Bramharshi Dadheechi and Harish Nanjappa

Bramharshi Dadheechi was sitting in penance for a very long time. It was not a penance for atoning any sin he had voluntarily or involuntarily made. It was indeed a self-imposed penance, a tapas for the welfare of mankind. It was not a tapas like the ones usually indulged by devotees of the Lord seeking something for themselves; it was a rigorous tapas without any wants or needs for oneself. The only cause for the tapas was a desire to do something for the welfare of all. In short, for "Lokakalyana", universal welfare.

Bramharshi Dadheechi suddenly realized that a delegation of the Devas led by their leader Devendra was standing before him. He broke his tapas and opened his eyes. Devendra and the key members of his cabinet were standing before with folded hands. Devaguru Bruhaspati was also present with them. What is the purpose of this delegation coming here and standing before me, wondered Dadheechi. Instead of asking them, he used his own mystic powers to understand the purpose of their visit. The various developments that had taken place during the period he was in tapas unfolded before him........

*****

Devendra was presiding over the "Devasabha" and accepting the respects of all the members present in the court. Devaguru Bruhaspati was the lone absentee in the court. Devendra felt his absence and became a little upset that his Guru was not present in the court. A delegation of Rishis arrived to see Devendra. As Guru was not present in the court, alternate arrangements were made to receive the delegation. The Rishis had come with a question that could be answered only by Devendra. Devendra accepted their request and assumed the stance to answer the question. Just then Bruhaspati entered the court with a greeting to Devendra. Bruhaspati felt that Devendra was ignoring him while Devendra was preoccupied in answering the question of the Rishis. Bruhaspati disappeared from the court and went away elsewhere.

Devendra later realized that Bruhaspati was not available to him for consultations and advice on day to day affairs. He could not keep the post vacant indefinitely. His efforts to trace the Guru went futile. On the advice of Brahma, he appointed Vishwaroopacharya in Bruhaspati's place. Things were fine for sometime. In due course of time, Bruhaspati wanted to return to his original place as well as Devendra desired to bring him back. After all, appointment of Vishwaroopacharya was only a stop gap arrangement. Vishwaroopacharya's mother belonged to the Demon's group. Hence the representatives of the demons were permitted to freely come and visit Vishwaroopa. This was not to Devendra's liking. Devendra requested Vishwaroopa to stop this practice but he did not agree. An argument ensued and Devendra killed Vishwaroopa.

Vishwaroopa's father Thwashtru Brahma was enraged at his son's killing by Devendra. He used his mystic powers and created a Demon "Vrutrasura". Vrutrasura conquered Devendra's place and captured him. Devendra managed to convince Vrutrasura to occupy Indra's throne and keep him as his friend. Vrutrasura accepted the offer. After a considerable period of time, Devendra and his team felt that the time is ripe to kill Vrutrasura and recapture their rightful places. There was one problem. Devendra does not have a weapon strong enough to kill Vrutrasura. The delegation before Dadheechi is for the purpose of acquiring such a weapon.......   

*****

Dadheechi smiled and asked Devendra what was the purpose of the visit. Devendra hesitatingly replied. "Bramharshi, You can only save us in the present situation. We have no weapon strong enough to kill Vrutrasura. Long periods of tapas has converted your bones into Vajra and they have become diamond-like. If you permit us to take your backbone, we can create "Vajraayudha" from it that can be used to finish Vrutrasura and enable us to get back our kingdom. We seek this favor from you". Dadheechi understood the import of the request. It meant that he had to embrace his death and surrender his body. He can no longer live and donate his body. A weapon will be created from his organ that can be used to kill the demon and help the devas.

"Do you want the backbone after my death or when I am alive?" asked the Rishi. "There is no use of the bone after your death Sir. It will become useless after your death. We need it when you are alive. You can release your soul from the body after we take the backbone", said Devendra. Dadheechi agreed and held his prana till the needful was done. He donated his backbone when he was alive. He is no more but his ultimate sacrifice of donating the organ of his body when still alive is remembered for ever. He is remembered with utmost reverence even today.  

*****

Harish Nanjappa was a 23 year old young marketing executive with many dreams about his future. His family had high hopes on the boy and looked forward to exciting times about him. He was going on his new Bajaj Pulsar on Bangalore-Tumkur Road on 16th February 2016. A sugar bags laden heavy truck overtook him and touched Harish while doing so. Harish was thrown below the tires of the truck. The tires ran over the middle of his body and it was cut into two pieces. The legs were thrown to a distance of a few feet from the head and torso. It was a ghastly sight and people feared to go near him. Many used their mobile phones to capture the video of his plight. Surprisingly, he was still alive despite his body being subjected to such unbearable pain and suffering. 

