Yahi Sach Hai

by Mannu Bhandari

कथा-साहित्य में अक्सर ही नारी का चित्रण पुरुष की आकांक्षाओं (दमित आकांक्षाओं) से प्रेरित होकर किया गया है। लेखकों ने या तो नारी की मूर्ति को अपनी कुंठाओं के अनुसार तोड़-मरोड़ दिया है, या अपनी कल्पना में अंकित एक स्वप्नमयी नारी को चित्रित किया है।
लेकिन मन्नू भंडारी की कहानियाँ न सिर्फ इस लेखकीय चलन की काट करती हैं, बल्कि आधुनिक भारतीय नारी को एक नई छवि भी प्रदान करती हैं। मन्नूजी नारी के आँचल को दूध और आँखों को व्यर्थ के पानी से भरा दिखाने में विश्वास नहीं रखतीं। वे उसके जीवन-यथार्थ को उसी की दृष्टि से यथार्थ धरातल पर रचती हैं, लेकिन इस बात का भी ध्यान रखती हैं कि कहानियों का यथार्थ कहानी के कलात्मक संतुलन पर भारी न पड़े। इससे मन्नूजी का कथा-संसार बहुत अपना और आत्मीय हो उठता है।
‘यही सच है’ मन्नू भंडारी की अनेक महत्त्वपूर्ण कहानियों का बहुचर्चित संग्रह है। स्मरणीय है कि ‘यही सच है’ शीर्षक-कहानी को ‘रजनीगंधा’ नामक फिल्म के रूप में फिल्माया गया था।

Genres: Fiction, Romance

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2021

About the author

Mannu Bhandari was born on April 3, 1931, in Bhanpura, Madhya Pradesh, India. She attended school in Ajmer and later she graduated from Calcutta University in 1949, followed by an M.A. degree in Hindi from the Banaras Hindu University in 1953.
She is wife of famous Hindi writer Rajendra Yadav, with whom she co-wrote the book, Ek Inch Muskaan (A Little Smile).

In post independent Hindi literature many new women writers emerged
and attracted the attention of readers and critics but after initial shining some
of them did not make writing of their successful career. Many women writers
have entered the arena of literary writing. Several highly talented writers have
enriched Hindi literature with their creative writings. To name a few Usha
Priyamvada, Malti Joshi, Dipti Khandelwal, Mridila Garg, Mannu Bhandari,
Shubha Verma are some of the most accomplished contemporary Hindi
women writers. Their writing reflect how modernism, contemporary social
situations and currents and cross currents at life have molded their writing and
subject matter as well as impact on them. Moreover these women writers
have written about Indian women, their pains, conflicts, predicaments against
the background of contemporary India. They have focused their attention not
only on the outer situation and conflict but also on inner turmoil of modern
women. In this reference writer like Mannu Bhandari deserves special
attention. Her contribution to the world of fiction dates to the 6os. She has
written in and experimented with varieties of genres of literature like the short
story novel, political novel, literature for children, drama, screen play, and
dialogues for film etc. Mannu Bhandari has also chaired the directorship of
Premchand Srujanpith in Vikram University, Ujjian. In 2008 Mannu Bhandari
was given for her autobiography Ek Kahani Yah Bhi the prestigious Vyas
Sanmaan for year 2008, which is instituted by the K.K. Birala Foundation and
given every year for outstanding literary work in Hindi authored by Indian citizens.

Reviews

[Gayatri · Rating 3 out of 5]

न जाने क्यों, दीपा को इतना उलझन हुआ। क्या पहला प्यार भूल जाना इतना मुश्किल है?

काश हमे पता चलता के सच में निशीथ के मन में क्या विचार थे।

[Ravina P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful writing...

