A beautiful sound when you say Amma, Mother or Mom. These are not just words. Most exalted feeling that reverberates throughout your body when you utter Amma or Mother or Mom. The sound touches the softest cord in your mind, heart or soul.
Whoever floated the idea of Mother’s Day? The origin lies in the period of Lent observed by the Christians. The fourth Sunday in Lent is observed as “Mothering Sunday”. The day May 11 had come and gone this year 2008. Oblivious to what was happening around, abruptly woke up to see my son and daughter-in-law giving a small gift for the occasion. A nice gesture indeed. It was joy to see the smiling face of Padma, my wife.
Me was not asleep and me was not awake either. The atmosphere in the room was calm. But, an ethereal feeling was enveloping my soul and body. The thinking symptom got stagnated. There was a gurgling sound of something percolating within me. From nowhere someone said “Ranga, take it easy”. From a blur to clear vision, my mother’s face appeared with a smile. That was a smile that could get me through the toughest times of the life.
Television was not there in those days. Only odd homes had the radio. For the males the only recreation was procreation. With the fearsomely low income my father made my mother to be delivered of eight children with just two years gap between the each. Today while thinking about it, me feel an excruciating pain in the soul.
My mother suffered a lot at the hands of her brother, who denied her the property rights, and at the hands of her husband. She suffered silently. By the time we grew up, she became a hysteria patient.
She stayed with me for a month. With the love and affection showered upon her by my wife and children, she became normal and started enjoying the freedom of life. But, it was not to be for a long time. Since she became normal, my eldest brother took her back to his home. She did not want to go and said “Ranga, keep me here”. Me said to her “Amma, you will come back here shortly”. My wife and daughter wept. My son stood dumbfounded. Me simply stared.
She again suffered in my brother’s home and breathed her last in a pitiable condition. Me could not fulfill the promise. The agony still persists in my mind.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
KALEIDOSCOPE
As per Oxford dictionary the kaleidoscope is a toy tube containing mirrors and colored fragments reflected to produce changing patterns. In this episode you will find me narrating one of my various childhood activities.
Probably it was sixth standard me studying and kaleidoscope came to occupy my fancy. The urge to create and show it to others occupied my all waking hours. It has to be done. How could it be done? My brothers derided me and the friends made fun out of me. The ability to create has to be proved. It is a challenge. Taken up it seriously.
Mom was watching from the sidelines fearfully lest me may ask for some money. We were not economically well off and she has to guard every “Anna” (erstwhile Indian currency coin). It happened. “Mom, can you give me two annas? (in the present day context it is 12 paise Indian currency coin). Smiling with some difficulty she said “Okay, take two annas and nothing more”. Today when me think of my Mom, tears well up in the eyes.
Moore Market used to exist by the side of the present day Chennai (Madras) Central Railway Station. This was named after some Englishman famous for something in those days. This was demolished for the expansion of the Chennai (Madras) Central Railway Station. This may not exist now.
It is about six miles (roughly 12 kilometers) to the Moore Market from my home. Me walked the distance in the scorching of the summer, wearing an half-pant and half-sleeved shirt, holding the two annas safely. Scoured the market. Bought two pieces of glass – one is a mirror and the other is a plain glass each of one inch diameter. The plastic magnifying lens came into the bargain. My cousin broke her bangles and gave them to me (very sweet of her).
Tore off the cover of an old full scale note book. Made a tube of it. With the home made paste fixed the mirror first. Then the broken bangle pieces went in. The plain glass was fitted to hold the bangle pieces in place. On the top fixed the plastic magnifying lens. Hurray! the Kaleidoscope created for everyone to see.
Mom saw it first. She felt very happy and gave a kiss which was very rare. My cousin got the peek for her contribution. She looked at me in such a way which today I realize an expression of love.
Those who derided me and made fun of me had to eat the humble pie. Me showed this kaleidoscope to the Science Teacher. He gave me extra five marks in the science subject.
