It
was one of the usual conferences.
The same dreary group
of people were assembled. People who attend because they have been instructed
to, others who attend because they consider it the most productive activity in
their professional life form the core of the group. There were yet others who
attend because they are well past any productive activity. The usual set of
girls who rush around with harried expressions trying to organize mundane
things like nameplates on the dais, notepaper and pencils which are seldom, if
ever, used went about trying to look important. There were some who were
longingly looking at the tables where tea and snacks would be served shortly.
These conferences
drew the same subsets from the usual pool of people who spoke and listened to
the same trite rubbish that passed off as the most significant words of wisdom
ever spoken. If one attended a single conference annually usually one could
predict the entire set of events at all the future and past ones during the
year.
Amitabh looked around
for a face that he could ask out for a smoke. Usually he would go by himself,
but he had left his pack of cigarettes in the car and fetching them was a bit
of a hassle. He spotted a prospect and moved towards him with a bright smile on
his face. He did not remember the name but that was no big deal. Neither he nor
his bait would admit to the fact.
“Hi! Long time no
see!” The man moved his head so that he could see Amitabh over the shoulder of
the person he was conversing with.
“Hi!”
They shook hands like old friends as was the norm.
“Amit….????”
The voice brought him up short.
He
turned to see the bait’s companion.
It was indeed Rahul!
Rahul had been a part of the trio in school and then in college but it had been
years since they had met. Both had been friends for something like fifteen
years but after college had moved on with their lives. They did keep in touch
for a few months but then the calls became less frequent. It had been maybe
twenty five years since their last conversation. But there was no mistaking
Rahul. The deep voice, the drooping eyes were the same. He had put on some
weight and lost a bit of the hair – but maybe the same could be said of
Amitabh.
The bait forgotten,
they moved out of the hall as if on accord. Once out on the balcony, Rahul
brought out a pack of Gold Flakes (King Size, mind you!) and they lit up.
“So?
Where have you been? And how have you been?” Both spoke at the same time.
“OK,
buddy. Managing! What about you?”
Amit shrugged. “Much
the same, man! As you can see, grabbing bullshit here. How is Anita?”
Miraculously, he remembered Rahul’s wife’s name. He had got a card, but was
unable to attend the wedding as he was travelling. After returning, he had been
meaning to visit them, but the visit never materialized. He had become too
caught up in his own career and new friends to make an effort.
Though they had been
the best of friends for such a long time, strangely and suddenly each found
that there was not much in common to talk about. However, as with old friends
it was not an uncomfortable situation and there was no embarrassment.
Finishing their
cigarettes, Amit suggested that after the conference they have a drink together
and chat. Rahul agreed mainly because there was not much to do in the evening
since his flight was next morning. Returning to an impersonal and lonely hotel
room was definitely not appealing.
By the time the
conference was over and the farewells had been done, it was nearly six. Amit
found Rahul waiting for him outside the entrance. They drove to a restaurant in
Amit’s car and Rahul was impressed with the swanky new SUV but did not say
anything. He was still driving his old Esteem and had been planning to replace
it with a new car but some expense or the other popped up and pushed his plans
on the back burner. Fact of the matter was that he believed he was not earning
enough for the good life.
Amit, however, seemed
to be rolling in the dough. Fine clothes, great car, good healthy looks all
indicated that he was doing great. The restaurant that they arrived at appeared
swanky. Probably the time spent on planning to buy his new car was mainly to
decide on the model that met his fancy and not the cost.
As they walked in, it
was obvious that Amit was a frequent visitor. The stewards knew him; he shook
hands with the manager and waved to some customers. They were escorted to a
corner seat which afforded them privacy. As the drinks arrived, Amit asked “So,
what have you actually been doing? Do you visit Delhi often? You should have
called me and stayed with us.”
“Not really! I mean,
I do come here once in a while but usually only for the day.” Rahul replied. He
did not touch upon what he did. In any case it was nothing to brag about.
All he did was push
files, collect data and prepare information systems for the Board Members – who
he never actually met. He prepared all this for his idiot of a boss who then
presented his work to the Board. He had long realized that he needed to have
the complete overview of the business and the way to do this was through
analysis of the data. He had done some great work in the initial years when he
was in operations and had proposed innovative solutions which were implemented
successfully.
