It was a frosty February of 2010 and I was at my native place Barabanki on vacation for my marriage. Similar to other Indian marriages, my family also had to do lots of shopping for my marriage. Barabanki is never considered to be a good place for marriage shopping so we decided to make some trips to Lucknow for shopping. Lucknow is supposed to be a good place for shoppers. We decided to go to Aminabad which is considered a shopper's heaven in Lucknow and is really very good specially for marriage shopping. As I told, Aminabad market is considered the best shopping spot in Lucknow, so it was jammed with people. With a lot of difficulties, I found a parking spot and parked car and we all started walking.
Since the market was very crowded, we started walking in pairs. I was walking with my younger sister and was followed by my mother, father and younger brother. Soon I and my sister realized that my caravan was not behind us and we were ahead of our parents. I stopped for a while and started looking for my caravan at back. As soon as I stopped and turned back, I heard a voice - "Hello Sir! Aagey badho, peeche kahan dekh rahe ho (move forward, where are you seeing at back).". It was a nice looking young guy with a girl. I was little offended, not by his words but with the way he spoke, and the attitude he tried to show.
I looked at him and told - "I think there can be a better way of telling what you told."
He immediately replied - "I called you sir. What other word on the earth do you need to address you?" and crossed me rubbing shoulders. I could see he was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt with painted pack "Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad". For a minute, I lost all my respect for the prestigious institute. Soon I realized, it's not an institute that make a person. Why should I loose respect for the institute! An institute can inspire people to drive their life in right direction and it can be only a catalyst that can help a person in what he/she is trying to achieve. With the brand, anyone would certainly get a job with handsome salary but I am really doubtful, what kind of manager/entrepreneur can he become if he even doesn't know how to talk to a gentleman. Few things which came in my mind after this instance-
1. My assumption was, that a person becomes more humble as he excels in education and as he avail knowledge (not necessarily through degrees). My assumption was contradicted for a moment. However, I still like to believe in this assumption as long as I don't meet few more people like this.
2. People need to understand, it's not an institution that makes you. It's you who makes you. Dhirubhai never passed 10th class and he recruited many PhD holders and Management graduates. Situations didn't allow Narayanmurthi to enter in IIT to avail BTech but he is one of the best techies and business gurus that this world have had.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Bangalore to Jhansi in KK express
There is always lots to know in the Indian trains. And interestingly, lower the class of the boggie, more you will know...
I had to travel from Bangalore to my home town and unfortunately I got late for the train in which I had reservation and missed it. The next train was in evening and I was indeed not expecting any berth for me to reserve in this train. Anyhow, I just wanted to to go home on vacation so got a waiting ticket and was at platform whole day waiting for the train. This train used to be darling for all the passengers going to northern side because of various reasons. You can call them comfort, timings, cleanliness etc. And on top of that, it was running everyday perfectly on time. The train was Karnataka express. The train was scheduled for 6:00 pm and was right on time. As expected my berth was not yet clear. I had a chat with TTE and got to know that there was no chance either. I ran here and there and couldn't see any place even in general compartment. Fortunately I could see one compartment that was reserved for handicaps and there was 2-3 people sitting in that. I had to travel for 36 hours and there was no way general compartment could help me so I decided to join those 2-3 people in the compartment for handicaps. With due respect to law, I was determined to vacate the seat on the arrival of any eligible person. To my luck, nobody entered in the compartment and train started moving. There were still plenty of seats available in the compartment and I was seeing off Bangalore.
The train was running on time and reached to next station. People were running here and there at platform looking for any vacant seat. Some of them probably thought in my way and entered in my compartment. There was Mr. X in those people who entered in my compartment looking for shelter and was very happy. The train left that station and reached next station in 3-4 hours. The whole event was again repeating. People were again running here and there and on non availability of any space they started peeping in my compartment. Some of them were asking to open the door of the compartment. Mr. X heard all that and said, sir this compartment is for handicaps and you are not supposed to enter in this. Mr. Y, who was peeping from outside gazed Mr. X from top to bottom and said- "You don't look handicapped then why are you sitting? Open the door and let me also in.". Next moment Mr. Y was also in and locked the door from inside to avoid any new entry.