What Harish did in such a situation is beyond comprehension of ordinary mortals. Instead of crying over his plight, he begged the passersby to take him to the hospital. He knew that he would not survive, but his plea was for donating his organs to someone in need of it. He knew that he was finished but wanted to make good use of his body parts. The awareness he showed and the presence of mind baffled even the most experienced doctors. He died within few minutes after arrival at the hospital. But his wish was indeed fulfilled. His eyes were donated to an eye hospital. 

***** 

Bramharshi Dadheechi had renounced everything and his life was dedicated for welfare of others. Harish was a very young boy with dreams of a bright future. Dadheechi died to donate organs of his body. Harish had the presence of mind to donate his body parts when confronted with death in a most ghastly and tragic accident. 

It is very painful to write the concluding lines of this post. In fact, there is no need to conclude it. It is probably understood by anybody who reads this.....

He shall carry his own burden

Ramu and Krishna were more friends than cousins. Born as the sons of the two brothers in the same year, they were naturally together most of the times. They lived in the small beautiful town, situate on the banks of the river with fine and clear water flow, with the old dilapidated fort in the background. They went to school together, playing all the way through the mile long distance. Evenings were again spent together playing in the river bed and the trees lined on either banks of the river. What started in the morning walk to the school continued till evening when both were constrained to go to their respective houses, separated by a street.

Those were the days when there was no concept of pre-school education and private schools charging hefty donations. The faithful government schools were the only ones available, except in big cities that had some private schools. A child admitted to the first standard would go on till middle school or high school, depending on his family's value for education. There was a nominal fee to be paid each year and many households found it difficult to pay even that. There used to be only one book for study each year till fourth standard. The only subject to be studied till then was one's mother tongue. Note books were not used till middle school. Slates and chalk was the source for writing practice.

There were no note books but there was homework. The extent of homework was confined to the area on both sides of the slate. Writing down on both sides of the slate was not a big order, but keeping the writing safe till it was shown to the teacher was indeed tough. The regular homework occupied sometime for the students as the writing had to be legible and neat. There could be a beating on the knuckles from the wooden frame of the slate, if the writing was not neat. Of course, no parent would fight the teacher for such blows on their wards. Students generally used the clay slate, though tin slates were available. Tin slates were unbreakable and light, but clay slates were good for writing with chalk pieces.

Krishna had the practice of finishing the homework on the way back from the school. He would take a look on the road ahead and write a word on the slate before taking another look. Thus his homework would be finished by the time he reached home. Ramu was not used to this practice and did his homework only after reaching home, but before proceeding to the evening play on the banks of the river. On a particular day when Krishna called out to Ramu for the evening play, Ramu had not yet finished his homework and needed time to finish it. Krishna became impatient, snatched Ramu's slate and finished the homework and urged Ramu to accompany him for the evening outing. Ramu followed him and they had a good evening games round. They returned after sunset.

Ramu's father had students coming to his house in the evening for tuitions. When Ramu entered the house, all the students were already sitting with their books and slates. Ramu hurriedly joined them and sat down. Krishna was curious to know the reaction of his uncle when he saw Ramu's slate. He stayed near the door expectantly. His uncle checked all the slates and asked for Ramu's now. Ramu was hesitant to show. "Where is your slate, Ramu", his father asked for the second time. Ramu did not respond. His father raised his hand and immediately Ramu handed over the slate. His father recognized that the handwriting was not that of Ramu. "Who wrote this?", his father asked in a stern voice. Ramu looked at the door. His father saw Krishna standing there and beckoned him to come inside the house. Krishna was afraid, but followed instructions.

"Did you write in Ramu's slate?", his father asked. Krishna acknowledged by the shake of the head. A blow landed on his back before anyone realized what was happening. Krishna and Ramu were both in tears. Ramu's mother intervened before another blow could land on Krishna. Both Ramu and Krishna were taken into the kitchen by her. Tuition for others continued and concluded shortly.

"You have beaten Krishna today. His father has never beaten him in his life. If he comes to know of this, he will come to beat you", Ramu's mother told her husband. He had cooled down by this time. He called Krishna and Ramu to sit near him. "Why did you write in Ramu's slate?" asked Ramu's father. "I wanted to help him finish his homework fast", answered Krishna. "Do you think what you did is right?", the uncle asked Krishna. Krishna was in no position to reply. "What is the result of your action, do you understand? You have done your lessons twice whereas Ramu has not done it even once. You may get an extra mark in the examination, but Ramu could fail", he said. 

