Happily Ever Laughter: Hilarious Short Inspirational Stories

By Dr. Satish B. Synghal

? Humour, dominates in more than 50 percent of his stories. It goes without saying that humour refreshes, rejuvenates and removes, stress and depression.
The remaining content of the book involves inspirational material, which is intended to dispel unhappiness and ushers in happiness in life.
? The most important lesson conveyed through the stories is, adopt an occupation involving such work, which you enjoy doing and derive most of your pleasure from it.

? People usually have one point agenda: - earning money, which they mistakenly believe can buy happiness. Some amount of money and wealth are necessary.
Family, friends and relationships are equally important as a source of happiness. One must simultaneously nurture these also to remain happy.
? If you want to be respected, pay respect to others. If you want to be happy, try to make others happy and if you want to be rich, help financially those who are in need. In short whatever you want for yourself, start giving in affordable measures to others.

? Whatever you sow, you have to reap its fruit, even if you dislike it. Sow seeds of love, kindness, and noble deeds, to remain happy.

? Sex, marriage, and family can give us joy and happiness. Age, appropriate sex education should be imparted to all, to enable them to remain happy and healthy.

? You would dislike a person, who receives help from you but does not feel thankful for it. It is the Almighty God, who has given us, whatever we have. He will surely appreciate and shower happiness on us if we feel ever grateful to Him for His gifts and blessings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491881897

Dr. Satish B. Synghal

. Born on 12th March 1935 at Moga (Punjab). . Completed his schooling from MDAS High school Moga (1950) and Intermediate Science from DM College, Moga (1952). . Graduated in civil engineering with first class (Hons). From IIT Kharagpur W.B (1956). . Completed doctorate in engineering (Dr Ing) from Hochschule Fuer Bauwesen Leipzig (Germany - 1962). . Served Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College Gorarkphur, for over three decades, where he worked as assistant professor (5yrs) professor 28 years and the head of the civil engg. deptt. for more than 2 decades. . He worked also as a professor of civil engg. in the University of Mosul, in Iraq, for a year. . During his professorship at Gorakhpur he designed, got approved from the Govt of India and started in 1983 an innovative Master’s course entitled Hill Area Development Engg. and within its ambit he introduced in India the teaching of disaster management at PG level. . He worked for a short duration as the founder director of GLA Institute of Technology and Management Mathura (U.P). . His passion for fiction writing compelled him to spend his post retirement years in fiction writing. As an outcome of his two decade’s of work, in short story writing, the book………………..has taken its present shape.

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This book is a work of fiction. All the characters, events and places depicted in the book are fictious, none of which is intended to be real. If some incident/incidents, character/characters happen to resemble some real incident/incidents, person/persons dead or alive, it could only be coincidental.

© 2014 Dr. Satish B. Synghal. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8155-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8189-7 (e)

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Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. I am Superior

2. Pee Potty Park

3. The Way To Happiness-I

4. Way To Happiness-II

5. Identical Twins

6. The Campus Bull

7. Honey Trap

8. The Education Folicy

9. Teacher’s Revenge

10. Geriatric Itch

11. You Call This Education?

12. Audit Phobia

13. Guru Natwar Lal Memorial Damned University

14. Emancipation

15. Harmony

16. My Owlet

17. In Search Of Pseudonym

18. A General Body Meeting

19. Homo Simians

20. Glossary of the Indian Words

DEDICATION

This book is affectionately dedicated to my wife Mrs Bimla Synghal and my son Manish Synghal, Chairman Dimaz Group, who not only encouraged me during the writing of this book but also helped in many ways, including the removal of hurdles that came in the way. He offered useful advice, at various stages and also helped financially.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledges the help received from Dr. R.S. Tripathi deptt of English, Gorakphur University for his valuable suggestions, and advice, Ms Nirupma Singh of Monty ‘Cyber Cafe’. Greater Noida, Miss Jharna Roy of Dimaz Aviation Mumbai, and Mr. Eliaz D’souza of Mumbai for their help in the preparation of the manuscript and Mr Rarindra Prakarsa to permit the use from his collection, the photograph Laughing Boyz on the cover page of this book.

