Return Of Nayek
| By : Dipankar ( Posted on :05 Mar, 2007 ) | Total Views : 591 | Previous | Next |
Returning by the morning train to hostel he found his neighbor’s room locked. Nayek must have left then! A folded note was fastened to the lock of his room. He placed his bag on the floor, plucked up the note and read. Brief two lines told - Arup, I am leaving. I find no sense in pulling through like this. But I shall not let him escape scot-free. I have not done any wrong. Let me see! Yours etc., Abhiram Nayek. Without unlocking Arup stared downstairs. He could not feel when Verma came. The latter brushing teeth asked tapping his shoulder, what’s wrong? Arup showed him Nayek’s missive. Written in English Verma could read and follow. Raising left hand he beckoned him to wait. Washing his face he returned swabbing with towel to bid Arup open his cabin. Then said, I am calling others and ordering for tea.
Within minutes assembled Balakrishnan, Adhikari, Goswami, Banerjee, Arora, Gupta, Panigrahi, all of the research scholars present. He must have committed suicide! Everybody muttered. Arup said, impossible! Such a confident boy without reprisal will end his life is unbelievable. Have you noticed his last line? It radiates confidence.
How he will retaliate? Asked Goswami. This one from Assam has a typical accent that often makes him an object of banter. Now everybody listened to him. Goswami measured all from the corner of his eyes. Then said, when that Raju has won over the director, what a research scholar can do! Had he been a teacher, even a lecturer, something could happen. Can we extend any help? Nobody knows how this Raju Garu will implicate us! It is to tackle such difficulties that we needed union, I told you! But the authority did not allow it.
Balakrishnan was silent initially. He has a discrete personality. Outside his academic world he is a freelancer. Regularly contributes features in important south-Indian dailies. A month ago one such feature raised a storm in the parliament, his fellows could recall. He said the matter must be brought to the notice of the director and faculty members at once. A first information report has to be lodged with the police! Adhikari said, it is the job of the registrar. But perhaps he needs consent of the director. Balakrishnana said why? He is of the rank of professor and is in charge of campus administration. If he shirks his responsibility, we should think he is devoid of backbone. Let us go. If he refuses or dallies, we should go to the media.
Quickly they dressed up and walked over to director’s chamber. The latter comes early to ensure staffs’ punctuality. It is a shame that a brigadier, neither a scientist nor an engineer, runs a central institute of university status, said Arora. Has he got any feeling for education? Who selects them! Before they crossed over the flower beds close to the science complex, Joseph was seen leaving director’s chamber. A technician, what could he do with the director! All of them know Joseph, Joseph also knows them. However, that they yet have a lot to know was then clear! It was obvious in a moment how the director keeps track of everybody amongst the staff. With a sly smile Joseph keeps up with everybody. Yet some used to doubt Joseph’s clandestine actions. He was alarmed to see them in a body. Balakrishnan forbade anybody to utter a word and exclaimed, Morning Joseph! What are you after? Visibly undecided what to say the fellow stammered. Finally said, I went to the PA to enquire about my earned leave application. His attempts to cover up his visit further exposed him. Arup’s glare only sped him up.
Adhikari marked it. He said, does he run away finding you in the team? Fool! Does anybody come to director’s office to enquire about earned leave application ? Do you know what that bugger told me the other day? Arup said, you are also a geologist. Don’t you submit vouchers for transport? At first I couldn’t follow. Then it struck me. Nayek has to go deep into the Indian interior. From there he has to move rock-samples in the course of ten days or more. In those tribal areas who will give vouchers! In such cases the employer certifies the expense. All over the world that is the practice . Nowhere the accountant or auditor objects. At that time, Raju Garu had stopped his scholarship for five months. Five thousand rupees per month! Now more than seven months have passed. From head to toe Nayek is down with credit! Canteen denies food. Sometimes he came for a couple of rupees, said Arora. Arup said with that he used to take perched rice. Sometimes I caught up with him, took him to the canteen and offered a square meal. His self-esteem made him avoid his fellows. Think! He does not have any relative. He came to study with the sale proceeds of his paternal property. From the very beginning he thrived on scholarship and tuition. All along he stood first. After M.S he came for research. In the meantime the former director retired. Also a new accounts officer, Raju came. Then his troubles began.
Panigrahi talks less. Now he said, probably you do not know that Raju penned across a spelling in his statement. That started an altercation mainly embittered by Raju’s comment, you idiot Oriya, shall I have to learn English from you? I shall teach you a lesson. Nayek said, is he teaching me a lesson? What will happen if it is reverted! That was what he said last.