"What you did is not help. Instead of helping, it will put Ramu into more difficulty. He becomes lazy. Your idea of help is all wrong. You are welcome to help anyone. But help in studies does not mean doing their studies. Helping should be by way of making them do their studies on their own, but not doing their work. Each one should do his own studies, reading and writing. Each one should carry his own burden in life. There are no short cuts. You cannot walk someone's distance. You are too young to understand now, but both of you should remember this. This will help you in your future life", his uncle concluded. Ramu's mother had some sweets ready by this time. The blow Krishna received was somewhat softened now.

Krishna went home but never mentioned this to his parents. He was not prepared for receiving another blow from his father or watch a fight between his father and uncle. Decades later, he still remembers the lesson. Each one shall carry his own burden. There are no short cuts in life.

*****

There are many complaints about malpractices in various examinations. Many students believe that they are helping their fellow students when they allow them to copy from their answer books in the examination hall. They think that suggesting answers by gestures and symbols is a form of help extended to their friends. They believe it is a form of help when they log in proxy for their classmates using their user-ID and Passwords for doing their assignments. 

The lesson given by Ramu's father to young Krishna is even more relevant today. Each one should carry his own burden. There are no short cuts in life. Such help does more harm indeed. Yes, we should remember that "He shall carry his own burden".

Three Crops and Three Arrows

A farmer is continuously engaged in raising crops in his fields. He has raised many crops in the past. He has planted a crop in his fields right now. He is also planning to sow crops in the future. Therefore, at any point in time, he has yields of three types of crops. Those already harvested, that which is ready for harvesting and those that are to be planted and harvested in the coming days.

What is the position of the harvested returns for his efforts? His house has a granary that contains the harvested grains of the crops raised in the past. There is also a standing crop ripe and ready for harvesting in the fields in the current season. He is also preparing for sowing more crops in the future.

What about an Archer? He has a quiver on his back which is full of arrows. He has an arrow that is placed on the bow and ready to be released. There is an arrow that was just released but has not yet reached the destination. The arrow that has been released from the bow and in motion now cannot be called back. It is beyond his control now. It will do its duty and reach its destination. Like the farmer mentioned above, he has three arrows at any time. The arrow which is released from the bow, the one that is ready for releasing and those in the quiver awaiting their turn.

*****  

The examples of the farmer and the archer are extensively used to explain the "Karma" theory. They (Karma) are primarily classified into three categories; Sanchita, Agami and Prarabdha. We often hear people say that they are living out their "Prarabdha". What does it mean?

Even as per accepted laws of Physics, every action has an equal reaction. Whether one desires or not, actions produce their results. There cannot be an action without a reaction or result. For any living being, actions are a continuous process. Even not doing anything and keeping idle is also an action and produce its own reaction. It is the action of inaction! Planting and watering a fruit bearing tree sapling will lead to its growth and will ultimately yield fruits. Planting a noxious weed would also result in returns of a number of noxious seeds. This is in accordance with the means and ends relationship. One who plants a noxious weed cannot ever hope to get a fruit in return. Similarly, planting and watering a fruit bearing sapling cannot result in giving back noxious weeds.

Actions produce the corresponding results irrespective of whether they were done knowing their nature or one is not aware of them. Drinking poison kills the person who knows its harmful effect and drank it for committing suicide. Drinking poison also kills a person who consumes it without knowing that it is poison. Fire burns the hands of an elder person who is aware of its burning nature. It also burns the hands of a child which touches it being attracted by the color of the flames, but not aware of its burning nature. Karmic actions bring their results in a similar manner. 

Sanchita Karma are accumulated karma of past lives. They represent  desires, aptitudes, tendencies and capabilities carried over from past lives. They are naturally cumulative result of many past actions. Banks have "Sanchita Deposit Schemes" where deposits are made in installments and their returns are given with interest on a future due date. Agami Karma are those that represent expected future karma. Prarabdha Karma are those which are ripe for reaping and cannot be avoided. One has to live them out and face their effects without fail. 

The crop ready for harvesting now and the arrow released from the bow and in motion are symbols of Prarabdha. One has no control over them now, even though their origin was due to one's own actions. The grain bags in the granary and arrows in the quiver represent the Sanchita karma. The crops to be sown in future and the arrow in the bow right now are symbols of Agami karma.

