Habits never die
During service, I never knew that retired professionals would be very much sought after to advise various government organisations. I was under the impression that once retired, the person is a spent force and there would not be any one seeking the help from such an individual who had led an easy life with a guaranteed job ,assured promotion prospects and a tidy sum as a monthly pension.
I was thoroughly mistaken.
A day after bidding farewell to colleagues, seniors and subordinates from the department where I worked, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from the government to join as a consultant to advise the newly set-up Task Force on the various aspects on the subject ‘water’.
When I reached the new office, I was happy to find that there were 3 more consultants to keep me company, Mr.Yadav, Mr.Karmarker and Mr. Kapur, all retired professionals from different government organisations, having years of experience in the subject. A 10 A.M.to 5 P.M. job, we were to study the specified projects spread all over the country to come out with recommendations to optimise the productivity of water. The job involved analysis and evaluation of data spread over hundreds of files and reports. A secretariat was entrusted with the job of providing us the requisite logistical support, arranging meetings of the Task Force, etc. We were to chalk out our own work schedules to meet the targets set by the Chairman, a former Union Minister .
The earlier experience of working in government departments came handy to us in organising our work. We unanimously decided that during the working hours, our tea-break would be for only 15 minutes from 11 A.M., lunch for 30 minutes from 1 P.M., and evening tea for 15 minutes from 3 P.M. It was also decided that during these breaks, as far as possible, we should sit at one place to discuss common issues.
It was during one such tea breaks, Mr. Rao, one of the serving officer in an apex organisation dropped in, to get certain aspects on water allocation among the states, clarified.
“The usual tea-break?”, Rao jocularly quizzed. “If I were in your position, I would have had my tea alone, away from the probing eyes of the public. I would not prefer consultants to be branded as idlers gossiping away their time, taking breaks”
“Why, what is wrong in just having a cup of tea together?’ , we asked in unison, surprised at the way Rao put it.
“I would like to narrate a story which appeared in a week-end magazine recently on the subject”, Rao said in defence.
“A lawyer, who claimed that he had done some good things in life, on death, presented himself before the Heavenly gate, demanding entry.
“Sorry, your records show that you are to go to Hell”, the gate keeper said after scanning the reports.
“I have done good things also in life”, the lawyer said. “Have you forgotten to enter them?”
“Those deeds are also there in the records”, the gate keeper replied.” Hence you get a choice, an option to select the type of hell you would prefer to go, the American, German or Indian type.”
Finding that arguments had no place there, the lawyer asked. “Can I at least have a look at each of the place, before I finally select the one of my choice?”
“Certainly”. A guide was arranged immediately to show the places to the lawyer.
“While on earth, the layer’s ambition, like many Indians, was to go to USA”, Rao continued with his story finding that we were absorbing every word of his with keen interest. “Since he was coming from India, he first preferred to see the American hell.”
“How do they treat the people here?”, the lawyer asked the Guide.
“They firstly put the guy on that electric chair and once the body is well-burnt, they put him on that bed located near by, where you find many brass spikes glistening”, the Guide pointed out. “When the burnt body sinks deep into the spikes, a designated officer, comes with a lash to whip. However, the officer has to follow the rule that the whipping is restricted only to the leg area.”
The advocate did not want to hear the torture story further. He requested his companion to show him the German hell.
The guide showed him the interior of the German hell, the location of the electric chair, the spiked bed and the lash kept near by, all looking similar to what he saw earlier.
“The only difference here is that the designated officer is always drunk, and he does not follow any rule while whipping.”
‘The advocate was stunned and desired to see the Indian hell as well.
‘There was a long Q at the entrance to the Indian hell. Here also a Q, the advocate could not believe. He asked one in the Q the reason for it.
“Even though here also the standard electric chair, the bed , the lash, etc. are there, Indian conditions prevail and hence the long Q”, the waiting man replied.
“ But, why the rush here?’, the advocate could not contain his curiosity.
“The reason is that the electric chair does not work since there is no electricity. One has only to sit on the chair for the designated period.”
“But what about the bed? How to suffer lying on those spikes?”
“Nothing to worry. The spikes have been stolen by some one. Now a Committee is looking into that. After the Committee submits the Report, that would be examined in due course and there after, a Purchase Committee would be constituted to purchase the material as per prescribed procedures, by inviting tenders etc. Till then, no problem with the bed”. The person consoled him.
“But then, how to survive the fellow coming with a lash?”
“ No difficulty at all’, the person said.”The chap was formerly a consultant with the government and has been assigned this duty here. But his earlier habit continues; he comes, signs the attendance register kept in that corner and goes to the canteen to sip tea, till he is called to attend to the next case and sign the register. No suffering here and hence the long Q”
Rao concluded his story.
“Now you can have a rethink on your work schedules and habits, if you prefer", he said, while bidding us good-bye.
(Sanku Purana)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Film on Mahabharat
Sub: Maha Problems for a ‘Mahabharat’ Film
I have been wondering why, while many great classics could make their way to celluloid with a big bang, our great epic, Mahabharat, could not find an honourable place among them. Recently, my friend Raj , a film producer and director in his own right, told me how his attempts to make a film on this great work was thwarted by an incorrigible bureaucracy , who wanted many impossible changes to be made in the script before according the requisite approval. He showed me a copy of the letter he received from the concerned authorities directing him to make major changes in the script, for their further consideration.
Needless to say that the producer decided not to waste his money on an epic modified to suit the present day needs!
