Identifying India?

ABVP, (Akhil Bharatiy Vidyarthi Parishad - a students' wing) had arranged a big function at MES College, Pune. Probably because of my BAMCEF activities, my public speaches in the programs of the  Siddharth Shikshan Samiti (S-4), S/C, S/T officers association and reactions discussed occasionally with youth/students coming for “Akashwani Youth Programme” about Hindu religion with specific reference to its permissible and unbreakable sanctions to ill treat and to consider almost inhuman the yesterday’s untouchables and present scheduled castes. probably the ABVP invited me to participate in this Function, I was quite in limelight. Some students took me to the hall where I noticed that the map of India embedded with the picture of Goddess of Saraswati (Godess of Learning). I said to the organizer that there was nothing wrong to worship God/Goddess of one’s faith. But if we start identifying our God/Goddess with our country, then different religious groups will start the same, which will create chaos and a national problem. My statement opened a heated argument. Thinking they made a mistake by inviting me, my name was dropped from the speakers' list and after tea one of them drove me back to Akashwani (All India Radio).

When I was actively busy with BAMCEF and other social activities, suddenly I was transferred from Pune Radio to Bombay Radio Station.

BAMCEF Workshop: Pune

Mr. Kanshiram and I were totally involved in BAMCEF activities. Meetings of activists, common employees" gatherings and workshops were being arranged regularly. In fact BAMCEF had made rapid progress in many cities of Maharashtra in general but in Pune and Nagpur in particular. One such workshop was arranged at Shivajinagar Zopadpatti – slum – near Shivajinagar railway station on Pune-Mumbai highway. It was a large gathering. Mr. Khaparde, another hardworking BAMCEF activist, was the in charge of workshop. Mr. Kanshiram and I were present. While addressing to the BAMCEF activists gathered there for workshop I, in brief, said as follows –

“You are the brain of the communities you belong to. There are intelligent persons from Scheduled castes, Scheduled Tribes. There are learned participants from backward community and minorities here. You being employees you can play a decisive role in making our history. I have no doubt we are going to make it. Please note it, individually you are intelligent but you have to prove it collectively. Also you are poor individually but you are very rich collectively which you have to prove it.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has given us Representative type of Democracy. In other words, you can elect your representatives for Assemblies and Parliament. The elected representatives are the Law Makers and nobody can make laws for your socio-economic – political and every aspect of your life and for your all-round progress except your representatives elected by you. Our BAMCEF community is having large ocean of votes. It is just and simply possible to achieve it”. (In fact these strategic points we both had discussed in detail several times at my Pune residence and above mentioned message cum slogan became a part of our public functions.Kanshiram added one more inovative symbolic slogan,He said thus-'for centuries we been only begging by keeping our palm upside. now onward we should keep our palm down side to give,' This saying became extremely popular and  our speakers started  using  it in public gatherings,

PRELUDE TO BAMCEF & BAMCEF.

As I stated earlier my surname which is normally found in high caste – especially Brahmins caste – initially there was hesitation and cautious approach of scheduled caste employees of my office and also outsiders towards me. 

There was an educational institution founded by our officers like D ,T,Sawant H. S., Jadhav and Mr. Bhosle . named “Siddharth Shikshan Sahayak Samiti” or by acronym “S-4”! I was very eager to join it but I was being doubted because of my misleading name and secondly my critical analysis on conversion of S/C especially of Mahars to Buddhism and as such my admission was being viewed as of fifth columnist! One day I was compelled to tell in brief about my family background and also showed “Jai Bhim” tattooed on my left arm. Jai Bhim means

“Victory to Bhim” – i.e. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar – which was being used by Mahars as way of “salutation”! Dr. Ambedkar had already become a “Messiah” an Emancipator, a “Saviour” and as a Father for the scheduled caste communities particularly among Mahars!

I was only in third standard when I had got  IT  tattooed on my arm in the fair of Shegaon where we children used to go every year. Any way my friends got convinced of my genuineness and I was admitted in the S-4 association.

********Officers’ Welfare Association – Pune************

In fact I had formed it, but it was a very small group. Important officers were Mr. K. P. Gaikwad, who later on became an I.P.S. officer, Mr. Vasant Khobragade, who became Dy. Collector and then collector, Mr. Katakdhond, who became Registrar Corporative, Maharashtra Government, H. S. Jadhav, PEX AIR, Mr. Bhosale, Post & Telegraph Office, Mr. D. T. Sawant, Agricultural Officer, Mr. S. T. Sawant who became M.L.A., Mr. Kanshiram and many others). Public meeting was arranged by them and Mr. B. B. Bhosale, my Station Director, AIR, Pune was invited to be the chief guest. When I was asked to say a few words – I, in brief, said as follows – “We accepted Buddhism, but we yet follow many Hindu religious ceremonies. We should give up them. To look different, distinctly as Buddhist we should give only Buddhist names to our children. We should evolve a different dress, which will show our different identity. We should bring change in our festivals, fairs, ceremonies, songs.drams and literature.

So far family planning is concerned I am of the opinion that we should adopt a different ideology. S/C, S/T families, which are financially well off and can afford, should have more and more children, and such families which are poor and can not afford, should have minimum children. By this method one day we will be able to educate and look after their one or two children in a better way, creating a better and balanced community. Meetings of S-4 were held in my quarter. We did good work for the advancement of education for the downtrodden children. I was also elected as President of S-4. Gradually the information about it spread in other places of Pune and besides others, one Mr. Kanshiram who was working in defence at Kirkee, Pune also started attending our meetings. But he never uttered a word about either B. R. Ambedkar, his movements, our communities; their humiliations in Hindu Society etc., which issues in fact, were being debated seriously in our meetings.

Mr. Kanshiram was from Punjab and was probably not much aware of Dr. Ambedkar, his work, movement its spread and acceptance of his work by Mahars in particular and Dr. Ambedkar’s gigantic intelligence.

But after meetings we were two at my house; he would talk and show his concern about these issues. My views which I had in my mind about bringing together the Muslim community with us and about which I had expressed it openly in the Balapur public meeting long ago – were discussed in detail. Unfortunately my views got strengthened in Pune where I came in close contact with R.S.S. Cadre and its various branches and their writings which I read here. They without any ambiguity or hesitation advocated continuance of caste system and still more importantly when they asked Muslims to adopt Hindu culture or stay as “Second rate” citizens in this country disturbed me

As such my discussion with Mr. Kanshiram was as follow :- 

we have representative type of democracy, if we joined hands with Muslims – besides S/C S/T, and Christians, it would be much easier to win more seats in Assemblies and Parliament thereby forming our

Government at States and National Levels which would provide us authority to make suitable legislations and for all round up-liftment of downtrodden and especially eradicating the practice of heinous untouchability!

