FRIENDSHIP

FICTION-MY FRIEND We were friends and class mates, till he dropped out after the fourth standard. I continued and graduated. Some how, I did not relish my studies and soon set up my own business. Though I occasionally wrote to him, he never replied. Through mutual friends, I learned that he is settled in some village, not far from Pune. My business was not running smoothly and I even toyed with the idea of winding it up and returning to India. I have vague memories of my mother, who died after my younger sister, some two years junior to me. I was attached to my elder sister, whom I accepted as my mother, in all respects. Whenever I visited India, I go to her house even before going home to see my father and younger sister. This time I got my friend’s address and went to Pune. First.I left my baggage in the hotel and changed over to native dress. After a strenuous journey, I located the house It was a mud hut with grass for roof. A fair woman in simple blouse and skirt came out and enquired: whom do you want to see? Is Ramu at home? I am his friend. He is in the field. You sit here; I will call him. By the way, what is your name/ Behal. Suddenly she beamed and almost ran with enthusiasm. Apparently Ramu has told everything about me, from the day we were backbenchers at Nashik municipal school. She called him, even as she ran. A man, mud allover his body, turned towards us. He stopped ploughing and called out my name. He told us to wait I enquired: he never told me about his marriage. How can he? He has no phone? What is your name? How many issues have you? She began to talk. We have a son and daughter. As there is no school, we send them to a neighbour, who knows some English. We have only a few acres of land. We do all work ourselves; we have been working all along, even before we bought this. We have some cows and hens. All products are bought by neighbours. When the sun was going down, we all returned home. We washed at the well. Water was drawn by hand from the open well. For the fields, there were tube wells, worked my motor. The food was simple chapattis.ade of wheat flour.and mixed vegetable dish, without any spices. There was only one room. We men slept on charpoys (Four pieces of bamboo fixed at right angles and supported on feet of wood. A net of cloth ribbon holds the sheet) in the open front courtyard. It was summer. We lay there, talking. Why don’t you engage workmen? Am I to idle away my time like a zamindar? At least you must have a phone. I have no need. A post card is enough for communication. Now you talk like a wise man. In the school, you were an idiot. Silence…When I looked in his face, he was fast asleep! My attention was turned to the sky. There was no moon; but myriads of stars brightened the sky. I lay awake for quite some time, before I went to sleep Early in the morning, I was awakened by the sound “tea is ready”. It was Ramu’s step-sister, dark skinned and uneducated, as explained by Ramu. Her childish enthusiasm and lithe figure, without even the suggestion of fat in her body, engaged my attention during that holiday. I requisitioned a taxi car from Pune and told all to get ready within an hour. Only Ramu excused, saying he will hire a woman for help. In the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Pune, all were happy. I bought cloths for all, not forgetting my girl. For Bhabi (brother’s sister), I bought a watch and a mobile phone, in addition to saris. I extracted a promise from Bhabi to attend my younger sister’s marriage, to attend which I had come to India. Do not forget to bring my girl, I told Bhabi. She at my beck and call during my stay there.. From Pune I flew to Bombay. MARRIAGE I gave didi a blank cheque and told her to buy all things, including gold and cloths required for the wedding. She was overjoyed. As my father was a policeman, now retired, he needed no support from me. I gave them some money whenever I came home. So my gesture impressed them very much. I added: let people know that I am really wealthy. I deputed my men for supervising all services at the reception, arrangements for stay in hotels etc. I had deputed two men to receive my friends from Pune, for whose flight, I had sent air tickets. When they came, I embraced them all, not forgetting my girl, who, in the dress presented by me, looked bright and charming. I told Ramu to remain with me all the time. You may think it odd. The fact is that I am still a bachelor, though not a virgin. I have seen many society ladies but none like your sister. Will you give her to me? Marriage must be between equals. Will you allow me to write to her? Do not give her any hope. First ask your father. In my case, it is didi. I took her to Pune, after my sister was seen off to her husband’s home. There I explained my scheme to her: We must acquire a few hundred hectares of land here. It is dirt cheap and the money will come, if I sell my business. Your daughter can learn dairy science. We can have a big dairy industry here, built on modern lines. A poultry farm, a fish pond and vegetable garden will also come. The wages are low. Demand for eatables will never cease What do you say? I then became the old boy whom she loved unreservedly. I embraced her. I asked:do you like Ramu’s sister? She remained quiet for some time. Then she looked at me and smiled. Let us ask our father. My heart sank. I knew the old man too well. He wants that she must be from the same sub-caste. Must get plenty of dowry. He looks at me as a lottery ticket. Only first prize will satisfy him. At the same time, I do not like to sow discord in the family. A woman is not everything! The presence of bhabhi brightened the atmosphere. She is able and nice to look at. I intended to groom her as my Administrator. I withdrew “my men”from the business and started preliminary work for land acquisition etc. By influence, I managed to get administrative approval for a high way to Pune. One day I approached my girl and proposed secret marriage. She told bhabhi. A local poojari did the rites. My friend and bhabhi were the witnesses. Of course, I did not forget to take video photograpahs and to register the marriage

