View from High Places

A New York Times correspondent is reported to have asked George Mallory, the famous English mountaineer as to why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. His reply is considered as the most famous three words in mountaineering - "Because it is there". Mallory is credited with having taken part in the first three British Mount Everest expeditions in the 1920s. He and his partner Andrew Irvine disappeared somewhere on the North-East ridge of the mountain when they were about 800 feet from the summit. Mallory was in his prime and 9 days short of 38 years when he disappeared. Their actual fate was not known until May Day in 1999, when their bodies were discovered.  Whether the two actually reached the summit or not is still being speculated. If they actually did it, it was nearly three decades before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did it on 29th May 1953. Tenzing's grandson Tashi Tenzing (daughter's son) climbed the summit in 1993. Tenzing's son Jamling  Norgay, along with Edmund Hillary's son Peter Hillary, also climbed the peak in 2003 making it three-in-one in the family. They indeed reached great heights!

Man has always cherished reaching great heights physically and have a view of the surrounding from "High Places". In our part of the world, one can always see a temple, small or big, on every noticeable peak. The objective behind these constructions were probably more to motivate people to climb hills and keep fit rather than seek divine intervention. Modern civilization has made it a point to construct high rise buildings or towers and establish an observatory there to have a 360* view of the surroundings.  We can also go the top of such buildings or towers to have breathtaking views of the world below. We need not carry the burden of oxygen cylinders or suffer the exhaustion of climbing in ice clad surroundings. The observatories levy a cost for the services of the lift and using their facilities.

 One of the first such view we had was in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.  The magnificent Steel Arch standing on the banks of the mighty Mississippi river is a great sight even to look from a distance.  It has a viewers gallery at a height of 630 feet from which one can have a beautiful sight of the Mississippi river on one side and the city buildings on the other. Going in the elevator up to the gallery is itself a thrilling experience. The movement to the top of the arch is through a cabin designed as a combination of train, tram and lift. The picture alongside (taken from the internet) provides a view of the arch during the night.  A visit to the city of St. Louis is incomplete without a view from the Steel Arch Gallery. Please CLICK HERE to read about details of this arch and our visit there.

Another memorable "View from High Places" we had was from C N Tower, Toronto, Canada.  We got this opportunity on the drive back from  Niagara Falls.  The 553 meter (1815 feet) structure is a concrete communication and observation tower completed in 1976 at a cost of 63 million Canadian dollars. Construction of the tower was a successful venture and the loans were repaid in 15 years.  It gets the name from the "Canadian National Railway Company" that constructed it. It has 147 floors and elevators take us to the top of the tower in less than a minute: 58 seconds to be exact. From the observation towers one can see up to a distance of over 100 kilometers and even the mist rising from the distant Niagara Falls. The revolving restaurant at the top of the tower is a great attraction and takes a full round in 72 minutes.  The 360* view from the observation tower gives a wonderful view of the Lake Ontario and the surroundings. A picture given alongside (taken from the internet) gives a view of the tower from the lake. The tower is a key symbol of the city of Toronto.

City of New York is full of skyscrapers and viewing galleries. Empire State Building has been a landmark for the city since 1931. A view of the city from the observation gallery on the 86th floor of this building gives a full 360* view of the city and its many buildings around it. The building stands 1,250 feet (381 meters) and has 102 stories. Height with Antenna is 1,454 feet (443 meters).  Its statistics simply amaze us.  The building was constructed in the times of "Great Depression". The building was opened within 14 months (March 1930 to May 1931) from the time its construction started! It was completed four months ahead of schedule and at a much lower cost than originally planned. Super fast elevators take the visitors to 80th floor in seconds. After changing elevators for moving up to 86th floor we reach 86th floor viewing gallery. There are hundreds of tall buildings around it and the view is to be seen to be believed. For a payment of 5 dollars a visitor can get a handheld radio device and can hear an interesting commentary that explains the view ahead from different view points. Books are also available to illustrate the buildings and scenery that one sees from different angles in the observatory. Our visit to this gallery in August 2005 is still fresh in memory.