They arrived at the director’s office. His personal assistant beckoning them to wait entered director’s chamber. Seconds later, he emerged and asked any two to enter. It never came to them that the director would not meet them all. They looked at each other. Within moments Arup accompanied by Balakrishanan entered. They wished him. He was going through a file. Without looking up he said, yes! What can I do for you? They reported briefly that Nayek has left without leaving any information. Usually the director talks only Hindi. Bad people point it to his deficiency in English. Director said, to kya karna? Jo gaya Jane deo! Chor chottako madat dena haamara aadat nehi (what to do? Who has gone let him go. I do not have any habit to assist thieves and cheats). Balakrishnan soliloquized, that he picked up and thundered kya bola (what did you say)? Arup said, First information report should be lodged. At this cutting comments started erupting. The PA ran in and somehow managed to see them off.
The incident spread like wild fire. It is not unusual in residential organizations. With progress of the day the incident acquired colours. Some said that Nayek stole valuable instruments and escaped in the dead of night.
They approached the registrar to accost him lodge an FIR. But he shove around the issue. Still it was from registrar’s office that everybody in the campus came to know about Nayek’s desertion and the indifferent, rather rude reaction of the director. One and all branded the director as a heartless fellow, treating the staff as his subordinates in the army. The accounts officer Raju Garu was criticized in acrimonious terms. Those who accompanied Arup did not all belong to Geology. Rather, most of them belonged to other disciplines. Each of them turned a narrator of the encounters with both the director and the registrar. The faculty came to learn about it before lunch. None of them had any difference in opinion about the audacity of the accounts officer. Many were surprised at the registrar’s unwillingness to lodge a formal complaint with the police. At last, somebody lodged the FIR, and police came along with a photographer. Director’s chamber was closed. The PA said he had left the campus hours ago. The inspector went for the registrar. It was learnt that he had been to his quarters for lunch. The cop rushed there. Such hurry is unusual. But here the subject is a student, that too of a central government institute.
Glowering registrar told, don’t you have enough courtesy to come to my office? Do not show your temper Sir. It is reported that you learnt it at eight. Why haven’t you complained? Asked the cop. The registrar said, in the absence of the director how could I do it! The officer said, don’t leave the campus without our knowledge. Where is Nayek’s note? Balkrishnan produced a scrap paper jotted with pencil notes. Inspector scrutinizing it said, this is a Xeroxed copy, that too done by you in your departmental machine. Where is the original? Balakrishanan said, that is with the director. Police said, Fine! Might be you are also part of the intrigue? Registrar said, Mind your language, Officer. The Inspector replied, don’t roll your eyes! Do you think you could save your skin? You can’t! He is a President’s award-winning scholar! Why has he been deprived of his fellowship for consecutive seven months? Didn’t you know? What did you do? Were you enjoying?
He was not acquitted so briefly by the reporter. The latter meticulously asked students later irrespective of their categories, staff members, inquired about what he owed to the canteen, and recorded the comments of his teachers. Finally, he went for Raju. But where was Raju! His room lay vacant; nobody could say where he was. Arup briefed the reporter about Joseph. So the correspondent tried to find him. But he was also missing. Superintendent of workshops showed an application for seven days’ casual leave to say that he has put that on his table and left. The journalist commented can anybody avail of so many days’ leave without prior approval? The officer remarked, of course not! However, who will find him for punishing!
After the police and reporter left, students of all colours were talking in small crowds. Teachers were also doing the same, but separately. Shortly it came to be known that there were two telephone calls, one from a member of parliament, and another from the director general of police. They inquired to the registrar about the director’s Calcutta address and his landline telephone number. Hearing director’s mobile switched off the registrar virtually lost his head. Unable to locate Joseph the police served a search warrant for him and forced the registrar to receive it. That implied police might have access to the campus at any time of day or night. The employees of dining halls went for marketing. They had a tough time on return with plain clothes police at the gate. Arup and his friends were also busy. Whenever the guards found them in a body, they warned about the possibility of police action.
Cronies of the registrar disclosed his mental condition as another parliamentarian reproached him virtually with the same words as the cop used two hours before. It showed that the news has reached the capital. The dining hall wore an unusual look that night. Everyday a few of the staff joined the students in the night. Usually in their presence the students somewhat hold down themselves. However, that day they had no fetters. In the meantime Banerjee came with a local Bengali newspaper. It displayed in bold letters: Eminent scholar missing as seven months’ stipend withheld – allegation against Accounts Officer Raju Garu. Below details of Nayek’s performance, altercation over his traveling allowance bills, absolute silence of the authority for resolution. Finally, there is conclusion: why a bright budding scientist takes a drastic step. Arup examined the news, and then said could you bring Bala to my room? Within minutes Banerjee brought Bala. Bala asked, is there any further development? Arup said one point puzzles me. Almost all the teachers made their comments individually barring one. Bala asked who he was. Professor Bhattacharyya, told Arup.