Last, but not the least the author thanks the publisher for publishing the book in a short time.

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Satish Synghal eversince his teens wanted to be a story writer, which those days was poorly paid. Disregarding his real interest he became an engineer and started working in Punjab’s irrigation department. Soon he found this job unsatisfying and took up teaching in an engineering college, which gave him better job satisfaction.

He proceeded to Germany for higher studies and obtained from there Doctor in Engineering.

On his return he joined a newly established engineering college and in 5 years became professor and the head of the civil engineering department. He introduced in 1983, in India, the teaching of disaster management to the post graduate students in engineering.

He undertook the organization and hosting of variety entertainment programmes at the annual day functions of his college, the highlights of which were short hilarious plays written by him, about the happenings in the college. These functions made him famous in the area.

During his active service, his teaching, research and administrative work left little spare time at his disposal to devote to his hobby of writing fiction. He decided to take it up after retirement.

By the time he retired, many new engineering colleges had sprung up in the country. Most of his contemporaries took up highly paid jobs after retirement, whereas he went in for his real interest i.e. fiction writing.

He poured into his stories near 80 years of his life experience:-

*   Humour, dominates in more than 50 percent of his stories. It goes without saying that humour refreshes, rejuvenates and removes, stress and depression.

The remaining content of the book involves inspirational material, which is intended to dispel unhappiness and ushers in happiness in life.

*   The most important lesson conveyed through the stories is, adopt an occupation involving such work, which you enjoy doing and derive most of your pleasure from it.

*   People usually have one point agenda:—earning money, which they mistakenly believe can buy happiness. Some amount of money and wealth are necessary. Family, friends and relationships are equally important as a source of happiness. One must simultaneously nurture these also to remain happy.

*   If you want to be respected, pay respect to others. If you want to be happy, try to make others happy and if you want to be rich, help financially those who are in need. In short whatever you want for yourself, start giving in affordable measures to others.

*   Whatever you sow, you have to reap its fruit, even if you dislike it. Sow seeds of love, kindness, and noble deeds, to remain happy.

*   Sex, marriage, and family can give us joy and happiness. Age appropriate sex education should be imparted to all, to enable them to remain happy and healthy.

*   You would dislike a person, who receives help from you but does not feel thankful for it. It is the Almighty God, who has given us, whatever we have. He will surely appreciate and shower happiness on us if we feel ever grateful to Him for His gifts and blessings.

If after reading this book even a few persons transform their lives from unhappy to happy ones, I shall consider my 20 years of hard work put into the writing of this book fully rewarded.

1

I AM SUPERIOR

During their evening walk Dr. Banmali informed Dr. Shankar that Dr. S. P. Ghosh had conveyed from Mussoorie, where he stayed every year for four to five weeks, during summer vacations, that he had seen Raas Behari, his wife and the principal with his family at a restaurant on Mall road. They had taken their dinner together, for which Raas Behari had paid the bill. Dr. Ghosh greeted the principal, Raas Behari and their families. During their informal talks Dr. Ghosh learnt from the principal’s wife that both the families had stayed in the Hotel Hill-Queen in two adjacent suites.

It appears that Raas Behari is trying to please the principal to ensure his support for his promotion to the post of professor in mechanical engineering by adopting these means, suspected Banmali.

You mean Raas Behari is paying all the expenses of the principal and his family? asked Shankar.

It won’t be a bad bargain for Raas Behari’if it works.

Should the principal accept it?

No harm if no one comes to know, replied Banmali.

One should not only be upright, but should also appear to be so. What was the necessity for the principal to stay in a suite adjoining Raas Behari’s in the same hotel? remarked Shankar.

Why shouldn’t the watch dog-group of the college intensify its vigil and probe deeper into the matter?

