A SAMPLE ESSAY ON VRENIKA PATHER'S "NINEMA

Godwin Siundu (Ed), A Silent Song and Other Stories

"Ninema is a paragon of dignity." With reference to Vrenika Pather's story 'Ninema', write an essay to support this statement. 

In Vrenika Pather's story 'Ninema', the character Ninema Ninema successfully comes out as a perfect example of a virtuous woman.

Firstly, Ninema is stoic and resilient. She reaps the herbs from her garden as she is a market gardener and she has green fingers as a testament to the fact that she is successful at market gardening. She earns her living by selling the produce at the Indian market. Life is tough and when Ninema is expect to bow to the tough life, she toughens up as she is not resigned to her lot in life. Everyone knows that Ninema is facing her challenges and winning. 

Secondly, Ninema relies on her own hard work for survival. Despite her physical beauty, she does not take advantage of this to earn a living. She makes heads turn when she walks, her hips sway from side to side as she moves her body in rhythm to balance the basket on her head. Her thin, chiffon sari drapes effortlessly  around her perfect body, as if kept in place by her high firm breasts. Long tone arms and a cinched waist cause men to stop and stare. When Ninema eyes them, they turn away in embarrassment. She fails to let this attention get to her head and her focus is on earning a living.

Thirdly, Ninema treats all her customers equally and fairly without fear of favour. Chinran is a very important customer who supported Ninema when she opened her stall. The ladies tease her that Chinran is in love with her. Although Ninema smiles what she calls their silliness away, and argues that such a relationship is unthinkable, Chinran has the mere sight of Ninema make his day. Ninema, notwithstanding Chinran belonging Brahmin caste, Ninema does not encourage his infatuation with her. She treats him as she does all her loyal customers; with respect and appreciation. 

Fourthly, Ninema is amiable and goes beyond an ordinary client-customer engagement to develop interest in her customers. At lunch time, the stall is always busy as she has a steady flow of customers. Her herbs are diminishing fast and the business is flourishing.  Although the stall is busy, Ninema personally takes an interest in each of the customers.  She knows who moved into their new home and where they bought it. She knows whose son is studying to be a doctor far away in India and whose daughter just got married. 

In conclusion, Ninema stoicism, resilience, being principled coupled with her amiable nature places her as an embodiment of a woman leading a dignified life.