The train was running in good pace and reached next station and there also same sequence of events happened. People were running here and there and peeping in my compartment for space. This time Mr. Z from outside was requesting to open the door. This time since Mr. Y was inside the compartment, he protested (similar to what Mr. X had done to him sometime back) - "Sir, this compartment is for handicapped people and you are not supposed to come inside.". This time since Mr. Z was outside, he was in same role in which Mr. Y was some time back. Mr. Z looked at Mr. Y from top to bottom and said - "You don't look handicapped then why are you sitting? Open the door and let me also in.". Next moment Mr. Z was also in and locked the door from inside to avoid any new entry.
This sequence of events were going on until I reached Jhansi for my next train. I am sure same thing would have happened after Jhansi also and there would have been many additions of Mr. Y, Z etc and there must have been voices from the compartment to stop them entering in the compartment.
Isn't sometime the role we play drives us in our life rather than our principles? The same way as Mr. Y was talking differently when he was inside the compartment than what he was talking when he was outside of compartment?
I had to travel from Bangalore to my home town and unfortunately I got late for the train in which I had reservation and missed it. The next train was in evening and I was indeed not expecting any berth for me to reserve in this train. Anyhow, I just wanted to to go home on vacation so got a waiting ticket and was at platform whole day waiting for the train. This train used to be darling for all the passengers going to northern side because of various reasons. You can call them comfort, timings, cleanliness etc. And on top of that, it was running everyday perfectly on time. The train was Karnataka express. The train was scheduled for 6:00 pm and was right on time. As expected my berth was not yet clear. I had a chat with TTE and got to know that there was no chance either. I ran here and there and couldn't see any place even in general compartment. Fortunately I could see one compartment that was reserved for handicaps and there was 2-3 people sitting in that. I had to travel for 36 hours and there was no way general compartment could help me so I decided to join those 2-3 people in the compartment for handicaps. With due respect to law, I was determined to vacate the seat on the arrival of any eligible person. To my luck, nobody entered in the compartment and train started moving. There were still plenty of seats available in the compartment and I was seeing off Bangalore.
The train was running on time and reached to next station. People were running here and there at platform looking for any vacant seat. Some of them probably thought in my way and entered in my compartment. There was Mr. X in those people who entered in my compartment looking for shelter and was very happy. The train left that station and reached next station in 3-4 hours. The whole event was again repeating. People were again running here and there and on non availability of any space they started peeping in my compartment. Some of them were asking to open the door of the compartment. Mr. X heard all that and said, sir this compartment is for handicaps and you are not supposed to enter in this. Mr. Y, who was peeping from outside gazed Mr. X from top to bottom and said- "You don't look handicapped then why are you sitting? Open the door and let me also in.". Next moment Mr. Y was also in and locked the door from inside to avoid any new entry.
The train was running in good pace and reached next station and there also same sequence of events happened. People were running here and there and peeping in my compartment for space. This time Mr. Z from outside was requesting to open the door. This time since Mr. Y was inside the compartment, he protested (similar to what Mr. X had done to him sometime back) - "Sir, this compartment is for handicapped people and you are not supposed to come inside.". This time since Mr. Z was outside, he was in same role in which Mr. Y was some time back. Mr. Z looked at Mr. Y from top to bottom and said - "You don't look handicapped then why are you sitting? Open the door and let me also in.". Next moment Mr. Z was also in and locked the door from inside to avoid any new entry.
This sequence of events were going on until I reached Jhansi for my next train. I am sure same thing would have happened after Jhansi also and there would have been many additions of Mr. Y, Z etc and there must have been voices from the compartment to stop them entering in the compartment.
Isn't sometime the role we play drives us in our life rather than our principles? The same way as Mr. Y was talking differently when he was inside the compartment than what he was talking when he was outside of compartment?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
An echo of Indian system in train...
I was on my way from Bangalore to my home Barabanki. I finished with traveling till Lucknow and last piece of journey from Lucknow to Barabanki was remaining. Awadh Assam Express was scheduled after half an hour for Barabanki. Barabanki is just 25 kms from Lucknow and reservations are not entertained for 25 kms so I purchased one general ticket for this train. Train arrived at platform and was full of rush. People are rushing to general bogie killing each other which is always hard for me. I waited for long to settle things down and these were not settled. Train had started now so I ran and entered in a 2nd class sleeper thinking with general class ticket I am going to commit a crime and liable to pay the fine for this. I entered compartment with a roller bag and a laptop bag. I had feeling of the crime so I decided not to occupy any seat and was standing next to toilet without intruding anyone. I had to do some time pass for next 25 minutes before I arrive at Barabanki so I started reading Outlook magazine. One old gentleman was monitoring me from last 5 minutes and he offered me to share his seat. I was fine with standing next to toilet as it was only 25 minutes but he humbly insisted twice so I couldn't deny. Next moment I was sitting with him talking about politics in West Bengal since he was from W Bengal. Just 5 minutes were over and ticket checker was in front of our seat asking for tickets. I showed my ticket with full courage and confidence as I was ready to pay the fine. Ticket checker saw my ticket-
"This is general bogie ticket and you shouldn't be sitting here."
