Autobiography : Journey by Chance - 2

In the past century, people were content with the circumstances around them.  All of us aspire for a happy future, dreaming ambitious projects and strive to attain them, yet one does not get what he aspires for.  It is human nature to ignore what one has and lament what one could not accomplish.  One must recognize the fact that one’s future is shaped by an action we undertake at the present moment.  Yet the crucial question that haunts, what one must undertake and what should be abandoned?  In the Udyog Chapter of Mahabharata, we get an important dictum: ‘For the man bestowed with patience to ponder over first the purpose, the consciousness and one’s progress (target) and then decide whether, or not to begin a task.’

What ultimately has a lasting impact on the future is the dilemma, whether one should or should not undertake an activity.  We have a short span of life, half of which is claimed by eating, drinking and sleeping.  A quarter is squandered on meaningless and futile activities.  It is only the remaining quarter which shapes our future.  There is an old Chinese dictum, ‘‘sow thoughts to reap actions, sow actions to reap habits, sow habits to reap character, sow character to reap destiny.’’

Dr.Stephen R. Covey suggests: ‘‘we are free to choose our actions, based on our knowledge of correct principles, but we are not free to choose their consequences of those actions. We can decide to stand before a high-speed train but we cannot decide what would happen to us when it collides on us.’’

Babbaji had no financial assets, how could his son Ram Prasad fulfill his dreams?  He had two options, service or business.  At that time Babbaji remembered a relative in Gourela running a business near holy Amarkantak.  He had a well-established firm dealing in grains.  It was a fact, money used to pour on him.  He sent Ram Prasad to Gourela to learn the tricks of the trade.  Ram Prasad was a hard working person with a distinct vision.  He became a member of the family very soon.

Business was at its peak there.  Grains were bought from several places to Gourela through railway.  Ram Prasad was asked to visit distant trading centers from where he used to send produce bought at low price.  Quite often he used to resort to Hawala, advance buying trade.   When his uncle Dulichand learnt about such dealings he would panic exclaiming, ‘you would ruin us some day.’  Ram Prasad would smile and remain silent while Dulichand would scratch his nose wondering what would be the outcome.  There is a saying that even when a shrewd Baniya (the businessman), falls down he will rise with a fistful of sand.  The saying proved time in Ram Prasad’s case.  On the spot buying or advance-buying left substantial profits.  This raised Ram Prasad’s stature in the family; very soon he was entrusted with not only accounts but also keys of the cash box.  What can obstruct the rise of a man who is honest and has an urge for learning. 

Let us retreat to Manendragarh where Jagdish Narayan and Lappulal dwelt as neighbors.  The goodwill they developed at Jaithari continued at Manendragarh too.  Whenever there were guests or some festive occasions at Jagdish Narayan’s home Lappulal’s daughter SundarBai used to look after the entire proceedings.  She had a wonderful capacity to adapt herself to adverse circumstances and handle them suitably, though she was only thirteen then.  Skilled in traditional tasks of home crafts, an efficient cook, she was highly gifted with a rich repertoire of songs sung at the time of marriages.  Though not sweet in singing, she used to sing in abundance.  Because she was an asset to the family she enjoyed the status of a family member. 

A well-wisher advised Jagdish Narayan, “Why don’t you marry Lappulal’s daughter.  She is good natured and efficient in household work.”  He remained silent which was considered as consent by the family-friend who discussed the matter with Sundar Bai’s father Lappulal.  Lappulal instantly rejected the proposal adding that he was willing to consider Jagdish Narayan’s son Ram Prasad as a suitor.  When Jagdish Narayan was informed about it and he readily agreed. 

Isn’t it something interesting as well as surprising?  The marriage proposal was for the father but got settled for the son.  Did you ever hear such quirk of fate?

I apprised you about Ram Prasad.  How he managed affairs at Gourela during his apprenticeship and became a member of the family. Some members became uneasy with his rise to power and began whispering.  As soon as Ram Prasad learnt about this, he realized that his days at Gourela had come to an end.  Handing over the keys of the safe to Dulichand Laxminarayan’s mother, he packed his luggage.  He returned to Manendragarh with his wife along with the training he had acquired during his stay and the goodwill of traders throughout the country.

