THE DOWNS OF LIFE

The next day would be my wife’s birthday and I had almost forgotten to buy her a gift due to the problems I face in life. I will list some of the downs in my life to tell you about my forgetfulness. That evening while I was taking my usual walk, I reached the open ground where political parties held rallies and meetings. Loud speakers blared the speech by a party stalwart - a female -  which was being translated into the vernacular by someone. I listened and found the speaker was promising the sky which would transform the country into Utopia! I then walked off as I knew empty promises were being made to grab power! As I walked I recalled what a great man had said about the capacity of a woman politician: She is a woman of broad parts, deep penetration, quick conception and easy delivery! Once in a while we do get golden words about politicians! On my way back from my walk I saw the party men distributing cash ‘to make the voter remember the polling date’ which was the 15^th of the month! I suddenly remembered the date was my wife’s birthday and quickly ordered cakes etc for the occasion!

Calenders have to be designed for quick reference of dates. The one I have has been scientifically designed: I only have to check out the month when lo! the date would appear. It doesn’t indicate holidays. I went to the bank on a certain date only to find it closed as it was a festival day of a minority community. Luckily the ATM rescued me! Holiday lists of the bank had not been distributed.

India has been divided into several States which use different vernaculars. Political orientation in these States could be quite varied. Newspapers printed in English would carry only news items pertaining to the region. While I was on a visit to a certain State I chose to visit the museum there. As I neared it I saw a large crowd of protestors gathered outside it seeking various demands and the museum was closed. The local newspapers had carried news of the closure but I was a stranger and hadn’t read the local edition of the newspaper.

I wanted to visit a Hindu shrine on a particular date and went there. It was not possible to enter the area as a VIP had blocked it to celebrate the wedding of his daughter! I knew the date of the wedding and the venue had been announced in the newspaper, but it had not registered in me.

The ambulance service to a well-known hospital was held up with a patient needing urgent medical attention. The reason – the road was being repaired. The repair hadn’t been announced as authorities had thought that it would be a minor job. But the entire road had to be closed with the ambulance having to drive back and take a very circuitous route adding 45 minutes to normal transit. I hoped it wouldn’t happen with me in that vehicle!

I had to catch a flight at 4.30 PM and was on my way to the airport in a taxi. I was halted, as on the airport road, a procession was moving favouring a foreign leader I’ll call Ramirez. The procession was very long and blocked the entire road and traffic was at a standstill. I told the driver that I would give him a bonus if he dropped me at the airport at 3-30. The driver took a different route but it was also blocked as an anti Ramirez procession was coming that way! I reached the airport only at 4 PM but was glad embarkation was still open. I got into the plane which was hot inside (AC would come on only when flight operated). The plane took off only at 7 PM as the pilot had been caught in the processions for an hour!

I was to travel by train from a certain railway station at 10 PM and reached there at 9. The train would start from the previous station. That station was set on fire by a mob which sought job opportunities for a certain class of people. However the train arrived at 11. It reached the destination at 8.30 AM instead of 6, having to take a circuitous route as a bridge in the normal route was said to be unsafe, the river under it being in spate. I was lucky I reached the destination!

I was travelling in the 2^nd class compartment of a train (costlier ticket) when 2 men entered the compartment and stood with the door open. As the train was going at speed the two pointed a knife each to one traveller and demanded his suitcase. They seized it and pulled the chain to halt the train. By the time it slowed they jumped off with the suitcase!

Wanting some repairs to my residence I got a mason to come home. I saw he had a large watch and casually said “Your watch looks new.”

He said “It isn’t new. I bought it while I had worked in Dubai. “

He unstrapped the watch and gave it to me to see. I saw it had many functions. He said “It’s very accurate but the battery replacement is very costly.”

He surveyed the work to be done and gave me an estimate. I agreed and he said “I’ll be here 8 AM on Friday to start work. I’ve brought a few tools. I’ll leave them here in this bag.”

I was sure he would come 8 AM Friday but he didn’t show up. I tried calling him but there was no response. About 3 weeks later he showed up and said “One of my kin had covid, and I was in quarantine. “

I said “Your tools are here.”

“It doesn’t matter as I’ve another set bought in Dubai. These tools can stay here till I start work.”

The branch of a bank is near my house and I use it. One evening I was passing it on foot when I saw some kind of celebration in progress. I was told the celebration was due to the branch having been converted into a bank for senior citizens. Of course as a senior citizen and a constituent of the bank I hadn’t been informed! So I continue using it, climbing a foot high pavement and opening a heavy glass door which required someone with large biceps to open, but it had to be provided that way as per security regulations. I had issued a cheque dated 27^th February 2027. The seven appeared instead of 1 because of tremor in my hand. The bank cautioned me and asked me to be more careful! Of course I went to the bank to correct and sign so that they could release payment. Everyday new challenges appear and I have to adapt. Life I found was simply reacting on a day to day basis and I’ve realised one day is no different from another. I try to keep certain memorial dates in mind and forget the rest. No place to keep 10 digit phone numbers and various 16 digit bank numbers in mind!

END