One has to remember that all Prarabdha is not necessarily bad. There are many "Sukha Prarabdha Karmas" as well. They are the results of the past good actions and bring good results.

*****

A grand function has been planned to celebrate a major landmark in the family. Many rituals are to be conducted as a part of the celebration. Ghee is an important ingredient to be used in the rituals. The lead conductor of the rituals has given a list of items including ghee. About two hundred guests are expected and a grand lunch will be the crowning glory of the function. Chief cook has given his own list of items including ghee. Aggregated requirements of items are to be purchased from the grocery shop.

The aggregate order for ghee is 50 Kg. It is available in 5 Kg containers and 10 containers are to be bought. There is a doubt whether this much is really required as the tendency is to indent for higher quantities as nobody wants shortage in the middle of the function. Shopkeeper provides the solution. Take ten containers now and the surplus if any will be taken back, he assures. 

After the function it is observed that six containers of ghee is fully used and two are not opened at all. But there are two opened containers with large quantities of ghee in them. They are taken to the shop. Shopkeeper accepts the two full containers as it can be sold to someone else. But open containers are not acceptable. They are now the exclusive property of the holder. 

Prarabdha Karma is similar to the ghee in the opened containers or grains in an opened bag. The holder only has to use it. Whether one likes it or not, it is to be borne by him. High cholesterol and medical prescription cannot dispose it! 

Is there no escape at all? Can the pain be reduced? Go to the nearest temple and use the surplus ghee in these two open containers to light the lamps there. Many believe that surrendering to a Sadguru or the Lord will reduce the impact of Prarabdha Karma this way.

*****

How to escape the effect of these Karmas? There is a big haystack on our back and we are moving around carrying this burden. Can the burden be lightened? Some say that they cannot be avoided and their fruits have to be lived through. A tiny spark is enough to burn it down. Many believe that the protection of a "Sadguru" helps in reducing their effects. Believing in the Lord and doing one's duty dispassionately helps in reducing the impact of the various bad karmas. Probably the best strategy would be not to enter into bad karmas willingly. Do not plant noxious weeds. There won't be any noxious harvests!

What about those who do not believe in the theory of Karma? What about those who do not believe in the existence of the "Sadguru" or the "Lord"? They are the gifted ones as they need not worry about Karma at all. They too cannot escape the effects of their actions, but they need not spend any time on worrying about it.

The Passenger and the Train

He is standing anxiously on the platform for the arrival of the train. He is aware of the long journey ahead. He is checking his luggage and is satisfied that things are in order. He is verifying the ticket and making a mental note of his coach and berth. He wants to make sure that he gets into the proper coach and reaches the right berth. He rushes towards the coach even before the train comes to a full stop on the platform. With luggage in both hands, he jumps into the coach and moves fast towards his berth. He heaves a sigh of relief after placing all the luggage items below the berth. He checks the items and is now satisfied that arrangements are proper. There are others around him who are doing the same thing, may be a little differently and according to their own taste and liking. He is now seated and looks forward to the long haul with expectation and anxiety on the one side and excitement and hope on the other.

He makes every effort to keep his berth and its surroundings neat and clean during the journey. All waste items are immediately removed from his presence. Proper care is taken of the berth and the surroundings. He makes friendship with the people around him. All have their own stories and plans. Many of these are shared. Bonds develop between the co-passengers. Some invite others to visit their places and assure that all arrangements will be made by them for a pleasant trip, when their place is visited. Addresses and phone numbers are exchanged. The journey goes on. Some co-passengers get off from the train when their stations come. Other co-passengers come in and the journey continues.

All good things have to come to an end. Entire life cannot be lived and spent on the train. His station is about to come in a few minutes. He is no longer interested in making new friendships now. He is not that worried about keeping the berth and surroundings clean. He is aware that he has to move away from the train to further destinations. He picks his luggage items and prepares to get down. Waste material is thrown on the berth and near it. This berth has no use for him now. He is now concerned about the next berth in the next train. He moves to the door of the coach even before the train comes to a full stop on the platform of his destination. He gets down and moves away towards the next train and the berth in it. He does not spare a minute to look back at the berth that carried him this far and for so long. He does not look back at the train standing on the platform, that helped him come this far. His eyesight is now firmly set on the next lap of journey..... 

