My younger daughter Sangya began preparing for State Civil Service after her graduation in microbiology. My son Kuntal was in the last semester of B.Tech. at Trichy. Before I tell you more about him I wish to tell about a letter that I wrote four years ago to Kuntal, to enable you to understand the development that later followed :
Bilaspur
(Dated) 16-09-1999
Dear Kammu,
Congrats on the opportunity you won for a happy future. You have entered a new era of freedom and responsibility away from a stereotyped system. I can guess your mental state, you might be in. I can imagine the curiosity and the feeling of thrill engulfing you. To live it in totality, to develop your own personality and managing time, are the issues that you yourself have to see, assess and act accordingly. You are privileged to be a student of an institution where the best minds of the country are trying to write the scripts of their future.
You had said that you would have to compete with the brilliant scholars. On the surface, this is true but when you probe deep, you will find that it is with ‘You’, you have to compete.You have to judge where you stood vis-a-vis the past moment. Tell, who is your competitor? Surely, there can be no alternative to systematic studies. You are intelligent as well as capable. We all fully trust your talent.
We are sad at your parting from us but we preserve memory associated with you. From such a distance we are unable to do anything for you but we know fully well that you are competent and efficient. Not merely for your own self but for all of us you are doing something significant. The blossoming of your personality, your emergence as an efficient person, will bring us immense satisfaction and happiness.
Mummy keeps remembering you. Some times she becomes jubilant and on occasions tearful. She can't help, she is a mother. Sangya is in top gear of her preparations promising a good result.
Take care.
Papa.
**********
Trichy Engineering College is in Tiruchirappalli Tamil Nadu where Tamil and English reign supreme. English in Tamil Nadu is influenced by Tamil (Tamilite English) hence, in the beginning, Kuntal had to wrestle with language problem which made his adjustment with local surroundings a bit difficult. However, time passed and he reached the last semester.
Reputed organizations reached Trichy for campus interview. Kuntal faced an interview for Pune based Telco Automobiles. At the end of the interview, while rising, Kuntal expressed his desire to work in ‘Research and Development’ wing of the organization making it clear that he had no interest in other wings.
"We cannot promise", came the reply.
"Then if you have selected me, assign the job to someone else."
"What we can do is, we will watch you during the probation period and if we find you suitable we will induct you in the R & D Wing."
"That's fine for me." Kuntal gave his consent. Thus, by the end of the last semester, he received an offer on 25th February 2003 with the condition to score 60% marks for graduate degree whereas he scored 82%.
I received Kuntal's letter dated 26th March 2003. Some extracts from his letter:
Dear Papa, Mummy and Didi,
I am extremely fine here and hope that all of you are also happy.
Only a few days are left for the college life to come to an end. I still cherish the memory of days when I left home to arrive here. I couldn't realize how soon time passed, four years spent in a jiffy. I learned a lot during these four years, gained a few things, lost a few and saw good periods. I made few friends, though couldn't learn Tamil, worked, slept, didn't study hard but found a good job. My English improved though Hindi worsened, and several things like these. Without ever nursing a hope I got a chance to rise above these (or even below them) and took some time for self-appraisal. I found a Guru who gave me a new direction. I could realize whatever I had been doing so far, without any knowledge as to why I am doing it? Even now the aim is not quite clear or distinct, though there is at least a direction to tread the path, is still difficult. There are several foes, not outside but within. It would be impossible to reach the destination as long as I do not learn how to control the self.
You might be wondering what this chap Kammu is saying. Yes, I have undergone some change. Looking from outside you won't discover any change but within me, my entire attitude towards life has undergone a drastic change. The beginning was quite difficult, it still is because people around are unable to accept the change but gradually I have also learnt how to deal with such things. One fact is sure, life isn't what it was in the past. It is becoming more thrilling, meaningful and interesting.
Job joining letter from the company has arrived. I am sending a Xeroxed copy which has several terms and conditions printed. I am not sure how much I will get. But, I believe roughly it will be around ten to twelve thousand. I'll find out when I reach there. I am absolutely ready and very excited. Meanwhile, the temptation to spend vacations at home is too strong to resist. This time again I won't step out of the home. Hope you won't rag me too much. I finish letter with lots of love.
Yours
Kammu
**********
Ammaji became lonely after Daddaji's demise. Daddaji's used to scold her constantly and she had become used to his rant to such an extent that she had become immune. Daddaji would often wish her to die, prior to his demise, but this could not happen. There are certain matters which are not under human control, death or birth, for example.
In 1996 she had a minor attack. She was admitted to civil hospital where she was kept in ICCU for intensive care and treatment. She was under the treatment of medical specialist Dr.S.K.Nigam. Next day a carpenter came to ICU and began repairing room ventilator. His hammering caused a lot of noise. Ammaji could not sleep. I asked the carpenter to stop the work, he went away only to return with the doctor. The doctor began shouting asking, "Why did you stop the carpenter from working?"
