Will We Indians Get Better Food to Eat?

I often watch Food Factory episodes on National Geography or Discovery Channel along with my Dad, wife and daughter. 

Details shown right from growing of crops to processing of food and its packing always leaves us amazed and also a bit disappointed.  

Amazed for the maintenance of quality of the products and disappointed due to the fact that in spite of living in a country where food is considered to be like God and serving it is taken as next to Godliness why we people have failed to ensure such qualities for our own people.

Mr. Kurien brought about the White Revolution and gave the world quality products from Amul.  

Hope we have more people like him to bring about other food related revolutionary changes in our country soon. 

Changing of Profile Picture from Mark Zukerberg’s link.

Yes I’m one of the persons who changed his profile picture by following Mark Zukerberg’s link which indicated that we support Digital India.  Moreover the tricolor foreground acted as a catalyst for people like me to make use of the link for changing the profile pictures.  The first thought that came to my mind and to so many others (more than 2 million I believe) was if Mark Zukerberg can display his profile picture with the tricolor in the foreground then why can’t we ?  And moreover the idea of supporting Digital India was not bad either.

But very soon we started seeing posts shared by few, undoubtedly wiser, people proving that by emulating Mark Zukerberg’s profile picture we have unknowingly voted for facebook.com and its other associates (around 50 of them) in ruling the Internet world and have voted against free internet for the world.

If this is true then the  regulatory authorities need to take note of this and Mark Zukerberg should be taken to task.

He should either apologize to all of us if he has taken us for a ride or the regulatory authorities should take a strong note of it and should consider our so called blind votes to be null and void. 

The Day of Reckoning 17th June 1987 (My interview for PRT)

In the morning of 17^th June ’87 I woke up pretty early.  Mr. Singh’s brother-in-law of Kanpur had knocked at the door as per the fixed schedule.  He had come with a black turban.  As I was already finished with bathing and was dressed up it took about 5 to 10 minutes to tie the turban.  I had thanked him and after taking my breakfast had left for DPS Korba by an auto rickshaw.  It had taken me less than ½ an hour to reach the lush green temporary township of Pragati Nagar of NTPC Korba which was situated across the huge Darri Barrage. The school was spread pretty lavishily in a campus of more than 8 to 10 acres of land. 

On reaching the campus I could see many other candidates waiting for the interview.

I had reported to the office staff and then had taken my seat in the lounge.

On looking around I had noticed various candidates moving around or seated, like me, along with their parents or spouses.  Next to me was seated a young man in tight trousers and shirt.  He was well built and had long hair. I had looked at him and had enquired with a smile, “Where are you from and for which subject have you come ?” He too had given me a big smile and had replied in Hindi, “No English, Only Hindi. I’ve come for Music and am from Bihar.  My name is Ajay Jha.”

28.09.2015

From further talks I had learnt that he too had arrived yesterday and had reached the SCHOOL directly and was putting up in one of the classrooms.

I was provided with a questionnaire which had contained around 20 questions based on Grammar and I was asked to write my views on why English should be taught in India and what are the difficulties in doing so ? I was extremely happy to answer the questionnaire.  Grammar questions were based on speech, voice, modals, articles, tenses and parts of speech.  Subjective based question was from my special paper, in PG i.e., “Teaching of English as a Foreign Language.” So I believe my response must have been good.

After about an hour or so around 10:00 am I was called for being interviewed in the Principal’s chamber.  Later I had learnt that the Staff Selection Committee hand included Mr. R.S. Lugani, Principal of DPS R.K. Puram as well as nominee of Chairman, DPS Society, Mr. Mahesh Bareja, Principal of DPS Korba, Mr. Thakur, DGM, NTPC, GM of NTPC Korba and Mrs. Radha Ratnam as subject expert.

I was asked by Mr. R.S. Lugani, “Please be seated Mr. Thaper and introduce yourself.” I had responded with a smile and had taken my chair and had said, “Sirs and Mam I’m Sukhwant Singh Thaper, though I have come from Vishakapatnam, basically I belong to Jeypore Odisha which is a very remote place.  I was born in Nawrangpur which is about 10 Kms from Kalahandi where people even in todays scenario die of starvation.  I had completed my class X in 1979 and it was around 1983 that one of the branches of DPS was opened in Damanjodi.  At that time my classmates and I had regretted for not having got the opportunity for studying in a DPS.  But at present I’m feeling lucky that I may get an opportunity to teach in a DPS.   I have done my PG in English from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. I love reading and play cricket, table tennis and chess.”

Mr. R.S. Lugani had said, “How’s your brother-in-law now ?” I was pretty impressed and had immediately felt to have built a close bond with him.  I had said, “Sir, he is doing well and thanks a lot for asking this.”

Mr. Mahesh Bareja had said, “You don’t have any teaching experience”, I had responded by saying, “Sir, I have been teaching my juniors right from the time I was in class X and while persuing my PG in Cuttack I had had the opportunity of guiding a girl Rini Prusty in her classes III & IV, and I feel I can teach the children.”  Mr. Lugani had asked, “Besides English which subjects do you think you can teach and upto which level ?” I had said, “Sir, except Sanskrit I can teach all other subjects upto class X but I would prefer to teach only English.”

Mr. Thakur had asked, “Do you have anyone known to in this area or not ?”

I had said, “I’m totally new to this place.  I know of one Mr. Chatwal uncle whom I had met in Vellore.  Probably he lives in Korba but I don’t know his address.”

Mr. R.S. Lugani had then said, “Mrs. Ratnam, please go ahead.”