Probably it was sixth standard me studying and kaleidoscope came to occupy my fancy. The urge to create and show it to others occupied my all waking hours. It has to be done. How could it be done? My brothers derided me and the friends made fun out of me. The ability to create has to be proved. It is a challenge. Taken up it seriously.
Mom was watching from the sidelines fearfully lest me may ask for some money. We were not economically well off and she has to guard every “Anna” (erstwhile Indian currency coin). It happened. “Mom, can you give me two annas? (in the present day context it is 12 paise Indian currency coin). Smiling with some difficulty she said “Okay, take two annas and nothing more”. Today when me think of my Mom, tears well up in the eyes.
Moore Market used to exist by the side of the present day Chennai (Madras) Central Railway Station. This was named after some Englishman famous for something in those days. This was demolished for the expansion of the Chennai (Madras) Central Railway Station. This may not exist now.
It is about six miles (roughly 12 kilometers) to the Moore Market from my home. Me walked the distance in the scorching of the summer, wearing an half-pant and half-sleeved shirt, holding the two annas safely. Scoured the market. Bought two pieces of glass – one is a mirror and the other is a plain glass each of one inch diameter. The plastic magnifying lens came into the bargain. My cousin broke her bangles and gave them to me (very sweet of her).
Tore off the cover of an old full scale note book. Made a tube of it. With the home made paste fixed the mirror first. Then the broken bangle pieces went in. The plain glass was fitted to hold the bangle pieces in place. On the top fixed the plastic magnifying lens. Hurray! the Kaleidoscope created for everyone to see.
Mom saw it first. She felt very happy and gave a kiss which was very rare. My cousin got the peek for her contribution. She looked at me in such a way which today I realize an expression of love.
Those who derided me and made fun of me had to eat the humble pie. Me showed this kaleidoscope to the Science Teacher. He gave me extra five marks in the science subject.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - 3 - BIAS
Long long ago so long ago there was a saying that the Sun never sets in the British Empire. There was a competition between the Britain and the France to occupy territories in the African and Asian continents. While the French could give a good fight in the Africa, it lost to the Britain in the Asia. The Britain, the France and the Spanish competed with each other in the Americas. Later on they became dependent upon the United States of America. Sixty-six years back the Sun had set down in the British Empire. The British Empire became the Britain or the United Kingdom.
The bias is a diagonal of cross threads in a woven fabric. The bias is to influence either in favour or against someone. The Bangalore is the fabric. The diagonals are those who moved into the Bangalore because of the IT and ITES industry. There are other industries too. The Devil’s Advocate’s attention is riveted to the IT and ITES industry.
The western countries preached the mantra of Global Economy. They vociferously demanded the developing countries to open up the trade. The diametrically opposite happened. They found that their industries are losing money. Without looking into the sensitivity of loss jobs, they looked at the sense of outsourcing their jobs to India. The pink color denotes love and affection. Sadly, the IT and ITES workers in the western countries got the pink slips i.e. they lost their jobs to India.
There is a bias. The IT and ITES workers in the western countries are biased against India because of the outsourcing. The western countries’ industries became biased in favor of India because of the cost economics. They have to show profits to their shareholders.
Within the Indian context there is a bias. The bias of gender. The bias of language. The bias of the region. The north Indians who moved to the Bangalore make every effort to brow beat the south Indians. Among the north Indians, Punjabi and Hindi belts compete with each other. The people from the Bihar bear the brunt. Among the south Indians, there is a contest between Andhras, Tamils and Keralites. Andhra people try to undermine the Tamils. Keralites are suave and subtle in whatever they do against anyone. Some of the Tamils cannot just tolerate the sight of the Kannada people.
The higher-ups in the industry talk about the cohesion and cooperation amongst their work force. This is a white lie. There is no cohesion. There is only BIAS. Instead of living in the ivory tower, they should prevent the coal being carried to the castle. To them it is a “wake up call”. Awake and look around. Set your house in order.