*****      

Indian philosophy revolves around the concepts of Body (Deha), Soul (Atma) and the Supreme being (Paramatma). A concept is often defined as "an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars". There are many schools of thought that explain the relation between these three concepts. They base their arguments on the same texts but the same texts are interpreted differently by each school. But each of the schools of thought swear by the same sources! Each of these interpretation makes interesting reading and appears to be the best when you are reading it. Ekavada (Monoism), Adwaita (Non-dualism) and Dwaita (Dualism) base their theories on the premise of the Atma and Paramatma being one, not-two and two separate entities. Much of it stands on different logical interpretations. The difference lies in the secret that all schools of thinking do not accept the same yardsticks and the force of their arguments depends on their postulates. A postulate is something that is assumed without proof or taken for granted. It is generally believed, save for rare and exceptional schools of arguments, that soul is eternal while body is not permanent. Soul changes bodies from time to time and continues its eternal journey.....

One question that crops up during such discussions is about the relationship between the body and soul. A soul lives in a body for a certain length of time. In the case of human beings such time span stretches to several years and decades. What is the bonding between the body and soul? Does not the soul feel the pain of separation from the body when it finally leaves the body forever, in which it stayed for such long periods? The above example of the Passenger and the Train is given to explain the relationship between the body and soul. Just as the passenger does not look back at the berth and the train when his destination arrives, the soul does not feel the pain of separation from the body and the surroundings. In other words, the soul does not feel attached to the body and hence there is no pain of separation.

*****

There are many interesting questions on such topics and they are wonderfully answered through similar simple and yet satisfactory examples. Many scholars have given us gifts of such interpretations and explanations. One may not agree with some of them and may not agree entirely with many of them. But a reading and contemplation on these voluminous literature widens our own horizons. Vinoba Bahve is one such thinker who has contributed through his discourses.

Vinayak Narahari Bhave (1895-1982), popularly known as Vinoba Bhave was a Gandhian and freedom fighter. He is well known for his contributions through "Bhoodaan" movement. Many consider him as a spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi. He lost some popularity when he called the period of Emergency (1975-77) as "Anushasana Parva". 

Vinoba was jailed for participation in freedom movement and held in Dhule Jail in Maharashtra between January and July 1932. While in jail, he gave discourses on "Bhagavadgita" every sunday. Many jail inmates and even prison officials attended his discourses. Jamanalal Bajaj, noted industrialist and philanthropist was one of the regular participants. Sane Guruji, Marathi writer and freedom fighter kept notes of the discourses. A small book titled "Geeta Pravachan" was brought out later on which contains the summary of the discourses of Vinoba in Dhule jail. This book contains many interesting and apt examples that convey answers to questions of seekers, given in simple language and logic. Original book in Marathi language, published in 1950s with a cost of one rupee, has been translated to many indian languages as well as English. A reading of this book is indeed useful and interesting.

Widening tax base

Income tax department is making a lot of news these days. It is also in the news as well, for various reasons. The department recently won the Prime Minister's award for "Excellence in Public Administration" for providing "Easy Tax Compliance through Quality Service". Tax Information Network (TIN), Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) and Permanent Account Number (PAN) have been quoted and repeated all over the country. Its three-lettered three-word regime of TIN, TAN and PAN is now the property of every citizen, though crores of them do not own any properties of their own. The department has yesterday given wide publicity that Central Processing Center (CPC) at Bengaluru has been advised to issue refunds up to Rupees 50,000 expeditiously. It has even been advised to make refunds up to Rupees 5,000 without adjusting the arrears of tax payable by the assesses for earlier years.

The department has also published (this is done periodically) a long list of "Tax Defaulters" as a part of its "Naming and shaming" of large tax defaulters. The third list of 18 individuals shows that the aggregate tax default of these persons is over Rupees 1,100 crores. Naming has been done, but it does not appear to have shamed anyone. What was the response to the earlier two lists is anyone's guess. One funny thing about these lists is that several persons shown in the list do not even have a PAN (Permanent Account Number), but owe tax dues of scores of crores. Old meaning for the English word "score" is "twenty". But here the score is indeed pretty high.

The department is doing wonderfully well in tax collections. Whether the big fish or whales pay their taxes or not, tax collections are rising every year due to two wonderful instruments the department has in its hands. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Service Tax are enough to show higher tax recovery year after year. Service tax collection was a mere 407 crore rupees in 1994, when it was introduced. Last year it had grown to an astounding figure of 2,15,973 crore rupees! What was earlier levied on only three items has now become all-pervading and is levied on everything except a small mention of items now placed on "Negative List". When you pay for something, whether you get service or not, you are certain to get "Service Tax". Some decades earlier, it was being mentioned that the prices of commodities never increases in the "Fair Price Shops", even though the items may never be available in those shops. Now it is true of service tax! 