Mrs. Ratnam who was sitting quite all this while had given me one of the most beautiful, assuring, genuine smiles I had ever seen and greeted me by saying, "Hello Sukhwant ! All this while I was listening to you, I was wondering about your pronunciation and accent are excellent."

"You come from a very remote place.  How did you manage to pick up correct pronunciation and accent without picking up any regional impact ?”

The sparkle of her smile was matching with the sparkling diamonds that she was wearing in the form of earnings and on her nose.

I had responded and had said, “Thanks mam for your compliment.  This has been due to the blessings of my teachers, keen interest of my parents to enable my sister and me to learn English in spite of the fact that they themselves are not able to do so and exposure to BBC radio and love of reading English books.”

Mrs. Ratnam had said, “Good ! What were your special papers in PG ?” I had replied, “M'am, Linguistics and Teaching of English as a Foreign Language.”

Mrs. Ratnam “OK ! What were your other papers in PG ?”

My response : “Early Poetry, Plays, Novels, Criticism, Modern Poetry and Literary Essays.”

R. Mam           :           “Which was your favourite paper ?”

Me                   :           Mam I loved them all but my favourite was the second paper of Novels.

Mam                :           “Which novels did you have for your course?”
Me                   :           Mam, ‘Women : by D.H. Lawarence ‘Tom Jones’ by Henry Fielding                                               ‘Pride & Prejudice’ by Jane Austen and

Mam                :           “Which one did you like the most ?”

Me                   :           ‘Pride & Prejudice’

Mam                :           Name the two men around whom the story revolves.

Me                   :           Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.

Mam                :           How many sisters were there ? Name the first two sisters.

Me                   :           Five sisters were there in the story.  Jane and Elizabeth.

Mam                :           Can you recall the beginning sentence of the novel ?

Me                   :           Not exactly.  But I can convey what it meant.

Mam                :           Yes, Please go ahead.

Me                   :           “In the first sentence Jane Austen mentions that a man in possession of                                           good wealth and name is in search of a good wife.”

Mam                :           Good ! Among all the novelists what attracted you towards Jane Austen ?

Me                   :           Description of country side story in simple words by Jane Austen attracted                                    me.  Right from page one the readers get glued to the story and look                                               forward to what will happen to the fate of all five sisters.  Moreover                                               inspite of having lived during the French Revolution time we don’t come                                       across any mention of it in her writings. This had made it more appealing to me.

After this Ratnam Mam had asked me a few Grammar related questions which I had answered  to the best of my knowledge.

Mr. R.S. Lugani had asked we to wait outside.

I had thanked all members and had come out.

As the day had progressed I got to meet other candidates among whom I’m able to recall only the ones who were selected on that day for joining DPS Korba like Mrs. Renu Jain, Mr. Sudhir Khare (for Hindi), Mr. Christopher (as office hand) and Mr. Ajay Jha (for Music).

We had to spend the whole day in the school campus itself.  During lunch time we were guided by the office staff Mr. Negi and Mr. Kotwal towards Indian Coffee House of Pragati Nagar.

After having ovr lunch Ajay had taken me to the classroom in which he was staying.  I had found him to be very down to earth and an interesting man to know.

Slowly we observed the crowd of candidates was getting reduced.  Candidates were appearing for their interviews and leaving.  Only a handful like me were asked to wait.

I was recalled inside Principal’s chamber somewhere around 9:15 pm.

After entering I had wished all the members, “Good Evening”, and had waited for their response.  Mr. R.S. Lugani had once again offered me the seat and had straight away asked, “Mr. Thaper ! What if we select you what is the salary that will suit you ?”

I was not prepared for the question.  I was not very familiar with the salary pattern. So I had responded by saying, “Sir, in the advertisement it is mentioned Rs. 1260/- basic so that will suit me.”  He had again said, “No tell us what minimum pay will be acceptable to you.”  I had said, “Getting the job is my priority and not the salary part.  However since you are asking let me tell you that as a student in Cuttack I used to receive Rs. 400/- to Rs. 500/- from my Dad for my monthly expenses.  If you give me around Rs. 1000/- it will be quite enough for me.”  I remember this had made Mr. Lugani laugh and he had said, ‘OK, Don’t worry you will get more than your expectation.”  He had told to Mr. Mahesh Bareja in my presence itself to put me on PRT regular scale, GM of NTPC Korba (I’m not able to recall his name) had asked, “Mr. Tahper when can you join us ?” I had replied “Sir whenever I’m asked to.” He had said, “Tomorrow we are reopening the school after summer break.  Can you join us from tomorrow ?”

I had said, “No Sir, Please give me some time so that I can come prepared.” He had said, “So we are asking you.  Within how many days can you join us ?” I had immediately said, “Sir I will join from 1^st July 1987.”  Mr. M. Bareja had said, “OK, we will wait for you on 1^st of July.  Before you leave submit one of your original certificates in the office.” I had said, “Sir if you say I can leave my whole file.” He had said, “No, one certificate will do.”

Mr. R.S. Lugani had said, “One last question, given an opportunity would you like to join DPS R.K. Puram, New Delhi ?”  I had said, “Cost of living in Delhi is very high.  Within this salary it may be difficult.”

Mr. Lugani had said, “You join here and after couple of months come over to DPS R.K. Puram, and then let me know.”

I had said, “Yes Sir,  I will surely do that.”

At this Mr. Bareja had said, “You may leave now.”

Mrs. Ratnam had said, “See you on 1^st July.”

I had said, “Sure.”

I had thanked everyone and had wished them good night and had come out of the chamber.