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France has mesmerized millions of visitors over the years. Constructed to commemorate the 1889 world trade fair held in Paris, it stands 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall and offers a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.  It is said to be the most visited paid monument in the world.  The lift system takes the visitors to three different levels and the visitors gallery at the third level is always full of visitors. Once a visitor reaches this level, he/she would like to stay and keep on looking around for a long time. "Visit Paris at least once in your life time", an uncle used to stay. A visit to Paris means a visit to this wonderful tower also. The picture alongside (taken from the internet) gives a view of the tower and the fountains nearby.  Our visit to the tower in July 2008 is always a cherished memory.

Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in the Pacific North-west and "Space Needle" is the city's official landmark. It was constructed for the World Fair of 1962 held in this city.  It is a 605 foot tall privately owned structure.  As the coastal area is sensitive to earthquakes, special precautions have been taken to make it quake resistant.  It has withstood a 6.8 Richter Scale earthquake in 2001. Constructed in 1960s at a cost of 4.5 million US Dollars, it underwent a renovation in the year 2000 at a cost of 20 million US dollars. Its elevators move at a speed of 800 feet per second and take the visitors to the 502 feet high observation deck in a flash. There is a revolving restaurant at the saucer-shaped top. The New Year fireworks from the tower is a fantastic event and worth watching. If you plan for a wedding in the Pacific North-west, Space Needle is the place to go as this has been a venue for numerous weddings. The picture given alongside (taken from the internet) gives a beautiful view of the city and the bay. It you want a view of the city of Seattle without actually going there, click on this link: http://www.spaceneedle.com. Our visit to the tower in December 2010 was on a Full Moon Day.  We went to the gallery in the evening just before sunset and could see the view before sunset as well after moonrise. It was indeed an unforgettable experience.

We narrowly missed the view from the famous "London Eye" due to time constraint during our visit there in July 2008.  But it was compensated by the visit to "Singapore Flyer" last month.  Details of that has to wait for another day.

Most of these places offer ticket sales on the internet and the tickets purchased are valid for one year.  A proper planning will ensure a smooth visit to these "High Places" and provide a pleasant sight seeing.

Add-ons and Group tours

In the initial days of "No-frills Airlines" or "Budget flights", a passenger holding such a ticket entered the cabin and was greeted by the cabin attendant.  The passenger had been made to walk a long distance from the boarding station to the aircraft.  The airline had dispensed with the use of aero-bridge or buses for transporting the passengers from the boarding station to cut costs.  The exchange between the attendant and the passenger went on like this:

Attendant: Welcome aboard, Sir. May I see your boarding pass?
Passenger: Sure.
Attendant: You're in seat 21 C. That will be $5, please!
Passenger: What for?
Attendant: For telling you where to sit.
Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.
Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat-locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.
Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.
Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?
Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.
Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy.  Would you like me to stow it in the   overhead compartment for you?
Passenger: That would be great, thanks.
Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done!  That will be $10, please.
Passenger: What?
Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.
Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.
Attendant: Actually, you're right - you can't stand. You need to sit and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But first I need that $10.
Passenger: No way.
Attendant: Sir, if you don 't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.
Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?
Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.
Passenger: Oh, all right, here - take the $10. I can't believe this.
Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?
Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.
Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?
Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.
Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?
Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!
Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.
Attendant: Yes, there's a change-making fee of 25 cents.
Passenger: All I am now left is a lousy quarter? Whatever will I do with it?
Attendant: Hang on to it. You'll need it later for using the toilet.

****** 

The above exchange between the passenger and the cabin attendant may appear far fetched.  But those who frequently travel do not find this amusing.  Every additional service (?) is charged extra.  Finally, the consumer would be left wondering as to whether the old system of charging fare was much better!

Arranged tours are no different.  Touring or taking a vacation has now caught the imagination of the present generation.  Those from the older generation linked to the younger generation are no exception.  A vacation or "Leisure Travel" as it is called in the travel agent's language, is planned in advance and is a part of the family budgetary exercise.  As the name itself suggests, it is well and truly a budgetary exercise and involves all the ingredients of a balancing act.  Period of the vacation should be the maximum and yet cost should be minimum.  As many places or attractions are to be covered within the shortest time.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner should be included in the package and the choice of items (Vegetarian/Jain/Non-vegetarian/European/American) should also be as desired.  Travel Agencies keep all these in mind and prepare the packages.  Later on sell them using all marketing skills.  When the booking is finally done, both the agency and traveler are happy.