The bias is a diagonal of cross threads in a woven fabric. The bias is to influence either in favour or against someone. The Bangalore is the fabric. The diagonals are those who moved into the Bangalore because of the IT and ITES industry. There are other industries too. The Devil’s Advocate’s attention is riveted to the IT and ITES industry.
The western countries preached the mantra of Global Economy. They vociferously demanded the developing countries to open up the trade. The diametrically opposite happened. They found that their industries are losing money. Without looking into the sensitivity of loss jobs, they looked at the sense of outsourcing their jobs to India. The pink color denotes love and affection. Sadly, the IT and ITES workers in the western countries got the pink slips i.e. they lost their jobs to India.
There is a bias. The IT and ITES workers in the western countries are biased against India because of the outsourcing. The western countries’ industries became biased in favor of India because of the cost economics. They have to show profits to their shareholders.
Within the Indian context there is a bias. The bias of gender. The bias of language. The bias of the region. The north Indians who moved to the Bangalore make every effort to brow beat the south Indians. Among the north Indians, Punjabi and Hindi belts compete with each other. The people from the Bihar bear the brunt. Among the south Indians, there is a contest between Andhras, Tamils and Keralites. Andhra people try to undermine the Tamils. Keralites are suave and subtle in whatever they do against anyone. Some of the Tamils cannot just tolerate the sight of the Kannada people.
The higher-ups in the industry talk about the cohesion and cooperation amongst their work force. This is a white lie. There is no cohesion. There is only BIAS. Instead of living in the ivory tower, they should prevent the coal being carried to the castle. To them it is a “wake up call”. Awake and look around. Set your house in order.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE 2 - CYBERCAFE VENTURE
THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE – 2
CYBERCAFE VENTURE
After the rains one can find the mushrooms sprouting up in the dense jungles and in the parks where the sun’s rays do not permeate to the ground. One can find them in the house gardens too. There is an abundance of parks in Bangalore.
Like the mushrooms, the cybercafes have mushroomed all around the Bangalore. In a shop area of 10 ft x 12 ft one can find at least seven cubicles with the desk tops. One cannot move the elbows to organize the keyboards or the mouse. One cannot sit comfortably to operate the inter-net. They charge you by the hour. Some of them do have monthly subscription rates too. Is it a world wide web or Bangalore wide web? Like a spider they have woven their web around the Bangalore. There is a need for them.
Since he can speak English and Hindi too, this time Mr. Nagaraj accompanied me for my run around the circles of the Bangalore. There are a number of circles around the Bangalore e.g. Majestic Circle, Hudson Circle, etc. In these cybercafes one can find the people of African origin, Westerners, the people from the NEFA (north east frontier area of India) i.e. Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and the Assam. No doubt, apart from the people from other parts of India, there are the locals too.
The people working in the IT and ITES industry are not allowed to access their personal mails in their work place. So, they troop down to the cybercafes in their spare time. Indians were severely cautious to talk to. They give a furtive look and question you thoroughly. Well, some pep talk and some cajoling helped them to loosen down. The scenario is that one cannot count on his/her colleague as a friend. So, also one cannot be called a foe. This is the truth from the top management level to the junior most employee. If one wins a laurel or a certificate of appreciation, then there is always someone to pull the rug under you. If one gets a small gift cash voucher, then the situation becomes diabolical to handle. In the work place if the decibel of your voice goes up a little, then someone will be breathing behind down neck. The fear and the fright grip that person like a tentacle.
The people of the African origin straightaway refuse to talk. They simply say “go away man, go!”. They would not even talk about the country of their origin. They live in groups and move as such. There is something surreptitious about them.
The westerners adopt the British etiquette. They palm of niceties and brush you away. They would not even say whether they are from the Eastern Europe or the Western or the USA. Even after producing the identity cards or business cards, the westerners would not open up. It appears they are afflicted and pull into their shells like a turtle. Are they also affected by the fear and fright?
