Mr Nandan is well built, good looking and well mannered man. He looks like atraditional person, always quiet, speaking less. Empathetic and well balanced.After working in law and order wing, he was shifted to administrative wing atthe middle level. Being in the key section, he has direct access to the head ofthe organization which made people fear of him. But, he appeared to be neitherpossessive nor aware of his powerful position.
He quietly walks into the office reciprocating the salutes from the very entranceto his chambers with a broad smile on his face.
The orderlies who worked under the people who always abused them and lackedwarmth and courtesy equated Mr Nandan to God. They kept an eye on him andrushed even before he switched the calling bell. They took delight in servinghim. All Mr Nandan asked them for only a cup of tea at regular intervals. Hedid not make them work at his house or beyond the office hours unlike hispredecessors.
Mr Nanadan’s colleagues who frequented the office used to step in into hischamber before seeing their boss. They chatted with him, mostly taking pity onhim for not making money while in the sought after law and order wing. He wouldonly smile. But, some colleagues tried to change his mind describing himincapable or lacked diplomacy.
Basically he is a contended man. He would always be pondering deeply aboutsomething, which he never revealed to anyone. Some regarded him as intellectualand some thought of him as stupid. He knew what people think of him, but hewould never react.
A colleague, Mr Vardhan Reddy was somehow appeared to be determined to pokehim that day. Of course, he had lot of sympathies to Mr Nandan and pitied himfor not making money like him and others. He wondered how he would livecomfortably with the growing children. He suspected that Mr Nandan must betorturing his family members with his so called modesty and wanted to changehis attitude.
As soon as he entered Mr Nandan’s chambers, Mr Vardhan Reddy kept his costlymobile phone on the table only to see if his colleague observed it. Mr Nandan’sdid not even turn his head and started talking to him inquiring about hischildren and their studies.
Determined Mr Vardhan Reddy tried for his chance to strike a conservationthat would lead him to lecture his colleague. He turned his eyes to the mobilephone belonging to Mr Nandan kept beside the landline phone. He asked him togive and had a look at it. It was very old model, worn out and looked bad. Hesighed and asked when did Mr Nandan bought and what its cost.
“I purchased when the cell phones entered the country. It was costly then atrupees ten thousand. Of course, you can get one for Rs 1,000 now,” Mr Nandansaid.
“Don’t you feel ashamed to use his antique piece? Your peon in the officeflashes the latest model that has a camera, voice recorder, tape, internetfacility and what not,” Mr Vardhan Reddy said waiting for the reaction from MrNandan.
Surprised at the remarks, Mr Nandan took a few seconds before saying `Whyshould I feel ashamed. All I can afford is this and I am comfortable withthis,’ he replied.
“Please do not deceive yourself. If you are like all of us – caring for thefuture and made some money, you will be more comfortable. You can have a fourwheeler in place of that old scooter and much more indeed,” Mr Vardhan Reddywent on.
Mr Nandan gave a patient hearing. At one point of time, he thought ofdisposing his colleague. Since he happened to be fellow at the training, hefelt little close. So, he decided to listen rather than resist. Mr VardhanReddy only tested his patience. Despite observing impatience in the face of MrNandan, he did not relent.
When Mr Vardhan Reddy slowed down waiting for answers, he only got smilesand nodding of head from his colleague.
“Mr Reddy will you please let me speak,” asked Mr Nandan.
Anxious to listen, Mr Vardhan said “Yes”.
“You see, I am like any of you people. I too want to enjoy the life to thefull. But my tastes and values are different. I feel ashamed to beg or takemoney from others,” Mr Nandan said expecting that his friend would exit.
“Is it wrong to make money? What is the salary we get for round the clockduty? It is far less than what a young graduate earns as his first salary thesedays. More money always means more comforts and the value of money does notchange. Do you know?, he coerced Mr Nandan into the discussion.
“Okay I agree we have round the clock duty. We also have some privilegeswhich others do not enjoy. Our job is noble and above petty considerations,” hereplied again hoping an end to the debate.
“More duty hours should earn more money. If it is not of help, we shouldmake money by other means. There is nothing wrong,” Mr Vardhan Reddy argued.
“If one is not happy with the salary, it is better give up the job and lookfor one that pays more,” Mr Nandan said.
“Every job will be like this. Nowhere one gets the sufficient salary. Onealways has a chance to make more other than salary. One has to utilize them. Itis not a crime you see and people would love to give money to a policeman toseek favours,” Mr Vardhan Reddy reasoned.
“You are right. Will you please listen to me?” I will tell you a real story.A story about a young successful man who made millions in short time?” MrNandan said.
Mr Vardhan Reddy like all others grew curious to listen to his colleague whois known to share his wisdom but rarely. “Okay please tell me. I love to listento you,” he said preferring to sit quietly.
Mr Nandan said “You know the Class I contractor Mr Ram Reddy who made lotsof money during the past three decades. He wanted his only son Rakesh Reddy togo to US to study and get a good job like many other youth of the day. Son didnot take interest in studies and wanted to earn money like his father. Mr RamReddy discouraged his son from entering into business but in vain.
While working in their area as inspector, I used to interact with Mr RamReddy. So I know little about his family. His son Rakesh Reddy often called onme at the police station to get his friend or acquaintance released. He used tospend a few minutes sharing his ideas with me. The boy looked too impatient andburned with desire to make a fast buck.
Mr Ram Reddy used to pay less to his employees and earn commissions inpurchases undertaking construction work. But, his son Mr Rakesh Reddy wasastute and foresaw the real estate boom. As soon as the idea struck his mind,he distributed small amounts to the gullible farmers and got the landstransferred on his name agreeing to pay the rest later. But, he never paid anyfarmer. Though they contested in court, they did not succeed. The helplessfarmers wished bad to Mr Rakesh Reddy. But his plan clicked and he earned hugemoney of which he lost the count. At 28, his father got him a beautiful girl tomarry and the occasion was celebrated grandly which was attended by ministers,businessmen and all elite of the district.
Interrupting, Mr Vardhan Reddy said “I attended it. Of course, I came thereon security duty”.
“Yes, many of our colleagues were drafted for security duties to the VIPs,”Mr Nandan said.
Resuming the story, he said that Mr Rakesh Reddy did not stop there. He didevery mistake a man could only to double his wealth. He purchased new vehicles,new cell phones, new buildings and what not. He had houses at several placeswith scores of servants occupying them. Shortly after his marriage, one daywhile returning from the neighbouring district, his vehicle met with a bloodyaccident. Miraculously, his driver survived but Mr Rakesh Reddy died. He wasonly 30 years and was proprietor of several business enterprises by then,” MrNandan concluded.
Agitated at the sudden end, Mr Vardhan Reddy asked “What happened then?”
Mr Nandan wanted to tell more but suppressed his urge. “What do you thinkwill happen?’
Suddenly coming to senses, Mr Vardhan Reddy posed: “So? What is the moral ofthe story you wanted to tell me?”
“Did you not understand? The Almighty has an excellent design. Each of ourlives is programmed by him. Whether you want or not, our lives operateaccording to that programme,” Mr Nandan said heaving a sigh of relief.
Mr Vardhan Reddy’s heart weighed more as he still pondered over the girl whomarried again taking all that wealth and deserted the father-in-law.
Ends/08.03.08
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