Ghosh tried to get the real picture. But by himself he could not make much headway. After having met him, Raas Behari and the principal; had become very cautious and avoided him.

Ghosh came across a small detective agency, which operated from Mussoorie. It was asked to find out, who had booked the suites in the hotel, was the amount paid as advance for booking paid by cheque or in cash, if by cheque, the details of the cheque—the number, date, the name of the bank, drawee’s name and the amount, the person in whose name the receipt for the advance had been made out etc. and also similar details at the time of checking out.

The watch-dog-group, which at the moment was headed by Dr. Banmali, advised Ghosh to go ahead with the work.

During his stay at Mussoorie, Raas Behari persuaded the principal to advartise the post of professor in mechanical engineering with the specialisation in heat transfer, which Raas Behari possessed. He persuaded the principal to call, as technical experts, for conducting the interviews from the list of three persons, which he had given to the principal. One of these three had guided him for his M. E. thesis, an other had guided his project work at under graduate level. The third was from I.I. T. Kanpur, and was related to him from his in-law’s side.

Dr. Ghosh left Mussoorie, later than the principal and Raas Behari. The detective informed him that two suites in the hotel Hill Queen, had been booked by Raas Behari Srivastava, for which he had sent a cheque on State Bank of India, Gorakhpur, main branch, bearing the number 217159 dated 20th April, 1966 for `2000/-. A receipt together with the confirmation of the booking was sent to his residential address. Two adjacent suites with attached bath facilities, had been booked for 2 weeks for them.

One, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Reddy, who had done his doctorate in automobile engineering and was working in the engineering college of the Banaras HinduUniversity Varanasi, had missed his promotion to the post professor of mechanical engineering.

Dr. Reddy had received an offer from an automobile factory in a senior managerial position. Banmali, who happened to visit Varanasi, had a chance meeting with Reddy. Banmali advised him to apply for the professor’s post at Gorakhpur. Since he had spent over 20 years in the teaching profession, Reddy was told that he would get better job satisfaction as a professor. Banmali sent to Reddy the newspaper clipping, containing the advertisement and also got him sent an application form for the professor’s post.

The detective gave the remaining information to Ghosh. The amount at the time of check out was paid through a cheque by Raas Behari, in whose name the hotel had issued a receipt amounting to `8738/-. The detective had also provided a photocopy of the counterfoil of the receipt.

The principal met the vice chancellor of the Gorakhpur University, the ex-offico chairman of the staff selection committee of the engineering college, to discuss the applicants, their suitability for being invited for the interview, the experts to be called to assist the selection committee, and the other related issues.

Only two applications had been received for the post of professor in civil engineering. Shankar was one of the applicants, the other too had a doctorate degree, but he lacked the required teaching experience.

In fact there is no candidate, apart from Dr. Shankar, who can be called for interview. I would say we drop the selection of professor of civil engineering this time and conduct interviews for the remaining posts, suggested the principal, who was baised against Dr. Shankar.

It appears there is scarcity of eligible candidates in civil engineering. Let the post be advertised again, mentioning, those who had applied in response to the earlier advertisement, need not apply again. I’m afraid, if we do not appoint a professor in civil engineering from among the available candidates, they may be lured by other institutions, which offer them better terms. This is a new institution, we must have senior people in place, as soon as possible, opined the vice chancellor.

But we do have a professor in civil engineering, Mr. Dharam Pal Khare, who is on deputation.

If he is really good, let him apply, the selection committee will consider him also. In fact, those who are brought on deputation, must also be approved by the selection committee," felt the vice chancellor.

40823.png

When the interviews were conducted Dr. Chandra Shekhar Reddy who was found to be superior to other candidates, was selected.

Only Dr. Shankar was found fit to be called for interview for the post of professor in civil engineering. The experts, professors from IIT Kanpur, who had been invited for conducting the interview found him suitable. Before a final decision could be taken about him, the committee decided to continue deliberations on the issue after lunch.