A recent tour of  Singapore and Malaysia brought these things into sharp focus.  There were some funny aspects too.  Some of them are here:

• The Agency and its employees are mainly interested in  finalizing the bookings without delay.  It is their business.  Standard and well known companies never lie and answer all the questions truthfully.  The only problem is that unasked questions are not answered.  These unasked questions create many problems as the tour progresses.
• We advise young bankers about dealing with auditors: Do not withhold any information from the auditor.  Do not volunteer any information either.  An auditor is a trained and knowledgeable person.  He is expected to ask the right questions and get his answers.  If he does not ask them, well, we are not at fault.  Travel Agencies and their employees have perfected this art.
• They give full details of the attractions/places covered by them as part of the package, in their pamphlets and websites.  As regards others, it is only said "Explore at your convenience".  You are taken to the gate of the building or theme park or attraction.  Their duty ends there.  To enter the building or park or attraction, you have to pay an entrance fee.  It is not included in the package.  It is optional!
• If you have the money and are willing to pay, the day or evening is well spent.  Otherwise you need not worry; you can sit at the gate and patiently wait for those who have gone inside to come out to resume the tour.
• You do not have the luxury of sitting in the air conditioned coach to await the arrival of fellow passengers who have gone inside.  The coach drops you at the gate and is gone for bringing the next batch of tourists.  Either pay up and go inside the attraction or stay out and sweat it out.
• While waiting like this you may need food or water.  It can be bought at the nearby outlet.  At your cost as it is not included in the package.  Not included in the package because you are expected to be inside the building or park or attraction.
• If there are children in their fold, parents have an additional problem.  You are taken to the gate.  Children see the attraction from the outside.  They want to go inside.  They cannot be sent alone. Adults have to accompany them.  Tickets for admission are not part of the package.
• If the aged (senior citizens would be more appropriate) are with you, the problem is even more acute.  "We have come this far.  We may not come again.  If we do not see now, we can never see it" would be their refrain.  Children may at least be promised another visit.  What about seniors?  Can we guarantee another visit?
• The guide with you at the spot tells you that he does not know what was told to you when booking was made.  The one who made the booking is across the seas and cannot be reached.  Even if you reach him by some means, he/she would say that the questions were not asked.  He/she would also assure you that had it been asked, he/she would have truthfully answered them!

What is the solution for these problems?  It is not always possible to travel on one's own, especially to parts of the world where you do not know the local language and conditions.  Temptation to travel and see the world also cannot be resisted.  Tours by well known operators offer good value for money and have their plus points.  The real solution lies in doing one's homework and ask the right questions.  It also lies in putting some extra money in the purse or get an enhanced limit on the credit card.  Dispensing with the practice of keeping accounts while on tour is an added virtue for a leisure traveler.    

They are never Late!

They were there, as usual, sitting with their tools on the steps of the entrance to the closed shop. It was still 5 AM and the shop itself would come to life four hours later. Men and women, who were more fortunate than them, were trickling on to the streets for their morning walks or to get milk for the hot cup of coffee to start their day. Day after day, even on most holidays or festival days, these labour women would be up much before 5 AM and report for duty on the steps of the closed shop sharply at 5 AM. They may not know how a cup of hot coffee or tea tastes in the morning. Their breakfast probably was met out of the leftovers of the food they cooked on the previous night. The tractor would show up in a minute or two and take them with their tools to begin the day's work. They do not know their place of work on that day or any other day. The tractor is their destination and the tractor driver knows the final destination for the day's work. Their work would end just before sunset and wages for the day would be paid to them. On the return journey, they would again be dropped at the morning pick up point. Then they get back to their roadside temporary hut after buying the day's requirements and cook their supper. They sleep well after the meager supper. They are fortunate not to know what is "sleeplessness". They are not lucky to know what is "Provident Fund" or "Earned Leave". They need not spend on beauty creams and hairdo mainly because they cannot spend on them. It is difficult to guess their age; they look forty even when they are just twenty.  