Somewhere along the
line his CEO had decided that he was a great number cruncher and had moved him
into his team. He had been thrilled to be part of the CEO’s team initially but
as the years went by his role as an operations expert got lost and all he was
doing on a day to day basis was sifting favourable information for his CEO and
preparing explanatory notes for the failures. Basically, his job was to save
the CEO’s ass! Nobody took him seriously any more. He would attend most
conferences on behalf of his CEO – except those where the CEO was a speaker. He
was just a glorified errand boy. He had tried to move back to operations a few
years ago without success. He was just too good a lackey to be let go. The
salary was comfortable enough to prevent serious thought of change but not
large enough to prevent him from squirming in frustration from time to time.
Amit was looking at
Rahul closely. Things did not look great. Rahul seemed to have let go. There
was no spark in his eyes. Rahul had been the best student amongst the three
friends and had frequently saved them from embarrassment during the exams. But
he was looking old and resigned. Was he working too hard? Did not look like it.
He wanted to ask him about it, but decided to let it pass for the time being.
The silence between
them was becoming uncomfortable. Amit decided to break it though he could not
think of anything interesting to talk about. Finally he decided to ask “Why did
you stick to the same job all these years? Must be really interesting! I could
never do it. After a couple of years every job becomes boring and I just have
to move on. But it has its positives. Each change gives a higher designation,
more money. And new things to do….”
The last bit came
almost as an afterthought. Did it really give one new things to do? His mind
went back to his early years. He was a go getter. Always had been! And he would
put all his energies in things that interested him. Sometimes this would mean
ignoring other things which were also important. During every term, he would be
brilliant in one subject and barely pass in some others. This was what kept him
away from the “good student” category. He was passionate about his favoured
topic and often became argumentative about it even with teachers and
professors, rubbing them the wrong way. His passion was often construed as
arrogance but also gave him an air of charisma. It drew some people to him like
a magnet but also alienated others.
“Any news of Kartik?”
Amit enquired. He realized that this would sound rather strange to Rahul. Or
maybe not! Kartik had been in integral part of the trio and probably was the
one who had kept them together through the years. Kartik was the quiet,
unassuming sort of guy who would soothe frayed tempers. Not exceptional in any
way, he was one who was level headed and calm at all times. Kartik was a steady
sort of a guy who appeared to lack any sort of passion or ambition. But he was
a friend who would stand with you irrespective of the situation. And he kept
the three together when Amit and Rahul had heated arguments, which was often.
These would cause strains in their friendship but Kartik would smooth things
over not by mediating but by just being there.
“Yes! We talk from
time to time. He stayed back and is a school teacher of sorts. He has also
written a couple of books which, I understand, the students find quite
helpful.”
“Really? That’s
great. Never could have visualized Kartik as a school teacher. Or an author!
Actually, never could visualize him as anything specific. But, good for him!”
Amit was shaking his head.
“Yes! But I think
Kartik is really happy. And he is actually quite passionate about what he does.
Whenever we speak, all he talks about is his work. And about Bhaumik Sir!
Apparently they work together o the books and are the closest of friends.”
“Bhaumik Sir? Yes!
Yes! I think now I understand it. Do you remember the way he used to teach? And
his marking system? Nobody would fail! All he did was ask – what next? And
again and again; till we either worked out the solution ourselves or understood
where we were going wrong. And even if we didn’t arrive at the right solution
he would let it pass till another time. He was a real guru! In fact, I think he
was the one responsible for us becoming what we are today. How many of the students
from small towns do so well in life? But we did!” Even as Amit said the last
lines, his voice lost the conviction that he had earlier.
Rahul noticed this
change in tone but stopped himself from saying anything. He could now feel an
empathy for Amit. For all the glitz, both had actually failed.
“Hey! Why don’t we go
and meet with Kartik? This weekend? Give him a big surprise! We are the last
people he shall expect. What say?”
Rahul was doubtful.
He liked the idea but he was often at work even on weekends His boss was
nothing less than a slave driver. Often, he would be preparing rubbish reports
for Monday morning, which would often be presented only on Thursday or Friday.
But he could not bring himself to admit this in front of Amit.
