Oh God! Let me be barren by Vilas Vare

​"Oh God! Let me be barren" by Vilas Vare - Unselfish service!

This book is published by Scion publications Pvt. Ltd. in 2022 and it has 160 pages. It's translated from Marathi toi English by Prof. V. G. Apte.

Sujata, in her forties, shapely, fit, good looking housewife, is barren. Her Husband Vijay is a leprocy technician who is later promoted as leprosy doctor. She and her husband have tried everything but, despite having no medical deficiencies, they are childless. Sujata is frustrated but Vijay is supportive. 

Will Sujata conceive? Will she become mother? Is her barrenness a curse or boon? Will she convert her barrenness into something more important?

Sujata‘s barrenness is seen as curse. She is kept away from pregnant women. She is treated like a pariah. 

She loves her husband so much that she refuses sperm donation. She’s good looking and childless. There are men who proposition her. Disgusting!

Vijay is born to help. Be it patients, marriage of colleague or curing leprosy. He is a real selfless, publicity shy, ernest and sacrificing person. He refuses proposal for second marriage because he loves his wife. He also encourages her to do good for the society. 

The couple is made for each other. They help even those who behaved badly with them. Vijay cures, resettles and integrates young leapers  in society. Sujata starts helping women in the shanty settlement near her house. Her social work is frowned upon by the neighbors. But she perseveres. She transforms the shanty settlement  and the lives of its occupants. 

The book has a few out of context things. Vijay’s brother is never mentioned in the book until we come towards end and suddenly he is shown as uncaring and unconcerned. He doesn’t reciprocate Vijay’s love. There was no need to even mention him. He was not needed for the story. Vijay doesn’t expect anything from anyone and does what he does as service to humanity. Sujata doesn’t understand this. But she does exactly the same, then why doesn’t she understand?

This book brings to the fore two issues in the society. First is the inhuman treatment of leapers by their family and society and need for their resettlement. There are many ashrams for leapers. Here they are rehabilitated but they are not integrated in society. Vijay cures them, rehabilitates them and integrates them, all at his own expense. His work is better than anyone else. Second issue is of wandering people who have no document to prove that they exist. Sujata works for them. Giving them identity, decent place to live, forming an economic group, arranging small capital for business and rehabilitating and integrating them in society. This is a great social service. Sujata’s barrenness is a blessing in disguises. It’s this barrenness that motivates her to do what she might not have done otherwise. 

Author Vilas Vare is known for writing books that address social issues and highlight the sorrows and suffering of the affected people. His books, however, are not dark or dystopian. They are realistic. That is his USP!

Translator has remained true to his role. He has translated what was written rather than trying to improve it. There is a list of Marathi words, that can’t be translated, and its meaning is given at the end to assist those who don’t know Marathi. 

Why did I read this book? Previous book by the author was good. 

What I didn't like? Few out of context things. 

What did I like? Positive approach. 

Recommend reading the original or the translation. 

Disclosure: Translator of this book is my father.