During lunch, the principal, on the pretext of showing the site, where land had been acquired and the college buildings were coming up, took the permanent members of the selection committee with him and convinced them of the unsuitability of Dr. Shankar for the post of professor, because he was too young for the post, being only 32 years.

When the discussion resumed after lunch, the selection committee rejected Dr. Shankar, on the ground of his age.

On coming to know about his rejection and the grounds thereof, Shankar represented his case to the chairman of the board of management saying that his rejection, on the ground of his age, was unreasonable, especially when, he was the only candidate found fit to be called for interview, that too after advertising the post twice. His age, was already known when he was invited for the interview. If they were so particular about age, he shouldn’t have been called. He sought an interview with the chairman of the board with regard to his representation and conveyed his intention of resigning if justice was not meted out to him.

Knowing that the chairman of the board invariably came as the chief guest on annual day functions, and that he had already made up his mind to leave the institution, if he was not given the post of professor. Shankar decided to fight a determined battle against the injustice, which was being done to him.

Dr. Shankar, was as usual, entrusted to take up the responsibility of managing the variety entertainment programme for the annual day function. There were no two opinions, about his extra-ordinary capability in producing and directing short, crisp, about one hour, cultural events containing among others a 20-minute play, written by him and depicting in a light vein, the status of the college during the preceding year, as the core item. He had a knack of selecting ghazals, kawalis, dance items, short skits as ancillaries, all of which were fused together into a wholesome evening, full of fun and containing thought provoking items.

The urdu verses which he recited during anchoring, as a prelude to items that would follow, acted as links of the chain. Cheap jokes and film songs were meticulously kept out.

His programmes were unique, which left a lasting impression on the audiance. People left with the anticipation of coming again the next year.

But this time, he had come with a vengeance, at a great personal risk; the programme could result either in his promotion or his rout. The core 20 minute play entitled, I am superior, was as follows:-

40823.png

I’M SUPERIOR

Interviews for the posts of assistant engineers for the PWD are being conducted by the Public Service Commission. The candidate Suresh Khandelwal appears before the board.

The interviewer, You’ve got 1st class (Hons) in B. E.?

Sir,

Which College?

State College of Technology, Ballia, sir.

You belong to?

Chhapra, sir.

Who is Hearld Wilson?

Wilson’s a famous fountain pen company I’ve a Wislon pen, see, sir, here it is.

I’m talking of a political figure, who is very famous and has been in the news.

"How can a pen be a political bigwig?

The technical expert now asks, You’re a civil engineer.

Sir

You want to make a three storied residential, brick building. What would be the thickness of the lowest, exterior wall?

Can I have a scale or foot rule?

He is given a scale, which he waves in the air and holding it almost mid way says, This much, sir.

Expert Is there any thumb rule or formula to arrive at the thickness.

Yes, sir, we look at the neighbours wall and provide the same thickness.

If he has adopted a wrong thickness.

If his building stands, mine will also stand.

The second expert What’s Borda’s mouth piece (an instrument in hydrolic engineering)?

You’re trying to confuse me, sir, its not Borda’s but Baroda’s mouth piece. It’s so named because it’s manufactured in Baroda. I’m sure of it

The chairman, Do you play any games?

Sir,

What do you play?

I play Gilli-Danda.

What?

Gilli-Danda sir, in the next Olympics this will be included as our national sport.

Rubbish what’s Gilli Danda? In colleges boys play hockey, cricket, football, tennis or other respectable games.

Sir, our college has no play grounds. Gilli Danda we can enjoy on the roof of our hostel. Last time I had won a plastic medal in this game.

A member commented, Young man, I’m sorry to say, you are completely blank. Your college has taught you nothing, yet given you first class (Hons.) and has cheated you. Go back to your college, and tell your principal to refund your tuition fees at least, though nothing can be done to compensate for the four valuable years, which you’ve wasted in the process.

As he comes out of the room, another candidate, rushes to him.

What did they ask? he was curious to know.

Not much, they were impressed by my first class (Hons.) at B.E. and asked some routine questions.