We crystallized our thoughts about “BAMCEF” organisation. The  pattern – not ideology – was actually borrowed from R. S. S. Organization. Its all members were Government employees who were working as finance providers and ideology makers for the R.S.S. We indeed discussed and deliberated on it and formed BAMCEF – The acronym is “Backward and Minorities Communities Employees Federation”. Its insignia and constitution was duly framed at my residence. The first handbill was printed and circulated from my residence. It ran like this –

“Are you an employee?” – “Yes”

“Do you belong to S/C, S/T or minority community?” – “Yes”

“Do you have any service or other problem?” – “Yes”

“Do you want to serve your community?” – “Yes”

Then contact –

BAMCEF

III/3, CPWD Quarter.Mukund nagar.Pune.

.

Needless to say it was my residential address!

Although I was very much busy & involved in the activities related to BAMCEF but the registration of BAMCEF organisation was completed by Kanshiram.

And it spread quickly. A Christian father from Nasik, a Muslim retired police officer (Mr. Habib?)  from Hyderabad, Master Mansingh and one Mr. Dulichand from Agra, Dr. Amitabh Nagarale, a scientific officer, Mr. Gaikwad  (RCF ) & A Musl;im Clergy – an Editor of Marathi Kuran, from Mohamad Ali Street with whom I had a detailed discussion at his office, & Mr. Anant Rao Phule, a decendent of  famous & great social  reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule  of  mid 19^th Century, D.T Sawant an agricultural officer, S.T. Sawant a Social worker, H.N. Bhosale an officer from P & T, H.S.Jadhav, a program executive officer all India radio pune,Mohile, a well-known film editor, Mumbai, Dr. Waman Mashram, & Mr. Borkar  from Nagpur & Miss. Mayawati from Delhi – to name a few whom I personally knew & who were very active & prominent BAMCEF activists during that period.

However so far plans about the future activities of BAMCEF were concerned we only two myself & Mr. Kanshiram were finalising at my residence mentioned above regularily but espically on all sundays & holidays.       

First office of BAMCEF was opened at Dnyaneshwar Lodge (Hostel) at Rasta Peth – a locality of Pune. We started conducting workshop at various places in Pune and other cities of Maharashtra. A dedicated and hard worker from Defence department joined us. His name was D. K. Khaparde.

Wherever we observed any incident of atrocity or injustice or harassment of our people, Kanshiram and I rushed there on our bicycles! Some times we made far off cycling! Organizing camps, meetings, workshops, printing handbills, pamphlets, etc. were done meticulously by Mr. Kanshiram, the home work was done much earlier. He had amazing organizational capacity. As he had no table-office work and I was tied with programme and recordings the real burden fell on Mr. Kanshiram.

By this time he had already become our family member, some times staying and dining in my house; it became a routine matter, which also provided us, to deliberate on our activities and future plans!

Because of our close family relations, my wife asked Kanshiram about his marriage and said whether she would find out match for him. Without knowing his mind on this delicate matter, I intervened saying “marriage is good” but was a hurdle and liability for the person who really desired to serve the country. My wife’s proposal then never came up for discussion.

We had assigned a fixed amount for each BAMCEF branch to contribute towards main office. We started publication of our magazine in English entitled “BAMCEF” – Kanshiram as its Editor. We organized a BAMCEF National Convention at Nagpur at Indora, a predominant locality of staunch Buddhist – Ambedkarites!

 Coincidently on the day we had main function and Kanshiram and I were to reach and address the same, a violent communal riot broke out and curfew Under 144 was clamped down in Nagpur. Our entry and address was thus debarred. Inspite of the ban we two not only reached the place, but also addressed the large gathering and made it successful.

What I said there in brief was thus – “Indian literature is solely Brahminical literature. Through every piece of its literature they show superiority of their moral life, intellectual sagacity, their God given origin. They make ‘Great’ every Brahmin, may he be a mediocre one! Such literature is also in text books which are read widely, thus creating impression of their greatness and superiority on the minds of children and readers and automatically belittling other castes, least say about our caste”.

Substance of my speech was duly covered by BAMCEF magazine. When our activities went in full swing an incident took place. 14^th April is the Birthday of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Especially in Maharashtra all Ambedkarite – employees took day’s casual leave on 14^th April and employers never refused it. Then it was not a public holiday. But an employee – probably Rankhambe (name uncertain) from a defence establishment, Pune came to my residence informing that not only his Director refused his casual leave application but uttered insulting language about Dr. Ambedkar in his presence.

Rankhambe told what his Director uttered – “Let the whole world remain closed, I shall not close my establishment on the bastard’s birthday”. The employee further told me that he too retorted the Director in the same language but was suspended!

Kanshiram and I took it seriously and decided to take a big protest-procession against the Director. Pamphlets, handbills, banners condemning the Director were printed. Strategy was worked out.

Advocate, Bajirao Kamble – real name – a well-known Ambedkarite of Pune and a social worker was requested to lead the Morcha. He gladly accepted and we both being employees remained behind the curtain! Slogans and shouts against the Director in the very vicinity of his office continued for days! 14^th April was already over; we succeeded in withdrawing Rankhambe’s suspension. It was a big victory for us! But it short lived. Director leveled various charges against Rankhambe and ultimately he was removed from the service.

 Again we took up the issue but unfortunately all our efforts proved of no use. Now there was a big problem of maintaining Rankhambe’s family. Myself, Kanshiram and a few other members started collecting money and more or less amount equal to his monthly salary  we began to handover in his house without letting them know about Rankhambe’s dismissal! Gradually all except we two i.e. my self and Kanshiram dropped from contribution scheme. We only two continued. After several months we arranged to purchase a handcart for him to carry vegetables for sale. Somehow we were able to save his family from ruination.

It was understood that the Director was demoted, although we did not try to confirm it nor the reasons, if any, for his demotion.

At village Khed Shivapur – about 20-30 Kilometers from Pune down Katraj Ghat, some higher caste people burnt a house of scheduled caste family and a woman from the family was manhandled. When we came to know about the incident, Kanshiram and I went on our bicycles to Khed Shivapur and met the family. We saw the burnt home. Actually it was a grass-thatched hut on roadside. We also met the prominent persons including those who were allegedly connected with the incident. Somehow they agreed to compensate. We took some photographs of the burnt hut for our BAMCEF magazine. But this case kept us busy for days.

During this period Kanshiram and I worked days and nights. We continued our meetings, workshops and future plans! On the whole in BAMCEF movement D. K. Khaparde’s contribution was outstanding.

 were absolutely clear about our goal, which was to launch a political party. BAMCEF was the foundation on which edifice of future political move was to be built and for that it was very necessary to widen the base of BAMCEF. To capture Bombay was must if we wanted to widen the organization. We tried our best but failed even to make a dent in Bombay. During this period I closely observed the mentality of Ambedkarite movement and its leadership. Internally they were fragmented becoming dependent on major political parties of other castes and their ideologies and totally inefficient. The Republican Party of India, which Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had founded, was shattered into pieces. Everyone was leader in it but nobody was leader of the all people. 

Kanshiram and I would sit and study literally taking the map of India, boundary of each constituency, caste of its MP – elected and defeated, pattern of voting, profile of voters, chances of winning the seats once our political party was formed in future. We were convinced, as the whole future was bright in the country but weak in Maharashtra. Although the name of the envisaged party was not declared officially but it was baptised as “Bahujan Samaj Party”. The events were taking fast shape and that too in my house i.e. III/3. C.P.W.D., Mukundnagar, Pune.

