" - Dad Says - Nothing less than Black Label or drink mosquito repelent " - Sudipta's words or his Dad's.
Some facts about Sudipta:
1. Sudipta is "A" 23 year old boy.
2. Sudipta has a Big Dad ; literally too.
I am holding a drink at Sudipta's birthday or 23 years , 9 months far from the day when his Dad conceptualized him.
With each golden drop is drenched by my keen throat, Sudipta's thoughts accrue in my mind.It pays to be just an observer sometimes, i guess.
He has everything what a guy can aim for. An Accord, an IIT
degree, 3 girls.
Sudipta is filled with hundreds of stories of his achievements and affairs and is game to spray that all on us. His last night story, his college medal, his gifted car, his flirt, his promotions, his frankfurt vacation,his dad.
For every dirty car ride, For every girl he slept with, For every wrong he did, he has a single excuse "And the Life Moves On"!
Droplets of whisky might have evaporated from my throat but the impressions of Supdipa were still fresh in my mind. M Sure 89.32% people must have taken back home Sudipta's impression, accent and cell number. Cell number for business, tashan or just a coffee. (Misnomer it is; If its a coffee it can not be just,Its always well thought).Irony.
I absorbed his number too. As i scrub his business card and roam on deserted roads of Chandni Chowk to get a ball point pen. A 10 year old boy carrying bucket full of pens screamed in my ears."Painnnn".
Me:"What?".
Penwala : Red,Blue,Green Painnnnn. After showing me the glittering pens in his hands.
Me:"Saale its PEN".Kitne ka hai?
Penwala: "2 rupaye". "2 Rupaye"
My eyes glowed and i felt an adrenaline rush in my whole body after hearing the price and glitter of that pen.I can feel the excitement on the tips of my toes.Wooh!
"Its Chinese, Use it untill it gels well with you or throw it in the dustbin.And the life moves on. But uncle don't buy chinese condoms.My father is still paying the price for the same." - little penwala.
I handed over a 2 rupee note to him and placed that glittering red machine in my pocket with elegance.
On my way back to home, Sudipta's "Life Moves on theory" was still juggling in my head.
As i try to write something for the blog with the new bought chinese machine,a rough stuffed feet came in my view of writing. It was Ramanujam's.
Ramanujam, a driver by profession, is my cook's eldest son.His dad left home while he was 4.It was Ganesh chaturhi. 20 such Ganesh Chaturthis have passed and his dad never came back to give them a shade. Still he is standing tall with the responsibility of 4 sisters, an ailing mother and village land loan. A talk with Ramanujam is rains of management knowledge for me.How he manages his finances, how he puts right amount at right voids. Amazing it is.
The only thing he wants from life is a day on which he can live for himself.Only thing.
The uncertainity and insecurity is not enough to fade away the big smile on his face when we discuss the future.The past means being proud for himself and not pity or pain.
May be pain gives you that strength and belief in yourself.
As i try to write down a number on paper while talking to Ramanujam, the glittery red machine surrenders. I threw it in the dustbin as that little guy instructed. "And Life moves on."
Ramanujam sits beside me with hundreds of hopes for his sisters' education and a huge contentment.Contentment. The reason for it can't be adjudged.Specially when he doesn't own an IIT degree, an Accord, girl(s) or "a" Big dad. This stuff give us high.Isn't it.
I asked Ramanujam about the stem of his contentment.
"Its been 20 years i have been constantly struggling with the life.20 whole years i have waited for the day for myself.Each day has brought sense of responsibility and sacrifices with it. Every moment unfolded Unpredictability and challenge for me. Crafting 4 lives with my amateur hands has been tough but always gave me a high.I wish these lives never miss their Dad's shade. Ameen".
As Rama starts repairing my 8 year old cooler, my eyes got stuck at the "Made in China" red pen lying in the dustbin. Isn't it, we have changed the way we measure things and people. We measure people on basis of what we want and not what is good.People have become like chinese stuff. They are shakky but are saleable. Hundreds of Sudipta's are selling themselves in this world with loose ethics and stupid theories. And Ramanujam fighting each moment in other's battle is standing alone. Craving for a human hand.Human heart.
Sudipta dada, you need millions of dollars stuffed into your boots, hundreds of girls hanging onto your balls, big degrees in your pants, dad's big finger in your nose to define you.But Ramanujam just needs three words.Survivor,True,Human.
Sudipta might be having world full of things and assets;Rama has got less. Struggle,Moments of highs,Brotherly hug,Restless nights,Tears of humiliation.Ma's hope.
But what he has got is true.
No matter how much we ponder upon these measurements, we all will continue to imbibe the stuff what we want. We will keeping buying millions of Sudipta's for our lives. daily and every moment. I wish in 1000 years a day comes when we start measuring people with humanity,truth and substance; And not look for a brand like "Made in China" for humans too.
