We met this morning after many months. He looked healthier
and cheerful. Years ago, he was a valued colleague. He used to read and write
regularly on the subject he was associated with for long while he was a senior
official in government. He now finds pleasure reading on homeopathy and
occasionally visiting his Master's ashram and meditating before His Samadhi. He
spoke to me about the protracted litigation over his pension. He feels he is
entitled to higher amount than what has been sanctioned. The matter concerns a
number of retired officers as well; but he has been at the forefront, studying
the issue, preparing the plaint, briefing the lawyer.
While we were talking, he received a call. He spoke to the caller briefly and said he would talk to him after an hour. The caller was yet another colleague-- equally bright, knowledgeable and broad-minded. He was in a very important assignment before he retired. On the day he retired he was put under a disciplinary proceeding that caused him considerable anguish. He fought till the end and got justice. By then he was a sick man. The genial smile that was the hallmark of his persona, had gone for ever. He now takes short walks, that too with the support of a stick.
We remembered yet another bright officer who faced turbulence in professional life in the last phase of his career. He was of nobler and softer stuff; he soon wilted and recently passed away.
Unwittingly, we had an overview of the universe we lived in. It has been an arena not free from jealousy, cruelty and intrigue. Both the cases we discussed had originated from intrigue and jealousy. The eco system is prone to arrogance and even penalises rectitude and professionalism. The victim soon becomes lonely, he fights alone, against a mighty adversary. In such a situation, rate of casualty, inevitably is high.
While we were talking, he received a call. He spoke to the caller briefly and said he would talk to him after an hour. The caller was yet another colleague-- equally bright, knowledgeable and broad-minded. He was in a very important assignment before he retired. On the day he retired he was put under a disciplinary proceeding that caused him considerable anguish. He fought till the end and got justice. By then he was a sick man. The genial smile that was the hallmark of his persona, had gone for ever. He now takes short walks, that too with the support of a stick.
We remembered yet another bright officer who faced turbulence in professional life in the last phase of his career. He was of nobler and softer stuff; he soon wilted and recently passed away.
Unwittingly, we had an overview of the universe we lived in. It has been an arena not free from jealousy, cruelty and intrigue. Both the cases we discussed had originated from intrigue and jealousy. The eco system is prone to arrogance and even penalises rectitude and professionalism. The victim soon becomes lonely, he fights alone, against a mighty adversary. In such a situation, rate of casualty, inevitably is high.
It was time for him to leave. I went up to his car. A smart
and respectful youth had driven him to our house. He is a fresh engineering
graduate. My friend had told me about him. He is the elder of the two sons of a
person who along with his wife has been looking after my friend and his wife
all these years and who lived in the friend’s household. I advised the boy to
prepare for a government job through the Public Service Commission. He agreed. I
knew I was prompting him to a sector where all was not well. But then, the
financial situation his family was in, I would not have done the right thing suggesting that he spent time and money in a mega city, looking for a job at a
time when bulk of the engineering pass-outs are considered unemployable.
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September 27, 2018
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