Bhattacharyya is a professor of international repute. He is not the mentor of either Arup or Nayek. Moreover, he is so busy that he does not know who is guiding whom. At best he knows them by face. Banerjee and Balakrishnan both viewed each other and asked, why? How dare you suspect him? Everybody knows about his integrity, and keen intelligence. He may give an astute suggestion, said Arup. He continued, day before yesterday on way to the railway station saw Nayek before the quarters of Bhattacharyya. But before approaching him he went in. On return today, find him gone. Banerjee said, but he never approached any teacher. Even he did not inform Bakshi, his supervisor. I am also thinking, said Arup. We cannot approach Bhattacharyya to solve the problem. Bala added nobody in the institute could talk to him in this matter. But he must have heard that he is missing. Did he say anything? Arup said it seems that he commented, when Nayek promised he would not let him escape scot-free, he must have some design. Let us see! Somebody said that the students would have to leave the campus tomorrow.
The evacuation notice came out next day. By noon there were caravans of three wheelers towards station. Panigrahi said, Arup, within hours you reach home. Think of us! When we will reach, nobody knows! Arora suddenly came and thrust a piece of paper in his pocket. He said, I could find the address of next of his kin at Calcutta. Try to find him. Bala did not come. He had so many relatives in the town.
All his connections were severed after Arup came to Calcutta. Banerjee lived at Belgharia, a locality more than thirty kilometers from Behala. Meeting was not feasible. Moreover, people were so nosy that Arup mostly remained confined to his house. One day he went to the address given by Arora. It was a slum. An hour was wasted, nothing came out. About a week later one evening he was browsing through a novel. The sister came and announced, Brother! Your institute is going to open. Arup sprang up from his chair, asked, where do you get that? TV News? Arup took a shirt from the hanger and ran off. Mother wondered what attraction to the institute he might have! Within seconds Arup returned. The sister laughed, could not get over phone? Whom? Said Arup. Sister said, why? Didn’t you ring Belghariya?
Monday Banerjee was at Howrah Station. But he could not provide any information about the whereabouts of Nayek. Reaching the institute they got unbelievable news. On the basis of some hints from Raju the director sent for Bhattacharyya. Last Wednesday, that is the after they left the campus, the professor submitted a bunch of medical bills to Raju for reimbursement. Following Monday Raju framed up Bhattacharyya carrying that bunch to the director’s office. The professor was immediately sent for. The director with his mixture of English and Hindi thundered him, questioning his integrity, even scholarship, hinting Raju to produce evidences. The bills numbered thirty five. It was alleged that bills amounting to five hundred rupees were all bogus. For example, dental surgeon and denture bills amounting to rupees two hundred and fifty were in the letterhead of a tailoring shop! Another, costly antibiotics seem to have been purchased from a bookbinder. Finding him scrutinizing, director said, number seventeen, twenty-three and twenty-nine bills one should not expect from one of your stature.
The nonplussed professor said, did I submit these? Mincing words Raju said, Yes Sir! Director added, does the accounts officer cherish any enmity toward you? Or, is he joking? Still the professor apparently bewildered scrutinized the list of bills. There was no discrepancy there. Then with astonishment the professor said, but I have not written this list! Whose script is it? Before Raju could reply, the director said, I forbade him to bring the original. So he has copied it. Bhattacharyya was almost breaking down in shame and asked permission to sit. Only director’s voice was discernible. Professor mumbled, give me a couple of days. That was granted by a movement of his left hand handing over a note asking for his explanation. Before he left, the professor cast a glance at the director and focused a piercing look on the accounts officer. Raju could not bear that look and lowered his eyes.
Nothing remains secret with a prying PA and a swing door between the chamber and his alcove. So the event spread among the staff, as had been Nayek’s disappearance not many days ago. The famous professor also had has foes. Where teachers hanker after the post of dean, consultancy, interview board membership, ex-officio advisor ship and the like, the professor always remained indifferent. They used to brand him humbug. They had a heartfelt laugh and mutually exchanged the scene saying, have you heard? Or, oh! You do not know yet! But the professor was inimitable, he remained totally unconcerned. Those who loved or praised him did not dare asking. It came to be known meanwhile that Raju wanted to lodge a complaint with the police, but the director did not agree. Arup’s reaction was, at least the brigadier knows diplomacy! Somebody informed Mrs. Bhattacharyya. For when he returned, Swati said what did you cook up today?