HARTAL

BAN HARTAL It is heartening to hear that the Kerala Government is considering legislation to curtail hartals This State is notorious for hartals.. This is the only place where they observed shut down of shops , when Saddam Hussain was hanged! The matter has been discussed in TV channels and highlighted in films, showing the plight of those patients who need immediate medical attention, like heart attack or delivery of babies. It is high time something is done.

GANDHI

GANDHI LATRINE A number of people used to assemble to attend the AICC session. Gandhi suggested digging a trench. After uswing it , each one will throw the excavated mud on the excreta and cover it. On his birth day , let us remember him.

HOME COMING

SHORT STORY HOME COMING It was really a shock. My brother missing! I was in Dubai, where I was working for a multinational company, who refused to extend my visa. I was actually contemplating returning to my home in Keralam; so I hurried home by the first available flight. We have a fairly big farm in the forest near Kottayam, which was bought by my brother long ago, when I was a mere child. He is some fifteen years elder to me, and was more like a father to me. I was somewhat uneasy in his presence. We have a maid of my age. This Bhagy was my play mate and whenever I needed anything, I would tell her. She is quite mature for her years and my brother listened to her positively; I think he admired her. Our estate was one third rubber, another half rice fields and the remaining portion a cow farm. I won’t call it a dairy farm, because it was just a cow shed. My brother who loved cows, planted coconut trees in this area, where cows could graze freely and fertilise the soil. I knew nothing about the estate or its management, as I was interested only in my studies. Our mother died when I was four years old. Bhagy later told me she was suffering from cancer. As soon as I entered the estate, Jose, our senior manager, told me about it. They saw him last on the evening of Chrismus, when my brother had enjoyed a few pegs with them. He was quite sober and well when he left, carrying his torch as was his habit. The torch was found near well by the church, but there was no trace of my brother, even though the workers, numbering around fifty, searched far and wide. Bhagy started crying when she saw me. I felt embarassed as she was a vivaciou child, ready to laugh without anny cause. Now she is no more a child, looked handsome even, with her big eyes, now full of tears. I enjoyed her laugh, not this serious face. Of course, the matter is grave. She brought idli and coconut chatney, which I liked very much. I was hungry like a wolf and ate whatever she had brought. Some more?, she enquired and her old brightness reappeared. I was pleased. Jose came and tarted explaining about the affairs of the estate. I cut him short: I like to see the accounts. Jose threw up his hands. I just manage the estate, don’t know anything about accounts. My brother never went to a school. Bhagy, who had studied up to ninth standard, showed me a fat note book, recording money transactions, a cash book. When I asked about our debtors and creditors, she blinked. What are they? I dismissed both and went to my room. My brother did not like spending money on house or furniture. We had a very old mud house and nothing to sit on. Jose had managed to make an improvised bed for me, with some planks fixed on supports of bricks. For a chair, there was a small stool (that is what we call here). I noted down the items requiring immediate attention, now that the responsibility rests on my shoulders. I had brought enough money, as I was not asked to send any money home. My service for the last ten years was enough for building a terrace house and starting a real dairy farm, based on modern concept. I intended to have a fish farm as well. At night, when I was about to sleep I heard a rustling noise. Bhagy now? I called aloud, as it was quite dark. The sound was heard again. I could smell something like the sweaty body of my brother, but did not feel any fear. Bhagy slept in a far corner of the house. My brother did not marry. I dozed off. When I woke up, I saw a dark shadow, darker than the night, a denser, solidified darkness; who is it? No reply. As the shadow moved, I followed, as if hypnotised. We reached a well near the church, when I could hear the distinct sound of the shadow jumping into the well, and I lost cosciousness. I was sitting, at the same spot, surrounded by people who had come, searching for me. I COULD NOT ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. When I was alone, I told Bhagy. She listened attentively, without any comment. Suddenly, she started crying and fell on my shoulder. I patted her back and tried to console her. After some time she regained her composure, wiped her eyes and returned to her work. I noticed this change in her and wanted to help her. The next night, the shadow reappeared, stood very near to me and told me to search the well. Bhagy is carrying my child, you should adopt her as your wife: this meesage was transmitted to me, as if by a super power. When it became day, I told Bhagy everything about the well, but nothing about her pregnancy. She agreed that there is nothing wrong in searching the well. So Jose and myself, accompanied by a handful of work men, went and examined the well by inserting a rope weighed by a stone, as they were afraid to go into the well. After some time, the rope struck some stone or other hard substance. A brave fellow, after enough pegs of a strong stuff, entered the well and brought a body which began to decompose. The police was informed and they filed an FIR. IT WAS MY BROTHER. I told the police inspector, that I want a proper investigation of the case, come what may. At home, both Jose and Bhagy continued to manage the estate as before, but I started keeping the acconts of the estate, separate from the house hold expenses.In my laptop I maintained a profit and loss account, though I did not know much about these things. Bhagy rarely came to me. She was too busy, like an experienced matron. I was used to seeing her only as a carefree, boyish child, ready to pull my tails and make fun of me. In a way, I think, I didn’t like the change in her. One or two months passed. The workmen started digging the foundation of my house, for which I had engaged a qualified Civil Engineer, as I will not be able to pay atention to it, as I was busy with my estate. Bhagy came to me and told that she wants to go home. Go where? I shouted. She started crying. I was sorry. I went to her and pulled her towards me. Bhagy, do you think I will be able to manage without you? How this home came, after all these years? Where is it? She kept mum, looking the other way, avoiding my gaze. I am not well, she told, at last. Ok. Today itself we go to see the Doctor. A lady doctor, she corrected. After examintion, the doctor came out smiling; I didn’t know you are married. Congratulations! I suddenly remembered what I heard from the “ghost”, my brother. I said, thank you doctor. On our way home, Bhagy started crying. I did not stop her. I allowed her to cry and lighten her heart. She began: It was that Chrismas party. When he came, he was fully drunk. Pulled my cloths off and pinned my legs with his powerful knees…….. I stopped her, covering her mouth, with my hand. You are innocent. This child in your womb is innocent. Our love is unshakable. We will get married in a week. Only our staff will be invited. She looked at me in disbelief. How can I say what the ghost had told me ?

