This is based on a true story. Though some facts have been changed, the spirit of the story has been maintained.

Ganga was short and thin, but she had an iron will. She was left penniless when her husband passed away suddenly. With two small children, it was difficult to make ends meet. Though her husband's well-to-do sister offered to look after them, Ganga did not want to be beholden to anybody. She decided to leave her village and go to the town in search of work. Since she had only rudimentary education, the only work she could do was housework. She was a Brahmin, hence did not like to do any menial work. She had only one option - to be a cook.

When she arrived in the town, she went to a family of her own community and caste. It was her sister-in-law's recommendation that took her there. She was welcomed at that house, where she was offered a small salary besides board and lodging for her and her kids also. Her daughter was only one year old and her son about three or four.

After one year, she decided to rent a small hut as she wanted to admit her son in a nearby government school. Till her daughter Malini was old enough to be admitted to school, she used to take her along while going to cook. She would return home in the evening after finishing her cooking chores. Ganga earned some extra money like grinding spices, preparing sweets and savouries for others.

Years rolled by. Ganga's son Somu had become a teenager. Malini was also going to school with her brother. Though Somu had been an obedient son, he had of late become rather rebellious and neglected his studies. One day, tragedy struck. Somu was playing with his friends, lighting firecrackers, when suddenly some crackers burst in his face. Crying with pain, he was taken to the hospital as his face was badly burnt. He was successfully treated for burns, but one of his eyes was damaged. The grief-stricken mother shed tears silently whenever she saw her son. Somu started wearing dark glasses to hide his left eye, which had become sightless. After the accident, he grew rather silent and grave. He became more studious and started doing odd jobs to help his mother. He could not bear to see his mother's woebegone face. He knew that her greatest ambition was to make him and his sister well educated, so that they would be able to face the world on their own. He passed his matriculation exam in the first class and first from his school, and was rewarded with Ganga's beaming face.

With the scholarship that Somu got for further education, he was able, in course of time, to do his post graduation, as usual topping his college. He was appointed as a lecturer in a private college. His sister, Malini, meanwhile was doing her degree course. She had grown up into a pretty and well-behaved girl.

Somu's friends and colleagues used to visit him, as now Ganga could afford to rent a decent house. One of his colleagues, who was a regular visitor, liked Malini and expressed his desire to marry her. His parents had no objections and approved of Malini. Ganga was delighted as Somu's friend belonged to their caste and was well off. She was worried about the dowry, but that was waived as Malini's beauty and good character was all that mattered to her prospective in-laws. The wedding took place soon after Malini's final exams were over.

Now Ganga had only one wish - to see her Somu married - but he refused to oblige as he was conscious of his handicap, being one-eyed.

Thinking it over, Ganga once told Somu, "Promise me one thing - when I'm dead, you should donate my eyes to the eye bank. You can regain the eyesight in your damaged left eye. The other can help some other needy person. Don't refuse, my son."

Somu was over whelmed with emotion and could not refuse her plea. What a brave and loving mother! Who would not be proud to have a mother like her!

The years of hard work, scrimping and saving had taken their toll and Ganga was taken ill suddenly. She was admitted to the hospital as she was suffering from high blood pressure. She was gone within two days after lying in a coma.

As per her wish, Somu contacted the eye bank authorities. His mother's last wish was fulfilled. He regained sight in his left eye. Such was the saga of the iron-willed Ganga, who till her last breath, had only the welfare of her children at heart.