"The patient was in trouble because of the noise."
"Do you have an idea how difficult has it been to hire a carpenter? He came after a lot of persuasions and you made him run away."
"You should mind patient's sufferings also."
"The patient is all right. Don't interfere in our work. We are here to take care of the patient", threatened the doctor. I was extremely angry but had to swallow it because it was the only hospital where Ammaji could be treated. The carpenter began his work again. I felt that he was hammering the nail in my heart, none can help. Who so ever born in India, has to undergo such kind of situations every now and then. Silence is the best remedy. India remains an incurable country.
Anyhow, the carpenter left after finishing his work. That night, Rajkumar, my younger brother, stayed as an attendant. Next morning when I reached the hospital at about eight I found both, Ammaji and Rajkumar in sound sleep. I called to wake her up but she didn't. I shook her but in vain then I called the nurse. She felt her pulse, tried to hear her heart beats but could not comprehend. Measuring her blood pressure she said in a tone of panic, "Everything seems to be wrong, only the doctor can find out, but he has an hour to report on duty at nine." I guessed she had collapsed, still, I asked Rajkumar to rush to the doctor's quarter and bring him along. Rajkumar ran and I kept staring at her motionless body. Suddenly I noticed a slight movement in her knee. By that time the doctor had arrived who examined her and said, "She has developed hypoglycemia. Pulse and heart beats are very low, she is not breathing either." I informed him about the jerk in the knee, he said, "Let me try." He asked the nurse to bring a glass of water (with sugar dissolved). She returned in a short while. He tried to make her drink but her teeth got locked. By a great effort, he managed to "open" the mouth and dropped some water in. She could drink a few drops, the remaining got spilled. We kept watching in a state of high suspense. Within two minutes pulse, heart beats and breathing began responding. After ten minutes the body began showing a response. She opened her eyes. The doctor, who seemed a demon yesterday noon, appeared to be an angel.
Daddaji wishes to see her die while he was alive could not materialize. He himself departed four years after this incident leaving Ammaji alone. Ammaji survived for another four years after his demise. How did she survive at the age of 80+ with high B.P., diabetes, infected kidney, abdomen pain, immobile knee joints, sinking eyes is a tale of agony, too pathetic for narration! A mother of nine children, like a fallen dry leaves from a tree, kept drifting here and there living a neglected miserable life. Why did she live so long? I always felt sad for why did she revive in 1996 to undergo such prolonged suffering.
Bilaspur
(Dated) 16-09-1999
Dear Kammu,
Congrats on the opportunity you won for a happy future. You have entered a new era of freedom and responsibility away from a stereotyped system. I can guess your mental state, you might be in. I can imagine the curiosity and the feeling of thrill engulfing you. To live it in totality, to develop your own personality and managing time, are the issues that you yourself have to see, assess and act accordingly. You are privileged to be a student of an institution where the best minds of the country are trying to write the scripts of their future.
You had said that you would have to compete with the brilliant scholars. On the surface, this is true but when you probe deep, you will find that it is with ‘You’, you have to compete.You have to judge where you stood vis-a-vis the past moment. Tell, who is your competitor? Surely, there can be no alternative to systematic studies. You are intelligent as well as capable. We all fully trust your talent.
We are sad at your parting from us but we preserve memory associated with you. From such a distance we are unable to do anything for you but we know fully well that you are competent and efficient. Not merely for your own self but for all of us you are doing something significant. The blossoming of your personality, your emergence as an efficient person, will bring us immense satisfaction and happiness.
Mummy keeps remembering you. Some times she becomes jubilant and on occasions tearful. She can't help, she is a mother. Sangya is in top gear of her preparations promising a good result.
Take care.
Papa.
**********
Trichy Engineering College is in Tiruchirappalli Tamil Nadu where Tamil and English reign supreme. English in Tamil Nadu is influenced by Tamil (Tamilite English) hence, in the beginning, Kuntal had to wrestle with language problem which made his adjustment with local surroundings a bit difficult. However, time passed and he reached the last semester.
Reputed organizations reached Trichy for campus interview. Kuntal faced an interview for Pune based Telco Automobiles. At the end of the interview, while rising, Kuntal expressed his desire to work in ‘Research and Development’ wing of the organization making it clear that he had no interest in other wings.
"We cannot promise", came the reply.
"Then if you have selected me, assign the job to someone else."
"What we can do is, we will watch you during the probation period and if we find you suitable we will induct you in the R & D Wing."
"That's fine for me." Kuntal gave his consent. Thus, by the end of the last semester, he received an offer on 25th February 2003 with the condition to score 60% marks for graduate degree whereas he scored 82%.