SHORT STORY

SHORT STORY – EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY A poor family is not welcome, especially in the village, where neighborhood is closely knit.When Suma and her husband rented a hut and came to our next door, my wife was plainly upset. I tried to console her. ‘We are quite well financially. I know you are worried that they will borrow money. Don’t bother.’ They bought a cow. Naturally, we started buying the milk. Suma’s husband was lame and so he was not very helpful in looking after the cow, the whole burden falling on the poor woman. They had a daughter studying in the college. She was not beautiful, but was well endowed with brains, always coming up first in exams. She used to seek help in her studies and I gladly assisted her. When she needed money, I actually encouraged her to borrow money from us, but my wife kept proper account of it, even though I treated it as grant-in-aid. Our son was a brilliant student aspiring to become a doctor. Whenever he came home, the two used to meet. I think my wife did not like it. The girl liked to dress well, but I did not encourage her in this. Books are more important than looks, I used to say. Once, when we went on a picnic, my son insisted that we take our neighbors with us. As we had no daughters (we are one; we need one, was her motto), I actually liked her company. If only she had better charms! Once, the lame duck had to be hospitalized and kept in ICU for days. We paid the bill, though I cursed him heartily. I think Suma’s parents had no choice, being a poorly off. Days and months passed and their debt mounted. (Stop going to the jewellor, was my response to my wife). I suggested that Suma should buy another cow. Somehow, it did not receive any response. One day, we noticed some strangers coming to see Suma. Is it not too early to think of marriage for her daughter?, I wondered. My wife differed. Daughters are to be married off as early as possible, she commented. But it was a different story, altogether. Long ago, when lame duck was a small child, his grandmother was very much concerned about his future. When her husband expired, she secretly called a lawyer and made a will, bequeething the whole property to the lame duck alone. She too passed away and none knew about it, except the lawyers. When the family wanted to sell off a part of the property, they were told about the will . Then they realized the gravity of the situation and had come to obtain the consent of lame duck, who became a millionaire overnight, as the sole owner of tens of acres of landed property. All this was told to me by my wife. Is she willing to take Suma as a future sambandhi, as they say in Hindi?

