An empty lap Mangala’s son would be on the cusp of adulthood had he not drowned seventeen years ago in a pond near the family home in a village in West Bengal. She recalls how the day he died had started out like most others. Her husband, brother-in-law and father-in-law had left the house as the sun was rising, off to farm the land they rented nearby. Her mother-in-law stayed at home to help care for Mangala’s two young sons while she started cooking for the family. While Mangala was finishing the curry her mother-in-law headed outside to greet a passing salesman. Unbeknownst to her, her young grandson had followed her. When she stepped back indoors, alone, Mangala called for her son. When he did not respond, they started looking in earnest. The search proved fruitless. “I looked everywhere, in every corner of the house, but I didn’t find him. Then I shouted, asking neighbours where my child was. No one had seen him.By: MangalaMother who