Meanwhile Kanshiram had left the service. We were neck deep in the process. One day in view of fragmented social leadership in Maharashtra – we thought that here even we threw Sahyadri Mountain in Arabian Sea, not a drop of water will touch walls of Governor’s bungalow, but even a pebble thrown in the water of artificial pond in front of Parliament, its ripple will dash against the walls of Kanyakumari temple in South”!

NO BARRIERS

I was strolling on the Pune Railway platform and reading the handwritten inland letter again and again. In fact I came about one hour in advance. And to add to my curiosity and anxiety the announcer told the specific train was running late by 30 minutes or so.

While walking across the platform, I suddenly stood near the main gate and a flood of suppressed memories reached out. This was the same exit gate. Outside was same open place. Just adjacent to main ground the same big banyan tree and same circular raised platform around the tree! Surprisingly I saw the same hotel too!

Everything was same; except people moving here and there. Lots of Rickshaws / Autos parked near the station and I was in the different pose; good dress, glowing face, good amount in the pocket and in fact different in every detail.

 Here decades ago, I was in filthy clothes, pale eyes, hungry and considered a beggar boy – when a passenger thrust his holdall in my hands, took me to the hotel and rascal saffron mendicant who threatened me to kill under this tree! I was so much engrossed in past that I did not realize that I was just standing in the middle of the exit gate and obstructing passengers going; when the T.C. asked me to get aside I suddenly looked at the arrived train.

Since I had all the details, I stood near the door of the coach to identify the boy; and when he really stood before me I was astonished! A small child hardly 6-7 years old always playing nearby me asking me all sorts of unanswerable questions, ready to shout and cry on any pretext, lean and thin, good looking and lovable!

 And now before me was a tall, fair, well-built with imposing and impressive personality was Naresh – the son of Subhedar G. L. Pandit – my godfather and guardian when I was in military at Saugar. Naresh respectfully touched my feet and after our few minutes talk; the military truck took him to Armed Forces Medical College (Pune) cantonment. 

Naresh was selected for AFMC(Armed Forces Medical College) and was to stay there in the college hostel till his graduation MBBS, would be over and get commission in the Army. 

Capt. G. L. Pandit had written me letter to look after Naresh. How glad I was to be a local guardian of a known child whose father once was my guardian. And Naresh became our family member though he was staying in AFMC hostel. This was in 1967. It was but natural the beautiful girl would have felt bewildered. As we were informed, she came from highly educated family. Her father was holding a senior officer’s rank in Air Force. Brothers were well placed in forces. Family background was rich. She herself was M.A. and living with the children of officers of forces and in high society. She was newly wed and the groom was a Dr. Captain in Army Medical Core. 

A few years rolled out. We were staying at Mukund Nagar, Pune in ill-famous C.P.W.D. quarters and courtesy Union Housing Ministry; I was compelled to retain my family there and travelling daily between Pune and Bombay in the pass-holder’s compartment like a travel agent.

     

It was Sunday and we as usual were in holiday mood sitting in varandah.

While in Armed Forces Medical College,  Pune Naresh – son of Capt. G. L.  and  now after getting married he had come to complete his M.D. in medicine at the college and as soon as he arrived he came to us with his bride.  And  thus  with  Anu- a  new  member  added  to  our  family  who  has been  caring  us  with  all  respect,  affection  and  care  till date.

When Naresh was in Srinagar on posting we all went there and stayed with them for some days. But after that whenever he was posted at new place we visited them and stayed with them. Nirmala looked after Naresh with great affection and love. NARESH-Anu’s first child whom we called “Tin-Tin”, and so we loved their second child “Gudiya” or Shweta. We joined them at Mathura, Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad where Naresh was posted.

They became an inseparable part of our family. We were immensely happy when Capt. G. L. Pandit visited us in Mumbai. He narrated various stories to my children and Nirmala about me when I was in Mahar Regimental Centre, Saugar.

I also shared my experience I had about Ashok, Prabha, Rakesh & Naresh – children of G. L. Pandit and my students at Saugar. Although Prabha is no more but others are holding high position in their respective fields and living at far off distance from my family. But still we maintained mutual affection and respect for each other. It is not a wonder that we two families belong to different castes, religions, states and speak different languages, are in different fields but are bound by one non-material human thread which is now running four generations or more than 50 years.Undoubtedly credit goes to my mentor Capt. G. L. Pandit. We shall always remember his stay with us.(Presently Prabha is no more.) Ashok is Assisstant General Manager,State Bank of India,Naresh is Major General in Army Medical Core and Rakesh is Accounts Officer at the Comptroller and Auditor General's office (but unfortunately Capt.G.L.Pandit and Mrs.Pandit are no more with us.) Birth days of our children from their childhood upto  their  marriages now various ceremonies of our grand children are  invariably  attended by Anu and Naresh,We shall be immensely glad if you would  find a replica like our families elsewhere

THIS IS ALL INDIA RADIO!

With orders in hand I left for Pune, reported the Station Director, who asked his office superintendent to take my joining report!

I joined All India Radio, Pune office on the same day. It was 15^th January 1965. With this another new chapter opened in my life folding the previous one!

The Station Director asked me to work in music section. One Mr. Madhusudan Kanetkar, a senior Programme Executive was the in-charge of music section.

One Mr. Nandkumar Karkhanis who said was my assistant, took me around the office. He introduced me to all the office staff members. Then he showed me all the studios. He informed that there were various types of programmes like music, drama, talks, announcers and other smaller ones. According to the type of the programmes and categories, studios were constructed.

When I was being taken in each studio some programmes were being recorded. Some music programmes were being broadcast. A lady who I was told an announcer was giving details of the programme that would go on air. Although I would not understand much about the Radio terminology, but the whole atmosphere attracted me instantly.

All studios were located on the ground floor, which were fully air-conditioned. Office rooms were on the first floor. It was an old building with only one floor i.e. ground plus one. It was very congested and crammed.

All India Radio was surrounded by office building of Maharashtra Board of Secondary Education, Meteorological Department, Pune Bus Stand and Shivajinagar Railway Station. I observed the staff was highly educated, polished, cultured and cooperative.

The entire environment made me feel that this was my field and I would unlikely to be drifted to some other department or job!

Being alone I stayed in a nearby lodging and boarding guesthouse on Ferguson College Road. When I reached to the lodge in the evening I found that this one-day of All India Radio gave me full mental satisfaction and solace!

Within 2-3 days I understood the pattern of staff. There were two wings, Programming Wing and Engineering Wing. As the names indicated their respective jobs were distinct and well defined. Administrative branch was a supportive staff to look after all other office matters.

Then in Programme Wing there were two categories namely Programme Executives, having gazetted status and Producers being on contract basis but more or less permanent.

Engineering Department was headed by Superintending Engineer. Although Programming Department was headed by Station Director, he was also head of the office as well.