The six women labourers from North Karnataka do not know what is being late to work. What they know very well is that they lose their daily bread if they are not there at 5 AM. They do not know what it is like being late, because they cannot afford to be late.

 *****

They were not there, as usual, while others waited for them. Those waiting for them were losing patience because they were getting late. The vehicle in which they were sitting was parked against the traffic rules, but their was no other place to park. The policeman round the corner may pounce on the driver at any time. The city had come to life long back and the traffic was getting thicker by the day. Everyone was rushing on their two-wheelers or four wheelers or in public transport. Young children were already sitting in their school buses dressed in crisp uniforms looking for the day's excitement at school. But for these who made others wait for them, things were casual. What if they are five or ten minutes late?  Heavens are not going to fall. They are not there for the others; others are there for them. After all, they are colleagues; what is the problem in waiting for a few minutes? This is not the first time they are coming late. This is their usual practice. A practice developed because others have allowed them the luxury for so long. Should they change their practice just because some others are annoyed? Let others learn to develop patience. Patience is the first of virtues.  Patience prevents tension and heart attack. To be late is their right. They know they can be late because they can afford to be late.

 *****    

 

Being punctual is a way of life for many. Being punctual is an anathema to many others. Being unpunctual is itself a way of life for them. "Take life at your own pace" is what they believe in. Even if other lives are affected due to this practice. Some go a step further. They take pride in being late. Sometimes they even say, "Look, we are so consistent. We are always late!"

There is a popular anecdote about Bharata Ratna Sir M Visveswaraya, former Dewan of Mysore. He entertained visitors every day in the morning for a few minutes even when he was in his 90s. He lived actively for a full hundred years. One senior functionary of the Government sought an appointment to meet him. The appointment was granted for 11AM. Sir MV as he was known, was faultlessly dressed and in his study to receive the guest at the appointed time. The guest was late and after waiting for a few minutes, Sir MV went inside the house. Next day, the guest arrived early and waited for the former Dewan. Sir MV met him alright, but gently chided him for two things; being late on the first day and coming without appointment on the second day! Sir MV was known for immaculate preparation for any meeting or delivering a speech. And always being punctual.

Sir MV may be a person too difficult to follow. The lessons are far too many. But the lesson from the six labourers from North Karnataka is simple and easy. Not to be late on any day. Even if you can afford to be late only because you value others time.

Better late than never, they say.  But never late is better than that.

It is the ability that counts!

The young Branch Manager (BM) had a big problem on his hands.  Authorities in the bank had specifically briefed him about the new assignment.  Recently promoted, he was posted as the In-charge of the bigger branch with a heavy customer inflow and growing business levels.  Eye brows were raised when the inexperienced greenhorn was handed over the reins of the sensitive branch.  He was aware that he was under scrutiny of his peers and many of them desired that he should fail.  Manpower shortage was a problem for the entire industry and his branch was no exception.  With business growing month after month, managing the affairs of the branch with limited manpower was indeed a challenging task.  He and his two Assistant Managers were very active and had formed a core team to manage the affairs of the branch.  One of the senior clerks in the branch was as good as an assistant manager and shouldered far more responsibilities than expected of his designation. They were early years of computerization and  this branch was chosen for a initial implementation of a new software for advanced computerization of operations.  Quantity of manpower was limited and its quality compounded the problem.  Aging staff members fighting to upgrade themselves to handle the requirements of new environment presented a pathetic sight.  But the show had to go on.  Each day brought new and unexpected problems.  He was more into fire-fighting and trouble-shooting than attending to the requirements of business development.