"I know sir. I didn't find a place and I was missing this train so just ran and entered in this. However I am ok with the penalty imposed on me."
"I'll get back to you after some time."
He took my ticket and disappeared. I was waiting for him for 10 minutes. Apparently he checked whole compartment and again came to me with my ticket.
"So, sir now you know you committed a mistake."
"Yes I do know."
"Should we walk till the gate and talk?"
I had a "course" image of ticket checkers and I knew what would be next step when we both reach to the gate so I denied gently.
"I think we can talk here."
"Ok. If you have problem walking, we can talk here. hmmmm....we can settle it in two ways. You can pay my 50 Rs. or you can pay the fine."
It was a bad offer for me and I was not ready for it. So I kept mum for sometime. He took silence as "moment of me giving a thought to his options". He repeated-
"So what did you think?"
"I'll pay you fine."
He was trying to show me his realism towards my statement so he took out receipt book and a pen.
"You'll have to pay Rs. 375 as a fine".
"Ok. Please give me receipt."
"Really? Do you want to pay fine? You are going to pay 375 instead of 50."
"I know it. Give me the receipt." I took out my wallet.
The old gentleman was eyewitness of this whole incident. Suddenly he blasted over the ticket checker-
"What are you trying to do Mr.? You all have some problem of begging from passengers. You saw this person a gentle person so started asking money?"
"I am not asking for money. And I am not talking to you so you please be silent."
"Thanks Uncle. You please don't worry I'll tackle it." I tried to calm him down.
"No son...these all checkers are like that. They just want to suck money from poor passengers. I travel almost everyday and everyday see such kinds of incidents. These guys are not working for country. They just want to fill their pockets and you see after sometime, he'll come down to 20 from 50 and will not take fine."
"I know uncle. Let me just see it."
The old gentleman has lowered his voice now but still was angry with what he saw.
"Are you ready to pay the fine now?"
"Yes I am...Give me the receipt..."
The checker suddenly closed his receipt book and asked-
"Will this fine by reimbursed by your employer?"
"No it won't be reimbursed. I made mistake and that's why I am paying this fine. I am ok with paying 375 to govt. of India as I am convicting against govt. of India not and not against you. This will come back to us in terms of something else. And I don't want to pay a single penny to my hard earned money as a bribe to a person like you. It’s an insult of my hard earned money and my hard work. Now please give me receipt, train is approaching to my station....." were my last words and I could see his pale face when getting down to station......
"This is general bogie ticket and you shouldn't be sitting here."
"I know sir. I didn't find a place and I was missing this train so just ran and entered in this. However I am ok with the penalty imposed on me."
"I'll get back to you after some time."
He took my ticket and disappeared. I was waiting for him for 10 minutes. Apparently he checked whole compartment and again came to me with my ticket.
"So, sir now you know you committed a mistake."
"Yes I do know."
"Should we walk till the gate and talk?"
I had a "course" image of ticket checkers and I knew what would be next step when we both reach to the gate so I denied gently.
"I think we can talk here."
"Ok. If you have problem walking, we can talk here. hmmmm....we can settle it in two ways. You can pay my 50 Rs. or you can pay the fine."
It was a bad offer for me and I was not ready for it. So I kept mum for sometime. He took silence as "moment of me giving a thought to his options". He repeated-
"So what did you think?"
"I'll pay you fine."
He was trying to show me his realism towards my statement so he took out receipt book and a pen.
"You'll have to pay Rs. 375 as a fine".
"Ok. Please give me receipt."
"Really? Do you want to pay fine? You are going to pay 375 instead of 50."
"I know it. Give me the receipt." I took out my wallet.
The old gentleman was eyewitness of this whole incident. Suddenly he blasted over the ticket checker-
"What are you trying to do Mr.? You all have some problem of begging from passengers. You saw this person a gentle person so started asking money?"
"I am not asking for money. And I am not talking to you so you please be silent."
"Thanks Uncle. You please don't worry I'll tackle it." I tried to calm him down.