Manendragarh was surrounded by thick forest.  The bark of Khair tree was processed to prepare Kattha used in betel leaves chewing betel is extremely popular in North India.  Kattha remains the most conspicuous ingredient of a Paan not only for the taste it tends to betel but also the reddish tinge it provides to lips.  Kattha is produced in a few selected forests of India.  It was found in Korea area too.  The ruler of Korea estate used to grant the license for processing, charging some nominal fees.  Ram Prasad got a license for one year.

When a reputed businessman of Manendragarh learnt about this, he offered to invest money in the project, promising partnership.  Ram Prasad devoted his entire attention to the project.  There was bumper production in 1935-36 promising good profit.  On the expiry of the contract term, the Seth presented an account showing loss while Ram Prasad expected a minimum profit of about Rs. One Lakh.  Since accounting was in Seth’s hands, Ram Prasad had to accept what was conveyed.  When Ram Prasad narrated the incident to his father he advised, ‘‘As is God’s will’’.  Jagdish Narayan was a man who could tolerate sorrow as destiny.

Jagdish Narayan’s fortune sank down.  One day, he didn’t have money to buy a Bidi, the Indian cigarette.  The shopkeeper declined to oblige.  The insult greatly hurt him.  He asked his sons to pack whatever they had in the shop and home and leave the place immediately.  When the children asked, ‘‘Where?’’

‘‘Where-ever the Lord intends us to?  Our days in this village are over!’’ Jagdish Narayan replied.

During night, Jagdish Narayan was waiting at Manendragarh station for train to Calcutta (Kolkata).  While he was awaiting the arrival of the train with all his belongings and family, the Deewan (Prime Minister) of Korea estate found him.  Seeing a VIP of the estate everyone stood up in honor.  Jagdish Narayan humbly asked, ‘‘Deewanji, why did you exert?’’

"Rajasaheb came to know about the injustice with you and  was informed that you were leaving Manendragarh.  He had sent me to persuade you not to desert the village. The license for the coming year would be granted to you.  Now, don’t make anyone a partner in future."

Jagdish Narayan’s eyes welled up with tears in a choked voice he said, ‘‘Please convey our Salam (salutations) to His Majesty.  He has been so kind towards us.  However, excuse me, I left the village and will not return.”

Deewan looked at him in shock and left with a heavy heart.  The train arrived soon after and took Jagdish Narayan’s fate aboard.  Smoke from the engine filled the railway coach which also had coal particles.  Rubbing his coal particles filled eyes Jagdish Narayan kept wondering whether it was sane on his part.  Pitch dark engulfed the train allowing no one to see anything outside.  Like Jagdish Narayan’s fate, the train kept running forward.

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The train halted at Bilaspur on the morning of 12 May 1937.  The train for Calcutta was to depart in the evening.  In order to pass time Jagdish Narayan took a stroll outside the railway station leaving his family at the station’s platform.  Five miles away from the station, an acquaintance Ismail Bhai, used to live at Golbazar, he met Ismail Bhai.  When Jagdish Narayan confined him about his intention to go to Calcutta, he suggested, ‘why do you go so far?  Calcutta is a vast city.  Don’t go there, stay here.  This is a small city and people are decent, you will be able to manage well here.  By the way, what will you do for a vocation?’

Jagdish Narayan informed, ‘I can make and sale sweets.  This is what I did all my life.’

Ismail Bhai told him about a prominent and rich social worker Dwarika Prasad Dubey.  Summoning courage, he met Dwarika Prasad Dubey and narrated his woes soliciting his support.  He enquired, ‘‘How much do you have in your pocket?’’

‘‘Only a Rupee and ten Ana's.’’, He replied hesitating.               

‘‘How can you start your business on so small  sum?’’

‘‘With your kind support, I shall manage.  Help me in finding a shop only.’’

‘‘See, if that shop is good enough for you?’’  Dwarika Babu pointed towards a shop in front.

‘‘It is quite good for me.’’ Said Jagdish Narayan.

After settling rent when he was alighting down the steps of Dwarika Babu’s shop Jagdish Narayan observed a lot of hustle bustle of Englishmen on the road.  A lot of decoration was in progress.  He enquired a passerby the reason, he was informed, King George VI’s Coronation is being celebrated.

Next morning activities of inauguration began with Bhatti-pooja, the furnace worship, with the breaking of a coconut and thus began a new chapter in Bilaspur established by named Bilasa Kewatin.  Arpa, the river, blessed the newcomers and ran flowing in melody. (Seriatim)