Our Station Director was Mr. K. D. Dixit, a connoisseur of music and a writer. There was galaxy of respected names in the Programme Wing. V. D. Madgulkar – a well-known Marathi short story writer, play writer whose books were translated in several foreign languages, Mrs. Jyotsna Deodhar – a novelist, Gajendra Gadkar – a well-known flute player, Pathak and Golwalkar – renowned music composer, Dr. Vimal Chorghade – an authority on folk music, Gopinath Talwalkar – a widely known writer for children literature, Mr. Madhusudan Kanetkar – our music section in-charge and a classical music vocalist, Mr. P. Y. Joshi – known throughout Maharashtra as drama artist. And besides these persons there were number of instrumentalists, drama voices and announcers! Their contribution to AIR, Pune was outstanding. To work in Radio I observed – was considered highly respectable and prestigious in the public. People working in All India Radio were always shrouded in mystery. But wrongly or rightly, again I found – it was totally dominated by so called high caste persons! smell of my caste was already spread in the office!

Except myself practically there was no Scheduled Caste Programme Executive (Officer) in the office. There was one more but he was on adhock basis, meant subject to reversion any time! (Who too was demoted) In those days employee belonging to scheduled caste was considered and privately called “Government’s son-in-law”!

I left Maharashtra in my 9^th standard; worked in military where lingo Franca i.e. language of conversation was Hindi. I passed all military educational examinations with Hindi medium; taught recruits in Hindi. Myself graduated in Hindi and more importantly I read extensively only Hindi literature. Afterwards I prepared for all civil services and other competitive examinations with English language. Then I was totally cut off and delinked from Marathi language, Marathi literature and Marathi environment, and AIR, Pune was basically and essentially Marathi language programme production station!

 Result was for a few days I was confused, bewildered and remained aloof and alone to myself. The greatest barrier I faced and realized was speaking in Marathi language. I thought that the colleagues were neglecting me deliberately, probably because of my caste and faulty Marathi. But fortunately my strong will power, confidence and determination to achieve anything I wished Coupled with the knowledge and experience I had gained by studying various subjects for civil services and other examinations enabled me within a few days to overcome my frustration and a sort of inferiority complex that had started germinating in my mind. Contrary to my presumptions mentioned above all my colleagues really helped me in so far Marathi language was concerned. Like a crazy person I literally read out almost all Marathi writers’ creations ranging from novels, plays, poetry, dramatic features, critical analysis including history of Marathi. I could modestly explain critically on any branch of Marathi literature! So far pronunciations of words was concerned I was immensely helped by my able assistants Mr. Nandkumar Karkhanis and Miss Sunanda Patankar, the later being on casual contracts.

Habit of reading cultivated in me by my elder brother Gunaji continued which afterwards became almost my addiction in MRC, Saugar of which library and recreation room became my second work place. My friend Y. S. Ranshringare who was the library in-charge used to provide me all the books, .

So far time was concerned it was so little I could scarcely avail it!

 At Pune AIR station, my both colleagues provided all books and information that required enriching my knowledge and equipping me with such things, which were necessary to become a Radio Programme Officer!

Now I was faced with problem of self-respect and with full understanding about the people’s assessment of S/C caste employees, that if an S/C employee found to be bad or inefficient, the whole S/C community was branded as bad or inefficient. On the contrary if a high caste employee was found bad or inefficient. only that particular employee was branded bad or inefficient and not the entire high caste community.

So like a hungry man I speedily embarked on learning and gathering every bit of professional knowledge – related to Marathi Programme production!

None, except the Station Director, had any idea about my background; and as such in the eyes of staff members I was being considered as “Government’s son-in-law”, which for them meant a person favoured by the Government because of his caste as S/C without any merit and therefore a person non grata. With the backdrop this incident took place.

Through the competitive examinations I was directly selected as Programme Executive by UPSC, which was a Gazetted post. Because of my direct appointment two Programme Executives who were on Ad hock basis got reverted to the lower posts known as Transmission Executives. One of them belonged to Brahmin community. It did create a heart burning in a particular section. Within a month of my joining, I was allotted a Officer’s quarter III/3 in Government Colony known as Mukundnagar. In fact this quarter was to be allotted to other Programme Executive who belonged to so called high caste, but as he was demoted to lower post, I became senior to him and that quarter which otherwise was to be given to him, I got it! This poured fuel on the already burning feelings. When I received order of allotment, I also received a message from Bombay informing that we were blessed with our first child – a daughter.

 In All India Radio as we come to the office. morning meetings are held daily. These meetings are called Programme meetings, which are attended by all Programme Officers, Technical Staff and the Transmission Executives who functioned as Duty Offices. In the meeting programmes broadcast on previous day and night are thoroughly analyzed; faults noticed by the Programme monitoring Duty

Officer in the programme productions and transmission are discussed in detail. Programme details as provided in Cue Sheet to be broadcast the next day are also read out by the Duty Officer. The Transmission Executive or Duty Officer who monitored the production already broadcast would analyse them and would give his remarks as A, A+, B, B+ and C to each programme according to the overall quality of the production.

 The meeting is presided over and conducted generally by the Senior Programme Executive. Normally the Programme Officers whose programmes are broadcast on previous day and night must invariably attend the meeting to know the remarks given to his production and also hear the assessment and reaction of other Programme Officers, very often listeners would phone to the Duty Officer conveying his her reaction about the programme and listener’s reaction thus received not only are recorded but also taken seriously. The glory of the meeting was that those Programme Officers whose productions were rated as A or A+ the members attending the meeting would demand for a small treat like tea or sweet from the concerned Programme Officer for his good production.

Sometimes the meeting members would ask such entertainments on a few joyful occasions. And concerned programme officer was glad to give it also.

Most likely series of good events taken place one after another in my just one or two month’s service span, prompted members to demand sweets and tea from me. “Sawdekar, tea or sweet would not suffice; you have to host us a lunch or dinner”. As a new comer possessed with good news, keeping in mind the meeting’s normal tradition, I gladly agreed to offer tea and sweets. But hearing some sarcastic tone and remarks from some staff members in the meeting, I felt it insulting and offending. Keeping an eye on that person I asked, ‘”Can you tell me why should I host a dinner to you?” (I emphasized my tone on “you”).

One of them commented if food were served to the Brahmins the host would go to heaven. Probably it might have sounded in a lighter vein.But prevailing attitude of the high castes towards S/C employees and my childhood background, I being the S/C category officer I took the explanation hurting and instantly I retorted that if dinner was served to the Brahmins, I would go to hell and certainly I would not let it happen to me!

 My remarks provoked a bitter exchange of words between me and the other members in the meeting. It made me excited and forced me to say that it was the Brahmin community who denied us the education, kept us illiterate, imposed poverty on us and forced us to do dirty jobs making us their social slaves; and therefore Brahmins were solely responsible for our today’s deplorable conditions!