"No son...these all checkers are like that. They just want to suck money from poor passengers. I travel almost everyday and everyday see such kinds of incidents. These guys are not working for country. They just want to fill their pockets and you see after sometime, he'll come down to 20 from 50 and will not take fine."
"I know uncle. Let me just see it."
The old gentleman has lowered his voice now but still was angry with what he saw.
"Are you ready to pay the fine now?"
"Yes I am...Give me the receipt..."
The checker suddenly closed his receipt book and asked-
"Will this fine by reimbursed by your employer?"
"No it won't be reimbursed. I made mistake and that's why I am paying this fine. I am ok with paying 375 to govt. of India as I am convicting against govt. of India not and not against you. This will come back to us in terms of something else. And I don't want to pay a single penny to my hard earned money as a bribe to a person like you. It’s an insult of my hard earned money and my hard work. Now please give me receipt, train is approaching to my station....." were my last words and I could see his pale face when getting down to station......
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A beggar's question
It was a noon of April when a beggar came to my house looking for some alms. As obvious the beggar was wearing torn cloth and had pity on face. I was in my lawn watering some plants and enjoying seeing them getting cleaned. The beggar came to me asking for something. I had a glimpse and concluded that he was hungry.
"Mommy, can we give some food to this guy? This poor guy seems to be very hungry."
"Ok. Take vegetable and bread for him." Mommy allowed me without asking me any question.
Next moment I was in front of the poor guy with a paper plate and food in it.
Off course I was filled with joy and pride that I was doing something good as my teacher taught me and as I read in books.
"Have this food. I'll bring water for you." I handed over food to the beggar and turned back to get water.
The beggar gave me all the blessings and took food. I took water and came back to him. The beggar didn't start to eat anything till then.
"Have the food. I'll bring more." I insisted thinking he was hesitating.
"I'll have this food son. I have a question, don't feel bad."
"What is your question?"
"Which caste do you belong? I heard in this area only low caste people live."
I was all shocked. Really didn't know what to say. The beggar who doesn't have even anything to eat and wear is concerned about the caste of a child who is giving him food. I almost started trembling with anger-
"I belong to sweeper. Now if you want to eat, eat else go away."
"No no...don't feel bad."
Next moment I was seeing him leaving my house. I just went behind him for 20 mts to see his next step and his next step....he threw the food on the road side because he has caste in mind. Isn't painful.......
"Mommy, can we give some food to this guy? This poor guy seems to be very hungry."
"Ok. Take vegetable and bread for him." Mommy allowed me without asking me any question.
Next moment I was in front of the poor guy with a paper plate and food in it.
Off course I was filled with joy and pride that I was doing something good as my teacher taught me and as I read in books.
"Have this food. I'll bring water for you." I handed over food to the beggar and turned back to get water.
The beggar gave me all the blessings and took food. I took water and came back to him. The beggar didn't start to eat anything till then.
"Have the food. I'll bring more." I insisted thinking he was hesitating.
"I'll have this food son. I have a question, don't feel bad."
"What is your question?"
"Which caste do you belong? I heard in this area only low caste people live."
I was all shocked. Really didn't know what to say. The beggar who doesn't have even anything to eat and wear is concerned about the caste of a child who is giving him food. I almost started trembling with anger-
"I belong to sweeper. Now if you want to eat, eat else go away."
"No no...don't feel bad."
Next moment I was seeing him leaving my house. I just went behind him for 20 mts to see his next step and his next step....he threw the food on the road side because he has caste in mind. Isn't painful.......
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A lesson from that rickshawpuller...
That was a day of May 1999, the first day of engineering entrance exam in Allahabad. My center was in Bamrauli army school and I was returning from my center after first day was over. I had stayed for 7 months in Allahabad till that exam but that Bamrauli area was very new to me.
I was in a private bus on the way to railway station but got confused and got down at wrong place which resembled to railway station area. By the time I realized about wrong place, bus already had left. I asked one old paanwala and came to know that station was 4 kms from that place. Suddenly I realized that I had lost my money and was left with 10 Rs. in my pocket and I still had to go around 20 kms from the railway station which was still 5 kms away from me. I decided to walk till station which I feel was very distant for a 17 yrs old boy who was sitting in examination hall whole day without having any food.
Somehow I reached station and figured out that there was no train for next 3 hours to Prayag and by that train I could reach home by 11:00 pm. But very next day again I had to come in examination hall for 8:00 morning paper. So I had to discard the option of train and was left with the option of rickshaw or auto (which I had to manage in 10 Rs.).