I had straight away gone to Mr. Kotwal and with lot of enthusiasm had handed over my Class X original marksheet for his safe keeping.  His response was something like, “Oh ! So you have been trapped.”

I had said, “Pardon Sir, I didn’t get you !”

At this he had smiled and had said, “ I’m just joking.  They have asked you to leave your original so that you would return. “

I had said, “That I’m sure to do.  You may keep my whole file.  It will be rather good for me.  I won’t have to carry it all the way to Vishakapatnam and then again bring it back.”

He had said, “No please submit one certificate itself.”

I had done so and with lots of happiness had left the campus for Korba.

I had reached the hotel around 10:30 pm. Had changed my dress and had decided to take ‘Kurla Express’ at 1:00 am from Champa for Raipur.

Before leaving for Champa I had gone towards the house of Mr. Singh (of Singh Enterprises) to return the turban. But the house had a big iron gate which was closed.  I had not woken them and decided to return the turban in July.  However, I had dropped a written note of thanks in their letter box and had left for Champa.

I could manage to get into the Sleeper Class of the train and had reached Raipur early in the morning around 6:00 am and had gone straight to Guru Nanak Nagar to my Buaji’s (father’s sister’s) house.

(28.09.2015 – 10:10 pm) 

How Had I Reached DPS Korba

On the basis of my application forwarded from Vellore, while I was there alongwith my Jijaji who had to undergo brain tumor surgery, I had received the call letter for the interview to be held on 17^th June 1987. I had completed my PG and was preparing for my CS.  I had opted for Public Administration and Psychology. For Public Administration I was totally dependent on books available in the market.  But for Psychology I was fortunate to get to know the HOD of Psychology Andhra University.  I’m unable to recall his full name but we used to call him Babla Sir. He used to like me a lot.  He had given me direct access to the Library of Andhra University.

The day I had informed Babla Sir about my interview he was disappointed.  That very evening I was surprised to see him at my home when I had returned from my evening walk on the beach.

He was advising my father for not sending me for the interview.  He had said, “if Sukhwant joins teaching he will not be able to pass CS.”

My Dad had left the decision to me.  He said, “If you want to go to Delhi for Rao’s tutorials for IAS then you can do so.”

But from within I was aware of the fact that after the gutting of our shop in Jeypore as an aftermath of 84 riots our financial position was not good.  Hence I had decided to attend the interview so that I could start earning.

I had left Vishakhapatnam on 15^th night by Chattisgarh Express and had reached Raipur early next morning. From Raipur I had taken a train at around 10:00 am and had reached Champa at around 1:00 pm.  It was extremely hot and humid.  I learnt that for reaching Korba I had to travel another 40 odd kms by either taxi or bus.

As taxis were not available I had got into a state bus.  The bus was already over crowded.  I could manage to get a standing space behind the driver’s seat. I had thought that the journey would take about an hour or so. But I was totally wrong. The road was extremely bad.  We reached Korba bus stand at around 3:00 pm.  By the time I got down from the bus I was totally drenched in sweat.  When I had tried to look around my eyes caught the shop banner of ‘Singh Enterprises’ and I could see a young Sikh of around 25-30 years sitting inside.  So I went inside the shop and had asked, “Please guide me towards DPS Korba.” The young man had said, “DPS Korba is another 14 kms away, and asked ,”May I know the purpose of your visit ?”  He also extended a seat to me and ordered his salesman, “Give a glass of water, and turn the cooler towards him.”  I had replied to him by saying, “I have come to appear in the interview in DPS Korba.”  Mr. Singh was extremely happy and he immediately ordered his salesman to fetch sugarcane juice for me.  He advised me to stay in a lodge in Korba itself and leave for DPS Korba which was situated in Pragatinagar next morning.

After drinking the sugarcane juice I had thanked him and had taken his leave.  He had again asked his salesman to lift my bag and to reach me in ‘Anand Lodge’ which was situated within the bus stand campus itself.  I was by that time, totally drained out of energy.  I had got into the room had taken bath, and had gone out to have lunch.  In the evening I had again gone to ‘Singh Enterprises’ Shop.

This time Mr. Singh’s brother-in-law, who was from Kanpur, was also there.  We spoke for a long time and he had taken me to the nearby Gurudwara for evening Rehraas.

He showed me his house also. Before bidding me good night he said, “May I ask you something personal if you don’t mind ?” I had said, “Veerji please ask”. He had said . “Will you attend your interview in Patka or you will wear turban ?” I had replied by saying that  as I’m not able to fold the turban myself without someone’s help I had not brought a turban with me.”  To this he had said, “I will come to your hotel room early in the morning and bring a turban of my own and will help you to fold it and tie.”  This he had done the next morning for which I had thanked him from the core of my heart and after taking my breakfast had left by an auto for DPS Korba, Pragatinagar, a place that was going to change my life for years to come.

(19.09.2015)

How Did I Apply for Teacher's Post

In 1986 after having completed my PG in English from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack Odisha I was seriously preparing for the CS.

An unfortunate event had taken place in the family.  My Jijaji Mr. Jasbir Singh was diagnosed to be suffering from brain tumour due to which he used to get attacks of convulsions.  My sister Manjeet Kaur and Jijaji had got married in 1981.  They were blessed with a boy in 1985 (Varinder Singh).