Bank organized a three day workshop on computerization and he was directed to attend the same.  He was sitting in the program next to a very senior BM who was due for retirement in less than a year.  Partly due to age factor and partly due to the deliberations which he hardly understood, the old man often dozed during the sessions.  He would suddenly wake up in the middle of his stupor and ask a question of the moderator.  Even before the answer was completed for the irrelevant question, he would be back in his sleepy world.  This was an irritant for the moderator but provided comic relief to the others.  On the third day of the program he suddenly got up from his drowsiness and uttered a sentence: Kuch nahi hoga (Nothing will happen).  The senior man resumed his sleep before our hero could ask him what was the meaning of his statement.  Fortunately, the veteran was wide awake during lunch time and this gave a chance to our hero to pull him aside and ask him the meaning of his comment during the session.  The veteran smiled and replied, "You see, they are talking of new machines and new technology.  Machines do not work.  Humans work.  Aaap jitna bhi accha machine lagaao, Chalanevaale wahi gadhe hain!" (The machines (computers) and software may be of excellent quality, but those who run them are the same old donkeys).  BM was left wondering how true the experienced man's uttering was.

When the BM returned to his branch from the workshop, a rude shock awaited him.  The senior clerk was promoted and transferred to another branch.  A substitute was provided in the next two weeks.  He was an elderly man who was weak in application of interest and arithmetical calculations.  Most of the bank work revolved on these requirements.  Assistant Managers found difficult to work with him and complained about him to the BM.  BM cursed his own fate but decided to get on with things and face the situations as they unfolded.

The branch had its share of complaining customers who frequented BM's cabin with their complaints on various issues.  Their number came down progressively over the next two months.  BM was pleasantly surprised at this development and probed the matter.  He realised that the complaining customers were spending more time with the new elderly clerk and left the branch thereafter with a smiling face!  This man was very good in public relations and had his own way of tacking tough customers.  He could not manage routine counter work but was an expert in understanding human behaviour and meeting customer expectations with unorthodox approach.  Most of the complaining customers were pensioners and senior citizens.  This man was very effective in making them feel important and solving their emotional concerns.  Once emotional concerns were attended to,  they were not much worried about minor service issues which resulted in complaints earlier.  Suddenly BM found an alley in the substitute clerk who gave him relief and time to attend to business matters.  He slowly stated relegating some other issues like liaison with software and hardware vendors and follow-up actions with Government agencies etc.  The substitute clerk did not have the ability to manage routine banking hall activities but able to deliver out-door errands quite effectively. In course of time this clerk was even better than the two Assistant Managers form utility point of view.  The branch won the "Best Branch Award" that year and the new clerk had made substantial contributions for the achievement.

There is a maxim in HRD: It is the ability that counts, not the inability.  Every person is bestowed by the creator with some qualities or the other which could be used effectively.  Effective leaders are able to spot such talents quickly and harness them for achieving team goals.  Of course, the leader should have the time and patience to work on this belief.  Otherwise most of the team members in many teams may be declared as useless or ineffective.

Father and Daughter atop Mount Santis

Switzerland is a popular tourist destination and millions of travelers from all over the world visit this country every year.  It is one of the most peace loving countries and its policy of armed neutrality has stood the test of time. The country has not been in a state of war for the last two centuries, since 1815.  Thought it houses the second largest office of the United Nations, it joined United Nations only in 2002.  Important organizations like ILO, WHO, WTO, IOC (International Olympic committee) and UNHRC function from this country. Mother nature has smiled liberally on Switzerland and one of such bounties is the Swiss Alps mountain range.

Mount Santis is one of the mountains in the Swiss Alps and is about 80 kilometers from Zurich.  The scenic drive from Zurich to the foot of the mountain takes less than two hours.  There are two ways to reach the summit from the foot of the mountain; the adventurous can go hiking which takes four hours or by a cable car that takes ten minutes.  The cable car trip costs 45 Swiss Francs or 36 Euros.  The cable way was installed in 1935 and and the ten minute ride is thrilling and exciting.  The rise of the car in the last part to the 2502 meter (8209 feet) high mountain top is breath-taking and when one looks down from the cable car, the true emotion is fear!  (Pictures of the observatory given here is taken from the net).  There is an Observatory building at the top of the mountain with a 123 meter (403 feet) high transmitter mast.  This building also hosts a souvenir shop, cafeteria, restaurant and conference hall as well.  Visitors and skiers throng these places.  There is a Hotel by name "Berggasthaus" which literally means "Mountain Guest House".  This hotel is now run by the fifth generation of the promoters. The hotel takes up contracts for hosting marriage ceremonies, family celebrations, social functions and conferences.  The advantage of getting married here is that the couple need not spend money to reach Switzerland for a honeymoon since they are already there!

