother finally spoke: " she has participated in a fashion dress competition whose theme is - Freedom Fighters. She has dressed up to look like Durgavati Devi, who is popularly known as Durga Bhabhi. Durga Bhabhi was an Indian revolutionary and a freedom fighter ".

Ved: But, I have never heard of her nor did I ever read about her in my history books.

Dad breaking his silence said: I have a pretty good knowledge of history but I also have never come across such a name in the list of freedom fighters.

Durga's mother: " Durga Bhabhi was one of the few women revolutionaries who actively participated in armed revolution against the ruling British Raj. She is best known for having accompanied Bhagat Singh on the train journey in which he made his escape in disguise after the Saunders killing. Apart from this, Devi also attempted to assassinate Lord Hailey, who was a British administrator in British India. He escaped but many of his associates died. She was caught by the police and imprisoned for three years. Devi was also involved in running a bomb factory named ' Himalayan Toilets ' ( a smokescreen to hide the agenda of making bombs ). After Indian Independence, unlike other freedom fighters, Devi started living like a common citizen in Ghaziabad.

Each one of them were taken aback after listening to the bravery tales of Durga bhabhi.

Dad: How can such important personality be erased from our history books?

Ved: Truly Dad, we just can't overlook their priceless sacrifice. We can't turn a blind eye to such fearless characters of our Indian history.

Durga: Mom, look our station has arrived, let's get off the train.

This call of Durga sets her mother into action. She hurrily packs up her things, lifts Durga in her arms and after saying a goodbye to the family, gets off the train. This meeting was not an ordinary one for Ved. After their departure also, he kept pondering on the conversation he had just a few minutes ago. What a coincidence it was for the little Durga to play the role of the Great Durgavati Devi!. The train journey came to an end. Finally Ved and family gets off the train at the Nalanda station.

They then moved to the hotel room which was earlier booked by Dad. The next day they were supposed to visit the Nalanda International University. Ved and Arjun could not wait for the next day. The next morning embarked with animation. Ved woke up early in the morning, flooded his bag with all his favourite stuffs which included his diary, a pen, a camera etc. Mom, Dad and Grandma could feel the sparkling spirit of Ved. Arjun was uninvolved in the ongoing status. He was rather busy with his games for most of the times. They left for exploring Nalanda University located in the historical city of Rajgir in Bihar. After hitting the University, cicerone drew the family's attention to the event of the death anniversary of Veer Kunwar Singh, which was organised by the Nalanda students to recall the forgotten heroes. Cicerone insisted the family to attend the function. Ved quickly said: " Yes, of course we shall love to be a part of it ". Although rest of the family members and bed himself was totally unaware of this courageous personality. Family along with the cicerone went on to watch a drama. The drama began with a huge round of applause by the audience. Curtains were slowly removed. An old man with white moustache and beard appeared on the stage. He wore turban draped over his head. The man was tall, about six feet in height. His clothes exclusively displayed India's ancient tradition. He wore bandh galas, a belt or a kamar bandh around the waist. A sheathed sword was another important element of his grandeur dressing. His traditional royal appearance was finished with fine jewellery. This old man was Veer Kunwar Singh. He was a leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. At the age of eighty, he led a selected band of armed soldiers against the troops under the command of the British East India Company. He was the chief organiser of the fight against the British in Bihar. He gave a good fight. He was an expert in the art of guerilla warfare. This fight concluded with a victory in the name of ' Veer Kunwar Singh '. His role was indispensable in the Indian National Movement. Ved experienced the valorous deeds of Kunwar Singh through the spectacular drama. The minute the drama ended, audience began moving out of the drama hall. It resembled people going back after watching a movie in cinema halls. Ved kept stuck to his chair. He felt short of knowledge. He looked at his Grandma who was 75 years old and wondered, how is it possible that Veer not only fought but also uprooted the British East India Company in Jagdispur at the age of eighty? " Bhaiya, let's make a move ", said the joyful Arjun as the family was heading to have the traditional Bihar cuisine.

The restaurant's ambience was completely different from the today's moder and lavish ones. There were small wooden decorated chowkis on which the food was being served. People were supposed to sit on the beautiful floor mats. Ved was capturing the magnificent restaurant in his camera. The restaurant's attendants welcomed them and made them sit on the mats. " Grandma, why are we having our food on the floor? Why can't this restaurant have a dinning table? " , Arjun questioned in discomfort. Grandma smiled and answered: " Arjun, do you know?, Our ancestors used to sit on the floor in sukhasana ( a simple cross - legged sitting asana ) and have their meals using hands because this practice is highly beneficial in assimilating the maximum nutrients from the food. Our ancient practices were very logical. You should be thankful that you got an opportunity to learn and experience our effective practices ".

Firstly, they were served Litti chokha along with pure ghee on leaf plates. Family was really enjoying the spicy and strong flavours. Following that sattu sharbat was served. In the last, they were treated with delicious kheer ( a dessert made with the main ingredients - rice, milk and sugar ). Arjun and Ved were devouring the kheer to calm down their spiced tongue. Dad kept staring at their sons and said: " Now I know as to why the dessert is served at the end of every meal ". Grandma: " Yes son, our ancestors stressed the fact that a meal should always start with spicy food and end with a sweet. The reason behind is when we eat spicy foods, our body secretes digestive juices ensuring a smooth and efficient digestion process and sweets at the end not only leaves behind a pleasant taste but also enhance the feelings of satiety and fullness ". Mom added: " Nothing is better than following our ancient practices religiously ".