Leisure or Growth !
Govind Raj, a professor who retired after
36 years of service in a college, was putting up in a village in just ten kms.
from the city. As he was a man of a limited wishes to aspire for, he is leading
a life of contentment and satisfaction, along with his family which comprises of
his wife – Saroj Bala and two married sons. Their third child, a daughter -
Sunita is also married and is staying at her in-laws’ house at Chandigarh.
Govind Raj’s elder son – Rajesh is working with railways and the younger one,
Kishore is employed in a bank as an officer. Both the sons are having small kids
who enjoy a lot playing with their grand pa, after they return from their
schools. One day when Govind Raj was enjoying his leisure time with his grand
children, the postman of their village came and handed over a letter to him. As
per his habit, first he saw the letter from reverse side to see the name of the
sender. His wife Saroj, who was also sitting nearby, asked, “From where has it
come?” Frowning his eyebrows, he replied briefly, “Some Prem Kumar Banga, from
Delhi.....” His wife again asked, “I don’t think we have any relation at Delhi,
do you know him?” ”I don’t remember exactly as to who is this Mr. Banga .....”
His granddaughter - Suneha brought spectacles for him, and adjusting them curtly
on his face, he started reading the letter, which read as under : -
“Dear Govind Raj ji! Namastey! I hope,
you might be quite hale and hearty along with your family in your village,
leading a blissful life. If you had not made out my identification so far, let
me take the liberty to inform you that I am Prem Kumar Banga, an old friend of
yours and we were class-fellows when we used to study MA English at Doaba
College, Jalandhar. While, I was staying at college hostel, you were putting up
in a village nearby. We passed our PG in 1980 when Professor Bibra Sahib was our
HoD. After completing my study, I joined the business of my father and I
remember that you were planning to take-up teaching as your favourite
profession. Presently, I am staying at New Delhi. Since we have not met almost
for the last three decades, I am curious to see you again. Hence, I suggest that
you make a 5/6 days’ tour to my place along with your family. Please note that I
also wish to discuss an urgent matter with you.”
After reading the letter, Govind Raj was
lost in a trance. He tried to recollect the old memories of his long lost friend
and the intensity of his friendship with him. Visualising his position, his wife
Saroj placed her hand over his shoulder and asked “Was he so close to you during
your college days?” Adjusting his composure, Govind Raj replied, “I am still not
able to recollect exactly who is this Prem Banga and why did he invite me to his
house after such a long period, when there was no word from either side for the
last many years !” Silence
prevailed there for some time and then he said to his wife, “I remember vaguely
there was one Prem in our class at that time and unlike me, he hailed from a
rich family. Whenever, my story or a poem was published in our college magazine
or some newspaper, he used to read it with a lot of interest and surprise and
based on his judgement or liking, he also used to give me his comments or
compliments. He would often express his awe as to how I used to write so
eloquently and that too, about imaginary characters and locations & situations.
His wife nodded as if giving an affirmation to his claim and then she said,
“Okay! We shall discuss the matter when our sons return from their office in
evening!”
It was a practice with their family to
sit together in the evening when their both sons had returned from their offices
and have tea. Govind Raj’s younger daughter-in-law, Dilraj Kaur served the tea.
While they were all enjoying tea, Saroj showed the letter to her elder son,
Rajesh. He was also astonished to read the letter from his dad’s friend, who had
remembered him after so many years. Meanwhile, his younger son – Kishore after
browsing over the letter, went to his parents’ room and came back with the group
photo of his dad, which was taken at the time of his farewell from college.
After rubbing off the dust which had settled over the glass, he asked, “Dad !
Can you recognise now, who is this Uncle?” Govind Raj glanced over the whole
range of boys in the photo quite scrutinisingly and then pointed out his finger,
“This is Prem, seventh from left to right, in the second row.....” Everyone
looked at the photo which was a forgotten entity till a short while ago and then
shot off a series of questions on their dad, about his life during his college
days and his relations with friends and how they rated their professors as well.
Govind Raj told them that how despite having been steeped in poverty during
those days, he never lost track of his studies, hard work
and perseverance, which has ultimately resulted in his passing his PG in
flying colours and getting a job of a professor. And as far his friend – Prem
Kumar Banga is concerned; he was a son of a businessman and stayed in college
hostel. He was a mediocre in studies. After completing the PG, everyone got
engrossed in their chosen paths and later on, got involved in the web of their
social life and slowly, old friends, particularly from far off places, were
forgotten, as they remained out of touch.
