strong ladies of Hindustan

I love my village. A small hamlet at the foot hills of Sahyadri mountains. It has its scenic beauty amidst the small hills, mangoes, cashews, jackfruits, "karwandas" and its awesome "Wada Kombda”. Its a delicacy served to the selected Chakarmanies- the guests or a staple menu for any celebration. Miles away from it, the aroma and the taste still lingers on my taste buds. No matter how many times we tried it out in the city, we could not achieve the same taste.
I would always take out some time off to fly down to my roots to rejuvenate and alive n my taste buds with the spicy chicken curry with the the wadas, a multigrain puri- for those not aware of it. Thats WADA KOMBDA. This time I was curious to find out the secret behind the awesome taste. En route, just near the village I spotted my loving aunt, the best cook of the recipe along with few more ladies of the village. They were descending down the hill out of the forest, each carrying quarter ton weight equivalent of firewood on their heads. The firewood was neatly tied up in a huge roll and was balanced to the perfection by each of the ladies, who walked in a rhythm, swaying their hips and singing an old song. The treacherous footpath was narrow and steep, it turned and twisted, it had the pebbles and the stones, ups and downs throwing up challenges for the ladies, but not enough to stop the sweat drenched ladies.
I got my answer, why the food in the village was a delicacy.
Our country is full of these iron women, who trample on the numerous challenges each day. They are no less brave than the soldiers or less industries than the ants. They are the caring mothers, the loving wives and pillars of each house and our nation. They are like the trees who stand tall and firm, be it the blistering summer heat or the stormy rains.
Recently I happened to come across another strong willed lady. She is suffering from cancer of the bone marrow. Being a wife of a soldier, who was serving the nation in a far flung place, she with a smile on her face, was fighting against the dreaded disease singlehandedly. Alone in the midst of the city she was bringing up their little daughter with the utmost care and never would she complain to her husband so that he is not distracted from his line of duty. May be thats why the cancer has relapsed and pushed her back to the confines of the hospital. May God give her strength to fight the monster and rebound back to life. I pray for her.