The Day The State Split Asunder-13

Swamiji returned home after finishing his morning routine at Imran's tea point. He sat down on his chair in the drawing-room as cool as a cucumber and wrapped himself in studying 'The Bhagavad Gita' book. Having read it for over a hundred times in his lifetime, he still asserts the book is teaching him a new lesson whenever he reads it.

His faithful servant Raju prepared his breakfast by nine and placed the plate containing four idlis along with his favorite mango pickle on the table beside his chair. Swamiji stood up and racked the sacred book onto the shelf and went back to his chair to have his breakfast.

Raju switched on the television, put on the news channel HBN-7, and walked off to the Kitchen. The news channel was live-streaming the visuals of Georgepet village where Arjun and his team took part in the gun battle against the Naxals.

"Raju, come here once," said Swamiji.

Raju presented himself before his master and said - "Yes, sir."

"Do you have any idea about where Georgepet is?" asked Swamiji while breaking the idli into two halves, "Is it in East Godavari or West?"

"Georgepet, it is located close to Rampachodavaram Agency Area in East Godavari District, sixty kilometers from Rajahmundry."

"I see, yesterday there was an exchange of fire between the police and the Naxals," he dressed the idli with the pickle and placed it in his mouth, "Poor guys."

"Why are you worried about them? They are of no use to this nation," said Raju, "Even one police officer also lost his life."

"Raju, if you probe into the circumstances which compelled them to join those radical groups, you will never talk like that. I interviewed many Maoists in my life. These government policies and actions made education the property of rich people. Farmers don't get a decent price for their crops. Below the belt, kins of politicians grab the lands of innocent people and when you approach the police station to complain, the authorities will never file your complaint. They are not getting justice and they are becoming terrorists, murderers, and criminals."

He paused for a moment to drink water.

"Twenty years ago, I interviewed one of the senior Maoist leaders Anjaneyulu in Nalamalla forest. In one of his statements he said - 'Children of doctors want their kid to be a doctor, Children of engineers want their children to become an engineer, but a farmer never aspires to make his child a farmer. What will happen if ten million farmers harbor the same thought of not pulling their kids into farming? There is no question, it is the apocalypse. This is the reason we are fighting for.'"

"That's correct," said Raju, "Those who have money only they can afford to study. My nephew secured a good rank in the Medical Entrance Examination. He dreamed of becoming a doctor. Because of the lack of money, he opened a tea shop." 

"Rich parents are donating millions of rupees to purchase a seat in medical college for their kids. They are becoming doctors and killing people. Our neighbor Navin's son Kumar flunked all entrance examinations. Navin paid five lakhs as a donation at one of the private universities in Tamil Nadu. Even Kindergarten schools are demanding donations, and still, the governments play the role of Dhritarashtra. Do you know why?"

"No sir and how can I apprehend? I am not educated like you."

"Raju," he ate the last piece on the plate, "It is because most of the private colleges, schools and universities are owned by these politicians. Like buying a car, bungalow, and gold, education has become a luxury. But this tragic situation will end only when education and money don't mix."

"I don't think we will witness a day like that," there was a noise from the kitchen, "Oops! I kept the milk on the stove."

Raju rushed into the kitchen. At the same moment, Swamiji got out of his chair and walked into the kitchen, holding the plate in his hand. He dropped it in the sink, washed his hands, and dried his palms with a towel. Raju was chopping the vegetables.

"What are you cooking for lunch?" asked Swamiji.

"Potato fry," said Raju. 

Swamiji returned him with a smile and retired back to his chair in the drawing-room and put himself busy in reading the book 'The Bhagavad Gita'.

A few minutes later his mobile began ringing. He took it out from his breast pocket. It was a call from his beloved student and the owner of the news channel HBN-7 Radha Krishna. With mind-boggling alacrity, he tapped on the answer button.

"Hello Radha, How are you? It's been a long time," his tone reflected with cheerfulness, "Looks like you have forgotten me."

"Sir, why will I forget you? I am doing good. As long as I have your blessings no force in this world can harm me."

"One month is still long for me Radha and how is Shanthi?"

"Yes sir, she is doing well, and I got big news for you."

"What is that Radha?"

"Sir, We are launching a new program in our channel called 'My Life, My Journey' where we take the interviews of celebrities, eminent industrialists, businessmen, and social workers."

"Is it!"

"Yes sir, and today I will interview the Chairman and Managing Director of Godavac Pharma, Dhyaneshwar Prasad."

"What! What are you saying? You will take the interview of Dhyaneshwar?"

"Yes sir, The Chairman of Godavac Pharma agreed to have his interview. His company secured a position in the list of top ten pharma companies in India. I called you to ask whether do you need any specific details from him."

"Radha I need the details of his family and contacts of his secretary, driver, and their addresses."

"Sure, sir-"

"And also to which political party he supports his opinion about Andhra and Telangana dispute. Deal carefully, he is the most dangerous person."

"I will, sir. We will record the interview today and I will send the details to you by the end of the day today."

"Please do it, I will wait with a thousand eyes and Radha if you don't mind, can you ask Shanti to do the interview? Don't put yourself on the sick list for this, it's just about the psychological trick. You are well aware that the probability of a man lying to a woman is lesser than that of a man. Shanti can trick others into confessing."

"Sir, no need to give any explanations, I am your student. With the interviews, I must accept it., I am still wet behind the ears."

"Radha don't underestimate yourself. I promise you before my soul departs from this body, I will make your channel number one."

"Thank you so much, sir. I will ask Shanti to meet you today after the interview and give all the details about Dhyaneshwar."

"So good Radha, at last, you are bringing her home today."