Then going back on their thread of
discussion, Govind Raj’s son – Rajesh opined, “Since Uncle Banga is an old
friend of their Dad, he should visit him. They would not only enjoy each other’s
company, but shall also have an opportunity to share a unique bond, ups and
downs they have faced since then. Moreover, Uncle has also asked him to solve
his problem for which he has very optimistically pinned his hopes and faith in
dad.” Next day, he booked two seats
for Delhi for his mom and dad. At Delhi railway station, Prem Banga’s driver has
come to receive them. Soon they reached his friend’s
house and both Govind Raj and his wife were astonished to see their
sprawling house in Defence Colony, which was well maintained by their servants.
Both the friends were overwhelmed to see each other after almost three decades.
Prem Kumar cuddled Govind Raj in his arms and said, “I had lost a friend in my
youth but found him again when both of us are growing old.” On seeing the
sentiments of old friends, all the members of Mr. Banga’s family were also
pleased and they all burst into laughter. Then Mr. Banga
introduced his guests to wife Sarla, his son Anurag and daughter Monica.
After dinner, they continued their talks about their good days spent during the
college time which were full of jest, carefree life and really nothing much to
worry about. There was really nothing to worry about except their occasional
terminal exams.
Next day, Prem Banga told his driver to
take the guests around Delhi. Govind Raj and his wife Saroj were really moved by
the hospitality showered on them by his friend, who really took a good care of
them. After two days’ stay, Govind Raj asked his friend, “Prem ! What is the
problem which you wanted to discuss with me, for which you have called on me ?”
But Mr. Banga just laughed away and said, “Nothing much, don’t take it so
seriously, just take some rest and we shall discuss it
tomorrow.” Next day, Prem
Banga told his driver to take the
guests to Faridabad, on the outskirts of the city.
On their way, Govind Raj asked his friend, “Where are we heading for?”
“To Faridabad, on the outskirts of the city, we have a small farmhouse
and mind it, it will surely remind you of your village.”
They reached there within an hour. On reaching there, Prem took them
around the whole farmhouse, which was full of lots of trees and plants of so
many varieties. It was full of so many shady trees and a lot of birds were
chirping sitting on their branches. Unlike Delhi, there was no trace of
pollution which pollutes the atmosphere of city life.
Govind Raj and his wife were really very
happy to visit that place, which gave the glimpses of rural area in miniature.
When they felt somewhat tired, Prem Banga told his servant to arrange lunch.
After having lunch, and taken rest for a short while, Govind Raj again asked his
friend, “Yaar Prem ! My curiosity still remains unsatisfied. Please tell me as
to what is the problem you are going through? Please do share with me and I will
see if I can provide some solution to it !”
Prem Banga had a long breath and said, “Govind ji ! I want to sell this
farmhouse.........” His brief reply surprised both the guests and Saroj asked,
“It is such a nice place to visit and experience different sort of excursion
trip, away from hustle and bustle of city life, why do you want to sell it?”
Prem replied,” Bhabhi ji ! When I was studying, my father had a small
business and he wanted me to join him, so that I can help him. I obeyed my
father and worked hard to expand it. My father taught me so many intricacies and
delicacies to expand business. Together, both of us worked like a perfect team
and we multiplied it within five years. We continued our efforts and after
thirty years of my joining, our business has increased more than twenty times.
And now we have 20 people working with us.
Meanwhile, I have provided quality education to both my kids, they have
grown-up now, but I am sorry to say, that the zest & zeal and eagerness to learn
new things, work hard and multiply our profits, which was very much alive in me
at that time and is still going on despite that fact that my health does not
allow me to run here and there frequently, is very much missing in my kids. They
have got everything easily and are enjoying every sort of comfort and pleasure
by the virtue of my business, but neither of them is really interested to work
that much hard and take the lead to take our business to greater heights. While
our expenses are increasing, profit is almost static because the business growth
almost negligible.” Govind Raj was listening very seriously and asked, “But, why
they have adopted this type of attitude? Have not you asked Bhabhi ji to advise
them to take more interest? “ Prem Banga replied, “I have discussed the matter
with her also many a time, but she too remains busy in her kitty parties and my
kids often say when we are leading a decent life with a lot of comforts with
whatever we are earning, what is the need to struggle more unnecessarily ?“
Then Govind Raj again asked, “Shall I talk to your kids and impress upon
them to act upon the advice of their father?”