*****

Lakshmi was born in a village nearly four decades ago. She did not ask for that name, but nevertheless got it at her birth. She was not sent to any school and hence is illiterate. She cannot confidently say that she is illiterate now. Volunteers of "Saksharata Andolan" taught her how to write her name and included her name in the list of neo-literates, though her reading and writing is confined to wrongly writing her name. She got married when she was probably fourteen and was the mother of two sons when she reached eighteen years of age. Lakshmi migrated to the big city as her sick husband was unable to earn and support the family of four. She started working as a domestic help in two houses to supplement her family's income. Her capacity to earn had to expand with the increasing sickness of her husband. What started as a part time house maid's life graduated into full time occupation. She works in ten houses now and starts her work early in the morning. By the time she finishes her work in the last house, it is well past noon. The work involves sweeping and mopping the floors, cleaning and washing front yards of houses, washing the dishes and washing clothes in some houses. This cycle of sweeping, mopping and washing dishes repeats in each house. Despite this, her total monthly earnings are far below the exempted tax limit for individual assesses. She gets her wages in cash at each house as the concept of TDS or service tax has not yet expanded to the domestic help industry. She may have to wait for another year or two to achieve that distinction. She was happy in her own world and never thought that she would ever be required to have a PAN or think of a tax refund. Not in this life, at least.

Someone suggested to her husband that he should insure his life as he will be benefited by taking a policy in his name. The policy was duly taken due to the force exerted by one of the insurance agents. The husband now had the policy, but did not have the income to pay the premium amounts due on the policy. The agent told the family that the policy would lapse unless premium was paid regularly. She took upon herself to pay the same from her meagre earnings. It was difficult, but she paid the amounts promptly every month.

Her husband died due to sickness, leaving her behind to educate the two sons and manage their life along with her own. She filed a claim for the amount due on the policy, an amount of one lakh rupees. The insurance company asked for various medical records etc., and she did not know what records meant. After dozens of visits to the insurance office and several months later, someone there was kind to solve her case and settle the claim. Insurance company had a rule; claim amount will be sent only to a bank account. She was now required to open an account in a bank and attach a cancelled cheque to the claim form for receiving the money. The bank told her that she needed a KYC document for opening an account. She was now running behind the agents to get an "AADHAR" card and finally got one.  One kind lady helped her to open an account in a bank and get a cheque book.

She went to the insurance company with the pass book and cheque book. The Aadhar card and the bank account was in the name of Lakshmi. But the nominee in the policy was one Lakshamma. The common local practice of adding "Amma" with the name of a woman when she reaches middle age had caused the discrepancy. Yet another account was somehow opened in the name of Lakshamma and the claim amount was finally credited to that account. Another kind lady suggested that she should put the amount in fixed deposit as it will earn interest and prevent her from using up the money. She went to the bank and got a deposit receipt for six months period. She now had some documents; Aadhar card, bank passbooks, cheque books, fixed deposit receipt and a debit cards as well! She had no safe place to keep these items. Yet another kind lady agreed to keep them at her house, but at the risk and responsibility of Lakshamma. Lakshamma tried to get the "widow pension" sanctioned to her, available under the state government scheme. She was told that she was not eligible as she had two sons who can work and take care of her in her old age!

The deposit matured and she went to renew the same.  The amount shown for renewal was lower than the maturity amount mentioned on the fixed deposit receipt. When she asked for the reason, she was told that TDS was deducted and remitted to the government, as per rules. She said she did not know what TDS was. The bank staff blamed her for not understanding the rules for TDS and not giving the required form for waiver of the same. They did not care to suggest this to her even when they knew her status in life. Now she has been advised to obtain a PAN. She has applied for PAN. She will then have one more document to be handed over to the kind woman, for safekeeping at her risk and responsibility. She has to file a return after getting the PAN. She may have to digitally sign the return and submit on-line return. The department would then consider refunding the amount deducted as TDS.      

*****

There is another case of Parvati, a well educated woman who served an organization for several years and sought voluntary retirement fifteen years ago. Her income level marginally crosses the minimum taxable amount. Bank deducts TDS on her pension and small amount of interest she gets and remits to the government. She files returns and gets refund every year. She suddenly received an e-mail last year that she was due more than 10,000 rupees of tax on a return filed five years ago. All refunds due since then are adjusted to this overdue amount. She is unable to meet someone and explain her case as now everything is to be done on-line and computers do not have a face and a heart. The department is overworked in publishing the list of naming and shaming scheme. She is resigned to her fate of losing the entire amount. The department's order of refunding up to 5,000 rupees without adjusting the amount to past dues does not benefit her.