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yahi Sach Hai Short stories by Mannu Bhandari (Hindi) (1965) Author is a popular Hindi novelist, story writer, screen play writer. Her books have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. Present book includes eight stories. On the last story “Yahi Sach Hai”, a movie “Rajnigandha” has been screened. First story, “Kshay” (Tuberculosis) relates to the life of a middleclass family where the father is suffering from Tuberculosis, his son Tunnu is studying in Allahabad, his daughter Kunti, a school teacher takes care of him and the family. Tunnu had less marks in one subject, therefore, he had to repeat in class VIII. Tunnu thought that his sister Kunti knows the Principal of his school, she can recommend for his promotion to class IX but Kunti considers that improper, she does not go to meet the Principal, thus Tunnu has to repeat Class VIII. Because of illness of father, the finance situation of the family deteriorates. Kunti starts taking coaching students after school hours. This is a period in India when neo-rich people are rising in society. One girl Savitri who is weak in studies, fails in class VIII. Her parents contact Principal of another school and get the girl promoted and admitted to Class IX. Kunti is requested to coach her after school. Initially, she visits her for one month. She finds that the bus journey is tiring and time consuming. Savitri’s parents provide a car for her to and fro journey. Even after hard work by both teacher and taught, Savitri is not able to cope up. Her parents find out from school that her daughter has not obtained pass marks. Savitri’s parents request Kunti to meet the Principal and related teachers and using her relations, get passing marks for Savitri. Kunti visits the school but she is not able to ask the teacher to favour Savitri. Second story, Tisra Admi- (Third person) Harish and Shakun are a couple. Harish is employed as a clerk in Education Department, Ajmer. Alok is an author who had met Shakun when she visited her parents. She had invited Alok to visit them at Ajmer. Alok has sent some of his books to Shakun to read. Alok informs that he will visit them for one day and return by the night train. Harish bring Alok from the Railway station. They welcome Harish at their residence. After breakfast, Harish leaves for his office while his wife and Alok eat and talk. Harish doubts his wife and takes half day leave and returns back to his house. When he reaches home, he is not able to knock at the door and waits up to evening in a park. He returns late in the evening. They had planned to visit the lake but there is not time. Harish leaves Alok to the railway station. When he returns home, he finds his wife reading Alok’s book. He feels sad why he doubted his wife. Third story Saza “Punishment” Munnu and his sister are in a situation where their father has charged with embezzlement and has been suspended from service. In his anger, their father refuses to take suspension allowance from the employer. The family’s financial situation is bad now. They are unable to pay for education of children, expenses for food. Her grandfather, uncle and maternal uncle help. A suit is filed in the court. It takes time to settle the case. When the family is broken, the case is decided their father’s favour and he is found not guilty. Justice delayed is justice denied. Fourth story, Nakli Heere (Fake Diamonds) Saran and Indu, are sisters. Their father was Prime minister of an Iindian King. Thus, they were affluent. Saran was married to a rich businessman in Kolkata while Indu loved and arried a lecturer. Indu is invited to visit her elder sister at Kolkata. Indu arrives and they visit a post club. They return and find that Indu’s husband has written a letter to Indu stating that he misses her and she should return back soon. This letter comes everyday. Indu finds it strange that her brother in law never contacts her sister. He is out of Kolkata on business. Indu asks her sister that she wishes to talk to her brother in law. A trunk call is booked at 11 PM. The person who picks the receiver of the phone informs that Sahab is busy dancing with a lady and is unable to attend to the telephone call. Indu understands the situation. She returns back to her husband at Nagpur by the next day train. Fifth story- Nasha (Intoxication) Shankar and Anandi are married. Soon Anandi comes to know that Shankar does not have any regular source of income as he does not work. He is a habitual drunkard. Soon, a son Kishnu is born. Anandi works as a home maid for income. Kishnu grows up and feels ill that his father beats his mother regularly, takes