Who told you?
Whoever might have, won’t you tell me?
Professor smiled, said wait for a couple of days. Then everything will be clear. The domestic tidings soon were headlined gossips. That Monday was the day of professor’s explanation. At about eleven in the morning he paced casually to the director’s office. He formally dressed, as is rather unusual for him. A band of boys followed him from a distance. Behind the director’s seat there is a break formed by a loosened brick. Works department vacillation has left it as such. Only one may peep through the recess. It was a recent discovery by Goswami. In no time the gap became the source of students’ first hand information.
They saw the professor entering with head high. The snooping PA followed him. Without any formality, he drew a chair and ordered, call your accounts officer. Tell him to come with all the originals. Director beckoned his PA to call over intercom. Within a couple of minutes Raju was there, as if he had been waiting. Professor asked for the bills that he submitted. Both Raju and the brigadier wondered why he was scrutinizing the backside of bills! The boys were also thinking what he was searching for on the backside. As he came to bill numbered seventeen, a tinge of smile could be seen on his lips. He then hurriedly skipped to numbers twenty-three and twenty-nine.
Bhattacharyya raised his voice. Look here, Brigadier! Whenever I submit a bill, I sign behind it and put the date. Here are the three bills that your account officer objected to. He showed the bills. There is neither signature nor date on the back. Raju’s face gradually lost its colour. Brigadier looked aghast. Now see my copies, said the professor. He sorted out those three bills that had tooth extraction and denture making on the letterhead of a dental clinic, and that of antibiotics and operation on that of a general clinic. Director forwarded the bills to Raju. Raju’s head started reeling. He tried to utter something, but only some inarticulate sounds emerged. Professor thundered, If I charge that this is a ploy of your accounts officer to harass me, what will you say? An unearthly silence prevailed before Bhattacharyya said handing over a letter to the director, I ask for your reply. Referring to your memo I want to know under whose instigation you have insulted me, and threatened me with court martial if I had been in the army. I am giving you two days. If there is no satisfactory reply, the issue will go to the parliament. Just like a cyclone he rushed out.
Boys saw Raju Garu who often heckeles teachers, other staff and students on minor issues, now running after Bhattacharyya, saying Sir! Sir! Bhattacharyya loudly drives him wild, I do not talk to a thief, a fraud, a cheat! You are a heinous creature! Raju immediately turned his back and ran to the director crying, save me Sir, save me! Brigadier thundered, Get out! I say get out! Ostensibly he was thinking that he should not have uttered about court martial. It had been an off guard threatening!
Outside the department there was a small gathering. Some from it ran to the peep hole to the director’s chamber to overhear the reaction of Raju. But where was he! Scolded out from the director he ran to Joseph. Joseph was no less shrewd. Foreseeing such an end he took his cover in his foreman’s room. Bala was in his department. He knew about the bills, also knew that Bhattacharyya was scheduled to give his reply that day. But so much has happened meanwhile he never knew. Finding Raju rushing out of the director’s room like a chased beast, he came running. Where is Arup? He started gasping. Banerjee, Panigrahi, Arora were there, with other scholars, and some students, and non-teaching staff. None could forget that almost each of them was heckled by Raju sometime or other under diverse pretexts.
Meanwhile there was lunch recess. After lunch, another scene was unveiled. The audience was less in number compared to that in the morning. Looking all around as Raju sneaked into Bhattacharyya’s chamber, there was a roar, you fraud get out of my room! Hei Tilak! Tilak is the professor’s attendant. Hurriedly entering the room finding Raju, Tilak said, Are buddhu ! Tu idhar kiun? Bhag hiyanse (You fool! Why are you here? Get out). Raju did not have the nerve to mark the dealing he received from an attendant. Tilak was not alone, a number of lesser people behaved likewise. Raju found no place to hide. Wherever he goes he was faced by objectionable or jeering remarks.
In the dining hall Arup met Bala. The latter said, I am looking for you quite some time. Could you search for Nayek’s whereabouts at Calcutta? Didn’t Arora give you an address? Arup said, Oh! That is a large slum. After searching a lot I could find an Oriya, a Patnaik, who after prolonged recall grinned, O you mean Tusu! He used to come long ago, but since several years now we have not seen him. So that was all.
