India was under the colonial rule for more than three centuries. The rulers tried to raise revenue through various ways.
One of them was to levy tax on salt-making, which was the source of livelihood for thousands of people living on the coastal areas. Mahatma Gandhi opposed the move tooth and nail and led a civil disobedience movement against the rulers. He led hundreds of people to Dandi in Gujarat and made salt in open defiance.
The story “A Face to Avenge” is set against the salt movement. The main character, a meek guy, transforms into a fighter after witnessing the scene at Dandi. Although the setting of the story is Indian, it has a universal appeal, as many countries across the world have undergone the same traumatic experience.
Here the story goes:
A Face to Avenge
Dr George Karimalil
Mahadevan checked the gilt-edged tray once again. Hot milk, specially prepared tea powder, sugar, spoons and a neatly folded napkin – everything was in order. As he lifted the tray, his wife Madhuri, who was busy cooking beside, cautioned him once again: “Don’t drop it on the way.” There was a touch of sarcasm. But he did not mind.
Devan, as others fondly called him, had no difficulty in taking the tray out. But the problem began the moment he stepped into the
presence of his
master John Miller. For eight long years he had been working under him. Still the very shadow of his master was sufficient to trigger off a bout of jitters in him.
His mistress Susan was another formidable presence Devan had to cope with. She was genteel and tried to be very kind to all those who worked for her family. She never raised her voice in an attempt to reprimand him, not even once. Still his slender body buckled in her presence. His hands trembled, throat went dry and words failed to come out. The predicament was so severe that little beads of perspiration used to line up on his large forehead, often moving down over the eyelids.
John Miller was a senior British police officer, entrusted with law and order in the early thirties. He always went by the rules, often ruthlessly. “Rules are meant for everyone’s good. No one should be exempted,” he said, caressing his well-oiled thick moustache. Many called him “Moonchwala gora sahib”, of course not within his hearing. He was a terror to all those who dared to defy. Perhaps that was the reason for Devan’s predicament...