Amit could sense Rahul's
hesitation. Though he did not know the reason for it, he could sense that Rahul
was afraid. Across the table he laid his hand on Rahul’s and said “Let’s go. It
will help. Maybe it is overdue. Probably we need this – more now than ever.”
………………………………………………………………………………………
The morning sun was
warm and soothing. Bhaumik was sitting in an easy chair outside his house in
the small piece of land he lovingly called his garden. Nothing could be further
from a garden. There was no grass, no plants and not even a hedge. All it had
was two bamboo poles with a thin coir rope strung across for drying clothes. He
had never been a gardening buff and that plot was left vacant only because his
wife had insisted and hoped against hope that he would take up gardening some
day, but it had never happened. Now his wife was long gone, he did not have the
energy to take up gardening; his eyesight was not what it used to be. All he
did was live from day to day. The only bright spot in his day was when Kartik
came for his daily visits. Those few hours he again came alive. Discussing new
concepts of teaching, working on Kartik’s new book, arguing for hours over
methods – all these made his day. Kartik was the son he never had. His needs
were few and activities negligible. His head lolling he did not know when he
dozed off.
He felt someone
shaking him gently by the shoulder. Must be Kartik! But it was too early in the
day. Kartik usually came in the afternoon after his school duties were over. He
fumbled for his glasses which dangled from a string. It was not Kartik but two
other people. What did they want? Then he heard Kartik’s voice. “Sir, see who
has come? Don’t you recognize them?”
He
looked over his shoulder to see Kartik smiling broadly. He peered closely at
the newcomers. “Amit?...”
“Sir! Yes, you are
right, but who is this? Let’s see if you recognize him too!” Amit was smiling
as he bent to touch his teacher’s feet. Bhaumik looked closely, but failed to
recognize the other one. Surely, it wasn’t someone he knew! This balding,
haggard looking man could not be one of his students!
“Sir!
Rahul! Don’t you recognize me?” Rahul also bent forward to touch his feet.
“Rahul?!!
What happened son? Are you Ok?” in spite of himself, Bhaumik could not hide his
surprise and shock.
“Nothing, Sir. Age is
catching up. But so good to see you after such a long time. You are looking the
same – you haven’t changed a bit!”
“Tch! Age? I have
aged, not you. Kartik, make arrangements for Khichri. You know where the Dal
and Rice are in the kitchen. We will have lunch together. I will make some
“bhaja” for you today.”
“Sir!
You don’t need to take the trouble. We will get something from Onkar Hotel.”
Both Amit and Rahul protested.
“Onkar Hotel? You
think they can match my Khichri and bhaja? No arguments! Or do you want to be
punished after all these years? “Seeing Bhaumik’s enthusiasm, the trio did not
have the heart to protest further.
While the Khichri was
cooking, they spent a couple of hours chatting about the old days. But Bhaumik
was more interested in knowing what they were doing now. Though both Amit and
Rahul tried to gloss over details of their work, Bhaumik persisted with his
probing questions. He was an old fox at getting to the bottom of things and his
students were no match for the skills of subtle interrogation honed over years.
The interrogation was never overt, but a question here, a remark there gave
Bhaumik a clear idea of where the lives of the duo were headed.
At last the Khichri
was ready and Bhaumik went into the kitchen to make the Bhaja. In spite of
their protests, he insisted on making it himself. Kartik had done most of the
preparations but Bhaumik insisted on mixing the ingredients in the right
proportions himself and he would not allow anyone to do the actual frying.
They had their meals
in silence since Bhaumik would not allow them to talk while eating. The city
duo marvelled at the tasty and simple food. The love that had gone into making
it was not lost on them.
After the meal, they
again sat in the garden. Bhaumik sat in the easy chair and a couple of chairs
brought from inside were taken by Amit and Rahul. Kartik sat on the stairs.
“Rahul, do you
realize what you are doing wrong?” Bhaumik’s straightforward query did not come
as a surprise. Rahul had been dreading this question for he knew that Bhaumik
would raise this sooner or later. Not much escaped the old teacher.
In spite of being
prepared for the question, Rahul had not been able to prepare a satisfactory
answer. Amit started to say something, but Bhaumik's look shut him up. Rahul
continued to be silent.
