Wrong Number
(Mahasweta Devi, translated by Subhransu Maitra, Seagull Books, Rs. 140.)
Wrong Number is translated by Subhransu Maitra and has four stories. The first, "Wrong Number", tells the story of an old couple, Tirtha Babu and his wife, Sabita. Tirtha Babu is afraid of answering the telephone. Every time the phone rings he says, "Wrong number. Hang up please. Why do you call the wrong number? The wrong number?" Unable to sleep, thoughts flit through their minds. Thoughts about Dipankar, their son ? their only son. It is news of Dipankar that they wait for but knowing deep down that the telephone can only bring bad news.
The second, "Fundamental Rights and Bhikari Dusad", lucidly tells the tale of plunder and outrage. One passage stands out: "This has been, and will be. The fable of the rich landlords ? poor peasants ? sharecroppers ? bataidars is never very different. Nobody can alter the plot." Bhikari Dusad, a timid, harmless soul who tends his flock of goats and kids is yet another innocent victim of highhanded arrogance. He is always on the run seeking a safe haven for his goats. Until one day he hears Sukhchandji, the teacher, who tells him about "Fundamental Rights". And it is with this new found knowledge that he faces the Rajasahib's sepoys when they come yet again to take away his goats. He tries to put up a fight "... I have the same right to my goats as the Rajasahib has to his land... " he says. But all this is considered impertinence and he is beaten ? "efficient, thoroughly professional beating, approved by the law and administration."
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