As the convulsions were getting severe we had to rush Jijaji to CMC Vellore.  It was at Vellore that the Doctors (Neurosurgeons) had conveyed to us that he had a brain tumour and had advised for an immediate surgery for the removal of tumour.  Jijaji’s father, S. Jagat Singhji (Darji), my sister Manjeet Kaur, my one year old nephew Varinder Singh (Vicky), our Dad Gurmukh Singh and me were there with Jijaji.

Jijaji was very adamant in not getting himself operated because this would need to shorn his hair which is not permissible in Sikhism.

Coincidently one Mr. Chatwal uncle from Korba, MP was also there in Vellore for his wife’s kidney treatment. Being Sikhs and due to meeting at a far off  place in South we had come close to each other. Darji, Chatwal uncle and my Dad used to council Jijaji for getting himself operated.

Fortunately one of the Neurosurgeons Dr. J.P. Singh was also a Sikh. He also used to council my Jijaji for undergoing the operation.

With lots of persuasion and pressure from all corners finally Jijaji had undergone the operation.  Unfortunately the biopsy report conveyed that the tumour was malignant for which Jijaji had to undergo chemotherapy for about three months. Jijaji was admitted in the hospital and we all used to live in a hotel nearby.  My sister used to cook food for everyone.

One day while having breakfast Jijaji conveyed his desire to me for fresh coconut (green ones) water.  So while carrying his lunch I had stopped at a Pan Shop for purchasing two green coconuts.  Cost of the same was Rs. 4/-.  When I had given him Rs. 5/- note the shopkeeper had expressed his difficulty in returning Rs. 1/-.  When I had looked around I had seen ‘The Employment News’ hanging from one of the wires.  I had bought it and had proceeded to the hospital.  I could get the opportunity of leafing through the ‘The Employment Newspaper’ after about 5 – 6 days of time.  My sister as preparing dinner and the Employment Newspaper was lying on one of the shelves. I had asked for it and had started going through it.  While doing so I had come across the advertisement of DPS Korba for teachers post. The advertisement had appealed to me for two reasons.  First was the brand of DPS and second was the place, Korba, because of Chatwal uncle belonging to that place.

Till that time I had never applied for any post.  So I was little excited. One of the posts advertised was for English PRT but it needed the candidate to be a PG with B.Ed and one had to apply along with Xerox of all educational qualifications certificates.  Inspite of neither being a B.Ed nor in possession of certificates I had purchased plain paper of A4 size from the same Pan Shop and had applied for the post of PRT (English).  I had written a very simple application wherein I had mentioned my position of being in Vellore and also regarding my inability to send Xerox copies of my certificates.  However I had sent my Bio Data because I remembered all my marks at all levels.

I had assured in my letter that if called for the interview I would put across all my originals.

 After Jijaji was discharged from CMC Vellore we all had returned to our places.

One fine day when I was sitting at home in Vishakapatnam our business partner Jagdish had come from Jeypore.  He gave me a sealed envelope of DPS Korba which carried a call letter for the interview on June 17^th 1987 at Korba.  I was both surprised and excited.  Surprised because I was seriously not expecting to get any response because of not being a B.Ed and also for not having sent any Xerox copies of my certificates.  I was excited for the obvious reason of appearing in the interview.

(18.09.2015)

Nelson Mandela’s 8 Lessons of Leadership

Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.
Having worked with many leaders over the years, I’ve always been exceedingly aware that there are really only two kinds—those who appear to have everything in control and, and those who actually spend very little time controlling anything, because they’re too busy moving people forward by example. Real leaders admit their fears, but are not crippled by them. Their sense of resolve and clarity about future goals keeps them from being bogged down in legalism and angst. They DO, and they ARE, and that’s enough.

Lead from the front—but don’t leave your base behind.
One leader I know (inspired by Steve Jobs) always tells his students to, “Connect the dots, but don’t forget any of the dots that are behind you—they are just as important as the ones that are in front of you.” How many leaders do you know who focus all their attention on the future and completely forget about what got them to where they are. This is one of the most dangerous mistakes that a leader can make, and I have been both guilty of it, and the victim of it. You too! Admit it!

Lead from the back—and let others believe they are in front.
Humility is at the core of good leadership. People are usually willing to follow someone who they believe has their back—someone more interested in them, than in themselves. I love the affirmation model. You can never affirm enough, and, no, you won’t spoil people by saying you think they’re wonderful! The more you are the affirmer, the more the affirmed will take the initiative and move the initiative forward. If this doesn’t work—move them on to someplace else—but, please, not to my church. ?

Know your enemy—and learn about his favorite sport. 
Remember the old saying, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Well, the truth is that a little knowledge can be an exceptionally helpful thing. Here’s a short list of stuff you might want to know in order to undermine potentially negative relationships:

• What’s your enemies favorite sport and how much do you know about that activity that might break up conversational intrigue. Mandela didn’t like Rugby, but he knew all about it because South African elitists and political enemies all seemed to love the game.
• Do you remember your enemy’s kids names? Hey, you love my kids, I love you!
• What does your enemy take in his coffee? Sure, it’s a bribe, but you shouldn’t be above it!

Keep your friends close—and your rivals even closer. I’m opposed to this kind of thinking, but have utilized it most of my life. If you don’t want to get run over by a big, honkin’ SUV, run next to it—not in front of it!

Appearances matter—and remember to smile.
Why is it that some leaders don’t think the rules apply to them? Well, in addition to  blatant narcissism, leaders sometimes forget that they were given leadership, they didn’t just wake up having it one day. Earn respect by showing respect! Remember, it was others who placed you in charge. Dress and carry yourself as though you appreciate that fact.