Bhaumik
kept looking at Rahul not saying anything. After a while, Rahul could not keep
silent anymore.
Bhaumik did not say
anything. He just kept looking at Rahul. There was neither disappointment nor
accusation in his gaze. If anything, there was expectant waiting.
“I am doing good work
Sir. Important for the company. Decisions are made on the basis of what I
prepare. My boss appreciates the work that I do. People hold me in high regard.
What more could I want. Yes, they could pay me more, but then who is happy with
his salary? My work gets recognition. I am important for the organization……….”
Rahul’s voice trailed off.
Rahul stared back at
Bhaumik for a long time willing him to withdraw. Finally, giving up he could
not bring himself to say no. he just shook his head.
“Why?”
the classic Bhaumik style was back in play.
Rahul knew that the
standard reply of “I don’t know” would not cut any ice. “Sir. I was wrong. My
work is used, but not appreciated. Most people don’t even know it is my work.”
Rahul was resigned.
“But
is it your work? Is it what you really want to do?”
“I want to create
solutions. Numbers talk to me. Numbers tell me a story. They present problems
but also offer solutions. I know I can create new systems which are better than
those at present. I can analyze factors, get the clear picture and create
solutions. It is like a duel. I enjoy these duels.”
“So,
why don’t you do what you want to do?”
“Because I am scared.
Scared of losing my job. Scared of my propositions being laughed at. Scared of
standing up to my boss. Scared of being rebuffed.”
“Why
are you scared? Have you tried taking a stand about what you want to do?”
“No. But my boss is a
powerful man and I don’t earn as much as Amit to risk losing my job!” the last
bit came out inadvertently. But Bhaumik let it pass.
“Did
you learn your work from your boss?”
“Of
course not! He insisted that I join his team because I was damn good at what I
did”
“But
have you always done the same work?” Bhaumik would not let go so easily.
“No. I was doing work
that I enjoyed initially. But then my boss decided to shift me here and for the
last few years this is all that I have done. The reports come to me since I
prepare the information for the top management and I see so many areas crying
out for improvement. I do suggest changes based on the limited data, but mostly
they are not acted on. This is frustrating. If I was in charge, I would affect
the changes so that the system would improve.”
“Have
you proposed these changes to the top management and been rejected?”
“I don’t know. I just
send across the proposals to my boss. He is the one who interacts with the top
management. I don’t even know whether they know about the proposals!”
“So, is it clear what
you need to do? To be happy with your profession? To try and present your ideas
to the right people or to seek the opportunity to implement the things that you
propose to be done? Do you see what needs to be done? Do you….?”
Rahul nodded. He
could now clearly see his worth. He was not a paper pusher. He was a problem
solver. But he had forgotten that he had to solve his own problems first. He
felt better. His old teacher had removed the clouds as he had done often in the
past. But his next remark came as a surprise.
“Amit,
did you learn something from all this?”
“But
Sir, Amit is doing fabulously. I wish I had been successful like him.” Rahul
blurted.
Bhaumik
was looking at Amit. And Amit was looking at the ground.
“Are
you successful, Amit?” Bhaumik asked again.
“I
…..I……I have a good position. I have made decent money. But I always feel
incomplete professionally.”
Bhaumik
did not ask why as he usually did. He kept looking at Amit.
“I was a thought
leader. I was a creator. I created products. I taught people to create new
things. I had passion for what I did. But as I climbed up the hierarchy in
different organizations, I was getting involved more and more in corporate
political gamesmanship than in creating products and ideas. “
“A few years ago this
got the better of me and I lost out to a more aggressive opponent for who
gamesmanship was a passion. Since then I am just a decorative asset. I market
the products irrespective of whether I believe in it or not. And I lost the
will to fight for what I believed in. I lost my hunger for creation. Life had
been easy on me. But the happiness was gone. I miss the heated arguments, the
energy of new minds challenging my own.”
Bhaumik
smiled “Do you now know what you need to do? To be happy? To feel useful? To
realize your worth?”
Both nodded. The old
master had used his tried and tested methods to guide them towards the most
important solution of their life. The quest for confidence, excellence and
happiness beckoned at them.
He
had brought them back to the basics!
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