I asked one rickshawpuller - "How much will you take for Salori?"
He looked at from top to bottom and replied - "40 Rs."
I left the place even without asking other rickshaw puller in vicinity who could have been heard his demand and certainly would not have agreed on 10 Rs.
I checked with 2-3 other rickshaw pullers and nobody was even down to 20 rs.
One rickshaw puller of around the age of 30 years called me back - "I am seeing you asking rickshawalas and running here and there from long. Salori is very far and nobody will agree below 20. How much you can pay?"
I was already troubled a lot by then and said - "I have only 10 Rs in my pocket and need to go to Salori ...." I couldn't complete it and heard- "Come...I'll drop you..."
I was little surprised...
Being tired of whole day's exertion, I was silent through out the way to Salori. He dropped me at Salori. I was grateful to him and said thanks for carrying me till Salori in just 10 Rs. He replied - "Go and take rest. Money is important but humanity is above that."
How true he was!!! Whereever you are, I am grateful to you, your generosity and humanity.
I was in a private bus on the way to railway station but got confused and got down at wrong place which resembled to railway station area. By the time I realized about wrong place, bus already had left. I asked one old paanwala and came to know that station was 4 kms from that place. Suddenly I realized that I had lost my money and was left with 10 Rs. in my pocket and I still had to go around 20 kms from the railway station which was still 5 kms away from me. I decided to walk till station which I feel was very distant for a 17 yrs old boy who was sitting in examination hall whole day without having any food.
Somehow I reached station and figured out that there was no train for next 3 hours to Prayag and by that train I could reach home by 11:00 pm. But very next day again I had to come in examination hall for 8:00 morning paper. So I had to discard the option of train and was left with the option of rickshaw or auto (which I had to manage in 10 Rs.).
I asked one rickshawpuller - "How much will you take for Salori?"
He looked at from top to bottom and replied - "40 Rs."
I left the place even without asking other rickshaw puller in vicinity who could have been heard his demand and certainly would not have agreed on 10 Rs.
I checked with 2-3 other rickshaw pullers and nobody was even down to 20 rs.
One rickshaw puller of around the age of 30 years called me back - "I am seeing you asking rickshawalas and running here and there from long. Salori is very far and nobody will agree below 20. How much you can pay?"
I was already troubled a lot by then and said - "I have only 10 Rs in my pocket and need to go to Salori ...." I couldn't complete it and heard- "Come...I'll drop you..."
I was little surprised...
Being tired of whole day's exertion, I was silent through out the way to Salori. He dropped me at Salori. I was grateful to him and said thanks for carrying me till Salori in just 10 Rs. He replied - "Go and take rest. Money is important but humanity is above that."
How true he was!!! Whereever you are, I am grateful to you, your generosity and humanity.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Is it love?
Banerjee, my Infy training mate was getting married. It was certainly a joyous moment for his friends including me. I have special respect for love marriages and great respect for the people who fall in love and dare to face all the challenges to achieve their love. For Banerjee also it was love marriage and thus he commanded respect from me. I congratulated him and wished all the happiness-
"That's great. You know it's difficult in our country if you both don't belong to same caste and you both did it."
"Actually at my place Brahmin and Kayastha marriages don't have problems so it was not that difficult for me."
"Ok. But it's difficult when you both belong to different religion".
"Hmm...Indeed."
"What would have you done if Bhabhiji belongs to Muslim?"
"Ha ha ha....Good question!!! But in that case it wouldn't have been a love case."
"Why?"
"I wouldn't have loved her.........."
Is it really a love? Even before you start getting into relationship, you see caste, religion compatibility and then decide whether to love that person or not! It's fake (or intelligent love). How come same individual looses respect, love just by the fact that he/she belongs to some different religion?
"That's great. You know it's difficult in our country if you both don't belong to same caste and you both did it."
"Actually at my place Brahmin and Kayastha marriages don't have problems so it was not that difficult for me."
"Ok. But it's difficult when you both belong to different religion".
"Hmm...Indeed."
"What would have you done if Bhabhiji belongs to Muslim?"
"Ha ha ha....Good question!!! But in that case it wouldn't have been a love case."
"Why?"
"I wouldn't have loved her.........."
Is it really a love? Even before you start getting into relationship, you see caste, religion compatibility and then decide whether to love that person or not! It's fake (or intelligent love). How come same individual looses respect, love just by the fact that he/she belongs to some different religion?
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