But it took quite long.

Oh, yes! I insisted on three advance increments, but they wanted me to accept only two.

So, your selection is assured.

Obviously.

40823.png

The principal is sitting alone in his office, when Suresh Khandelwal enters.

Sir, return me my tuition fees, requested Suresh.

Who are you young man? Your face is somewhat familiar, but I don’t remember it exactly.

Sir I’m Suresh Khandelwal, your student, from the first batch.

You’re from the first batch?

Sir, Sethi and Banerjee were also with me.

What is Sethi doing these days?

"He was the first ranker of mechanical engineering.

"Yes, yes, Sethi, I recollect his intelligent, face vividly.

He was a mechanical genius, full of enterprise.

Yes, yes, but what’s he doing?

He has started a cycle repair shop in Basti.

And Banerjee?

He too is well off, teaches Hindi in an intermediate college.

What are you doing?

I’ve been searching for a job. The State Public Service Commission told me, You don’t know anything. Your college has taught you nothing, but has given you first class (Hons.) and cheated you. Ask your college to refund your tuition fees, so I’m here."

What are your plans now?

With the money you’ll give me, I shall start a Betel-Beeri shop in Goleghar. I assure you, sir, I shall supply you your favourite betels at 30 percent discount.

"Rules do not permit refund of tuition fees. I’m afraid I may not be able to help you, said the principal.

"Please sir, be kind to me, and save me from committing suicide and yourself from abetting it, said Khandelwal.

Please meet me tomorrow in the afternoon. I want to discuss the matter with my senior colleagues, who maybe able to suggest some way out.

Heads of the departments—Dr. Banmali, Raas Behari, Dharam Pal and Dr. Ghosh are present in the meeting, which is chaired by the principal. The request of Suresh Khandelwal for the refund of his tuition fees, his threat to commit suicide and put the suicide abetment blame on them, if the fees are not refunded, is under consideration.

The matter is very serious, especially for professor Dharam Pal, who is the head of the civil engineering department, to which Khandelwal belongs, opined Raas Behari, Let’s recommend to the chairman to order the refund. If he does not do so, then the chairman would be abetting the suicide, not us.

Baap Re! What a risky situation has this brat landed us into? If he wants to die, he should do so quietly. Why involve us? When he dies we’ll hold a condolence meeting and pray earnestly for peace to his soul, lamented Gosh da.

Why not get him arrested by the police for planning to commit suicide? suggested Dr. Banmali.

Let us think about the issue calmly. We can meet tomorrow morning and evolve some solution, suggested the principal and adjourned the meeting.

When everyone had left, Dharam Pal, as usual returned, to the principals’ chamber and asked, He wants the refund of his fees, because he does not get a job, isn’t it?

Yes, of course, replied the principal.

Then the matter stands resolved?

How? wondered the principal.

We have the post of a lecturer vacant in our college, let’s appoint him… That simple.

What nonsense you’re talking? roared the principal. You know he knows nothing, what will he teach?"

"Is teaching more important than saving ourselves from abetment of suicide charges?

His selection won’t be easy, commented the principal. The post has to be advertised in three national dailies, then there’ll be meeting of the selection committee, which will have technical experts… . . ," elaborated the principal.

"We’ll advertise this post in three national dailies, one each of Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, that too in their national languages, making Indian citizenship mandatory.

You’ll be there in the selection committee; I’ll also be there. The vice chancellor, the chairman of the selection committee, who is a non-technical man, knows nothing.

The chief engineer of Gauri Bazar Municipality is only ITI qualified. He’ll feel honoured to come as an expert. We’ll nod in appreciation at every reply that our candidate will give," suggested professor Dharam Pal.

I think we can make it, exclaimed the principal feeling relieved!

The affair is managed. Khandelwal gets appointed as lecturer.

The principal is walking up and down the lawn, attached to his bungalow, when Suresh Khandelwal arrives. He immediately falls at the feet of the principal, saying:-

Your’e an angel sir,’ You’ve saved me from ruin. I’ve no words to thank you enough, sir for what you have done for me. But, sir, I have a small request.

