[Dr. Zafar Ahmed, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, zai-alpha@hotmail.com, 16-04-2019]
Reading Time: 8 min
It was 1983, I was doing a prized course in Delhi. Around this time my BHU buddy Bhu-pesh often persuaded me to appear in an interview at his Centre for a job in research. I gave in to his encouragement and took a train to Mumbai, then Bombay. He secured a hostel room for me besides his and my interview was scheduled for the following day. I was nervous and tossed and turned all night – a never before experience for me. I was restless and fearful of the interview. Around 4.00 am I switched on the light and was amazed and terrified to see armies of bugs on the floor and around my mattress. I did not wait for daybreak, I woke Bhupesh up and told him to get my interview postponed by 3 to 4 days. Bhupesh agreed and I slept fitfully. The following day Bhupesh and and his friend AKM (the present director of the Centre) went around and got it pushed by 3 days.
or I had 3 days to while away before the interview, I studied hard for the interview and asked around for what kinds of questions would be asked at the interview. Everyone assured me that the questions would be simple. I was not comforted as several other friends of mine had been interviewed and only Bhupesh had the good fortune to be selected. The rest who did not get selected are doing just as well in public and corporate sectors or in science and technology.
I used to go to the BEST canteen for lunch, I was taken around the wonderful colony, I was shown the shooting spot of a film-song (Humka Isak Hua Hai Yaro) nearby. One evening, I was treated in the nearest restaurant named Vijay Punjab which has been demolished recently.
For the interview, I was told a thumb rule that if the chairman signed on the back of pink TA/DA slip, that would mean I was selected. I didn’t just want to pass the interview but I wanted to crack it up! In the interview, I saw the chairman signing on the back of the pink slip, but I was not happy with my interview, so I requested them for a second round. They asked me to sit and wait outside. Then I was given a chance, oh! I spoiled it in the second round. (There is a dangerous me who does suicidal things.) Even then, I had an inkling that I would be selected and Bhuesh promised to let me know by a telegram soon.
Next day, I was at the BCT station for my train back to New Delhi. An elderly man, probably fiftyish, with no bags and looking downcast was dropped off and instructed “not to do this again!?” The conversation sparked my curiosity. I became curious. We struck up a conversation, he told me that he worked for the railways in Bareilly U. P. He came to Bombay for shopping or something but his bag and belongings were stolen in the train. In short, he passed 3-4 days miserably and some hawkers from U.P. gave him some food. I asked him if he had logged a police complaint, he said “no because he came here faking a medical leave and it would have complicated matters!!” His situation was suspicious but I did not probe much. The Govt. of India owed me a six-month scholarship in AMU and it still does. I myself was struggling also as my new stipend hadn’t started. I gave him 40 rupees out of Rs. 80 which I had.
Even his name though interesting was too long to be one from U.P. I remember it very well, his name was B. B. K. Lal Srivastav. Usually, one hears of MAA KE LAL (mother’s son(s) ), but this one was awkward. At his behest I shared my address of Delhi-hostel and the prospective one in Bombay. He also jotted his address on my copy of `Illustrated Weekly.’ With gratitude and blessings he promised to pay me back by an Money Order. when he got back. I boarded my train and had a normal journey back to my hostel.
After some 44-46 hours of this incident, in the morning around 7, I was washing my clothes in the bathroom when. I heard my name being taken in the corridor. I was sure that it was a postman with the much awaited Telegram. I came out to the corridor most quickly and curiously. To my surprise, I found Mr. BBKLS there!!! He was delighted to find that I could recognize his voice and went out to welcome him so quickly!
After a few days, I got a postcard instead of a telegram from Bhupesh telling me that I did not get selected! and in that he also cursed the interview committee. Maybe, my temporary uncle had prayed for me and the telegram did come from the Centre asking me to join on 9th of Sept. But then I was quarantined in the dispensary for a week or so due to having Malaria.
I eventually joined BARC on 15th of Sept after a dramatic process. The M.O. for Rs. 90/- never came to me. By the way, even I didn’t pay Rs. 50/- to Sheshu until after one year or so when I got his reminder by a post-card. May God forgive us for the old unsettled dues. (Thanks, please share)
I WROTE A STORY 