My belief:Any bloody fool can do any dam thing!
My belief:Any bloody fool can do any dam thing!
In
the nineties the terrorism was at its peak in Punjab. I was also a
victim of terrorism as my car was taken away at gun point by four
terrorists armed with pistol and AK-47,who entered my house forcibly at
dusk in November 1997.Thereafter there was threat for Ransom by Dal
Khalsa terrorists through letter written in red ink dropped in my mail
box. People were so scared that they would stay indoors dusk to dawn and
would not open their door till they make sure that the person who has
rung the call bell is a known person. For a stranger no body would open
the door.
After
retirement I was empanelled as an Arbitrator and as an inquiry officer.
I was also doing a social service of Teaching the students for free,
especially the poor students who could not afford tuition fee.
The
life style was that 10A.M. to 1.30 P.M.I would conduct inquiries
against Punjab Government officers. After 2 P.M. Lawyers would be free
from the High court and would appear before me in Arbitration cases.
From 4.30 P.M. to 6P.M. I used to teach the needy students.
One
day at about 9.30 P.M. doorbell rang but we did not give any response
for obvious reason. Then there was thumping at the front door. Everybody
in the family became alert and I with slightly opening the door held by
safety chain, asked, "Who is this?". Two people husband and wife were
standing outside and asked me whether they could be allowed to come
inside as they had some emergent work with me. After confirming that
they were genuine people, I allowed them in made them sit on sofa in
living room. The seemed to be very much worried I offered them water and
asked them who they were and what was the purpose of their visit at
this odd hour.
Picture for representational purpose only
The
man introduced himself as Mr. Tejinder Singh Bhatia and he was Manager
in Punjab& Sindh bank's branch in sector 24 Chandigarh and that they
had only child, a son, a high school student who ran away from the
house as he did not want to study and that they had been frantically
searching for him throughout the day and had been able to trace him
around 8 P.M and locking him in the house and making the neighbours to
guard the house , contacted one Kana Singh a poetess and a relative for
help in the matter and she in turn directed us to you for counselling
our child. I told them that the people were rumour mongers and that I
did not have any 'Illaz'(Solution) for 'Vigdey-tigadey'
(Spoiled) children).They touched my feet and begged of me not to
disappoint them as they had come with a great hope. I told them that I
did not have any 'Gidder-singi' (Jackal's Horn' a Boney cone-shaped excrescence which can occasionally grow on the skulls of golden jackals It
is associated with magical powers).It was half past 10 P.M and To put
them off, I told them to bring their son to me in the morning and that I
would see if I could do something for them.
Next
morning, they brought their son along. The boy to reverentially bowed
for touching my feet but I held him putting my arm around his waist and
remarked," Zhukna nahi.n(Don't bow) ,hold your head high" Took him in
and made him sit in the sofa next to me and started conversation that
went on as follows:-
Me, "What am I hearing you do not want to continue your studies"
Boy,"Haa.n ji padhan nu meri vaddhi rooh ni kardi."(yes sir I hate studies from the core of my heart)
Me," Tey Fair vaddhi rooh kee kehandi? (Then what does your hateful soul say?")
Boy,"Khedan nu jee karda"(Playing is my first love)
Me, "What is your favourite game.?"
Boy," Cricket Sir."
Me,"
Can you make it a Carrier and become like Kapil Dev or Yuvraaj? and
that I could speak to their coach Desh Prem Azad to give you coaching as
he has been my class fellow in high school."
Boy," No sir I can not even dream of reaching that level"
Me,
"You do not want to study, you can not make a Carrer in games then what
do you intend to do for a living ? your parents are not going to live
for ever to support you ."
For
the first time he realised the reality of life and the gravity of the
matter and became speechless. After a pause I said that may he live for
hundred years, could I borrow four months of your life for me?
He said," Dittey" (O.K. Given)
I
told him he has to attend my coaching class right from today till
examination scheduled for after four and a half months and he started
attending my classes. I further told him that every Sunday we would play
a cricket match in which I would also participate So far, his company
had been with drop-out boys working with small time business men like
renting out cassettes and CDs, Magazines and cheap spooks etc , running
STD booth and selling cell phone chips and batteries etc.
Now
the company was with studious class mates. I teach in funny way and the
students are fun loving and learn better . He started learning things
and taking interest in studies and taking help of class fellows too.
One day mother of the boy met me in the park taking morning walk. She asked me how was her son doing in the class. I said
that I was going to ask the same question from her as he was with me
only for one hour and with her for rest of the day. She said that there
is a lot of improvement in his behaviour. He has started giving respect
to every body and is the first in greeting every known person he meets
and devotes more time towards studies. I told her that I have also seen a
lot of improvement in him. Only thing is that he needs to be regular
for classes. She said he has never missed a class. I told her that it
was not true for example he missed the class yesterday. She said that
surely, he attended the class yesterday. I told her that yesterday he
came to me at 4 P.M and told me that he will not be coming to class as
he had to attend his friend's birthday party. She told me that for party
he had gone at 6P.M. after attending the class. She understood that the
boy had lied to her and that she will take him to task. I told her
that she need not to do anything, simply ask him what did I taught him
the previous day. When the mother asked him it occurred to him that the
parents had never such question in his life certainly mother must have
met me and known the reality. He touched mother's feet, pulled his ears
and confessed that he had told a lie and won't repeat it. There after he never missed a class and ultimately succeeded in scoring 70% marks in matriculation.
I taught only Science a Mathematics their most dreaded subjects that too up to 10th class
to build their foundation. The terrorism though subsided a bit but not
fully controlled. After two years, around mid-day two young boys both
about 6 ft. tall turbaned Sikhs entered lobby of our house without
ringing the main door bell and without knocking the door. Everybody in
the house was terrified at the behaviour of young boys and took the
intruders as terrorists. But one the boys started touching feet of my
father and mother, and then my wife who came out of the kitchen. When
the boy reverentially bowed to touch my feet I held him putting my arm
around his waist and remarked that I had told him not to bow and to hold
your head high, From the bent position straightening his body in great
excitement he handed me over a box of sweets and remarked, "Uncle I
have topped in the 12th class in the whole district"
Everybody
congratulated and hugged him and gave the boys a treat. In the evening
parents of the boy came with boxes of 'Ladoos' and 'Barfi'(Indian
sweets) and touched my feet and thanked me.
During
my teaching for about 14 years till I was diagnosed for a terminal
disease. I was responsible for inspiring and shaping two more dropouts
,derailed, on the line and felt that the purpose of my life has been
served.
-Tejinder Kamboj
(1940-20??)
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