Yes, my son,

Sir, I have been given only two increments, where as I had requested for three.

"Never mind my child. I’ll compensate you. I’ll give you lots of examinerships. I’ll make you the warden of the hostel and also in charge of the mess. Soon through the qualities of your head and heart, you’ll become a lakhpati, fit for the membership of D. A. (Dispropostionate Assets) club.

Naveen Gupta passes by the side of Khandelwal, who ignores Gupta. Feeling insulted, Gupta confronts Khandelwal and asks, Why you did not wish me?

I don’t like to salute inferiors, retorted Khandelwal.

I’m senior to you, snorted Gupta.

"Have you been appointed a lecturer through a proper selection process?

I’m on deputation.

You mean unable to get entry from the front door you came through the back door—called deputation.?

40823.png

The play has ended, and the darkness has descended on the stage… Has the curtain fallen or it has been lifted, only time will show… . . .

Very enjoyable! commented the inspector General of Police, who had witnessed the programme attentively.

Principal congratulated Dr. Shankar, for arranging such an entertaining programme.

The college has been brought into disrepute by this atrocious nautanki, commented Raas Behari and Dharam Pal.

It’s an act of outrage, frowned Naveen Gupta.

A dare devil act. remarked the vice chancellor.

The chairman of the board, who had graced the occasion as the chief guest did enjoy the programme, and found it very entertaining. He had found it very thought provoking though some what pungent.

He remembered about the representation, which Dr. Shankar had given about his rejection for the post of professor in civil engineering. He had marked this case for disposal during his present visit to Gorakhpur and had directed his P. A. to call Dr. Shankar at the irrigation guest house, at 9.30 a.m. the next day and put up his viewpoint personally.

The principal had hosted that evening at his residence a dinner in the honour of the visit of the chairman. He had invited all the staff members of the college to dinner.

Soon after the variety entertainment programme had ended the chief minister proceeded to the guest house to meet local leaders and officials.

The principal felt elated because the annual day function had been a great success. He was fully focussed on looking after the chief minister and also on attending to the elite of the city, the vice chancellor, the commissioner, the general managers of the N. E. Railway, and the Fertiliser Corporation of India, most of whom congratulated the principal on the grand success of the function and many of them were full of praise for the entertainment programme. Some of them made a special mention of the self-deprecating humour contained in the play.

Dharam Pal, Raas Behari and Gupta waited in a corner and accompanied the principal in his car. On the way they drew the attention of the principal towards the malafide intent of the play and convinced him that it had brought disrepute to the institution and also to the principal himself.

Sir, your term is expiring in less than two months and you are expecting an extension. This play has projected your capabilities in poor light. Should he have done it at this critical juncture? wondered Raas Behari.

I’m sorry I did not view the issue from this angle, I shouldn’t have given Shankar a free hand in organising the cultural programme, admitted the principal.

And see how he has betrayed the confidence, you had imposed in him, contented professor Dharam Pal.

It’s outright treason, exclaimed Naveen.

The principal, who had a little while earlier congratulated Dr. Shankar for the nice and entertaining programme, in the presence of the chairman, took a u-turn and expressed his displeasure about the atrocious play and went on to say that Dr. Shankar should be punished for his indiscretion.

The news of the summoning of Dr. Shankar, by the chairman had spread like virus. Many thought it was the end of him and pitied him for having taken such an initiative at his personal risk. The group consisting of professor Dharam Pal, Raas Behari and Naveen Gupta felt jubilant to hear this news, but simultaneously an unknown fear lurked in their minds.

Dr. Shanker, during the dinner, spent most of his time in the company of Dr. Banmali, and Dr. Ghosh, who shared common concerns and hopes with him. They didn’t want Shankar to leave the college.

40823.png

So you wanted to meet me personally regarding your non selection as professor? asked the chairman.

Sir,

Please say, what you want to.