I received Kuntal's letter dated 26th March 2003. Some extracts from his letter:
Dear Papa, Mummy and Didi,
I am extremely fine here and hope that all of you are also happy.
Only a few days are left for the college life to come to an end. I still cherish the memory of days when I left home to arrive here. I couldn't realize how soon time passed, four years spent in a jiffy. I learned a lot during these four years, gained a few things, lost a few and saw good periods. I made few friends, though couldn't learn Tamil, worked, slept, didn't study hard but found a good job. My English improved though Hindi worsened, and several things like these. Without ever nursing a hope I got a chance to rise above these (or even below them) and took some time for self-appraisal. I found a Guru who gave me a new direction. I could realize whatever I had been doing so far, without any knowledge as to why I am doing it? Even now the aim is not quite clear or distinct, though there is at least a direction to tread the path, is still difficult. There are several foes, not outside but within. It would be impossible to reach the destination as long as I do not learn how to control the self.
You might be wondering what this chap Kammu is saying. Yes, I have undergone some change. Looking from outside you won't discover any change but within me, my entire attitude towards life has undergone a drastic change. The beginning was quite difficult, it still is because people around are unable to accept the change but gradually I have also learnt how to deal with such things. One fact is sure, life isn't what it was in the past. It is becoming more thrilling, meaningful and interesting.
Job joining letter from the company has arrived. I am sending a Xeroxed copy which has several terms and conditions printed. I am not sure how much I will get. But, I believe roughly it will be around ten to twelve thousand. I'll find out when I reach there. I am absolutely ready and very excited. Meanwhile, the temptation to spend vacations at home is too strong to resist. This time again I won't step out of the home. Hope you won't rag me too much. I finish letter with lots of love.
Yours
Kammu
**********
Ammaji became lonely after Daddaji's demise. Daddaji's used to scold her constantly and she had become used to his rant to such an extent that she had become immune. Daddaji would often wish her to die, prior to his demise, but this could not happen. There are certain matters which are not under human control, death or birth, for example.
In 1996 she had a minor attack. She was admitted to civil hospital where she was kept in ICCU for intensive care and treatment. She was under the treatment of medical specialist Dr.S.K.Nigam. Next day a carpenter came to ICU and began repairing room ventilator. His hammering caused a lot of noise. Ammaji could not sleep. I asked the carpenter to stop the work, he went away only to return with the doctor. The doctor began shouting asking, "Why did you stop the carpenter from working?"
"The patient was in trouble because of the noise."
"Do you have an idea how difficult has it been to hire a carpenter? He came after a lot of persuasions and you made him run away."
"You should mind patient's sufferings also."
"The patient is all right. Don't interfere in our work. We are here to take care of the patient", threatened the doctor. I was extremely angry but had to swallow it because it was the only hospital where Ammaji could be treated. The carpenter began his work again. I felt that he was hammering the nail in my heart, none can help. Who so ever born in India, has to undergo such kind of situations every now and then. Silence is the best remedy. India remains an incurable country.
Anyhow, the carpenter left after finishing his work. That night, Rajkumar, my younger brother, stayed as an attendant. Next morning when I reached the hospital at about eight I found both, Ammaji and Rajkumar in sound sleep. I called to wake her up but she didn't. I shook her but in vain then I called the nurse. She felt her pulse, tried to hear her heart beats but could not comprehend. Measuring her blood pressure she said in a tone of panic, "Everything seems to be wrong, only the doctor can find out, but he has an hour to report on duty at nine." I guessed she had collapsed, still, I asked Rajkumar to rush to the doctor's quarter and bring him along. Rajkumar ran and I kept staring at her motionless body. Suddenly I noticed a slight movement in her knee. By that time the doctor had arrived who examined her and said, "She has developed hypoglycemia. Pulse and heart beats are very low, she is not breathing either." I informed him about the jerk in the knee, he said, "Let me try." He asked the nurse to bring a glass of water (with sugar dissolved). She returned in a short while. He tried to make her drink but her teeth got locked. By a great effort, he managed to "open" the mouth and dropped some water in. She could drink a few drops, the remaining got spilled. We kept watching in a state of high suspense. Within two minutes pulse, heart beats and breathing began responding. After ten minutes the body began showing a response. She opened her eyes. The doctor, who seemed a demon yesterday noon, appeared to be an angel.
Daddaji wishes to see her die while he was alive could not materialize. He himself departed four years after this incident leaving Ammaji alone. Ammaji survived for another four years after his demise. How did she survive at the age of 80+ with high B.P., diabetes, infected kidney, abdomen pain, immobile knee joints, sinking eyes is a tale of agony, too pathetic for narration! A mother of nine children, like a fallen dry leaves from a tree, kept drifting here and there living a neglected miserable life. Why did she live so long? I always felt sad for why did she revive in 1996 to undergo such prolonged suffering.
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