CYBERCAFE VENTURE
After the rains one can find the mushrooms sprouting up in the dense jungles and in the parks where the sun’s rays do not permeate to the ground. One can find them in the house gardens too. There is an abundance of parks in Bangalore.
Like the mushrooms, the cybercafes have mushroomed all around the Bangalore. In a shop area of 10 ft x 12 ft one can find at least seven cubicles with the desk tops. One cannot move the elbows to organize the keyboards or the mouse. One cannot sit comfortably to operate the inter-net. They charge you by the hour. Some of them do have monthly subscription rates too. Is it a world wide web or Bangalore wide web? Like a spider they have woven their web around the Bangalore. There is a need for them.
Since he can speak English and Hindi too, this time Mr. Nagaraj accompanied me for my run around the circles of the Bangalore. There are a number of circles around the Bangalore e.g. Majestic Circle, Hudson Circle, etc. In these cybercafes one can find the people of African origin, Westerners, the people from the NEFA (north east frontier area of India) i.e. Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and the Assam. No doubt, apart from the people from other parts of India, there are the locals too.
The people working in the IT and ITES industry are not allowed to access their personal mails in their work place. So, they troop down to the cybercafes in their spare time. Indians were severely cautious to talk to. They give a furtive look and question you thoroughly. Well, some pep talk and some cajoling helped them to loosen down. The scenario is that one cannot count on his/her colleague as a friend. So, also one cannot be called a foe. This is the truth from the top management level to the junior most employee. If one wins a laurel or a certificate of appreciation, then there is always someone to pull the rug under you. If one gets a small gift cash voucher, then the situation becomes diabolical to handle. In the work place if the decibel of your voice goes up a little, then someone will be breathing behind down neck. The fear and the fright grip that person like a tentacle.
The people of the African origin straightaway refuse to talk. They simply say “go away man, go!”. They would not even talk about the country of their origin. They live in groups and move as such. There is something surreptitious about them.
The westerners adopt the British etiquette. They palm of niceties and brush you away. They would not even say whether they are from the Eastern Europe or the Western or the USA. Even after producing the identity cards or business cards, the westerners would not open up. It appears they are afflicted and pull into their shells like a turtle. Are they also affected by the fear and fright?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Devil's Advocate
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
An half-a-century back when the faithful petition the Church for granting Sainthood for a person, then the Church appoints a Priest to discredit and debunk the claims of miracles attributed to that person. This Priest is called the “Devil’s Advocate”. In the case of Mother Teresa, the Vatican has done away with this principle. Mr. Morris West wrote a fiction a few decades back with this title. With the no avenue available to contact him and seek his permission to use his title, the title is being used with the hope he would forgive me.
From Delhi came to Bangalore for a hunt. Got trapped for want of train passage to Delhi. Having been forced to stay back, me thought why not utilize the time as a Devil’s Advocate. Then the IT industry came to my mind.
Most of the Development Centres and Delivery Centres of the IT industry, who are depending upon solely on Outsourcing, are located in Bangalore.. With the help of Mr Nagaraj and Mr Bheeme Gowda (they operate autorickshaws), a few visits to quite a few biggies were made. Then there were the cybercafes. Both of them were briefed about the concept and ideas of the Devil’s Advocate. They were so happy and willingly shared a lot of information with me. The enormous amount of information with them thrilled me. Both of them acted as my emissaries in my adventure.
Tall claims, the biggies make. Consistent high percentage of marks from the 10th standard onwards. Equal opportunity employer. Employees first. No limits for meritorious candidates. The salary is not a constraint. They fail to say that the westerners have the right to removal of an employee. The under educated and uninformed westerners call the shots. With the loss of jobs to outsourcing, they have found a new way to tease and terrorize. The Chinese are known for politeness and etiquette. However, the new breed of Chinese who migrated to the America are an arrogant lot. Their objective is to dislodge outsourcing to India. Now the under-educated Chinese have started calling the shots. They brand themselves more American than the Americans.