I had joined this college, situated more than a thousand km away from my hometown, in Punjab, because I wanted to work for the upliftment of this backward area of our country, but now great injustice is being done to me here.

The basis of rejecting me is totally unjustified and an after thought.

How do you say so?

As an example I want to say that Mr. John. F. Kennedy, the president of USA is aged only 40 years. If he can do justice to such a high position at 40, then I shouldn’t be denied professorship of a small engineering college at 32. I believe it is an after thought, because, my age was already known to the selectors when I was called for interview.

You threatened with resignation, if your demand was not met. You want to put undue pressure on us.

Please don’t consider my resignation as a pressure tactic. I can do nothing to enhance my age. Even at the risk of indulging in self-aggrandizement, I want to say, excluding IIT and Roorkee, there won’t be more than two or three civil engineers in the state, who are as qualified as I am. When I realised, I have no future in this college, I decided to quit. Please don’t take it as a pressure tactic.

If you’re so qualified, why didn’t you join a reputed institute like IIT, Roorkee or BHU?, the chairman asked.

I am firmly of the opinion that highly qualified persons, instead of concentrating at a few places, should spread out in all the nooks and corners of the country, form developmental nuclei and contribute in their own way, to the development of their areas. This will accelerate the pace of development of our country.

Changing the topic of discussion, the chairman broached upon the issue of the play, which formed a part of the cultural programme.

Why did you come up with this kind of drama, which has raised a lot of dust?

Believe me sir, I didn’t do it as an impulsive action. I had given a very serious thought to it before deciding to stage it.

But why stage such a drama?

There’re 50-50 chances of acceptance of my resignation. Before leaving I wanted to present a possible futuristic scenario of this college, if it continues to drift, unchecked in the current direction.

"I am keen to know your perceptions in detail. Please come at 3pm in the afternoon.

Some persons, who had obtained prior appointments, are waiting for me. Please do come in the afternoon.

Sir

What makes you feel that change is called for in the way the college is being managed at present? asked the chairman, when Shankar met him in the afternoon.

We are bringing people on deputation from departments such as PWD, irrigation etc. without examining their suitability for the concerned posts. The qualifications and the mind-set required for academic posts differ widely from those required for departments of the government. For instance there are diploma holders who are working as executive engineers, whereas they cannot be appointed even as lecturers in engineering institutions. As of to day, four out of the ten staff members in the civil engineering department of the college, are on deputation, and all of them have been superseded in their respective posts.

Any other issue?

I hesitate to bring it up, lest I should be misunderstood.

If it’s for improving the affairs of the college, your suggestions or criticisms are welcome, said the chairman.

We have an assistant professor in mechanical engineering, named Raas Behari Srivastava. He is of my age, and was a candidate for the post of professor of mechanical engineering. He has an M.E. degree, as his highest qualification. To suit him, the field of his specialisation was specified as the desired qualification. One of the persons, who was invited as a technical expert in the selection committee, was the one, who had guided his M.E. thesis and the second one had guided his final year project during his B.E., both were from Roorkee, pointed out Dr. Shankar.

These could just be coincidences, the chairman pointed out.

"If I’m permitted to say, Ram Saran Sahib and Raas Behari stayed in adjacent suites in hotel Hill-Queen in Mussoorie for over two weeks. These suites had been reserved and paid for by Mr. Raas Behari through cheques.

How do you know all this?

A person, named Ram Narain Misra, who is somewhat known to me gave me all this information. He is working in M.P. Polytechnic here, whose brother is serving in the same hotel at Mussoorie. This gentleman had appeared in an interview and was rejected. Suspecting collusion between Raas Behari, who had gone as a technical expert and other candidate M. M. Srivastava, Misra went to the court against the appointment. He had also represented his case to Mr. S. N. Tewari, the then Director Technical Education, who happened to be present at the interview as the chairman of the selection committee and on whose suggestion Misra had withdrawn the court case. Mr Tiwari conducted an enquiry, which established that the candidate and Raas Behari had colluded. He cancelled the selection of M. M. Srivastava and appointed Ram Narian Misra. The DTE debarred Raas Behari from being invited as an expert in all the polytechnics of the state.