the money from her and spends it on drinks. He runs away from home. Anandi gets work related to preparation of food items from neighbours, earns and pays her husband. A few years later, Kishnu informs his parents that he has owns a shop, he has married, he has children and hi is coming to take his mother to live with him. Kishnu comes and mother and son leave. Anandi knows that her husband will not earn and will die of food and drinks. She works as a tailor in the house of her son and sends money to her husband. Soon, her son comes to know of this. Kishnu gets angry. He says mother you could have informed me, Anandi weeps silently. Sixth story, Income tax aur neend (payment of income tax and sleep) Dr Dayal Prasad Chaturvedi, a homeopathic pediatric physician has a shop in a small adjacent to the road. In his family, his wife, his son and his daughter are there. Doctor receives a notice from income tax department about payment of income tax. Family has three members, first his wife Rameshwari, son Mahim and daughter Saroj. His brother in law lives in Lucknow. His daughter Mahima has qualified degree in medicine and is visiting them to attend a seminar. Doctor sahab is from the old school of thought. Daughters should be married in their young age, there no need for much education for girls etc. His son is serving as an accountant with a commercial firm. Mahima visits them. She thoughts that doctor sahab must educate his daughter and not marry her soon. She takes the family to view a movie. Children enjoy. His son has to re- prepare and examine, accounts statement of his father. He is busy for one week to prepare income statement for his firm. He returns in the late in the evening and finds his father fast asleep. He understands that all work is now his responsibility and does not wake his father. Seventh story, Rani ka chabutara- The story is about a residential locality of poor people hand to mouth people, who live near the large house of a rich Seth. Gulabi lives in this basti. She was married but as her husband was a regular drunkard, she forced him to leave her and her to children, elder 9-year old daughter Mewa and younger son. Gulabi is a daily wage labourer. She works in construction sites. She locks her children in the house and when she returns, she has just enough money to meet ends. Her neighbours wish to help her but she is foul mouthed and refuses help. They come to know a “shishu Suraksha kendra” (creche) for children is being by the government. Fees is Rs. Five. Her daily wage is one rupee. She has saved three rupees and does not have more money. She works but does not eat for two days. She faints. Two persons bring her home. They find that she has paid Rs. 5/ for the creche and has a receipt so that her children could survive. Eighth story, Yahi Sach hai- This story is of Deepa, Sanjay and Nisheeth. Cities are Kanpur, Patna and Kolkata. Deepa and Nisheeth lived and studied in Patna. Nisheeth and Deepa separated. Deepa was admitted in research studies in Kanpur. Here she meets Sanjay who is serving in a government Sanjay who is serving in a government office. They fall in love. Author has analysed the nature of Sanjay and Nisheeth. Sanjay brings a bocquet of tuberose flowers every week as a token of his love. Sanjay is talkative and does not bother about the dress and looks of Deepa while Nisheeth is observant about her dress and make up. Sanjay reacts to each of her effort. But Nisheeth is silent. He does not shoe his reaction. Deepa has to attend an interview at Kolkata. Sanjay is busy in his office trip; thus, he is unable to accompany Deepa to Kolkata. Deepa leaves for Kolkata alone. Her friend Ira receives her at the Railway station and takes her to her house to stay. Ira’s husband has gone out of city, thus the two are alone. In the evening, they visit a coffee house. Here they meet Nisheeth. He comes and sits on their table and welcomes them. He organises help for her interview. After the interview, he takes her to a hotel for lunch. Both do not speak much about their lives. Deepa is not able to share her feelings that now she is feeling vibes for love for Nisheeth. Next day is her departure. Nisheeth comes to the Railway station to see her off. They still do not speak. While she boards the train, Nisheeth presses her hand to confirm—Deepa does not understand his gesture. Whether this is for confirmation of his love or otherwise. She returns and soon finds information from Nisheeth that she has been selected for the job and must join at Kolkata. Sanjay comes with his love and bunch of Rajnigandha tuberose flowers. They meet and understand that she ultimately loves Sanjay intimately.