We reached the foot of the Mountain and stood in the line for cable car tickets.  It was then that I first spotted the daughter and her father.  The father was well past seventy years and the daughter was around thirty years of age.  He was apparently sick and his every step forward was with a lot of effort.  Strangely, he was holding a stick in his left hand and she was holding his right hand and helping along.  We reached the ticket window, bought our tickets and were led to the cable car straight away.  We were lucky to get a spot in front of the cable car cabin and got an unobstructed view of the surroundings as the car moved to the top of the mountain.  Once on top of the mountain, we made a round of the observatory building and tower and had a view of the surroundings.  The signboards indicated a view of the six countries in 360 degrees; Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy.  The weather changed dramatically in a few minutes and it suddenly became windy and misty.  We moved inside the restaurant for lunch.  They were there again; Daughter and her Father.

She helped him to sit on the chair, holding the chair in one hand and him in the other.  She opened her handbag and pulled out a small towel to wipe his face since he was sweating despite the cold weather outside.  Once he was comfortably seated, she moved to the food counter and got two trays of lunch.  A bib was taken out of the handbag and tied around his neck.  She encouraged him to eat the lunch and finished hers quickly.  Hard items were cut by her into pieces since he could not do it himself.  Sitting next to him she helped him to his lunch for the next half an hour.  There were long gaps between two spoonfuls and yet she did not take the easy way out by feeding him.  It did not look life father and daughter any more; it was rather a child and his mother.  Food particles stuck to his shirt despite the bib.  She patiently cleaned all that and led him slowly to the large glass window to explain the surrounding view.  When they came back to the table and he sat for the second time, he smiled at her.  It was his first sign of expression in an otherwise blank face.  She patted him on the back and waited for their turn to enter the cable car on the return journey.  We returned to the foot of the mountain in the same cable car.  She helped him to his seat in the car and drove away.

There was an argument the other day about loving daughters and sons.  Someone mentioned that daughters love their parents and always take care of them.  Another disagreed and said that sons too love their parents equally.  Someone else mentioned that the sons love their parents to the extent they are permitted to do so!  The discussion was probably more emotional than rational.  After recalling our encounter with the daughter and her father on Mount Santis, my vote would go to the daughters, right or wrong or whatever.                            

Where is my Prize?

In order to encourage youngsters to do well in various activities, promises are made of giving a prize or a gift when the task is achieved. Such promises are made with good intentions and motivates the child or youngster to achieve the set goal. The value of the gift or prize in monetary terms may not be high, but the offer drives them to work harder and accomplish the proposed task. In course of time, the one who offered the prize or gift may forget it, but the one motivated by the offer fondly remembers and looks forward to receiving it.

Sixty years ago, "School Day" functions were simple affairs and held without much fanfare. There was no habit of conducting such functions in primary schools as is the practice now. Pre-primary and kindergarten schools were not in existence then. Middle schools (fifth to seventh or eighth year of education) were the earliest times when a student got the first taste of a celebration. Inviting parents to such functions was also not done as most of the parents were illiterate and kept a distance from the academic activities. There was no system of collecting contributions and spending money as most of the students and their parents could not contribute for organising and conducting a function. This was all the more true in small centres. The function would often be held below the tree in the school compound and in broad daylight. There was no place for artificial decorations and multi-colour electrical lights. Many towns and villages did not even have electricity supply. There were no expensive tailors designated for stitching special dresses for student activities like dance or plays. A well-known person in the village or town would be invited as the chief guest. One or two patriotic songs from a teacher or students represented cultural activities. There would be speeches from the chief guest and head master.  The content of the speeches was also generally the same; to exhort the students to study well and get good marks in the forthcoming examination.