Initially it was very difficult to seek the employees coming out of these shops. Freight and fear were written large in their faces. Losing of the jobs prevented them. Here, Nagaraj and Bheeme Gowda became the soothsayers. They mellowed the guys and the girls. Then came the torrent of information. Much of them cannot be written for the fear of identification. The crux is that the Team Leaders and the Managers are scarred of the westerners. Even if it is wrong, whatever the westerners say is correct and the junior employee is wrong. If one is not a favorite of the TL or the Manager, then that person becomes the scapegoat. The TL or the Manager do not have the guts to tell the westerners that he or she is wrong. The jolly good thing is that the TL or the Manager does not have the sufficient knowledge and they are dependent upon the “primary’s” knoledge and expertise. The “primary” is likely to lose the job.
An half-a-century back when the faithful petition the Church for granting Sainthood for a person, then the Church appoints a Priest to discredit and debunk the claims of miracles attributed to that person. This Priest is called the “Devil’s Advocate”. In the case of Mother Teresa, the Vatican has done away with this principle. Mr. Morris West wrote a fiction a few decades back with this title. With the no avenue available to contact him and seek his permission to use his title, the title is being used with the hope he would forgive me.
From Delhi came to Bangalore for a hunt. Got trapped for want of train passage to Delhi. Having been forced to stay back, me thought why not utilize the time as a Devil’s Advocate. Then the IT industry came to my mind.
Most of the Development Centres and Delivery Centres of the IT industry, who are depending upon solely on Outsourcing, are located in Bangalore.. With the help of Mr Nagaraj and Mr Bheeme Gowda (they operate autorickshaws), a few visits to quite a few biggies were made. Then there were the cybercafes. Both of them were briefed about the concept and ideas of the Devil’s Advocate. They were so happy and willingly shared a lot of information with me. The enormous amount of information with them thrilled me. Both of them acted as my emissaries in my adventure.
Tall claims, the biggies make. Consistent high percentage of marks from the 10th standard onwards. Equal opportunity employer. Employees first. No limits for meritorious candidates. The salary is not a constraint. They fail to say that the westerners have the right to removal of an employee. The under educated and uninformed westerners call the shots. With the loss of jobs to outsourcing, they have found a new way to tease and terrorize. The Chinese are known for politeness and etiquette. However, the new breed of Chinese who migrated to the America are an arrogant lot. Their objective is to dislodge outsourcing to India. Now the under-educated Chinese have started calling the shots. They brand themselves more American than the Americans.
Initially it was very difficult to seek the employees coming out of these shops. Freight and fear were written large in their faces. Losing of the jobs prevented them. Here, Nagaraj and Bheeme Gowda became the soothsayers. They mellowed the guys and the girls. Then came the torrent of information. Much of them cannot be written for the fear of identification. The crux is that the Team Leaders and the Managers are scarred of the westerners. Even if it is wrong, whatever the westerners say is correct and the junior employee is wrong. If one is not a favorite of the TL or the Manager, then that person becomes the scapegoat. The TL or the Manager do not have the guts to tell the westerners that he or she is wrong. The jolly good thing is that the TL or the Manager does not have the sufficient knowledge and they are dependent upon the “primary’s” knoledge and expertise. The “primary” is likely to lose the job.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
GOVARDHAN
With the firm belief and an ardent prayer, me started the blog “Ranga Ruminates”. My blog would not be in a sequence. There would be forward and reverse drives, as me ruminates over the various events.
Govardhan comes in the forward drive to the year 2006. Me was worried about my daughter’s marriage and a stable employment for her. Perhaps the strife and struggle that went through my left were following her too.
