Know your facts

Our multi-cultural nation provides us ample opportunities to travel, work, study etc in a diversified way and draw inspiration from different ethnic communities. Yet, how much do we know each other, how much brotherhood has developed amongst us? I do not know. I believe, many a times, we remain self-centred and judge our fellow citizens wrongly due to our ignorance or narrow outlook.

Way back in 1962/63, the Indian Army offered Emergency Commission, to eligible Indian citizens. A lof young candidates applied. The selection process was very tough, so hardly any candidates from my state/town got through the Service Selection Board (SSB). None of my collegues or friends had succeeded in getting selected. A faint rumour was heard that some officers (mostly sikhs) responsible for selection, were biased against other communities, which was the reason for such poor show by the candidates - there was, however, not an iota of proof/evidence to substantiate this.

I also ultimately applied for commission into the Army, though it seemed like a faraway dream. On a winter day in Jan/Feb, very early in the morning I was called for a preliminary interview - where fortunately I was amongst a very few who got selected that day. After some time I got a letter from Army Hq asking me to report (for further tests) on a certain day to a certain SSB in a different city. I was happy to be able to see a new place and did not expect anything more.

On the stipulated day, I reported to the SSB. We were given chest numbers for identification, and were divided in groups of 9 for the tests.Our GTO (Group Testing Officer) was a Sikh officer (Major) and there were three Sikh candidates (two happened to be from Army ranks appearing for their last chance). The rumour of "biased attitude of officers" then suddently came to my mind. Two days were spent giving many grilling tests. On the second evening during dinner, I heard that our board was the toughest, another unsubstatiated rumour. The second night passed.

On the third day after breakfast we assembled in front of a building, for the results. A uniformed officer first gave us a peptalk. He said he would announce the chest numbers of the selected candidates only, who were to fall out and stand on his right, the rest of the candidates should report to another officer for collection of their railway pass etc. The officer started announcing the chest numbers. Since I did not consider even a remote possibility of my own selection, I did not care to listen and focussed my thoughts on getting the return fare of the journey and the railway pass. I suddenly heard a loud "Chest no 5, are you sleeping?" My chest no, had been called out twice, and was the first to be announced. I shouted "Sir" and stepped aside, stunned. Another candidate was selected. None of the Sikh candidates were selected though our GTO was a Sikh Officer.

The point I wish to highlight here is that, we often tend to form opinions and pass judgement on others - based on imprecise facts and feeble logic. If others' actions go against our own interest, our judgement is stronger and likely to be more erroneus. I learnt that day that what helps in life more than biased opinions, is an attitude - to Think Positive and to Be Righteous.

Starting Point

These days, the media seems to nurture itself on tales of lost integrity, duplicity and manipulative misdeeds. At this time, I have a personal experience to share that helps to re-affirm my faith in the human character and the existing moral code of our country.

More than a decade ago, we (my wife and daughter) were going to Bijapur from Bellary by train. It was morning time. After a journey of half hour or so the train stopped at some station. I looked out for a cup of tea, in no time a very small boy wearing a cap appeared with tea. A cup of tea at that time cost Rs.1/-. We took two cups and paid a five rupee note. The boy did not have the change and so ran for his shop to fetch the change. In the meantime the train started moving. I did not notice the name of the Station. Soon we forgot about the incident. After a fruitful visit of Bijapur and some near by places, we returned back by the same train. In the late afternoon the train stopped at a small staion. My wife was sitting near the window. She was, as usual wearing Bengali saree, some gold bangles and the typical Bengali conchshell bangles, which are pecauliar to married Bengali (and Assamese) ladies. Suddenly a young man of say 25 yrs appeared on the window and asked my wife whether we travelled by this train few days back. When she confirmed, he offered Rs.3/- to my wife saying that his small boy could not return the money as the train had left. I was Stunned. On my further probing, he said that, he was watching this train everyday, for last few days for us, as he was sure we are tourist and likely to return by the same train. As to the question of identifying us, he pointed out to the dress of my wife.

A burning example of honesty. I was choked with emotion. I , possibly, would not have taken such trouble to return this small amount.

I salute this citizen. And I am proud to be a citizen of this great country.

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Teaser - Three students went to a hotel and paid Rs 300/- for nights stay. The manager, thought about his poorly students days, sympathesised with the poor students and returned Rs.50/- through one of his assistants. This assistant instead kept Rs.20/- for himself and gave back Rs.30/- to the students. So now the students effectly paid Rs.270/-, the assistant took Rs. 20/- thus the total 270+20=290. But the students initially paid Rs.300/-. The calculation is correct - then where are the 10 rupees gone ? (this was contributed by my daughter many many years ago during her school days).

When you find the tenor, please let me know.