"But I won't be able to join. I have few minor works to sort, but Shanti will be coming."

"I wish you could be present along with her. Try your best."

"Sir, I will catch you later. Bye…"

"God bless you, bye…"

He was in a state of blissful happiness. In short, the noontide struck the day and after completing his lunch, he takes a quick nap of one hour, but today he didn't feel like sleeping. He put on the Kurta-Pyjama and knocked on the doors of his neighbor Rekha, who stays on the same floor. Rekha's eldest daughter, Megha, a teenage girl, cultivated a deep interest in investigative journalism inspired by Swamiji. He requested Megha to come along with him to select a saree for his favorite student Shanti at nearby Ankit Patel's garment store.

Megha agreed to help him in purchasing the saree and they both walked into the Ankit Patel's garment store. She selected a beautiful red colored Kanchi pattu saree embroidered with floral designs.

By the time he reached home, it was four. He has been checking the clock every ten minutes, moving back and forth pendulously from his balcony to the drawing-room, unable to control the anxiety.

"Raju, come here once."

Raju presented himself before Swamiji.

"Go to Balaji Sweet Shop and get one-kilogram Jalebi and onion Pakodi. Shanthi likes it a lot," he gave the five hundred rupee note to Raju, "And also Samosa and Kachori."

Raju stepped out carrying a jute bag in his hand and returned after thirty minutes with his bag full of snacks, filling the hallway with the smells of sweet Jalebi and masala pakodi.

Swamiji pulled the chair to the balcony and was observing the passers-by on the road. A white colored BMW-X5 car entered the street and stopped in front of his building. From the rear door emerged a thirty-five-year-old woman, dressed in Orange colored saree with her hair let loose. His eyes twinkled with happiness. 

"Raju… Shanti has come…" he hurled towards the drawing-room with a jaunty and exhilarated air.

Shanti removed her footwear near the doorstep and walked in. Swamiji was standing straight in front of him. She fell on his feet to take his blessings.

"God bless you," his voice overflowed with energy, "You look the same."

"Thank you, sir, but you look so emaciated."

"As you can see, I am counting my days," he pushed a wooden chair in her direction, "As age progresses so does the body."

"Sir, why do you talk like that? A lot of events are remaining for you to see," said Shanti while making herself comfortable on the chair, "You always used to tell us that age is to the mind but not to the body."

"Let's not talk about age," his tone became low, "Let's have some snacks."

Raju bought two plates with snacks and placed it on the table in between.

"Have it," said Swamiji, "You love Jalebi, isn't it?"

"Yes sir, I like it, but I can't eat it right now. The sugar syrup from the sweet can stain my saree and washing it requires a big effort. I will take it home."

"It's better you take it home. Raju will pack it in a box," he laughed, "How did the interview go?"

"Sir, it was amazing. Radha wanted to take the interview. At the last minute, he asked me to do it."

"Shanti did you get to know the details about his family, the political party which he supports, and his opinion about the Andhra-Telangana dispute?"

"He lives in Jubilee hills along with his wife and son. He even has a daughter. His son is the secretary of the company and his daughter got married two years ago and is now living in Australia."

Shanti gave him the entire details that she gathered through the interview.

"Shanthi, you crossed my expectations. I am proud of you, my child. I am feeling so happy today that I cannot find the words to describe it," his face was beaming brightly, "I am feeling as if I had won a lottery. The information which I couldn't gather you just pulled it from Dyaneshwars tongue."

"Sir, if you don't mind, may I ask you one question?"

"Sure, why not?"

"You have already crossed sixty and earning a good sum of pension to support yourself. Why don't you back out from your revenge?"

There was a frown on his face, and a smile vanished from his face.

"Don't call it an act of revenge. It is a fight for justice. You might think I am taking revenge to satisfy my ego. But it's not the case. That bloody bastard killed my best friend, Akella Raghavendra. He even grabbed his land. Ten families have lost their breadwinners."

"All you need in this age is a peaceful life-"

"God gave me a second chance of life only to finish the unfinished work. I already drafted the plan. I need two people in this mission - a sincere police officer and a man who will take any risks," he remained silent and motionless for a few seconds, "Now forget about it. I will take care of the rest. How is your son Vishnu?"

"He is becoming naughty day by day. Last month we joined him in the Kindergarten at RSS International School."

"How much is the fee?"

"Forty thousand."

"Forty Thousand!" he exclaimed in a loud tone, placing his hands on his chest, "Does the school teach Quantum Mechanics and Rocket Science from the Kindergarten level?"

"Sir it's just Kindergarten."

"Then why the hell they are collecting forty thousand to teach alphabets and numbers. These educational institutions have become a mafia."

"This is not the only school that charges the exorbitant amount. There are many other schools."

"The Britishers imposed the education system in India. They wanted to create a population of education clerks and coolies. We attained independence in 1947, but the government did little to change the education system in India and we have many flaws in our education system. Over 500 million people in India still do not have access to primary education."

"Sir, you have given me an idea. I will create a documentary on our Indian Educational System. The average educated man knows nothing whatever of the theory and modus operandi of it."

"This is wonderful. Please do it. I will give you the contacts of the activists who have been fighting for a long time with the governments to introduce the reforms."

"Sure sir, And I am delighted to meet you after a long time. It's time for me to leave. I have a little devil waiting for me," she stood up and slung the handbag on her shoulder, "I will meet you again, sir."

"Just wait for a minute," he rushed into his bedroom and came back carrying a saree, "Take it, this is for you."

"Sir, What's the need for this?"

He forcibly put it in her hand and said - "You look like my mother and even her name is also Shanti."

To be continued...