For a hot cup of filter coffee, Mr Bhan Singh dropped into our home. Occasionally Bhan Singh confers this honour on us. Bhan Singh’s forefathers belong to Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Bhan Singh was born and brought up in Chennai and he represents the third or fourth generation. Tamil has become his mother tongue.
“What is it worrying you? Why don’t you go to Govardhan for a parikrama? (perambulaton). Your problems would be solved!” Bhan Singh was non-stop as if this is an annunciation of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Govardhan. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna was cajoling me through Bhan Singh.
A brief profile of Shri Govardhan. Govardhan is a Hindu religious pilgrim center located near Mathura, Uttar Prades, India. The perambulation (parikrama) of Govardhan and Shri Radha Khund would come around to 25 Kms from the starting point to the end. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done bare feet according to the custom and the practice. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done in the night of 14th day of waxing moon (chaturdasi or chaudas) and to be completed on the 15th day of waxing moon (Purnima or Pournami). A dip either in Shri Radha Khund or Manasa Ganga is customary. Offer obeisance in “Charan Mandir” i.e. a temple devoted to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna. Seeing is believing. One has to visit and see the lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims performing this perambulation with the devotion and dedication. Aged people and small children perform this perambulation (parikrama). The old adage says unless Lord Krishna blesses one, this parikrama (perambulation) performance may not materialize.
Well, me have decided on a date. Me started seeking the blessings of Lord Krishna and his holy consort Shri Radhan Rani during my daily prayers. Mr Bhushan Chaturvedi celebated his son’s first birthday. That was the day me was to move to Govardhan. Mr. Vijay Misra and Mr. Trilokinath Tewari were there. Govardhan was broached upon. Vijay said that he would be moving to Govardhan on that very day. Me mentioned my intention too. Tewariji said “Ranga take me also along with you”. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna gathering support for me as this would be my first trip to Govardhan. Many would call it a coincidence. For me it was the call from Lord Krishna.
Tewariji has two daughters and me one. We performed the parikrama. Tewariji’s one daughter got married. After performing the second parikrama the next month, Tewariji’s another daughter also got married. During the subsequent two months me performed the third and the fourth parikrama. For the fifth parikrama me took my daughter along. On that day it was raining. Me was wondering to proceed or not. My daughter said that it was Lord Krishna to take care of us and we should perform the parikrama. Believe it or not, there was not a drop rain when we performed the parikrama. My daughter got an offer from a MNC after this parikrama. She is well settled in her career path.
The quest for Lord Krishna’s blessings continue.
With the firm belief and an ardent prayer, me started the blog “Ranga Ruminates”. My blog would not be in a sequence. There would be forward and reverse drives, as me ruminates over the various events.
Govardhan comes in the forward drive to the year 2006. Me was worried about my daughter’s marriage and a stable employment for her. Perhaps the strife and struggle that went through my left were following her too.
For a hot cup of filter coffee, Mr Bhan Singh dropped into our home. Occasionally Bhan Singh confers this honour on us. Bhan Singh’s forefathers belong to Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Bhan Singh was born and brought up in Chennai and he represents the third or fourth generation. Tamil has become his mother tongue.
“What is it worrying you? Why don’t you go to Govardhan for a parikrama? (perambulaton). Your problems would be solved!” Bhan Singh was non-stop as if this is an annunciation of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Govardhan. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna was cajoling me through Bhan Singh.
A brief profile of Shri Govardhan. Govardhan is a Hindu religious pilgrim center located near Mathura, Uttar Prades, India. The perambulation (parikrama) of Govardhan and Shri Radha Khund would come around to 25 Kms from the starting point to the end. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done bare feet according to the custom and the practice. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done in the night of 14th day of waxing moon (chaturdasi or chaudas) and to be completed on the 15th day of waxing moon (Purnima or Pournami). A dip either in Shri Radha Khund or Manasa Ganga is customary. Offer obeisance in “Charan Mandir” i.e. a temple devoted to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna. Seeing is believing. One has to visit and see the lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims performing this perambulation with the devotion and dedication. Aged people and small children perform this perambulation (parikrama). The old adage says unless Lord Krishna blesses one, this parikrama (perambulation) performance may not materialize.