Nothing is black or white. 
So, if things are really shades of gray, does that mean you’re not a Christian? No, God gave us shades of gray so we would have real choices to make. He’s not a cosmic school teacher or traffic cop who is ready to slap our hand if we make a mistake. He came to earth because he expected us to make mistakes. Own those, and let the rest of it go.

Quitting is leading too.
Would you be offended if I quoted Kenny Rogers here? You absolutely need to know when to “fold ‘em!” Here are some responses to conflict that inform and lead others. They might also tick people off, so be careful!

• I’m dropping out of this project because my skills don’t match your needs. You should probably find a _________________ to help you.
• I’m going to bow out of this endeavor now because I believe this is not the time to pursue this agenda.
• I’m going to turn down your request for help because, to be truthful, I don’t agree with your position on this matter.

All of these sentences could be used to lead while excusing yourself from the folly of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Like, your current job…

The 10 Commadments of Budha for a Good Leader

1.      Dana                      *             Charity, Generosity and Liberality

2.       Sila                         *             Moral character

3.       Pariecaga             *             Sacrificing everything for the good of the people

4.       Ajjava                   *             Honesty, Integrity and Sincerity

5.       Maddava             *             Kindness and Gentleness

6.       Tapa                      *             Austerity, Self-control and Simple life

7.       Akhoda                *             Freedom from hatred, Ill will and anger

8.       Avihimsa              *             Non-violence and promoting peace

9.       Khanti                   *             Patience, forbearance, tolerance & understanding

10.   Avirodha              *             Non opposition i.e. , ruling in harmony with his people

Solaah Shringaar (16 Ways of Making Oneself Attractive)

1.   Sakal Such                   - Keeping all parts of body clean and healthy
2.   Manjan                        - Applying pastes to keep the skin clean
3.   Amal Bastra                - Wearing good clothes
4.   Karpad Raag                - Applying mehndi/ heena on hands
5.   Kesh Shoba                  -  Keeping the hair clean
6.   Ang Raag                     - Applying perfume
7.   Bhukann                       - Wearing Ornaments
8.   Mukh Baas                   - Using mouth freshener
9.   Mukh Raag                   - Keeping teeth clean
10. Lochan                         - Killing looks from the eyes
11. Anjit Netra                   - Applying mascara
12. Manch Bhakann           - Uttering sweet words
13. Manj Haas                    - To remain happy through laughter
14. Chit Chaatri                  - Remaining attentive
15. Chalan Chaar                - Walking attractively
16. Patibrat Paalan              - Staying faithful

Our Odeal of Owning an Ambassadar Car

Every person desires from within to possesses a four wheeler.

When ones earnings are less and responsibilities are more one also gets tempted to possess a four wheeler that can also fetch you some etc. amount by plying it as a taxi.

In 1995 both my wife and me were in our eighth year of service and had saved some amount.  (Around Rs. 50,000/-) with which we were intending to go in for a four wheeler in a year or two.  We looked forward to save some more amount in the next couple of years and purchase a second hand Ambassador Car for 1 or 1.5 lakh without taking any loan.

One day while I was doing my correction work in the Sr. Staff Room of DPS Korba one of my colleagues Mr PXX, called me and took me to the Economics Classroom because the class was vacant and he wanted to talk to me alone on some money matter.

He asked me, “Sukhwant, please suggest how can I invest money ? I don’t want to buy land or gold.  I don’t want to go in for any fixed deposits or buy shares”.

I told him, “See, you have caught the wrong person.  I have  no idea how you can invest your money.”

Saying this I had started moving out of the classroom.  While moving out just for fun sake I told, ‘Yes, if you trust me you can leave some cash with me for about couple of years and take the same back from me as and when you would need it.”

His immediate response was, “Take it from me whatever amount you desire within a day or two failing which I may give away the money to someone else.” I said, ‘Give me a days’ time. Let me talk to my wife on the issue.” He said, “OK.”

My dream plan of owning an Ambassador Car and plying it as a taxi seemed to come alive and closer.

That evening after my wife Rina came back from the school I had a word with her.  She didn’t like the idea of borrowing any money from Mr. PXX but then I had prodded her and tried to convince her that we won’t have any problem in returning the amount in time. I gave her example of Mr. H.S. Khurana, a family friend.  He had purchased an old Omini Van Maruti for about Rs.65000/- some two years before and was plying it successfully mainly on Jamnipali – Champa route so much so that he used to send his Van thrice a day to Champa almost on regular basis and each trip used to fetch him a profit not less than Rs. 200/-.  Within two years time Mr. Khurana had purchased two Ambassador Cars, one old and one from the show room.  He had also purchased a TATA Truck.  And his story of success had all started from Omini Van Maruti.  So I was pretty convinced that our second hand Ambassador Car will also help us to come over our financial constraints and I convinced Rina into agreeing to borrow loan amount from Mr. PXX.  Next morning I confirmed Mr. PXXi that I shall take some money from him within the next fortnight.

Meanwhile I spoke to my Dad who used to live in Jeypore Odisha along with my Mom. I told him to make a trip to Jabalpur where we believed good second hand cars could be procured.

My parents also initially disliked the idea but on my persuasion Dad agreed to go to Jabalpur where my in-laws lived.

We conveyed to my in-laws also and I told Rina’s Dad to look out for a good second hand Ambassador Car and also told him that within a week’s time my Dad would be reaching Jabalpur.

Both our Dads spoke to a Car mechanic called Pappu who had his garage near the Shastri Bridge in Jabalpur.