Three days passed, that seemed three years to Raju. His hairs have grown grey, bristly beard on his face that used to be clean-shaved always. He comes everyday early and hangs around to sneak into Bhattacharyya’s chamber. The Professor remains unmoved. He is regularly taking his classes, supervising his scholars and is on his routine errands as if nothing has happened. On the expiry of two days he sent Tilak to find whether the director is there. After Tilak returned he went to the director and wished him, Hallo Brigadier! How are you doing? The response was not distinct. After a couple of minutes it was Professor again, would you court martial me, or should I proceed to raise a storm in the parliament? Again the reply was not discernible. However, the Professor said, nobody should talk to a fraud. Let it be seen how many people he has plans to implicate. I shall foil his tactics. I shall also make you quail from your bossing tactics that you practiced in the army!
Banerjee was arranging his kits. Couple of days later he was scheduled for his fieldwork. Arup appeared to say let us go to the director’s. Seems he has sent for Raju. Bala picked up a hint from somebody and came on a cycle. All of them hurried to the recess in the wall. Raju knelt down before the director who fired, I wish to whip you. Worthless chap, why don’t you apologize to the Professor? The boys giggled, only if he could approach the academic! Raju burst into tears, save Sir! I shall ever remain your slave. Director said who advised you to bother him? If he exempts you from charges brought by him only then you will be relieved.
For some time they could not hear anything. So they were returning. On the way they met Joseph. Joseph sympathized with Raju saying have you seen his condition? Arup retorted, well! That is the outcome of only three days. Still Raju gets his pay, has means to living. Think of Abhiram. He is without any meal for three months! Banerjee whispered do not feel like going to the field without seeing the end. That day the professor returned late. From a distance in the descending darkness he saw a veiled woman leaving his quarters. Her get-up did not suggest anybody of the servants’ class. Entering the drawing room he inquired, who was here? Raju’s wife came, Swati said, she was continuously weeping, saying, if at this age he loses his job how they will live.
You must have melted away in pity! Swati said if you had been me, then you also would have thawed. Professor said, in three days the arrogant Raju has disintegrated into a wreck Think of Nayek. He had to live through such seven months! Swati knew about the case of Abhiram. The day he came she served him with a square meal. Swati said, his wife told that everybody knows why you are after him. Not only that, she told her husband when you had been harassing Abhiram why didn’t you think about his quandary.
Sipping a cup of coffee he enquired whether she has committed anything. Swati affirmed. Think, he is a senior office staff. Now he is slighted by lower class staff. Finishing the cup he said, Then go and advise her to send Raju to my office with the file of Abhiram.
Professor came next day earlier. Tilak was there, but he did not utter anything. Bnaerjee came and inquired about the matter with a nod. Tilak whispered, Call your peers, or you will be deprived of total enjoyment. None had to be called, for the scoops have wings. Through voids caused by movement of curtain they could see Raju standing. Professor meticulously went through Nayek’s file. Then ordered, write here `passed’. Then called Tilak and asked Raju to hand over the key. Raju hesitated. He was harshly reprimanded. Raju gave the key of his chest of drawers. After he signed and placed his seal, Raju asked for the papers that Bhattacharyya had ceased. Professor said, you already have the money in the account. Have the order signed by the director, issue the check, and contact Nayek over phone. Raju said, the director will take his time Sir. ‘That is none of my business. I shall not request him on your behalf. He has threatened me with court martial. He is to be dealt separately`. Still Raju grumbled, I do not have Nayek’s contact number. ‘First finish what I have told, then come for the contact number`.
On the third day Abhiram came. Signing the acquitance role in Professor Bakshi’s chamber Abhiram received two checks, one for the fellowship and the other for the traveling allowance. Delivering the checks Raju entered Professor’s room to ask for the papers that he took from Raju. Professor said did you give it? Have you got any receipt?
Receipt
Three years hence as the group came out of the convocation canopy, Tilak approached them. He said, Dada! Do you know the inner story? How the bogus bills were drawn? All of them knew that Tilak is very cunning, but with a difference. He always stands for foiling others’ intrigues and disengages it by his shrewdness. As all of them focused inquiring eyes on him he said that his elder brother did various business, none of which lived for long. Some of these had letter heads. Tilak fabricated the bills with the patronage of the Professor. Gladly they gave him fifty rupee notes. Tilak told Abhiram to meet the professor. As he entered the room, the peer stood up. As Abhiram touched his feet, he said, remember, if a lie saves somebody, there is nothing wrong in it.
Written By : Dipankar
