Dear, ...........,
Namaskar. Today more about Mehrajudin. His ambition was to become a technician.
One post was getting vacant and he sought our help. My self and my friend Omkar
Nath jee started coaching him. We taught him for both the interview and the
practical and workshop practices. We worked hard with him for about two months.
The boss for whom he was the man Friday, did not outright promise him the job.
There was to be a proper interview. Meanwhile there was another peon by the
name Mohd. Yusuf who had plans of his own to get selected to the technician
post. He worked hard and appeared to be a clear winner in the race. He
approached us to help him preparing for the interview/test. We told him that
Mehrajudin was senior in age and he should get the post. We also told him that
he being younger one would get more chances in future. Some younger members of
the staff among the Engineering cadre decided to coach him because they said that he was technically better of the two and deserved to be employed as a technician. Now it was a competition
between we the seniors coaching Mehrajudin and they the juniors coaching Mohd
Yusuf. On the exams day, we went out of our normal way to ensure help for Mehrajudin.
First part was the practical test. He cleared it. That was important and that
made it easier for him to get selected. The boss was the chairman for the interview. We the seniors touted this as our
victory and the juniors were left to lick their wounds. After this Mohd Yusuf
sought our pardon and came under our umbrella. A year or so later there was
another technician interview and Mohd. Yusuf got selected. The test and selection was in the hands of Omkar Nath Jee. He remained ever
grateful to Omkar Nath Jee and would be like his true disciple. One day, Mohd.
Yusuf did some mistake while working, Omkar Nath Jee slapped him very hard on
his cheek in front of many staff members around. Then Omkar Nath Jee told
everyone that if Mohd. Yusuf would have made this mistake in front of any other
staff members, then this would mean his (Omkar Nath Jee’s) disrespect because
every knew that he was a disciple.
Everyone around agreed with him and Mohd. Yusuf profusely apologised to him. I
met Mohd Yusuf many times after this incident. On each
occasion he would mention Omkar Nath Jee and would say that he will ever remain
grateful to him. He gave all credit to him. He was good at his work.
There was a middle-aged staff member working in the
administration section. He always seemed to be short of money. He would borrow from
almost everyone. He would never have any money to repay back. Mehrajudin had a relative.
They needed a home tutor for their child. Mehrajudin got this middle-aged
person to do the coaching. One day the family informed Mehrajudin that the
tutor had taken something from their house without their knowledge. The
assignment was terminated. Mehrajudin knew the reason for termination but he
did not discuss the issue with the person. The relations remained normal. One
day, this person invited Mehrajudin to afternoon tea and snacks at a renowned
restaurant in the city. Mehrajudin asked him how did he have money for the
party. The person replied in confidence that he had pickpocketed his father
that morning. Anyway, now both were enjoying the snacks in the restaurant. Half
way, the person excused himself to go to the washroom. Minutes rolled but he
did not turn back. Mehrajudin enquired and was told that he had already left.
Mehrajudin was shocked. He did not have sufficient money with him to settle the
bill. He went to the manager and offered his watch as a security with him till he
could go and bring him the money. The manager was a kind hearted person and allowed
him to go without keeping his wrist watch. Mehrajudin went home, got the money
and paid the manager to settle the bill.
Next day he met the cheat but the previous day’s event was not discussed at
all. They continued to be friends. Mehrajudin had a plan up his sleeve. One day
late in the month of December, he hid himself in a lane at Lal Chowk. The lane
was by the side of the road which his friend use every day to walk to his home after work. As soon as Mehrajudin saw him walking on the road, he came to
the main road and met the cheat as if by coincidence. Then he invited him to
tea in a nearby restaurant. (He had spoken to the manager there first and
hatched a plan with his assistance.) The
cheat did not suspect anything wrong in this invitation. They went in and ordered a number of eatable.
Half way, a restaurant staff member came and told Mehrajudin that there was a
telephone call for him at the front desk. He left the table to attend the call.
This was a part of the plan. There was no call. He left the restaurant. The
cheat waited and waited. He had no money with him. Ultimately, the manager
allowed him to go after making him leave his coat, sweater cap, and the little
money that was in his pocket etc there at the restaurant. He was allowed to leave
the restaurant only in shirt and pant in the sub zero of December. Next day
Mehrajudin told him that this was a lesson to him for life. I do not know
whether the cheat ever changed after that. He would ask me for money too but I
would never trust him.
With that I end my story of the day. Bye.
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