He (Pappu) took over Dads to Sehora after three days and showed them a white coloured Ambassador Car which belonged to a Rice Mill owner.  Both Dads were pretty much pleased on seeing the Car. According to Pappu the car had been lying in the garage at Sehora unused for the past 6 to 7 months.  Inspite of the long gap when Pappu had tried to start the Car the Car engine had taken off with first turn of the self-key.  Both Dads were pretty much impressed and they finalized the deal with the owner. This blind trust in Pappu later proved to give us so many sleepless nights.

24.08.2015

Over the phone it was conveyed to us that the vehicle would be costing Rs. 1.05 lakhs and it will take another Rs. 15-20 thousand for making the Car perfect.

So the next day I conveyed to Mr. PXX in the school that I need Rs. 75000/- from him.  He said, “I was expecting you would ask for 1.5 to 2 lakhs, I said, “No dear, I would like to borrow only Rs. 75 thousand.”  He said, “OK! Come to my home in the evening.  We shall go straight to the bank and do the needful.”

In the evening I went to PXX’s house with lots of excitement.  He welcomed me and made me sit in his living room.  I was expecting that he would lend the money in cash. But instead he took his cheque book out and sat at his table and had opened his pen to write the amount on the cheque.  While filling the cheque, he asked me to spell out my name and then while he was filling the amount, I still remember he had said, “Sukhwant Dhaiya (2.5) lagega.”

My response was, “Kya ? Dhaiya matlab ?” he said, “2.5% interest per month will be charged which you need to pay in advance.”

I was pretty confused and also a bit shocked because this part I had not calculated.  But then immediately Mr. Khurana’s roaring taxi business flashed in my mind again and provided me with strength to go ahead with the deal.  Moreover with both Dads waiting at Jabalpur with an almost finalized deal also weighed upon me.  I said to him, ‘OK, No problem.” To this he said ‘Have you brought your cheque book ?” On my denial he said, ‘Come let’s first go to your house. You can handover to me the first cheque of Rs. 1875/- towards the interest of Rs. 75000/-.

So we first went to my house.  Rina had returned from the school. I asked her for the cheque book and wrote the amount of Rs. 1875/- on cheque no. xxx446 dated 18.10.1995 and handed it over to Mr. PXX as first installment of interest for the period of October 18^th to November 17^th 1995.

After this both Mr. PXX and me went to the evening branch of SBI Jamnipali.  He deposited the cheque I had given him into his account and I applied for a Demand Draft of Rs. 80000/-.

I applied for leave of 2 days and went off to Jabalpur.  Our plan was to pay the amount, get the car and return to Jamnipali as soon as possible.

Before I could reach Jabalpur an unfortunate event took place in our family. We got the message that my sweet paternal grandmother had passed away in Jamshedpur.

My Dad had to leave immediately for Jamshedpur by train.  Our plan of driving the car to Jamnipali got hampered.

As I had less time in my hand and the pressure of interest was also there I desired that the car should reach Jamnipali as planned.  Instead of Dad and me driving I hired out a driver through the mechanic Pappu.

Both Dads were so happy with the looks of the car that they had not bothered to test drive the car themselves.  They believed in Pappu to a great extent. Anyway after my Dad left for Jamshedpur Pappu delivered the car at my Father's-in-law place (Fair Deal Apartments, Madan Mahal) and left the keys with me.  He fixed a driver for accompanying me to Jamnipali for next morning and left.  I asked the hired driver to report in the afternoon so that all my in-laws could get a ride in the car and go to Gawri Ghat Gurudwara.

The car that we had brought was splendid in appearance.  It looked like a VIP s Car.

That afternoon my mother-in-law and father-in-law along with my sisters-in-law and brother-in-law got ready and came out of the flat and got into the car.  Other Fair Deal Apartment residents (15 families) were also peeping out of their flats and watching us.  When the driver tried to start the car it didn’t start.  Everyone went back to the house.  I went to Pappu.  He sent a mechanic. He checked the engine and said four of the spark plugs were short.  So immediately I had got the plugs replaced at a cost of Rs. 1200/-.

With disappointment we all slept bit early that night. I was excited to drive the car next morning through Amarkantak valley and hoped to reach Jamnipali before 8:00 pm.  Next morning the hired driver arrived at 4:30 am.  I was waiting for him.  My father-in-law was also awake and we all went towards the car. Once again the car engine refused to start.  So we had to try push start.

Dad and me pushed the car out of Hathital Road and reached the main road, i.e., Nagpur road with the engine still refused to start. Finally we positioned the car near Mahanada and then shoved the car with all our might down the slop.  Finally the engine started off.  I touched the feet of Dad, got into the car and thankfully left Jabalpur for Jamnipali a distance of about 450 kms with not so good roads.

After about half an hours drive I took over driving and drove all the way to Jamnipali without any further hassles and was very happy.  The hired driver left for Bilaspur soon after parking the car in front of our house B-654 Yamuna Vihar.  The car looked very beautiful and luxurious.  Little could we guess how much trouble was this car going to give us in the days to come and shall prove the famous axiom, “All that glitters is not gold.”

After attending the school for a day or two I had left for Jamshedpur along with Rina and Navleen Kaur who was less than two years old in order to attend my grandmother’s bhog ceremony. We had left the car at Mr. Ahuja’s place (a very close friend).  Soon after returning from Jamshedpur we went to Mr. Ahuja’s place and brought the car home.

I had already requested Mr. H.S. Khurana to extend his taxi booking to me.

