My friends who used to sell saris

Here is the thirteenth unforgettable character in my life …

We stayed in the company quarters and, as is normal with colony life, he wanted to do some work in his off time to keep himself busy, and simultaneously augment his monthly income for his daily additional pack of cigarettes. He convinced one of his close buddies and, together, they embarked on a novel idea of selling saris. Since there were practically no overheads, they could sell these at cheaper rates and there was always a queue of customers in his quarter.
When he was on duty, his wife managed the show. They used to get their stocks on a monthly basis from neighboring Surat – one of them would go there on alternate weekends to replenish the stocks and bring in the latest designs.

Time does not wait for anyone. After some time, the business reached saturation point – also, their children grew up.
One’s son went into medicine and became a Doctor; the other’s son became an Engineer and moved over to the Gulf. They built their houses on adjacent plots of land which they had purchased when their business was on the up. They wanted to stay together because they had plenty in common. God however had other thoughts in mind.
Ego is one of the most terrible destructive forces. When it raises its head, it spares no one. They might have had close bonds but after superannuation, tiny differences began surfacing between the one-time bosom friends and one thing led to another. One of them is no more. A really sad state of affairs that proves the golden words – Man proposes, God disposes.


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Saraswati Puja means entering a new phase of life

Saraswati Puja is the ritual of worshipping the Goddess of Learning and it opens up the doors to a new world for the Bengalis. There are many positive aspects of this festival. Yes, it is nothing short of a festival for not only the tiny tots but also for boys and girls in schools and colleges as well as elders in any firm of entertainment.

Saraswati Puja is performed when the parents bring the tiny tots before the Goddess to earn her blessings as they step into the world of education. The kid sit on the lap of the priest who makes it hold a chalk and initiate the moves necessary to form an alphabet. The kid enters the world of writing the alphabets on a slate. Of course, kids today know the alphabets and numerals in advance, thanks to TV channels meant for the tiny tots. The worship of Goddess Saraswati is just a ritual.
The next phase of life is adolescence – the step is when the girls are old enough to wear the saree. And, the boys blush when they meet the girls. Saraswati Puja to them is an opportunity to shed inhibitions and enjoy each other’s company. If one goes by what participants of TV game shows admit – many of these feel-good bonds have become permanent in future. They admit that they had first met during Saraswati Puja!
And, as the devotees age, they worship the Goddess to help them assimilate knowledge – in any form. There are the singers, the musicians, the glittering stars of the silver screen as well as the small screen. And, writers.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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The ringing of the phone startled Moody. It was Tressa May on the line – she loves the saree - an Indian attire. So, she loves Indians.
‘My dear fellow, I hear that you have lost your sound box. Is it true?’ she asked.
‘Not really,’ Moody spoke softly. ‘It was a passing phase.’
‘Did it have any link to black money? Don’t get me wrong – but, have you bitten off more than you can chew?’
‘No, nothing of the sort. Black money is not a problem. I have stopped all avenues of generating the evil. I have plugged all loopholes.’

‘I see,’ Tressa May lowered her voice. ‘I read in the media that your people are not happy. Business is in the doldrums. How will your vison take shape?’
‘I think you are misinformed,’ Moody was calm as cucumber. ‘I don’t get rattled easily.’
‘I knew as much,’ Tressa said. ‘I have heard you speak. You are a fine orator. Your decibel levels are fantastic.’
‘I have come up from the ranks,’ Moody said. ‘You know I used to sell tea. And, unless you raise your voice, you just cannot survive as a tea seller.’
‘Yes. I have heard about your humble beginnings. It’s all about selling tea clad in half pants.’
‘And with the fifty six inch chest. That is my trademark.’
‘Then why did you maintain such a silence? I know silence is golden but, it depends on the situation. When the opposition bays for your blood, you must growl if not bark.’
‘My dear lady,’ Moody said. ‘The silence was forced upon me.’
‘Any blackmail in the background?’
‘No, no – nothing black can tarnish my image. I have a clean slate.’
‘Then why did you go on the silent mode?’
‘It was black of another kind – related to coal. It is difficult to explain.’
‘Have a try,’ Tressa coaxed him.
‘It was all because of Baba Someday and his Pat & Jolie outfit.’
‘You mean the Yoga guru? He tripped you?’
‘Yes. I had a toothache and he wanted me to try out his latest toothpaste. I paid the price. It was a coal based affair and left a black mark on my teeth. So, I had to keep my mouth closed.’ (to be contd …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Moody’s monkeys and the saree episode (satire)

Moody was a bit surprised to hear a female voice at the other end of the line. He was used to receiving calls from Sue Sharma and Emma Melanie and Uma-ji and, of course, Ranee-ji who had gone into hibernation. But this voice had an un-Indian accent and it was not Angel Miracle.
‘Yes,’ he cleared his throat. ‘Who is this?’
‘I am Tressa May,’ she introduced herself. ‘We have not met formally as yet but I know a lot about you. I know that you like monkeys.’
‘Well – we do worship the monkey. He is one of our Gods. He helped Lord Rama to get back his Sita who had been kidnapped by evil Ravana.’
‘Yes. I have heard all about it. Then I believe you keep a set of three monkeys on your table.’
‘That I have. It acts as an inspiration. It reminds me to refrain from the three evils. Do not talk evil, do not speak evil, and do not hear evil.’
‘And then your own creation of the monkey baat every month,’ Tressa said. ‘I hear you have run out of ideas and want others to help you out.’
‘Nothing of the sort,’ Moody said. ‘I never run out of ideas. I am always brimming with them. Actually, there is one Cage Reball who has copied my style – only, his is a two-way affair. He allows others to interact with him directly. I also want to show my people that I listen to them.’
‘What about the monkey in your Parliament? Do you allow them such freedom?’
‘That was a stray case’ Moody said. ‘It wandered into the library.’
‘Oh – and which books did it take out to study?’
‘Monkeys cannot read books.’
‘I thought your monkeys are of a different brand,’ Tressa laughed. ‘Anyway – I have learnt how to wear a saree. My action has floored many people.’

‘That is good,’ Moody said. ‘It will improve our bonding.’
‘I have received offers from big names in the trade to model their sarees,’ Tressa went on. ‘I plan to rope in Angel Miracle and Clean Ton. The three of us will revolutionize the world. Models for sarees should be slim, don’t you think so?’
‘Well – slim models are attractive.’
‘Then why do overweight women wear sarees? Especially when they have to go broad.’
Moody did not have a ready answer. (to be continued …)


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