But Prem Banga replied, “No! You need not do that, as I feel that your
discussing the topic with them shall antagonise them and they may rather try to
avoid you after that? Then Saroj Bala asked, “In such a scenario, what do you
want from us ?”
Then, taking a deep breath, Prem Banga
replied, "As my kids are not prepared to put extra efforts, I have decided to
sell this farmhouse at a lucrative price. So Govind Raj! As you are very good at
writing, please prepare an impressive Sale Notice to be published in papers in
such a way that I get maximum returns out of it.” Govind Raj looked at him
scrutinisingly and then again asked, “Has it become absolutely necessary for you
to sell, are you in some high debt? And Prem Banga replied, “Yes ! A major of
part of my profits just goes in paying instalments of the loan and I want to get
rid of it as soon as possible. The money I shall be left with after clearing off
my debt, shall be utilised in diversifying my business.”
Next day morning, Govind Raj handed over
the Sale Notice of the farmhouse which he had prepared for his friend the
previous night and then left for his village. Prem Banga sent the sale notice to
press for publishing. Thereafter, there was no word between the friends, as
Govind Raj also got engrossed in his family affairs and the matter of fate of
the farmhouse was forgotten for the time being.
One day, when they were having dinner,
Saroj asked her hubby, “Have you heard anything from your friend about his
farmhouse? “Not yet ! Since we have
returned from Delhi, both of us have got engrossed with the family
affairs........” Then a short silence prevailed there. Then his younger son –
Kishore suggested, “Dad ! Last time you visited that Uncle’s house, why not now
invite him to our village?” Hearing this, Saroj also replied in the affirmative
and said, “This is really a good suggestion, pick-up the phone and invite your
friend here, and he will also explain things to us without any inhibition!”
Prompted by his family members, Govind Raj talked to his friend over phone and
revealed to him the desire of his family members to see him, and that he should
make a brief tour to their village. Hearing a good suggestion, Prem Banga
quickly confirmed that he would visit them shortly.
Next week, one evening, when Govind Raj
was having some leisure time with his grand-children, Prem Banga surprised them
all by dashing in their house. After some relaxation and having dinner, Govind
Raj asked his friend, “Yaar Prem ! What was the highest bid that you received
for your farmhouse and what happened ultimately?” Listening to their query, Prem
Banga laughed a bit and then informed them that he has decided not to sell the
farmhouse. “How did you change your
mind, what was the reason for your transformation?” asked Govind Raj. Prem Banga
replied, “No doubt, I had received a good number of quotations and the highest
offer of Rs. 10.00 crores was also quite satisfying, but later on, I have
decided otherwise; particularly after meeting another good friend like you.”What
did he tell you?” Then Prem Banga
replied, “I have another good friend who also met me after so many years, just
by chance and that too, after reading our sale notice in papers. His name is
Jagmohan Sahota, he advised me that if I put more money into business for
expansion or diversification etc., that means that more work will be generated,
and more work means more tension. When my kids are sharing their responsibility
for the existing work, how can I expect that they will share additional work?
Whatever additional work is then generated, shall be automatically get shifted
on me, putting an extra burden on me frail health .........
Thus, by diversifying my business, I shall be multiplying my tension.
At this age, my health needs some rest rather than exerting more pressure
on it. Secondly, as and when I am in low esteem due to the negligent behaviour
and carefree attitude of my kids, I just go to my farmhouse and take some
shelter there in the company of natural surroundings and my tension gets
evaporated. There is no denying the fact that my farmhouse is, in fact, a very
good relief provider. It is a sort of huge tonic for me also. Keeping all these
range of aspects in mind, ultimately my well-wisher friend – Jagmohan Sahota has
prevailed upon me, NOT to sell that farmhouse. I would think about selling this
farmhouse when my kids are really interested to expand their business and are
also inclined to share additional responsibility, which will befall on them,
consequent to the business plans.”
Listening to the whole logic behind his
transformation, Saroj Bala
remarked, “Bhai Sahib ! That’s really a wise decision. Let the children first
decide their priorities and divulge their mind and plans to you; after all, your
farmhouse is a very big and good property, its fate can be decided any time
later on !!”
R.D. Bhardwaj
“Noorpuri”