The atmosphere in the meeting heated up so much that the presiding officer angrily threw the files on the floor and walked out of the hall. Pin drop silence cast in the hall and all other members got up one by one and left the meeting! As if woken up from a dream I noticed empty hall and files scattered on the ground. I too went up in my room. Needless to say except myself, all members in the meeting were Brahmins!

 I knew that news must have reached to the Station Director, Mr. K. D. Dixit, himself a Pune Brahmin. I was eagerly and restlessly waiting for a call from his chamber. But the day passed off. Next day also nothing happened in the morning meeting but I could feel tense atmosphere as nobody spoke to me about anything. Every member behaved as if nothing abnormal took place but sending mute anti reservation feelings.

I thought a warning memo must be under process seeking my explanation.

 Gradually high tide of my anxiety receded. After three days it suddenly rose when Mr. Gaikwad, the Station Director’s peon stepped in my room saying that Station Director wanted me to see him! The warning bell rang. Programme Officers’ rooms were adjoining to each other in a row with only one small passage to go. MR. Gaikwad’s approaching to my room created apprehensive reactions visible on the faces of other officers who too were anxiously expecting for some strong action against me. “Station Director is our man and he would not leave Sawdekar without any punishment”, sometimes I heard murmuring.

Anyway, I had already entered in Brahmin tiger’s den and stood before the Station Director looking at him who was signing some papers. Mr. Dixit raised his head from the files and holding one paper in hand calmly said, “I came to know in detail about other day’s morning programme meeting. You may be right, but could have avoided it. Situations like this one will occur in your life, but do not loose your temper'. Then he stretched his hand indicating to take the paper from his hand and then said, “Now you may go”. I was stunned! For a moment I forgot that I was asked to go! No harsh words; no verbal warning! Automatically I took the paper and moved off his room! Mr. Dixit burried his head in the files. I slammed in my chair and did not open the pager for some time. When cooled down I thought the paper must be a memo! When I opened it I found it was the complaint about me! Mr. Dixit had put remark on it “Seen – File it”. – No action!

With the passage of time, I found Mr. Dixit a well-read, well-mannered, good writer and connoisseur of fine arts especially of music. Surprisingly my colleagues also forgot the incident and behaved with me as if nothing unpleasant had happened!

With committed determination I got acquainted with and tried to achieve as much knowledge about Marathi language and felt really satisfied that I had attained required status for Pune Radio Programming in particular and Radio in general. I received immense help from my colleagues like Karkhanis, Sunanda and my close friends and Senior Producer Mr. P. Y. Joshi,  

In February 1965, I shifted in III/3 CDWD quarter allotted to me. Nirmala too joined me with our daughter. Immediately in March – April I called Ramesh – my elder brother – Gunaji’s son and Shrirang – son of my sister, Bhagirathi whom we had promised to look after her sons at the time of her death. We could not save her infant in our old days due to our poverty. I admitted Ramesh and Srirang in the school and now I felt reasonably settled.

Within a short period I identified myself with Radio. I found and discovered my life and destination there. There existed every facet of life. Eminent persons came for recording their thoughts on various subjects. Talk studio was always occupied by such personalities. I heard freedom fighters like D. N. Shikhare, Rao Saheb Patwardhan, T. R. Deogirikar, N. G. Gore, S. M. Joshi, Acharya S. G. Bhagwat, men of literature like Shrinivas Joshi, P. L. Deshpande, G. N. Dandekar. I had witnessed the recording of Tabla maestro like Samata Prasad, Ahmed Jan Thirkwa, folk lawani of famous Sulochana Chavan. Poet Laurate of famous Geet Ramayan G. D. Madgudkar, vocalists Jagannath Buwa Patwardhan, Sarswati Rane, musician Ram Kadam, Golwalkar, Marathi Drama songs by Jyotsna Bhole, master Krishna Rao, many balad singers, Pirajirao Sarnaik and number of prominent artists. To listen to recording of sonnets, devotional songs and light music was like getting in trance.

I always put on my radio set in the morning and listened serene signature tune of All India Radio followed by National Anthem and then Shahnai recital by maestro Bismilla Khan! And then devotional music, which prepared listener’s mind for day’s work with dedicated devotion and sublimity!

Scheduling of Raga was a very ticklish and responsible job. Only classical musician was right person to place it in the programme schedule for broadcasting. If by mistake a morning Raga went on the air in the evening or night or vice versa, it attracted hell of criticism in the morning programme meeting from the Programme Officers, besides to provide explanation to extract from the Transmission Report about broadcast of a wrong 'Raga!' Even a minor blank between broadcasting of two programmes was taken seriously. Therefore the concerned announcer always kept standby tapes containing musical pieces with him or her in the announcer’s booth!

Schedule of each programme like talks, drama, music, rural, agricultural, women, children, youth etc. were prepared on quarterly basis and after thorough scrutiny and approval by the Station Director, copies for information were forwarded to the AIR Directorate at Delhi. Schedule must contain all details such as names of participants, artists, fees, duration, time of broadcasting etc. Deviation from the schedule, without intimation and Station Director’s approval was not permitted. Payment to the artists was to be made promptly after broadcast in the Duty Room itself. In short, whole working and process was smooth, straight and transparent! Therefore besides professional satisfaction and emotional fulfilment, we in Radio enjoyed peaceful and clean life and respect from public at large.

The Station Director assigned me “programme for Youth” which was introduced on Radio by Mr. I. K. Gujral, the then Information and Broadcasting Minister. I entitled it in Marathi as “Asha Udyachya” meant “Hopes of Tomorrow”. The new programme received tremendous response from the youth community in general and the students’ community in particular. “My Ideas”, “If I were a Prime Minister”, “Why I liked this song” – programmes like these attracted immense response and my room became a place for new ideas and was always crowded with young boys and girls.

In order to reach the newly found talents I arranged a grand live audience programme in a newly constructed auditorium  “Bal Gandharva Ranga Mandir”named after the legendary famous woman’s role player and pioneer of  Marathi  musical drama songs singer “Bal Gandharva”.

First programme was on "reciprocal understandings and misunderstandings of boys about girls and vice versa." The second programme was on "generation gap" – old and new. And third programme was a “Light Music”! I selected – needless to say with the help of my two able assistants – Karkhanis and Sunanda, all the participants. for programmes.

In 'Generation Gap' debate   participants were eminent personalities like Mr. A.G. Pawar, Vice Chancellor of Kolhapur University, Acharya S. G. Bhagwat – well known freedom fighter and scholar, Mrs. Shakuntala Paranjape – the top most leading advocate of “Birth Control” – unheard, unacceptable concept of those days who was also the daughter of reputed Wrangler Paranjape and Maha Moh Padhyay Datto Waman Poddar – a well known historian and known for his scholarship but also eccentric and ascetic living.I selected youth who were found talented against these stalwarts.

He was living alone as a bachelor in a big old house. I went to request him to participate in the debate. Right from the main road just up to the very door of his big house arrow marking was painted indicating “M. M. D. W. Poddar” here. He was busy writing something on the wooden plank. All rooms were packed with books. I saluted and explained him the programme.  

