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Love's Labour Gained

Shailaja loves Ningegowda, Ningegowda loves Shailaja. They want to marry each other.

But Ningegowda's uncle doesn't like the idea of his nephew marrying 'that' Shailaja. He puts his foot down and roars out the statement that is often used in such situations:

"Over my dead body!"

Ningegowda is sad, Shailaja is sadder. She thinks hard and strikes upon a plan of action.

Strike. Hunger strike.

Unto death, or unto the uncle gives in. Whichever is first.

Shailaja starts immediately, right in front of her Romeo's house, in their little Karnataka village, Channappanadoddi. She is amply supported by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (a farmers' body which dabbles in politics and attacks MNCs like Cargill and KFC) and a few women's organisations.

But the uncle sticks to his stand. Nothing doing.

Soon the matter is raised in the assembly, which sits up and takes good notice. Irrigiation Minister Nagegowda volunteers to set matters right. Accordingly, he discusses the matter with the families concerned.

Whereupon, probably due to the ministerial presence, the said uncle's opposition melts...

Now everything is all right, our modern-day Romeo and Juliet will be married shortly!