That very evening he gave me a call and told me that an officer from the Irrigation Department Darri wanted to hire the car for the next day for Amarkantak trip and was ready to pay Rs. 800/-.  When I told him that so far we had not deployed a driver, he said that he had one to spare. Both Rina and me were happy and agreed to send the car on its first trip to Amarkantak. We felt pretty rejuvenated at our plan of buying the car. But when Mr. Khurana brought the driver I was reluctant to send the car because we had seen his driving.  He used to work as a driver at Mr. Sudhir Ahuja’s place.  His driving was very rough but he assured me that he had given up rough driving and was a safe driver now.

Reluctantly, I had agreed to send the car with that driver. Mr. Khurana also assured me that he was a safe driver.  There were two ways to reach Amarkantak. One was a shorter one from near Ratanpur, but the shortcut was in bad shape, and the other one was via Bilaspur.  Inspite of 40 odd kms which the car would have to travel via Bilaspur I instructed the driver not to take the shorter route.

In the evening the driver came back with the car around 8:00 pm and to my disappointment he told me that he had taken the shorter route.

Next morning when I had gone to clean the car and had raised the engine hood I was further disappointed and troubled to find the presence of oil in the radiator.

On inspecting further I noticed that the chamber of the car had got damaged on that rough road and the oil had got leaked.  When I took the car to the mechanic he inspected and said, “Engine has to be opened and ‘head gasket’ has to be replaced to stop the oil leakage.” I had asked him, “How much would it cost ?”  He replied, “Sir, cost of ‘head gasket’ is Rs. 150/- but the repair cost will be Rs. 700/- plus another Rs. 250/- for cleaning the radiator.  “Altogether Rs. 150/- + Rs. 700/- + Rs. 250/- = Rs. 1100/- plus fuel charges plus two to three days of time that it would take.”

This was for the first time that I had to sit in a mechanic’s garage to get the vehicle repaired. Earlier to this I never had to go to a mechanic’s garage for the scooter that we possessed.  Even for getting the scooter serviced I used to go to the scooter mechanic in Jamnipali near the vegetable market. The mechanic used to drop me home and then take the scooter with him.  Complete the servicing and then bring it home and I used to go and drop him back.

25.08.15

The car had to be put into the garage for necessary repairs. It took around five days to get the car back home and it cost around Rs. 1400/-.  To our surprise the next day again oil was found in the radiator. The reason given by the mechanic was that the ‘head gasket’ had not got stuck properly.

So the car engine had to be again put under same repair procedure and it cost me another Rs. 1400/-.  To our bad luck even this time the ‘head gasket’ couldn’t be placed properly and oil had reached the radiator for the third time.

We decided to take the car to Korba for repair.  On consulting a mechanic in Korba he said, “Before fixing of ‘head gasket’ it is necessary to get both sides of engine head thoroughly rubbed”.  I had responded that “Is it done with sand paper ?”  The mechanic said, “No it is done with the help of machines which are available in Raipur and it would cost Rs. 3000/- and then another Rs. 1500/- for ‘head gasket’ and radiator job.

We were left with no alternative but to go through the whole process yet again.

I’m talking of the times when my home take salary was around Rs. 2800/- and Rina’s around Rs. 2000/-.  We had to send some money back home, pay an interest of Rs. 1875/- and manage our household expenses too.  The principal amount of Rs. 75000/- was also weighing upon our heads.

Against the earning of Rs. 800/- from Amarkantak’s trip we had to spend around Rs. 8000/- on car’s repair.  Due to my school work I was not able to spare time to attend car’s repair. I remember I used to go to Korba garage on our scooter. I used to carry Test Copies along with me, sit there and correct them.

As the whole process was disturbing my professional life I called by Dad and explained to him the whole situation and requested him to take the car away with him to Jeypore and ply it there as a taxi. He agreed for the same and came down to Jamnipali and took the car to Jeypore.

We had remained pretty tensed till we got a call from Jeypore that he had reached safely without any problems and the car was in good condition.  He also said that whosoever was seeing the car was highly appreciating it. We hoped that at least now the car would start providing us good earning. But we were again to be proved wrong very soon.

At Jeypore Dad sent the car on its first trip to Rayagada which is at a distance of 110 kms. The road is full of ghats.  The driver while driving on one of the ghats dashed the car from the left side on to a road side.  The trip fetched Dad Rs. 700/- and he had to spend Rs. 1500/- on denting and painting of the car.

Soon Dad took the car to Vishakhapatnam for his personal work. There he showed it to Captain Sharan uncle who was a close family friend. He was to retire soon from Indian Navy and intended to shift to his native place in Himachal Pradesh.  When he saw the car he was highly impressed and requested Dad to sell it off to him.  He and his family members drove the car in Vishakhapatnam for about 3-4 days.  After being thoroughly satisfied he offered Dad 1.5 lakh for the car. He told Dad that he should take the car back to Jeypore and after few days he will visit along with his whole family by train and while returning will take the car with him.

Dad called me from Vishakhapatnam and asked me what should be done.  By then we had almost spent about 1.35 lakh on the car.  We had not bought the car for selling it but the way we were troubled I gave my green signal to Dad to sell it off to Sharan uncle. But things were not going to be so easy.

With no steady income from the car Rina and me had started feeling the suffocation. We were having sleepless nights.  Interest installment of Rs. 1875/- had started pinching us to a great deal.  More that the interest now we had started worrying about the principal loan amount of Rs. 75000/-

We all started looking forward to Sharan uncle’s visit.

It had so happened that after having met Sharan uncle in Vishakhapatnam when Dad was returning to Jeypore one of the front wheels of the car had gone loose. Dad said, “While driving the car over Salur ghat all of a sudden I saw something rolling in front of the car.  I applied the brakes as soon as I realized that it was one of the front wheels.”