He gladly accepted my request. It was a known fact that he did not entertain visitors and least the government officials. But I won him and felt extremely glad. While rising from the floor, I just – out of curiosity – touched a book and suddenly heard a roaring voice from behind. It was Mr. Poddar. “Why the hell you touched my book? How could you dare to disturb my book? Did you ask my permission? Now just get lost. I do not want to see your face a second. I say get out at once”. My pleading, apology all fell on his deaf ears! Frightened I left with my colleague! Terribly upset, knowing not what to do? Problem was not to get a participant but to get a participant of equal stature, status and learning as compared with the other participants!

Next day after meeting I went to my room where I saw a person waiting for me. My assistants were mischievously smiling. “Sir, he has come from Podar Saheb”, Sunanda informed! “Now what is the matter?” I murmured. The man said, “I have come from Poddar sir. He has asked me to convey his consent to participate in the programme and told you to see him today any time convenient to you as he wanted to know more in detail!” and he left! I was relieved! And now I understood the reason of Sunanda’s mischievous smile!

While preparing young participants for debate against the stalwarts, my experience of debate competitions of military helped me immensely. I had to presume what the senior and learned veterans would argue and accordingly I had to make young participants to counter argue effectively.

 The Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir was over flooded with audience. First time probably in AIR Pune, I invited parents of all young participants and also got the list of persons from participants they wished to invite. My intention was to cater all strata of the invitees. I thought the subject of the debate being age old would stir minds of younger and old generation like the other issues between opposite genders would cater their assumptions, presumptions about each other and the light music would entertain the majority!

And I succeeded beyond expectation. Intermittent roaring applause from audience convinced me that it went very well.

Surprisingly there were some young student followers of RSS who once wanted to beat me for my critical comments about Hindu religion, the same students paid me and my wife – Nirmala – respect by touching our feet in the presence of other invitees .saying that they mistook in understanding me|

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. B. B. Bhosale, then Station Director, Pune AIR. He believed in astrology. While delivering the inaugural speech in a lighter vein he made some references to Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. It was so casual and certainly not amounting to belittling in any way.

 After 10–15 days, Station Director received a big complaint from I&B Ministry made by a local Muslim Association saying that Mr. Bhosle made caricature of our beloved world over known Prime Minister in his opening talk! Mr. Bhosle quite perturbed showed me the complaint. It being my programme I asked the Station Director whether he would like me to prepare a reply. Mr. Bhosle always kept me at a distance, as I openly doubted his astrology, although otherwise he was nice to me.

Coincidently I had a book entitled something like this “Islam in transition in India”. As my hobby I had several books on various subjects in my store! This book contained several passages after passages citing examples as to how certain group of Muslims had criticized Nehru. As my purpose was only to defend Mr. Bhosle from such silly and biased complaint I based my detail reply on the material. Mr. Bhosle half-heartedly satisfied sent it to Ministry. Gladly enough months after months passed and there was no rejoinder from the Ministry. Mr. Bhosle seemed relieved and I felt happy that an innocent man’s innocent comments were viewed judiciously.

My another programme “Learning Hindi” in lighter vein of which lessons were prepared by well known Hindi writers and whose writing was aptly contributed by me to some extent – myself being a Hindi language knowing person – had become extremely popular! These lessons were broadcast in dialogues and humorously! Mr. Hari Narayan Vyas .a reputed Hindi poet and my AIR colleague produced the programme.

  

I must mention that it was my colleague Mr. W. R. Saraf and I. who first time introduced live commentary for “Kho-Kho” and “Kabbadi” – the popular Indian sports. Our first commentator was Mr. S. G. Nadkarni – Professor of Wadiya College, Pune. It instantly caught the minds of sports lovers and public! Earlier till then commentary was inserted in studio while editing and dubbing.

 So far office work was concerned, I was satisfied in the sense that fear as to how I would be able to cope up with Marathi programme productions and whether I would be able to acquire required knowledge about Marathi literature and Marathi environment in its totality – these complexes were over in short period but my inborn tendency to do something for the society was not allowing me to sit idle! It was making me mentally restless. So simultaneously I was on look out to find out avenues and like-minded people from our communities so that I could start some social activities to get involved in.

TAHSILDAR - A REVENUE OFFICER

Government of Maharashtra’s order asked me to report to the Commissioner of Aurangabad Division for further placement. During those days post of Tahsildar was considered very covetous, powerful and prestigious. Employees would spend their life’s service career to reach to that position and being the Suprimo of the Taluka, everybody irrespective of age, caste respected him. Also fact was Tahsildar exercised considerably vast powers. It was not an exaggeration but a fact. Another significant side of the post was as Aurangabad was under the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad who had given much more authority and powers to the Tahsildar.

Anyway, my family members were jubilant. They were extremely happy. Although my previous post of Preventive Officer was not that insignificant, but it had no identity and recognition particularly in the rural area. As such my family members and my brothers felt special pride in telling others that their bother Raoji – was a Tahsildar, in other words people recognized them as brothers of Tahsildar Saheb!

I reported Commissioner, Aurangabad Division who posted me to Latur, a Taluka town of Osmanabad district of Marathwada region. Marathwada was part of Nizam of Hyderabad and as such   was    much neglected and   remained backward socially, educationally and economically and of course far away from political awareness. Nizam’s administrative and bureaucratic and monarchical grip on public was so hard that could not be loosened or unlocked inspite of the fact that Nizam’s dynastic rule was destroyed by Indian forces soon after Indian Independence .

I was alone. My posting report was already received by Latur Taluka office.

At bus stand there was almost a crowd from Tahsil office came to receive me. A junior revenue inspector had already fixed a rented residence for me where they took me in the office vehicle. I had very small luggage. There was race to appreciate my little household, simple dress and cordial attitude. When we reached our rented house, the landlord rushed to the main door of the house to receive me. He had already cleared my rooms, placed an earthen pot for drinking water and arranged his own 2-3 chairs in the rooms. Already it was a

big house with several rooms. I was told that the landlord belonged to Lingayat – religious creed – who generally were known for their strict orthodoxy. The hustle and bustle of the Tahsil office staff came to look after me. This kept me quite amusing! However the submissive atmosphere was evidence of Nizam’s legacy of bureaucratic fear prevailing in the minds of public and official working.

After some time we went to Tahsil office where I was introduced to my counter part. I observed he was not very happy to meet me. Office staff accompanied by the Tahsildar, I was taken around the building. I was told the building belonged to Kasam Razavi; the ill famous Razakar’s leader who had waged armed war against Government of India on behalf of Nizam of Hyderabad in order to remain an independent Kingdom of Indian Domain. They further narrated the atrocities he had committed on public and had directed his Razakar rebellions from this building. While in school I too had read various stories of Kasam Rizavi’s brutalities, which ultimately were crushed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by sending Indian army in Marathwada.