[mudandmist · Rating 5 out of 5]

मन्नू भंडारी की लिखाई अत्यंत सरल, सहज भाषा में हैं। उनकी रचनाएं, यथार्थ जीवन को बहुत खूबसूरती से बयान करतीं हैं। न औरतों को किसी तख्त पर बैठातीं हैं, न ही ज़मीन की धूल चटातीं है। मर्दाना पात्रों को भी, जैसे अंग्रेजी में कहते है, फीमेल गेज़ से दर्शाया है। हर पात्र, हर कहानी, आपके आस पास रहने वाले लोगों में घुल मिल सकते हैं। चाहे बात सज़ा की हो, या एक औरत की मन को दुविधा, यह किताब, आपके मन में छोटी छोटी घटनाओं के छाप छोड़ जाएगी। अहसास कराती है की अगर पैनी नज़र से देखा जाए, तो जीवन की हर घटना एक कहानी है और हम किरदारों को कुछ न कुछ सीखा सकती है, अगर हम में आत्म निरक्षण करने का साहस हो।

उनकी लिखाई में एक और सुंदर चीज़ मालूम पड़ती है। शब्दों के बीच में से कहानी, भाव बयान करना। उन्हें पढ़नेवालों पर भरोसा है, श्रेय दिया है, की वे न बोली बात-जस्बात भी समझ जाएंगे। विचार ठोक के पाठकों में बिठाना ज़रूरी नहीं। कहानी को अलग अलग, अपने नज़रिए से भी देखा जा सकता है। यही तो कहानियों को दिलचस्प बनाता है।

कई दिनों बाद इतने ताज़ा खयाल पढ़ने का अवसर मिला है। दुख केवल इस बात का है की किताब खत्म हो गई। मगर यह भी तो जीवन का सत्य है। हर एक चीज़, कभी न कभी खत्म तो होनी ही है।

आप भी ज़रूर पढ़ें।

[Sheandherkindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

यह किताब मन्नू भंडारी के द्वारा लिखी गई आठ लघु कहानियों का संग्रह है । मुझे लघु कहानियां पढ़ना काफी पसंद है और ये किताब असल मायने में बिल्कुल पढ़े जाने के योग्य है ।
हालांकि मुझे कुछ शब्दों के अर्थ को समझने में कठिनाई आई थी लेकिन आखिर गूगल इन्हीं सब चीज़ों के लिए तो है ।

इन कहानियों में से मुझे " नकली हीरे " , "रानी माँ का चबूतरा " , "यही सच है" , "तीसरा आदमी" और "नशा" काफी पसंद आई ।
"यही सच है" कहानी पर तो "रजनीगंधा" नाम से एक हिंदी सिनेमा भी बन चुकी है ।

ये समस्त कहानियां आपको जीवन में आने वाली अनेक परेशानियों से रूबरू करवाती है ।
जहां " नकली हीरे" में हम दो बहनों से मिलते है और हमें असल संपत्ति क्या होती है ये समझ आता है , वही " रानी माँ के चबूतरे" में हम गुलाबी से मि���ते है जो बिल्कुल नारियल की तरह बाहर से कठोर और अंदर से नर्म है , इस कहानी में हम समझ पाते है कि माँ से बड़ी योद्धा इस धरती पर कोई और नहीं हो सकती ।
"यही सच है " में हम दीपा के आंतरिक उथलपुथल को समझ पाते है जिसमें वो अपने लिए एक जीवनसाथी चुनने में काफी परेशान है ।
"तीसरा आदमी" में हम दाम्पत्य जीवन में आने वाली गलतफहमी को समझते है और " नशा" कहानी हमें मिलाती है आनंदी और शंकर से जहाँ शंकर को नशे की लत है , आनंदी एक तरफ जहां शंकर से काफी परेशान है वही दूसरी तरफ उसकी फिक्र करना भी नहीं छोड़ सकती , औरत आखिर यही तो होती है ।

भले ही ये कहानियाँ काफी पहले लिखी गई है लेकिन इनका पर्याय अभी भी सटीक बैठता है।
ये मेरी मन्नू भंडारी जी के द्वारा लिखी गई पहली किताब है , पर मैने "आपका बंटी " किताब भी मंगाया है जिसे जल्द ही पढूंगी।