Well, me have decided on a date. Me started seeking the blessings of Lord Krishna and his holy consort Shri Radhan Rani during my daily prayers. Mr Bhushan Chaturvedi celebated his son’s first birthday. That was the day me was to move to Govardhan. Mr. Vijay Misra and Mr. Trilokinath Tewari were there. Govardhan was broached upon. Vijay said that he would be moving to Govardhan on that very day. Me mentioned my intention too. Tewariji said “Ranga take me also along with you”. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna gathering support for me as this would be my first trip to Govardhan. Many would call it a coincidence. For me it was the call from Lord Krishna.
Tewariji has two daughters and me one. We performed the parikrama. Tewariji’s one daughter got married. After performing the second parikrama the next month, Tewariji’s another daughter also got married. During the subsequent two months me performed the third and the fourth parikrama. For the fifth parikrama me took my daughter along. On that day it was raining. Me was wondering to proceed or not. My daughter said that it was Lord Krishna to take care of us and we should perform the parikrama. Believe it or not, there was not a drop rain when we performed the parikrama. My daughter got an offer from a MNC after this parikrama. She is well settled in her career path.
The quest for Lord Krishna’s blessings continue.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
SEPARATION – DESTINY
Either it was 28 or 29 Feb 1969, the grand old Grant Trunk Express from Chennai (Madras) steamed into the platform No.1 of the New Delhi Railway Station. Sechu and Sowmi were there to pick me up. Then transported down to 17A/47 WEA Karol Bagh. The winter chill was still there. Yet me took a cold water bath. Sechu took me to Grand Vaishno restaurant for a hearty meal of Roti and Vegetables. The beginning of my stay in New Delhi.
Agfa and Gevaert, the photographic and other film makers, merged all over the world and in India too. The retrenchment of employees took place. Bedridden with the typhoid and with the application of “last come-first go” principle, the axe fell on me. The Industrial Disputes Act was clear and there as no scope to fight back. Baradan took the case of his dismissal and failed.
Ruminating over the much harassed career path and not finding an alternative job so easily, me thought of changing the place of my destiny. . My other brothers were not of much help. Rucku, my sister approached Ramu, my second elder brother. He was categorical to say “let him stand on his own feet”. Gopal, my elder brother, wrote to Sechu and Sechu said come over here. The arrangements were made to move to Delhii. My sisters were not happy. My eldest brother, Appu, kept himself aloof from the discussion. No love lost between us.
The separation has to take place. Me was not bothered about my brothers and father. The pivotal point is to convince my mother. With an unhelpful husband and having undergone enormous amount of harassment at the hands of her brother and his family, my mother became a hysteria patient. The tears have dried up in her eyes. Along with her me also lost the tears.
Mother likes coffee. The coffee has to be a middle-brown one. It should not be blackish brown or whitish brown. Mother was sitting in an easy chair. Me tell my sister, Rucku, to prepare the coffee. Rucku knows my mother’s preference. The coffee came and me sat with my mother. “Mother, me moving down to Delhi for better career opportunities”. For a while it appeared the statement did not impact her. In a flicker of second everything changed. Her eyes reflected a consternation, confusion the diabolical fear of comprehension and sorrow. “Why should you go to Delhi? So what if you have lost a job. You may get one soon. I am here to take care of you. Did anyone say anything to you. Appu! did anyone say anything to Ranga? Why is he going to Delhi?” The already shrunken physique was trying shrink further. The eyes were trying to well up! Alas, there were no tears in her eyes. Or is it that a drop was trying to fall down? My eyes also tried to well up but the tears were not there. Even while writing this piece, my eyes well up. There were no tears to drop. Mother of eight kids could not accept the separation of even one in spite of her flailing health and the dependence on her other sons.