*****

Those who are due crores of rupees in tax arrears have become untraceable and vanished into thin air. Even if they are available, there is no progress in recovery of their dues. In a country of three crore taxpayers, 17 crore people have PAN. Many have been successful in obtaining multiple PAN to defeat the tax net. When the number of PAN holders increased by 175 percent, tax payers number increased by only 17 percent. Banks deduct TDS by default. Banks are helpless because the systems rule them; they do not rule the systems. It is the duty of the Lakshmis and Parvatis to know the rules, on-line working and digital filing. But, Lakshmi and Parvati can draw solace from the fact that have helped widen the tax base in the country. 

Lakshmi and Parvati are now in possession of valuable documents and proud tax payers. Lakshmi does not have a proper hut of her own but cannot vanish like those on the "naming and shaming" list. She can be found in any of the ten houses where she works each day. Big defaulters have the last laugh and the department will continue to win awards and accolades. 

Two Grandfathers; two approaches

She was quietly sitting there, watching her daughter taking part in the parade at school held on the occasion of "Grandparents Day". There were about 50 children in the parade and there were parents as well as grandparents. The parade concluded and all visitors moved to the area serving refreshments. We were on the same table now, sharing cup cakes and fruits. "Did your grandparents also attend such an event when you were in school?", I asked.

She was surprised at the question, but replied with a smile. "There was no celebration of "Grandparents day" in the days when I was in school", she said. After a moment she added, "I wish there was one".

"Do you have any memories of your Grandfather?" was my next question.

"Oh, I have many fond memories of both my granddads", she replied enthusiastically.

"Can you recall any of them?", I asked. What she recalled is in her own words.

*****

My maternal grandfather was a well known writer and social worker. He was associated with many organisations working at different levels. He would be busy, attending some event or the other every day. Whenever he was at home, there would a number of visitors. When we visited his house and he was free from all other activities, he had time for us, his grandchildren. He appeared very strict in his dealings with others and initially we were not very free with him. As we started growing up, we understood him better. He always dressed in white and was simple in his habits. He was also a very good speaker. When he spoke in the meetings and functions, there would be pin drop silence. As kids we did not understand what all he spoke, but it made us feel happy. His way of life taught us discipline in our daily lives. Towards the latter part of our association with him, we were more relaxed and played with him. 

He was a good cards player and allowed us to play with him. Children being associated with a card game was not liked in those days, but his view was different. He was firm in his conviction that any game on its own is not bad at all. It becomes bad only when betting and wagers were allowed to creep in. He held a view that playing cards sharpens one's brain and is good for growing children. Rules to be followed during the game were announced at the beginning and we were taught to follow the rules strictly. It was difficult to win while playing with him. But occasionally we won a game and it made us very happy. We later realised that at times he would deliberately let go a card needed by us to enable us to win a game. 

My paternal grandfather was a teacher and lived in a distant place. We saw him when we visited his place or when he visited us. He was a master storyteller and had a story for every occasion. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He had a joke or anecdote for all seasons. He was comfortable with any age group. Once I cooked a meal and served him. I wanted to know how he felt about it. I knew it was not like what my mother or my grandmother cooked. He silently had the meal and did not say anything. I was excited and asked him about his assessment of my cooking. "You have passed in first class. I gave you 60 per cent marks", he said. "When will I get more marks?", I asked. "You keep on improving and you will get higher marks", he said. With the urge to get better marks I took more interest in cooking. Once he gave me 90 marks and I was very happy. "Grandpa, when will I get hundred per cent?", I asked. " The maximum you get is 90 percent. Your mother gets 95 per cent.  Full marks are only for your grandmother!", he said smilingly.  

He taught me some popular games played in the villages. One of them was "HuliGhatta" or "Tiger and the goats". There were four tigers and goats used in the game. The goats have to restrict the movement of tigers to win. Tiger has to jump and kill goats to win. He would always win, irrespective of whether we chose to be tigers or goats. Once I told him that my other grandfather let go cards to enable us to win. "I want you to win on your own without any outside support. With practice you will win one day against me as well. Concentrate and practice hard. You will succeed", he said. He added mischievously, "If I let you win once, it will be easy for you thereafter. Once you start winning, you will never play with me!" 