He was fortunate that the car had not toppled off.

He had to go back to Vishakhapatnam by taking lift, get the mechanic from there along with necessary tools and spares and had got the wheel placed properly which had cost him more than Rs. 4000/-. 

(04.09.2015)

We all know that life is a cycle of both happiness and sadness.  Right attitude is not to feel over joyed when happy moments are prevailing and to maintain our selves well during difficult times.  However it is easier to philosophies such theories than to face them practically.

After the talks with Saran uncle we all were feeling happy that after few months the problems will get over.

We had taken a wiser decision of  not plying the car as taxi anymore while Dad was at Vishakapatnam itself.

But then this wheel becoming free gave a further reason to worry.

Somehow we consoled ourselves that inspite of the front wheel becoming free the car had not toppled over. After reaching Jeypore the car was safely parked in Chaijis house in her garage.

Saran uncle’s arrival was a much awaited event by all of us.

For the next 4 to 5 months we all just waited eagerly for the information of his arrival. One day my parents got the call from him that he will be arriving at Jeypore along with his parents, wife and both of his sons and requested Dad to receive them, at Jeypore Railway Station and also told him to keep the car in readiness so that he could take it along with him.  He had also told that he would be coming along with a Demand Draft of Rs.1.5 lakh.  He had taken the bank details of my Dad for the same. My Dad went to the station on the appointed day in the car. My Mom had stayed back at home in order to cook for all the guests who were arriving.

My Mom recalls the days often and says “I was busy cooking food and I had kept the house in all readiness for the guests and was getting impatient as they were not arriving much beyond the scheduled time of the trains arrival. My ears were waiting to hear car’s horn sound.  After much waiting I saw three rickshaws stopping at our door step.  The maid came in to call me.  When I went out I saw Mrs. Saran alighting from the one of the rickshaws along with her younger son.  The elder son got down from the second one along with his grand father and from the third one Mr. Saran’s mother got down.  After all of them got down I asked them, “What happened ? Didn’t Sardarji (my father) meet you at the station ?” Mrs. Saran replied, “Please let us get inside the house.  Please bring water for us, then I’ll let you know what happened.”

My mother made them all seated comfortably and then served them with water followed by Rooafja. Then again she repeated her question, “What happened ? Didn’t Sardarji reach the station to receive you all ? Where is Mr. Saran ?”

My mother says that Mrs. Saran took a deep long breath and said, “Sardarji did reach the station in time to receive us. The train had reached well in time. We all were glad to meet after a long time.  We all got ourselves fit in the car somehow and started from Umri towards Jeypore a journey of about 4-5 kms.  We were extremely happy to see the car.  Just while we were crossing the bus stand one of the front side wheels rolled ahead of the car (this time the other side one). Somehow Sardarji managed to stop the car safely.  We all got down from the car and hired rickshaws and have come home.  My husband and Sardarji will come after reaching the car in the garage for repair.”

After this rolling of the wheel (for the second time) no one had spoken or even mentioned anything about selling or purchasing of the car.

Saran uncle and his family stayed in Jeypore for 4 days.  Ironically during their stay Dad had hired a taxi and had taken Saran uncle’s family to nearby sight seeing spots like Gupteshwar, Upper Kolab, Chitrakut Waterfalls and Tirathgarh Waterfalls.

After the car was thoroughly repaired we desperately started looking out for someone to purchase it. Meanwhile we were paying the interest amount. With no income from the car our extra earning plans had totally gone off track.  The principal amount was raising its demonic head every now and then and was giving us sleepless nights.

Most of my colleagues started advising me to stop paying the interest to Mr. PXX and also used to suggest that I should not bother about paying the principal amount as the money that Mr. PXX was using for lending such loans was not his hard earned one.  But I refused to listen to all such advise and suggestions.  For me what mattered was the fact that I had asked for the amount myself. So I had to pay back.  Few used to try to convince me by saying that Mr. PXX had tried to trap me into borrowing from him.  Still I refused to listen to any such thing.

We sincerely looked forward to repaying the principal amount as early as possible.

My parents had procured a small piece of land (40 x 60 feet) in Simliguda around 1986. They sold that land for Rs. 30,000/- and sent us Rs. 20,000/-.  Exactly after a years time on 17^th Oct. 1996 I had paid an amount of Rs. 20,000/- vide cheque no.0xx101 to Mr. PXX towards part payment of the principal amount.

The whole family had to suffer the ordeal of bearing the pain of paying the interest on regular basis and also to bear the pressure of how to repay the remaining principal amount of Rs. 55,000/-.

Finally the ordeal came to an end when my parents were able to dispose the car to a willing buyer (a business man) in Jeypore itself. We sold the car for Rs. 75,000/- Dad sent Rs. 65000/- to me immediately.

On 25^th Oct 1997 we paid the remaining principal amount of Rs. 55000/- to Mr. PXX vide cheque no. 0XX552. By this time we had paid an amount of Rs. 39375/- as interest towards having borrowed the loan of Rs. 75000/-  for just two years.

The best part of the whole story of our second hand Ambassador Car is that the business man, who had purchased the car had done so as he had to go to and fro to Raipur, as distance of 384 kms almost every week and the car has been doing excellent. He had met my Dad during his last visit to Jeypore in 2014 and had stopped the car and had come out of it and had shaken hands with him and had said, “Sardarji purchasing this car has been one of the best deals that I have ever made. Till date  the car has not given us any trouble.”