THEN AND NOW

AD 1009, THEN AND NOW Yes, more than a millennium ago. Then the whole Indian subcontinent was a conglomeration of small kingdoms. We belonged to a small one, may be the size of Delhi. It was independent, wedged between two powerful neighbors: the Samoothiripad in the North and some principality belonging to the area, now known as Thiruvithankur (Travancore). Our Cochin state was free from corruption. People were generally happy. One English writer described the India of those times as ‘thousands of villages’, each a republic governed by the village elders. None had money. Gold was used only for making ornaments. Wealth was measured in terms of paddy earned by each family (I am talking in terms known to me). The artisans made clothes, agricultural implements, gold ornaments; made tenements out of mud and hay or palm leaves (cobbler was unknown as none wore foot wear). Brass and bronze works were excellent, as also wood work. Landlords enjoyed leisure and bonded laborers did the work. The latter were fed even when there was no work. All people were known to each other. Even in my childhood, thefts were limited to coconut and plantain! There was plenty of time for any leisurely activity like literature, sports and arts. All were happy, even though epidemics took a heavy toll of men but not animals. Let us examine, item by item, how life was then and what we have achieved now. 1) Life was secure then. None was worried about his future. Mostly, traditional vocations were followed, the society being caste-ridden. How will my children live after my time? The home. People may give some gift like plantain. The belief is that if vidyaji demands compensation, he will lose his ability to diagnose and treat the illness. When the people of the West were barbarians (say B.C1000) Ayurvedic system of medicine was well developed in India. At Rajgir in Bihar, I was shown the excavated remains of a hospital where the royal families were treated. Even today Ayurveda can hold its head high in certain fields. But the sanctity of the system was violated when it was commercialized. Now, medicinal soups are bottled and preserved, rendering them sometimes ineffective. Today, medical treatment is nothing but shameless exploitation of the masses. Multi speciality hospitals cater to the rich. The poor people survive by grace of God. 50% of the medicines sold in the market are absolutely useless. (It was in the newspapers.) All medicines have side effects. Fees must be deposited in advance (pity the vidyaji). As doctors are “manufactured” in thousands, who can guarantee their quality? (Merit is ignored; caste is the basis for selection of students). Each hospital should earn profit. Or else, it will be closed down. So it must be ensured that people fall ill, as frequently as possible. As soon as a baby is born it is given ten injections, to make sure that its immunity system doesn’t develop. The bird flu was unknown then. Today also desi chickens are not affected. Artificial methods have destroyed the capacity to resist diseases. To make people fall ill, fast food culture is deliberately encouraged. To the capitalist, a patient is also a consumer. The only aim is profit. To hell with health! We want every citizen to be in the hospital so that profit can swell. 4) Education was totally free of lucre then. I was thrilled to see rows of neatly made hostel rooms at Nalanda which was just a name until Sir Alexander Cunningham traveled in the foot steps of Huen Tsang and saw small hills covered with grass and shrubs. He suggested excavation of the area which was started in 1914. Even today, a few work men may be seen digging leisurely; it may take another hundred years at this rate, to uncover the whole township. More than four hundred years B.C, it was a beacon of learning, attracting scholars from all over the East. They did not come to get a degree and campus selection for lucrative jobs. They just wanted to learn. Among them was a young man. No body knew he was a prince. He came in tattered clothes and was emaciated like a beggar, after wandering in the forest, begging for food. His name was Gautama. He spent several years in the campus, endlessly discussing the causes of pain and misery and suffering of human beings. (At Bodh Gaya, he is depicted as well fed and handsome- a real prince charming. His devotees want something pleasing to the eye). I admire him. I like to see Takshashila too! In the villages, education was the concern of guruji. There was close, personal relation- ship with Guruji and the students who stay with him. Remember the story of Krishna and Sudama who were ordered by guru patni (wife) to fetch fuel from the forest? (I am reminded of an incident I read in a memoir. An English lady accepts an assignment to teach English to the Crown Prince of Japan. She was going through some notes when she wanted the fan to be switched on. She asked the Prince and failed to understand the hesitation in her pupil’s face. Suddenly the realization came. How can anybody give orders to a Prince? Of course, the pupil obeyed.) No tuition fee. In the end, some guru dakshina (gift) is given. That is all. And today? By any stretch of imagination, can you call it education? True learning should aim at liberating the brain power from the shackles of the body, so it can soar higher and higher towards the heaven, scanning the whole universe and beyond. The questions why and how should continuously and intensely torment the inquisitive mind. Learning is tapasya. (Concentrated study). Total detachment from the worldly chores is an absolute must. In the present system, children are being hypnotized to believe that every thing written in the text book is absolutely true. The only aim is to secure maximum marks in the examination, by