*****

"Which of the two approaches was better, allowing you to win occasionally or making you win on your own?", I asked.

She thought for a moment and replied. "I feel both approaches were good in their own way. One believed in a small dose of encouragement to motivate to do better. The other approach taught that nothing came easy and one has to strive hard to achieve anything in life. I have learnt from both approaches and use it alternately to suit the occasions."

As we moved into the parking lot to board our respective cars, she looked back and said, "The two approaches were the two faces of the same coin. Weren't they?"

Instead of replying her question, I smiled and said: "Your grandson or granddaughter may give you full marks for cooking!"

I tend to agree with her view that both approaches of the grandfathers were two faces of the same coin.  Do you?   

We care for you....

Joint families had their advantages and disadvantages. Many persons belonging to three or four generations living under one roof was possible and necessary in the days of limited opportunities to move away and make a living. There were strong men working in the fields or outdoor jobs and women looking after maintaining food supply at home. There were relatively idle older people to look after the babies and toddlers. The system itself took care of the old and sick. Nobody was left alone to fend for himself or herself and old age was not a burden to be carried on one's own shoulders. True, physical pain and suffering was not transferable, but emotional and psychological support was always available to the older ones at home. The comfort level for the old and sick might not have been the same for all; it depended on the atmosphere and values at their respective homes. Nevertheless, there were no huge problems of the old living a life in solitary sojourns and waiting for the final call. There were indeed some cases here and there; it had not reached epidemic proportions. Medical facilities were limited and life expectancy was low as well. 

Improved quality of life and developments in medical and surgical facilities have now enhanced the life expectancy. Education levels of women have noticeably gone up opening up abundant avenues for them to work and earn on the same footing as men. Advancement in transportation has enabled movement to far off lands for education and employment. Joint families have disintegrated and problems have crept up in taking care of infants and toddlers on one side and old and sick on the other. Better financial status of families can provide some funds for taking care of these sections. More and more "Daycare" facilities have come up for taking care of babies and toddlers and kids after they return from schools. The problem of managing old age and related issues has not yet found similar solutions around us at least for the present times. 

There are some organizations that are doing yeoman service in taking care of the aged and sick. Some institutions provide good "Day care" facilities for the aged as well. Old age homes are growing in numbers and some of them are indeed providing good care and security to the inmates. Cost for quality care is naturally higher and all cannot afford these charges. Old age homes with lower charges are unable to provide quality care. Some of them present a pathetic look and a visit to them makes one sorrowful and sorry. The faces of the inmates has only one expression; the one of awaiting the final call. There is an urgent need to develop institutions that adopt a commercial yet compassionate approach to running old age homes. 

Many old men and women would prefer to continue to live in their own homes and familiar surroundings than move into a old age home. This gives a better sense of living and purpose in life in those tender years. The care required is basically non-medical in nature. What are the requirements of the aged people who are constrained to stay either alone or with spouse, but want to remain in their own homes? Many of them need the following facilities:

• Companionship and social interaction. Movement physically may be restricted, but otherwise mentally agile and hence living singly during the day becomes a burden.
• Light house keeping help due to restricted movement on account of either advanced age or sickness.
• Assistance in preparation of meals of their liking and choice or as prescribed to them by a physician.
• Support for bathing and personal hygiene and assistance in laundry and grocery shopping and arrangement.
• Transportation service or companionship during outings for social or cultural functions and get-togethers.
• Fixing and managing appointments with family physicians and specialists.
• Reminding for medication, making beds and arranging their belongings so that they are within reach overnight.
• Additional support would be required for patients under rehabilitation after surgery, Alzheimer and Dementia cases.
• Wheel chair and bed-bound patients would require a lot more understanding and physical support.

Many countries have regulations for providing such support by registered institutions. The candidates sponsored by them are given adequate training in handling these requirements. They are also trained in giving first aid and emergency support. They have their own conveyance arrangement and motivated to develop service mentality along with working for a living as well through such work. The candidates can work either full time or part time. They can also offer to stay as live-in mates. The decision to choose the candidate rests with the hirers. The sponsoring organizations check on the service on an on-going basis. 

With each passing day, more and more members of the older generation are moving into the pool requiring such services. The need is to meet these requirements and yet provide the required assistance with reasonable charges. Governments of the day should devote some time and resources to address this problem. Some budgetary support and contributions from CSR sources would come in handy to reduce the financial costs as well. A regulated and answerable system to help the old and sick is now a responsibility of the society.