One such "Annual Day" function was held in the middle school of a small town some fifty five years ago. A leading merchant of the town was invited as the chief guest. He was respected for two reasons; his literary knowledge and philanthropy. He owned a shop selling silverware and gold ornaments. He was known to help poor students discreetly. He was also liberal in giving donations for various social causes. The annual day function went on as usual and when his turn came to speak, he urged the students to do well in the forthcoming examination. The headmaster in his speech had informed that there will be a taluk level examination for the seventh standard students. The chief guest stated that the student securing the highest marks in the examination will be given a prize by him. The function ended on a high note with this promise.

One of the students present in the function went to the head master on the next day. He had a query to ask. Was the proposed prize to be given to the student getting the highest marks in the entire taluk or was it for the student getting the highest marks from this school? The head master had not applied his mind on this issue. The boy's argument was that as the announcement was made in the function of this school, it should be for the student of this school. The head master told the boy that he would inquire about it from the chief guest and clarify later. The matter stood there.

The examinations concluded followed by the six weeks summer holidays. The results arrived on the day of reopening of the school. The boy who had raised the question had secured the first position for the school as well as for the taluk itself. The issue was now clear for him; he was to get the prize. As he had to move to a high school, he obtained the TC (transfer certificate) and got admitted there. Whenever he passed in the vicinity of his old school, he would go to the head master and ask when the prize would be given away. The head master would tell him that he had not yet heard from the merchant and would let the boy know in due course. This went on for about six months. The head master got fed up and finally told the boy that it was better for himself to go to the merchant and ask him. The boy went near shop several times but did not have the courage to ask the elderly man.

Finally, one evening the boy went inside the shop and greeted the Seth sitting in his shop. The Seth returned the greetings and asked the boy what he wanted to buy. The boy reminded the merchant about the school day function and his promise to give a prize to a student securing the highest marks. He also said that the Seth can verify from the head master about his securing the highest marks in the examination. "No, I do not need to check your statement. I trust your statement and your perseverance in waiting and coming to me. I am glad you prevented me from failing in one of my duties.  You will get your prize tomorrow. Come to the school tomorrow morning", he said.

When the boy went to the school next morning, Seth was siting with the head Master. A silver cup with appropriate engraving on it was ready and the prize was given away after the morning prayer. The Seth offered another prize for a student for the next year and smilingly said that he would not forget the offer this time! The boy himself offered prizes to young students later on in his life and did not forget his offers either.           

The Drunkard's Daughter

The years spent in Middle School (5th to 7th year of education) were indeed wonderful days. General economic conditions in the early 1960s were difficult.  Aftereffects of Indo-China war of 1962 and Indo-Pakistan  war of 1965 had added to the misery.  As students, in the age group of  11 years to 14 years for most of us, we were hardly in a position to understand that.  We lived in our own world and school days were merry days and playful as usual.  Lunch break at 1.30 PM was eagerly looked forward to by all my classmates and I was no exception.  Students coming from nearby houses would run home to have a quick lunch and return to school for post-lunch classes.  Those staying away from the school had to perforce stay in the school compound and eat lunch from the boxes brought with them in the morning while coming to school.  Of course, there were many who did not have the luxury and practice of having lunch.  They were used to food only twice a day; before coming to the school in the morning and in the evening after returning from the school.  This had its own advantage; they never suffered from indigestion and related ailments.

For the children staying back in the school compound during lunch time, there were other activities.  Playing cricket or football was one of them.  There was no practice of giving pocket money to children in those days mainly because the pockets of the parents themselves did not have any money in them.  There were a few kids from relatively affluent families who carried small change in their pockets.  They had  attractions just outside the school gate abutting the main road of the town.  Two carts carrying items for sale beckoned them.  One of them carried groundnuts and uppukadale (salted chana) and the other laden with cut fruits available in the season.  Uppukadale and Groundnuts were acceptable, but we had strict instructions not to touch the cut fruits.  The threat of cholera was always lurking round the corner.  My mother's advice was soft and firm.  If any child in the family is tempted to eat any fruit sold on the cart, she should be informed.  She would arrange for getting the item and serve it at home in hygienic conditions.  If the instructions were violated and someone fell sick, she would not take care of them.  The threat was enough and there was no need to test her resolve.  We understood her perfectly and she ensured that the instructions were always complied with.

