Behind The Screen…

Ramesh was watching the national news on television and listening to the Prime Minister of the country. Every Sunday morning the honorable PM speaks to the countrymen. This Sunday honorable PM was a bit emotional and was discussing the noble work done by late Parthasarathy, who was a very close friend of Ramesh. Tears are too rolling down from the eyes of Ramesh. Lovingly all the friends call him Partha. Ramesh was very close to Partha during the school days. Both of them used to play cricket and participate in interschool debate competitions. Partha was very talented and a great motivator. They had spent six years together in the same school. After school, they were separated as Partha had gone to a different city for further study. There was no communication between them. Ramesh had completed his education and became a marketing professional. Partha was also after completing his education joined the civil service. Ramesh got married and was blessed with one son and one daughter. Ramesh lost his wife when his son was in his last year of engineering and his daughter was in 12th. Now along with the professional pressure the responsibility of his children had made him so busy that he couldn’t have any time to think about any other things. Now Ramesh had reached the level of General Manager and taking care of all Indian operations of a leading garment company. Ramesh heard from other friends about Partha and seen his picture twice in the newspaper along with the P M. Sometimes Ramesh used to think to contact Partha, but the long gap of 36 years stops him from doing so. His old memory with Partha always gives him the motivation to face the toughest times of life.

Just 5 years back Ramesh was traveling to Delhi and saw one gentleman sat in the front seat of the same flight. Ramesh could feel that he had seen this gentleman somewhere. He was just going through his memory lane and saw the gentleman turned back and asked him,’’ Excuse me, Is there Times of India newspaper in your sit pocket?’’ Then Ramesh caught the voice. The voice was very similar to Partha’s voice. He looked back to the gentleman while handing over the newspaper and asked,’’ Excuse me Sir, are you, Mr. Parthasarathy?’’ Then he saw a smile on the gentleman’s face and he was saying,’’ Yes, my dear Ramesh. I don’t want the newspaper. I wanted to check whether you are recognizing me or not. After a long time, we are meeting. I am delighted. You had not changed. I could recognize you. ‘’ Ramesh was so happy that he stood up and both of them hugged each other. Partha told,’’ we will have a great time after this flight will be landed. There are so many things we have to discuss. I missed you for such a long period.’’ Ramesh replied, ’Yes we had missed each other for a long time. We will talk.’’ The flight landed at the airport. Before taking their luggage’s Ramesh told,’’ I came here on an official trip and my hotel room is been booked by the company I am working with.’’ Then Partha said,’’ That’s fine dear. We can sit in this restaurant and discuss for some time. I have to also leave for London on an official trip tonight.’’ Both of them sat in the restaurant and order two cups of coffee. They discuss their family and profession. They exchanged their contact numbers. Then both of them left for their destinations. Since then, both of them were in contact with each other. Ramesh came to understand that Partha was very busy with various important assignments of government. They used to keep in touch with each other and share personal life with each other. Ramesh was very happy to know that his friend is playing a very important role in executing the government’s plans. When the other friends used to talk that Partha had forgotten the friends, he is detaching himself from friends knowingly, Ramesh tries to convince them that his job had made him so busy that he is not having much time. Others never buy this logic of Ramesh. But Ramesh knew what Partha is? Partha told him that this government is now going to restructure the hospitals and open new hospitals in all states to provide free health facilities to the common people. This workload is very important for him as the majority of Indians will be benefited from this. Partha had given his maximum time in making this a success and never bothered for his own health. He had neglected his health checkup. This had made him to had a Sevier heart attack and he was admitted to the hospital. But he couldn’t survive and passed away just ten days before.

Ramesh shared this news with other friends, but some felt very bad and some just tried to avoid it. This had given a big shock to Ramesh. Now when the honorable PM of the country is saying about him and mentioned that the country had lost a great hero, Ramesh felt very sorry for his friends who had misunderstood Partha to date. He was crying because his friend had lost his life while busy serving the countrymen. He was Behind The Screen of the success story of the country’s new health project. He is no more in this world but had made this project a big success to save crores of citizens of this country. His sacrifice is now been remembered by the PM of the country and other great leaders. Ramesh was feeling very proud of his friend Partha, who was always thinking for the better and healthy life of all citizens. He was never been recognized when he was alive, but now in his absence, all are remembering his sacrifice and works. It’s a great loss to his family and friend as they lost him, but his great deeds will always keep him alive forever.