hook or by crook. Whether you like a subject is immaterial. Money is the supreme god. (Lakshmi is worshiped by all, everywhere. Is there a single temple of Saraswati? I think there is one in Keralam) The best brains are hijacked by capitalism and enslaved to make more and more profit. Is there any wonder that educational standards are going down every year? In Russia, when capitalism was abolished in 1917, education became free. Science was made number one priority. (Here MBA is made much of because capitalists want them to work for profit).The results are there, for all to see. From the most backward state in Europe, Russia overtook the US in space research. The first man to go up in space was a Russian. Production of electricity was taken up as the most urgent task. Heavy industry almost outpaced consumer industry. (Indian students who went to study in Moscow found soaps and blades stolen frequently).The all powerful Germans were defeated by Russians in second world war.Without heavy industry backed by S & T, this would have been impossible. After 1956, the first science city was established in Siberia. From wilderness intended for exiling undesirable characters, Siberia became a treasure of coal, minerals etc. and fully industrialised, an achievement impossible under capitalism. Science is the instrument of this of this revolution. Today here we find education being converted into a lucrative industry, in which millions are invested to reap huge profits. Government schools are for the poor- no equipments, no teachers, and no books. Order of preference of students seeking higher education is somewhat as given below: MBA IIT Medicine Info technology Commerce Economics Geology Pure science Geography Those who fail to get admission for the coveted courses, go for pure sciences. In communist Russia scientists were given maximum salary. They commanded great influence in decision making. Here in Delhi we do not have a science centre where those interested may gather together for a chitchat. Easy access to science literature is a must. Many of you may think that modern science originated in the west. This is a total misconception .Some of the things our forefathers have recorded in so many words, are stunningly dazzling. 1) That the earth is a globe 2) Earth attracts objects towards itself 3) Earth is rotating: the sun and stars are stationary 4) Shadow of the earth is cause of lunar eclipse 5) Dalton’s atomic theory 6) that the foetus in the womb recognizes sounds and starts learning mother tongue, much before it comes out of the woumb.(Abhimanyu learned strategy of warfare, while still in Uthara’s woumb, according to Mahabharatam.I first read about it in Bhagawat puran.By sheer coincidence, actual scientific confirmation was reported in the newspapers at that period some 8 years back). These are just a few instances. As all this is written in Samskrutam. People do not even know about it. It is a pity that we have to learn about such things from foreign sources. Astronomy originated in India at least 5000 years ago. In Egypt too studies in this field progressed at that time. The Malayalam calendar came into existence 1184 years ago. It is based on the movement of the Sun around the equator .The number of days of each month is calculated every year, so that we are not aware of the leap year. So, before the Malayalam era came into existence, how did they know their age? Each year was given a name. Only 60 years were given names; thereafter the names are repeated. Each one must remember the name of the month and Nakshatra (the name given to the group of stars where the Moon appears each day) and also the name of the year of birth , so that his age can be counted. (Like the week. If I am born on Wednesday my age will be the fourth day.) That is why sixtieth birthday is celebrated. The names of the years are repeated, after 60 years. Two thousand years ago, an European was unable to tell his age. Intellectually, we were far ahead. The Nalanda Vishvavidyala and library were ransacked and burnt by Muslim invaders sometime in fifteenth century. That was the end of a civilization. Knowledge got fossilized in Samskrutam texts to be explored by European Indologists. If these books were available in Hindi or Dravidian languages, history would have been different. 5) Production of food grains, cloths, agricultural implements, kitchen utensils etc. was regulated according to the needs of the village.Transportation was restricted to the bare minimum. I am not a historian. Perhaps conveyance was restricted to movement of goods.Today production is chaotic. In any society based on rational lines, the requirements will be calculated and production regulated according to the needs. In a market controlled economy, waste is inevitable. Any number of factories are producing cars. Think of the brain power used in designing. If all this is centalised (in this age it is easy) we can have the best model of cars, buses etc. Expenses on advertisement and sales can be saved. Cars will become cheap. Similarly food and other agricultural products can be produced according to requirement.There will be no shortages nor glut. Why can’t we do it? (See my article: Man is the most foolish animal in the world). 6) For sheer joy and entertainment people were engaged in cultural and sports activities. Competition was healthy and without rancour. Today, what we saw in the cricket world is the influence of money. Before future historians, we will have to hang our head in shame! Local festivals, drama , music etc were meant for healthy entertainment and people were not glued to their TV sets ! I don’t want to go back to AD 1008. At the same time, I want to change the system to be reorganized along rational lines. Are we not intelligent creatures?