“Mother it is my decision and informed everyone. None said anything. Give me a month’s time. If no good jobs come around, me will come back to Chennai (Madras). If good opportunities come around, me will visit frequently to see you.” “Look Ranga going away itself I cannot accept. It will be if blasphemy if you come back defeated. I cannot accept this. Go, if you must. My blessings go with you. Lord Krishna will be with you.” Me could not find the strength and words to console her on the separation. Prostrating before the lotus feet of my Mother, me took leave with a heavy heart. Sisters literally wept and yet kept a stoical silence. Sister-in-law was happy.
The separation has taken place and moved down to the place of destiny.
Either it was 28 or 29 Feb 1969, the grand old Grant Trunk Express from Chennai (Madras) steamed into the platform No.1 of the New Delhi Railway Station. Sechu and Sowmi were there to pick me up. Then transported down to 17A/47 WEA Karol Bagh. The winter chill was still there. Yet me took a cold water bath. Sechu took me to Grand Vaishno restaurant for a hearty meal of Roti and Vegetables. The beginning of my stay in New Delhi.
Agfa and Gevaert, the photographic and other film makers, merged all over the world and in India too. The retrenchment of employees took place. Bedridden with the typhoid and with the application of “last come-first go” principle, the axe fell on me. The Industrial Disputes Act was clear and there as no scope to fight back. Baradan took the case of his dismissal and failed.
Ruminating over the much harassed career path and not finding an alternative job so easily, me thought of changing the place of my destiny. . My other brothers were not of much help. Rucku, my sister approached Ramu, my second elder brother. He was categorical to say “let him stand on his own feet”. Gopal, my elder brother, wrote to Sechu and Sechu said come over here. The arrangements were made to move to Delhii. My sisters were not happy. My eldest brother, Appu, kept himself aloof from the discussion. No love lost between us.
The separation has to take place. Me was not bothered about my brothers and father. The pivotal point is to convince my mother. With an unhelpful husband and having undergone enormous amount of harassment at the hands of her brother and his family, my mother became a hysteria patient. The tears have dried up in her eyes. Along with her me also lost the tears.
Mother likes coffee. The coffee has to be a middle-brown one. It should not be blackish brown or whitish brown. Mother was sitting in an easy chair. Me tell my sister, Rucku, to prepare the coffee. Rucku knows my mother’s preference. The coffee came and me sat with my mother. “Mother, me moving down to Delhi for better career opportunities”. For a while it appeared the statement did not impact her. In a flicker of second everything changed. Her eyes reflected a consternation, confusion the diabolical fear of comprehension and sorrow. “Why should you go to Delhi? So what if you have lost a job. You may get one soon. I am here to take care of you. Did anyone say anything to you. Appu! did anyone say anything to Ranga? Why is he going to Delhi?” The already shrunken physique was trying shrink further. The eyes were trying to well up! Alas, there were no tears in her eyes. Or is it that a drop was trying to fall down? My eyes also tried to well up but the tears were not there. Even while writing this piece, my eyes well up. There were no tears to drop. Mother of eight kids could not accept the separation of even one in spite of her flailing health and the dependence on her other sons.
“Mother it is my decision and informed everyone. None said anything. Give me a month’s time. If no good jobs come around, me will come back to Chennai (Madras). If good opportunities come around, me will visit frequently to see you.” “Look Ranga going away itself I cannot accept. It will be if blasphemy if you come back defeated. I cannot accept this. Go, if you must. My blessings go with you. Lord Krishna will be with you.” Me could not find the strength and words to console her on the separation. Prostrating before the lotus feet of my Mother, me took leave with a heavy heart. Sisters literally wept and yet kept a stoical silence. Sister-in-law was happy.
The separation has taken place and moved down to the place of destiny.
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