After the defeat of rebellions, fall of Nizam and full annexation of Hyderabad State with India, staff told me Government of Maharashtra took over the building and Tahsil office of Latur was housed in it. While going around I observed the Tahsildar saying to his staff that now he would be handing over the charge of Tahsil to this Tahsildar of yesterday. Being an old man and human being’s natural reaction I ignored his remarks. In fact they thought me a fresh graduate from the college, newly selected by MPSC, raw and inexperienced person. They obviously were unaware that my bad luck and good luck had already half chiselled and half-baked me for the life.

 I was alone at home but the staff was taking every care. Tea, breakfast, meals etc. were served in time. I thought as I was alone and expecting my family to join me soon, out of consideration the staff was taking my care!

After 3 days Nirmala and my elder brother arrived. I had the advance information. When I went to the bus stand, there were already 3-4 staff members mostly class-IV to receive them. They too had small luggage. When we reached home, there was good ceremonial welcome arranged by the family members of the landlord to receive my family!

Next day in the morning I noticed three peons from our office standing in front of the gate. When I asked them the reason they came early morning, one of them replied that one of them will prepare the food for us, second will bring the required things by my family and the third person would carry my bag (he called it “Daptar”) to the office. My elder brother being an experienced social worker simply looked at me smilingly! Nirmala did not react. But I got angry and said that they were Government employees and not my domestic personal servants and they should only work in the office. Certainly it was unheard, unthought-of, totally unexpected for them who were born, brought up and who served half of their life service in Nizam’s bureaucracy. They, downcast their heads still stood there like statues! Hearing my raised voice our landlord also came out. My elder brother and Nirmala were already witnessing my outburst. Finally I shouted at them saying to get lost immediately. Without uttering a word but quite puzzled they left.

 I finished my meals quickly and reached office. From the looks of working Tahsildar, Naib Tahsildar and Peshkar (Head Clerk), I sensed that something fishy had happened! There was mixed reaction. Peons, clerks, class-IV category staff was happy whereas the staff, which was going to be deprived of these privileges, were pale-faced and unhappy! On the top of it I was going to take charge of Tahsil – sooner or later. Tahsildar meant unquestionable authority in any respects. They saw inevitable coming!                                                  

”Sir, we request you to reconsider your decision. This has been normal and accepted practice since generations in this region. By withdrawing them from officer’s residence we shall be stopping their source of additional earnings which is very necessary for them”. One of the Naib Tahsildar – Kulwant (name changed) who considered himself close to me – talked to me hesitatingly. I did not allow staff to work at my home. Not only that the routine practice of sending peon or revenue inspector in advance to cinema theatre  or   other office including barber’s shop that I was intending to visit also I stopped. Nirmala too refused to accept bagful of raw groundnuts or vegetable brought by generally revenue inspectors!

My elder brother, an extremely honest and committed social worker, observed keenly my working. After few days when he left for village, he said – “Raoji, you have done a right thing! Be firm.”

One day my landlord came to me and wanted to talk to me in confidence. He stood near to me but uttered not a word for minutes! Ultimately I politely asked him to speak! Very unwillingly and hesitatingly he whispered in the lowest tone near to my ears and swiftly went inside the house!

 I got the message. Within next 2-3 days we left his room and shifted to another place. It too was a big house but there were number of tenants. Our neighbour was a Marwadi family.

Because of my refusal to allow staff in our house an underground movement of displeasure towards me already had taken up. Outwardly all talked goody-goody and with official respect but eagerly waiting for my shift.

Once in the office we received a report from our revenue inspector that in a nearby village a woman with her infant was killed in the fire of their own hut. I was going for investigation. After half an hour’s drive two horse riders on the road near a village stopped our jeep. Both the riders quickly got down; taking their horse aside they saluted me and said, “Sir, our Malik (master) requested Tahsildar Saheb to give him an opportunity to serve Saheb tonight. Our master ordered us to pray you to make your night halt at our master’s wada”.

I said, “Let me finish my work, then I shall let you know”.

 “As you wish sir, but we will wait till you return”.

When I returned the same horse riders were found waiting for me. I accompanied them who took me to a sprawling orchard. The Patil was already standing at the main gate to receive me. After salutations etc. I told Patil that my wife was at Latur and would be waiting for me and she has no idea that I would be staying here tonight. Then Patil requested me to give him a note for my wife informing her about my tonight’s halt and the note would be brought back with her signature on it. The garden was huge, full of fruit trees, flower plants and lush green.

There was a small but beautiful farmhouse. Patil gave me new Dhoti (a men’s long cloth ware), shirt, towel etc. requesting me to have bath with well water. Finding no motive attached with these I finished my bath etc. Meanwhile horse riders brought back the note duly endorsed by Nirmala. Patil took me around the orchard showing his new experiments of cross-planting, new variety of fruits with enthusiasm. Patil was nearing his old age but looked perfectly in good health and sound mind. He was the head of the village holding large landed property and hundreds of acres of agricultural farms. After requesting me to taste some fruits he took me to his residence at his village.

From outside his house looked like a huge fortress. A big gate was the only place for entrance. It was a double storied, semi circular building with open space in the middle. When we reached inside, Patil’s wife came with a traditional silver plate. rice grains, kum-kum, and a small lamp with burning wick in it. Mrs. Patil put the kum-kum (red sacred powder) on my forehead and circled the plate around my head, as it is the tradition everywhere in the Hindu families. The person who is received with this ceremony is considered a respectable, highly placed and very important man. After this, Patil showed me entire house. He also clarified that these houses are called “Wada” – and they are so built to provide safety from invading enemies; and I will see such houses in almost all villages of Marathwada, which was under the rule of Nizam of Hyderabad.

 Mrs. Patil served a typical food. Patil told that it was a speciality of Moghul receipes. It had really unique flavour and taste. Needless to say I relished it and felt extremely satisfied. Now it was time to go to bed. Meantime Patil told me that he had seen and lived and served in Nizam’s Kingdom and now recently experiencing winds of free India. He also narrated various stories of atrocities committed on Hindus by Kasam Razavi and his mercenaries during Nizam’s demand for an independent Hyderabad Kingdom. I could see that bed, bed sheets, mosquito net all were newly purchased for me. The fresh air, open space in the middle and beautiful starry sky above, tempted me to sleep there instead in the close room. So I asked Patil whether I could sleep there, he welcomed it.

In the morning I heard some shouting and I got up in the bed. Mr. Patil was shouting at his high pitch voice saying, “You bloody Mahar, now-a-days you people have crossed the limits and are becoming more arrogant. You have forgotten your caste and do not feel ashamed of it. Can’t you see Tahsildar Sab is sleeping here and you are walking past touching his cot!” I immediately understood the cause of his anger and shouting, but I did not react. I allowed Mr. Patil and his wife to extend their hospitability and largesse as generously as much they could do it for me! Since our jeep was to reach at his residence from our office to take me, I had enough time. Mr. Patil narrated me in detail as how they were respected and obeyed by the lower castes people like Mahar, Chambhar, Matang etc. during Nizam’s rule and how they were noticing change in the attitude of these castes after annexation of Hyderabad State with independent India. Mr. Patil missed no minute to abuse Mahar and other lower castes while telling me the prevailing conditions!