MORGAN'S RUN

BOOK REVIEW-MORGAN’S RUN – A NOVEL ABOUT THE FIRST SETTLERS IN AUSTRALIA To understand this informative novel, we must know the background. All of England was the property of Lords. So poaching was common. If you fish in a stream, you will be jailed. The people produced children without any limit, but only the eldest was entitled for property. The rest either traveled to other places or lived by poaching. Jails were full. So they decided to settle the criminals in Australia, about which nothing was known, except the notes of Captain Cook. A large convoy of ships carrying soldiers, administrators and criminals started from London and reached Australia, after a number of months. The store of bred and other essential items was limited. Officers were given enough but prisoners were almost starved. Many were flogged for stealing a slice of bread. The author says that the negro slaves were at least fed properly. Who will buy a starving negro? The white prisoners died and were thrown into the sea! Our hero Morgan was a boiler mechanic. He was repairing one in a brewery, when he noticed that most of the liquor was channeled through secret pipes, to avoid excise duty. He reported the matter to the Authorities who penalized the company. The latter took vengeance. A young beautiful girl “fell in love” with Morgan who is a widower. When they had sex, the waiting “witnesses ”pounced on him and charged with immorality. Morgan was lucky because he knew how to make liquor, which was in good demand. On the way, they found oranges for the first time and there was no end to their joy! In Australia, the prisoners were made to saw wood. At Morgan’s recommendation, their ration was increased. Sundays, they were free to make their own homes. They saw strange animals like kangaroos and a bird that did not fly away, even when they touched it. They caught it and ate it. Ironically, Morgan did receive money and praise for bringing to light illegal production of alcohol! Such novels help us to know history which is otherwise forgotten after examinations.