The cart with cut fruits was tended by one Hanuma.  He would procure the seasonal fruits like Guava, Mango, Jack fruit, Papaya and Watermelon.  Pineapple and Apple were also seen but rarely.  Mother's instructions were not to touch them; there was no ban on watching him clean and cut the fruits.  He was an expert in his trade and probably worth an award these days when everything is measured and awards given away.  He had his tools - knives of different sizes and shapes to handle the variety of fruits ranging from the hard and thorny jack fruit to the softer fully ripe papaya.  Processing activity of cutting and arranging the fruit pieces went on simultaneously with the sales activity of handing over the cut pieces to children, collect coins, count them and store them below the gunny bag table cloth.  He did brisk business during the lunch break and moved away to the nearby bus stand once the children got into their classes.

Hanuma was a hard working man and was always involved in some work or the other.  He had a small plot of land by the river side and grew vegetables there round the year.  After harvesting them for the day's sale he would proceed with other errands like sale of cut fruits.  His wife Ramakka carried the vegetables basket on her head selling them from house to house in the morning.  The quality and freshness of the vegetables ensured that there was no carry over of inventory for the next day.  Between them they earned a decent wage.  But the one weakness of Hanuma ensured that the family always lived in abject poverty.  Drunkard and inebriate are terms for a person who drinks hard liquors habitually. Drunkard connotes willful indulgence to excess. Inebriate is a slightly more formal term than drunkard.  Dipsomaniac is the term for a person who, because of some psychological or physiological illness, has an irresistible craving for liquor. The dipsomaniac is popularly called an alcoholic.  Hanuma was probably all of them.  He loved his family but it appeared he loved his evening drink even more.

Ramakka suffered silently and somehow managed the family affairs.  All her efforts to bring round Hanuma failed.  One evening she appeared before our house and wanted to see my father.  He had just returned from school and took his usual place in the front yard.  Their conversation went on like this:

"Swami, Hanuma's drinking is killing us.  Why don't you help me?"
"How can I help you, Ramakka?"
"Hanuma respects you a lot. Please advise him to give up drinking."
"I have advised him many times.  Every time I talk to him, he promises not to drink again.  But he does not stick to his promise.  His friends are not good.  He also cannot resist the evening drink."
"Then what is the way out for me?"
"We have to keep trying and hope for the best.  By the way, who is that girl hiding behind you?"
"This is our daughter Saraswati, Swami."
"How old is she?" 
"She is six years old, Swami."
"Have you admitted her to school? All children at this age should attend school."
"What will she do with school, Swami?  She helps me with household work and selling vegetables.  That is fine with me.  Hanuma also wants the same."
"Do not talk nonsense.  Do not spoil her life.  Bring her to school tomorrow.  I am the headmaster.  I will admit her to the school.  Ask Hanuma to meet me in the morning."

Hanuma duly arrived in the morning.  The discussion went on like this:

"Swami, It seems you wanted to see me."
"Yes, Why have you not put Saraswati in school?"
"What is the use of school for us poor people, Swami.  Moreover I cannot pay school fee."
"No need to pay any fee.  I will get her fee waived by the Government.  I will get her free uniform from Headmaster's quota.  I will also arrange for books from some other students who are promoted to the next class.  You have no excuse.  She should be in school by the time I reach there."
"Swami, should I really do it?"
"Yes, otherwise I will get you arrested by the police for violating government order."

Hanuma was afraid of government and police.  He did not even think of checking with someone.  He complied with father's orders.  Saraswati was admitted to first standard at school.  She was better than average in studies.  She passed her examinations every year.  By the time she came to High School, I had left the town and was working in a far away city.  On one of my home visits I learnt that father had arranged for her learning typewriting and shorthand in the local "Institute of Commerce". The Institute head was persuaded to give her a slot in the early morning class when the attendance at the institute was thin.  No need to mention that the fee was waived by him.

The last I heard of Saraswati was that she had secured a job as a Stenographer in the State Government and working in a building near Vidhana Soudha (State Secretariat). That was thirty years ago.