Then very humbly and with apology he begged my pardon for Mahar’s behaviour – who he told was his servant. Meantime I noticed our jeep parked at the main gate! While Mr. Patil was repeatedly asking to be excused for any lack in hospitability they extended!

I got up, paid my respects to his wife and proceeded towards jeep. I took a small pause for a minute and coolly but clearly said, “Thank you very much, but Patil Saheb the person you and your family has so generously been entertaining in your Wada, is also a Mahar!”

“What!” he loudly exclaimed but immediately controlled himself and said in broken sentences – “But Sir, you are highly educated. Your living is so clean, you speak pure Marathi and you are a big officer....!” I got in the parked jeep! I saw Patil talking as if to himself almost helplessly and mechanically! My jeep speeded up!

Engrossed in introspection recalling the reading by me of various articles written by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in his newspaper “Janata”, my interview with chairman of selection board, and my brother’s missionary works, I did not know when I reached home! Driver had opened the door of jeep and stood there by holding it and waiting for my stepping down!

Seeing my pale face, Nirmala asked me whether anything went wrong?

Our surname is “Sawdekar”. In Maharashtra mostly and generally this surname is common only in Brahmin caste. So very few people, obviously only nearer would know that I belonged to Mahar caste – considered as untouchable one or S/C!

Besides what happened in Patil’s house, I told Nirmala the reason why we left the Lingayat’s house – the landlord who whispered in my ears was thus – “Sir, I am so sorry, I understood you are Mahar by caste. Your surname misled me. I don’t like to disclose it. But sooner or later it will be known and it will invite a big trouble for me. Would you kindly leave my house?” Nirmala was stunned and I lost in my retrospective thoughts!

 After a fortnight or so I was transferred to Ausa – another Taluka place not far off from Latur. In view of my attitude in relation with staff’s in-house services I was already a person nongrata in our office. But I had no source to know whether my transfer was done in my interest – as for probationer all facilities or work nature was equally available at Latur too. or engineered!

Since Ausa was quite near I retained our house and family i.e. Nirmala at the earlier place itself and travelled up and down between Latur and my office at Ausa.

Tahsil office at Ausa was located in an old fort built underground. It was really an engineering feat. There were beautiful palaces, huge rooms, cells, wells and small bridge type walls interconnected. The fort was not much visible from above. Most of its portion was submerged in and surrounded by water providing natural cooling. Although most of the buildings were in dilapidated condition, the whole fort looked quite imposing.

 On the very first day I found office emptied at 4 PM. It looked like a deserted place. Except one or two nobody was seen in the office. Next 4-5 days I noticed the same scene repeatedly. Nobody stayed late in the office after 4 PM.

On inquiring very interesting and incredible stories were told to me.

Even while narrating the teller – I found – I was really frightened! Gathered stories were like this – the fort was very old and dynasties ruled from here. Several battles were fought in the fort. Many hundreds had committed suicide and till recent times it had taken place.  During Nizam’s rule many, men, women, children were jailed in the cells and murdered. Several were stabbed to death and now so many unsatisfied souls in the forms of spirits and ghosts made presence as soon as dark started setting. Sounds of swords fighting, screams of dieing persons were heard and if any living person were found there, they were killed and their bodies were thrown in the well waters. Surprisingly the ghost of the same persons appeared daily and they tried to catch hold of their colleagues and friends who in turn were killed and made co-ghosts! Those who were killed in the recent times were occasionally seen! And because of this staff members were leaving the office as early as possible – so far so good!

 Since I had come across similar stories  at MRC Saugar, I was in no mood to believe them. So I gave strict instructions not to leave office before the time. I banged next day those found absent!

Resentment, anger silent non-cooperation and rebelian started underground the fort. I sensed it but ignored. Accustomed to habit, it was psycho fear syndrome, wrongly; rightly or purposely such stories were spread, I had no idea. But at the same time I accepted no excuses or ghost-fear stories from them and ordered to stick up to the office timings.

I added another problem for me and difficulty for staff. When I came to know that some staff members were collecting money from farmers in the name of God and Goddesses fairs while distributing Taquavi (Government Financial help). I stopped it immediately. In fact this stoppage of their income worked as highly inflammable fuel for their discontent and displeasure. But unfortunately for me and fortunately for staff my drive died quickly.

After office I used to go back to Latur where we had retained our rented house.

Within that week I received a letter redirected from Bombay. It was from UPSC, New Delhi asking me to appear for the interview of Programme Executive’s post in All India Radio.We both discussed its pros and cons, its repercussions on my career and our future children. I was in dilemma of whether to go or not to go!

 This was the second call letter from UPSC for the same post! How?

When in Bombay I had appeared for the written examination held for the post of programme executives. I passed it and in the due course of time UPSC sent me its interview letter. I purchased a ticket for myself for Delhi and went to Bombay Central with Nirmala and my second elder brother Raghunath. I got in the train at Bombay Central. Nirmala and my brother Raghunath were standing on the platform and talking to me through window. After some time whistle blew and train started moving slowly. Nirmala and Raghunath were waving. Suddenly I got up from my seat, lifted my holdall and threw it out from the door. In a fraction of second I too jumped on the platform from the moving train! Before Nirmala and Raghunath could reach to me train had left the platform. Nirmala was in tears and Raghunath baffled! There was reason to have Nirmala in tears! I had declined RBI’s appointment, besides Auditor’s job or Preventive Officer’s post, which I had already left and now my refusal to appear for Programme Executive’s post meant I was to remain jobless!

But meantime I got Tahsildar’s post (revenue officer) and future took the shape! Now UPSC had clearly written in the call letter that second opportunity was given to me and no more would be given. In fact as I had not attended it I had already forgotten it.

There are certain sayings permanently stuck in my mind. Premchand, a well-known Hindi novelist – in one of his novels – projected a blind character named “Surdas”. He says, “Anhoni Kabhi Nahi Hogi, Aur Honi Hokar Rahegi” means (also explained in preceding page)  certain events are avoidable. They will not take place. And there are also certain events which will take place come what may. So what is destined will happen. I decided to go. But why and how we both left Latur with our bag and baggage cannot be explained.

I left Nirmala at her sister’s care and I left for Delhi saying that if they did not select me I shall change my opinion about their capabilities. No doubt over-confidence amounting to megalomaniac!

I attended the interview without fear and doubt and returned Bombay. I did not go back to Ausa. I received letter and message from Collector, Osmanabad and also Government Revenue Department asking me to report for duty! But I did not join! I sent a letter to my elder brother detailing reasons about my declining to join Ausa.

And within a fortnight or so I received UPSC letter informing me that I was selected for the post of Programme Executive, All India Radio!

Order of posting followed the UPSC’s intimation, from the Director General, All India Radio, Broadcasting House, New Delhi asking me to report to the Station Director, All India Radio, Pune.

Probably my elder brother Gunaji was the happiest person on my selection and posting in All India Radio as he himself had seen the office atmosphere, social conditions vis-à-vis our caste and backwardness of the region where I was supposed to work and live throughout my life!

Here I ended another chapter of my life,