Does the principal know about this decision of the DTE?

Mr. Tewari had sent a copy of the order, debarring Raas Behari, to the principal.

But why should Mr. Misra have shown the documents to you?

I had gone to the polytechnic as an expert for a post in the civil engineering department. When my job was finished, Mr. Tewari requested me to continue and help them for the remaining posts also and join them for lunch. Mr. Misra sent to me a copy of his representation, with which some of these documents had been attached. He had contended that the money, which Raas Bihari had spent in Mussoorie, had been obtained form M M. Srivastava, the candidate.

The chairman, before he had left Gorakhpur, talked to the principal about the issues, which Dr. Shankar had raised. He knew that the principal was very hardworking, honest as well as efficient. He had, during his tenure of 4 years, established the college, got the land acquired for the campus and also got the educational buildings constructed, which would be ready for occupation in a couple of months.

If he wanted to earn money illegally, he could have done it from building contractors, but no irregularities in the construction work had come to notice. He is however vulnerable to being influenced and exploited by social contacts and friends, whom he cannot say, ‘no’. Had he learnt the art of saying ‘no’ when it was necessary, he would have retired not as a superintending engineer but as a chief engineer.

His utility for the college is over. The rot is setting in. It’s the time to stem it," concluded the chairman.

On his return to Lucknow, the chairman approved the appointment of Dr. Shankar as professor of civil engineering.

When he came back from Durga Pooja holidays Dr. Shankar received a sealed envelope with confidential written conspicuously on its left hand top corner. It contained two letters—first an appointment letter for the post of professor of civil engineering, and the other communicating adverse remarks in his annual confidential report for the preceding year, which was as follows:

Dr. Shankar has tarnished the fair image of the college by getting a drama, I’m superior enacted at the annual day function of the college. Not to talk of the position as head of the department he is unfit even for the post of professor

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Dr. Shankar takes over charge from professor Dharam Pal as the head of the civil engineering department, who in turn goes back as executive engineer to the irrigation department.

On the expiry of his term, Shri Ram Sharan Agrawal retired as the principal of the college. He handed over charge to Dr. Banmali, the seniormost professor.

Principal Ram Sharan Agarwal has been denied extension. He has been well meaning, plain, friendly and social. Earlier he had been fair minded, judicious and unassuming. How come that he cultivated traits of favouritism, partiality, cunningness and his character got so tainted with lust as to accept to stay at Mussoori with and at the expense of Raas Behari? How come he obstructed the selection of Dr. Shankar as professor on flimsy grounds? wondered Dr. Ghosh.

"Highly ambitious people of low merit and poor values, join hands, and crawl towards the centre of power and surround it from all sides. They spend lots of effort, energy and even money to remain close to it. Their tools are flattery, sycophancy, blind loyalty, backbiting and turpitude. They find out the likes and dislikes, also the weaknesses of the person in power and use this knowledge unscrupulously to retain their hold as well influence on him, and use it for their self interest.

One is greatly affected by the persons, by whom one is surrounded and their influence can become much stronger than the will power of person concerned. It’s said—we’re constantly affected by the magnetism of the thoughts and feelings of the people surrounding us," elaborated Dr. Banmali.

Good intensions alone are not enough to create and maintain a harmonious work-environment, constant vigil and persistent efforts are also needed, opined Dr. Shankar.?

2

PEE POTTY PARK

The newly elected members of our municipality have taken their oaths and are meeting in the conference room of the town hall. Welcoming the new members Shri Chhote Lal, the chairman said, "I’m happy to welcome you all for the first meeting of the newly elected committee of our municipality. Though our Gath-Jor party has won the election by a thumping majority, yet I appeal to the honorable members belonging to other parties, as well as the independents to cooperate with the party in power for the all-round development of our town.

"Most of