आप यदि हिंदी किताबों में रुचि रखते हैं तो ये किताब आपको जरूर पढ़नी चाहिए ।

[Aakriti Ananya · Rating 5 out of 5]

मनु भंडारी की किताब "यही सच है " कहानियों की ऐसी संग्रह है जो वाकई में पाठक को हर कहानी के उपरांत आगे बढ़ने से रोकती, जी इसलिए नहीं कि भाषा वगैरह इतनी कठिन है बल्कि बस इसलिए कि कहानियां इतनी जिंदा दिल है कि आप हर कहानी के पश्चात कुछ देर यूं ही उसपर बैठाना चाहोगे, बिना कुछ चर्चा परिचर्चा किए बिना कुछ किए, बस कुछ देर कहानी पर बैठना......

हैं न, कुछ विचित्र सी बात, क्या करूं, बिल्कुल ऐसे ही बैठी हूं मैं हर एक कहानी पर, इनमें से मेरी प्रिय रही है "तीसरा आदमी" जिसने मेरे सही और गलत के बीच एक "ठीक" शब्द को भी जोड़ा। मानवीय अंतर्द्वंद्व की वह कहानी है ये जो बिल्कुल ही मुझे आज कल होने वाली घटनाओं का पदार्पण कराती है। ये एक ऐसे शादी शुदा जोड़े की कहानी है जो सबकुछ ठीक ठीक होने के बावजूद रिश्ते में संदेह को उपजते देखते हैं। हालांकि किसी की गलती है या नहीं है, ये तो बाद की बात है, लेकिन मैं लेखक के कलम की तारीफ करूंगी जिसने अंतर्मन के द्वंद्वों को समझकर उसका ब्यौरा दिया। कैसे एक छोटी से अनकही बात और बिल्कुल बेजान लगने वाली हरकत नासूर बन कर रिश्तों पर ग्रहण लगा सकती है। और फिर इस बेईमान मन का क्या है, उसका तो कम ही है खिचड़ी पकाना!

आप भी पढ़िए क्योंकि बिल्कुल ही भावमय कहानियां है!

[Swapnil Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mental conflicts when Deepa comes across her first love and the scuffle to accept the reality between Deepa's version 1 and version 2 is very well explained. Overall a good book and something almost each one of us can relate to!!!!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

two perspectives...

[Binge reading stories · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kya sach hai aur fasana yahi to zindagi hai.

[Kartikey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love isn’t always about being together. Sometimes it’s about knowing when to walk away before you lose yourself. ‘Yahi sach hai’ isn’t just a title , it’s an uncomfortable truth. Brutal. Beautiful.

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

liked it, book is written from a female point of view, how she deals with dilemma in love

[Fatima Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

“जितनी द्रुतगति से टैक्सी चली जा रही है, मुझे लगता है, उतनी ही द्रुतगति से मैं भी बही जा रही हूँ, अनुचित, अवांछित दिशाओं की ओर।”

Brilliant writing by mannu bhandari as always. This story is listed in my master’s degree. And I could wright a brilliant review that how this depicts the dilemma of a young independent liberal women in modern indian society and how it focuses on women’s wishes and wants, and I would write it. In exam hall. On my answer sheet.
But let’s get real- I wanted to jump into the scene and slap deepa “the confused delusional spineless b*” so hard😭
But frustration aside- this story was originally published in 2004, and at that time writing a liberating female character. in hindi. in Indian society ; is SUCH A COMMENDABLE ACT👏👏

[Rashi Sinha]

It is a compilation of some short stories written beautifully by mannu bhandari. Just lifts up your mood.Just give it a read

[Aditya Mandhane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, subtle, engaging. There is no simpler or more effective way of telling a story of a lady torn in love.

[Ramlal Nigwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone wants to read this