There
are acquaintances.
There
are friends.
Then...there
is Bharati.
It
is impossible to be good to everyone; whatever you do, it is ceratin that some
people will probably say unpleasant things about you.
The
doctors start learning being a doctor by the famous oath "Primum non
nocere"
We
try to live our lives the same way.
Middle
class, god fearing, upbringing coupled with a honest to a fault father in one
of the most corrupt government instituitions possible, left an early mark on
the value of honesty and integrity which continued as a guiding pole star in
your tumultuous life.
When
your father was held in greater esteem post retirement whilst his erstwhile
prosperous colleagues were treated with outright scorn, it resolved the early mark
into a lifelong practice.
It
was rather easy, as the practice was not a performance to an audience but
emanated from within.
A
way of life, so to say.
Years
passed. The father is no more. The chosen path did not give any material
benefits.
Temptations
were always abound.
But
a steely determination held on.
Recently
one of my recent colleagues moved places and happened to work with another
colleague of mine from yesteryears.
It
is impossible to be good to everyone;
Thus
it came as no surprise that the earlier colleague from years gone by mentioned,
in a cahnce conversation, an observation that questioned my character and
integrity.
My
recent colleague, ever the timid person, 11 times out of 10 demonstrating
decorum, was left flabbergasted.
He
was rehearsing proper statements that would convey indignation while not losing
semblance of civil behaviour.
Elli
Wallach famously quoted in the timeless
"The Good Bad and the Ugly". shooting from underwater from a
bathtub
"When
you gotta shoot, shoot; Don't talk"
Bharati,
wife of my recent colleague, unknown to herself, is a disciple of Elli Wallach.
She
stood up, bristled (it takes little to bristle her up anyway) and said
"We
do not know if you know him well. But we know him. What you say is
impossible"
And
walked out gracefully.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
-- Bharati.
I
am not basking in this as a show of compliment. It is a vindication of what my
father stood for and managed to impart to me.
Thanks,
Dad.
Superb.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you get caught in the process of helping somebody or due to work pressure,never realising the consewuences ,as we stand by our principle of doing your duty and helping the person in need.
But yeah,never compromise on the principles and be honest :-)
Thank you bharati bhabi.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gesture to boldly say the truth.
Any body from Mukand that I know?
ReplyDeleteNever slander anyone in public by name :)
DeleteNever slander anyone in public by name :)
Delete