I am giving the full text of the letter below.
It is for readers like you to judge
.
Sub: Approval for the script on ’ Mahabharat’.
Ref; Your letter no.nil, dated 1st April, 2009.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to your above letter seeking approval for the script to make a film on ‘Mahabharat’ based on the original story authored, according to you, by Vyasa. As copy right issues are involved, you were requested by this office letter of even no. dated 15th September,2009 to furnish this office with the original text based on which the script has been written and also the original author’s ‘no objection certificate’ for making the film. Even in spite of many reminders, you have not sent the details sought; but now, vide your recent letter no. nil dated 20th January,2010, you have informed of a practical difficulty in submitting the original text as it is scribbled on tree barks years ago and also that the author is not alive at present, neither he has any heir.
The difficulties furnished by you have been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law and it has been decided that it would be adequate if you could furnish a photocopiy of the original, duly attested by a Gazetted Officer. Hence immediate action may be taken to submit the same.
It is also to request you to make the following changes/modifications etc. in the script as advised by the concerned Ministries /Departments/ Organisations / NGOs, etc. and resubmit the revised script.
In the script submitted, it is detailed that there are 101 children (called Kauravas) born to one Gandhari and 5 children (Pandavas) born to Kunthi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken objection to such a depiction since this would send a wrong message to the public, particularly in view of the government spending millions for promoting family planning. Hence the numbers could be reduced to, say, three for Kauravas and one for Pandavas, to meet the basic needs of the story.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has observed that the process of birth shown for Kaurava siblings is suggestive of a type of human cloning, a technology banned in India. Hence this episode be modified to show a normal delivery. However, the artificial insemination process shown for the birth of Pandava kids is a legally permitted method and hence, is acceptable.
The National Commission for Women has objected to the part where the father of Pandavas, Sri Pandu, is practising bigamy; similarly,the Pandavas are shown sharing one wife, Draupathy. These characterisations are not acceptable and need to be changed. However, if the number of Pandavas, is reduced to one, there would not be any objection about Draupathy’s portrayal as the wife of that Pandava.
A Capital city called Indraprastha is being shown as under construction, after putting an entire forest to flames. This depiction justifying construction by clearing forests has been objected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and hence needs to be suitably modified.
Also, the Ministry has observed that at many places the character of Krishna has been portrayed as one wearing a peacock feather. Peacock being our national bird, any such illustration with people using peacock feather to promote themselves is an offence under the Wild life Protection Act, 1972. Hence, such depiction should be avoided.
Pandavas and Kauravas are shown frequently engaged in playing the game of dice which is not legally acceptable, as it may encourage betting. However, for keeping up the tempo of the story, they could be shown as taking part in horse-racing , since that sport is not treated as gambling, according to the Ministry of Law.
The Department of Women and Child Development has pointed out that the event describing the public disrobing of Draupathy is objectionable and derogatory to women in general. Also, the Ministry of Home Affairs feels that this may create a law and order situation. Such scenes also invite penal action under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. Hence this part may be deleted from the script.
The script shows that the Pandavas are working in King Virat’s employment without any salary and allowances. According to Human rights Commission, this act tantamounts to justification of bonded labour system and may attract provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Hence it would be advisable to have a scene in the film wherein the terms and conditions of the employment are read out to these workers, indicating their salary and allowances as also pensionary benefits including family pension, etc. to show that their employment is with an ideal employer, like a government agency. Necessary corrections as suggested may be incorporated.
In the Kurukshetra war, a young boy, Abhimanyu,(age below 18), has been shown engaged in fighting. The National Labour Commission has observed that war being a hazardous industry, such an illustration is indicative of forced child labour and hence violates the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986. This episode may be deleted.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has pointed out that usage of elephants and horses in war scenes attract provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and hence suitable changes may be made in the script to address these objections.
It may also be portrayed suitably that those who participated in the war had valid licenses under the relevant Arms Act.
The script may be modified on the above lines and the revised script along with an attested copy of the original text may be resubmitted for our consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Under Secretary)
(Adapted from the document -“Pensioners Mahabharatha” -by Sri V. Natarajan, a pensioner)
I have been wondering why, while many great classics could make their way to celluloid with a big bang, our great epic, Mahabharat, could not find an honourable place among them. Recently, my friend Raj , a film producer and director in his own right, told me how his attempts to make a film on this great work was thwarted by an incorrigible bureaucracy , who wanted many impossible changes to be made in the script before according the requisite approval. He showed me a copy of the letter he received from the concerned authorities directing him to make major changes in the script, for their further consideration.
Needless to say that the producer decided not to waste his money on an epic modified to suit the present day needs!
I am giving the full text of the letter below.
It is for readers like you to judge
.
Sub: Approval for the script on ’ Mahabharat’.
Ref; Your letter no.nil, dated 1st April, 2009.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to your above letter seeking approval for the script to make a film on ‘Mahabharat’ based on the original story authored, according to you, by Vyasa. As copy right issues are involved, you were requested by this office letter of even no. dated 15th September,2009 to furnish this office with the original text based on which the script has been written and also the original author’s ‘no objection certificate’ for making the film. Even in spite of many reminders, you have not sent the details sought; but now, vide your recent letter no. nil dated 20th January,2010, you have informed of a practical difficulty in submitting the original text as it is scribbled on tree barks years ago and also that the author is not alive at present, neither he has any heir.
The difficulties furnished by you have been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law and it has been decided that it would be adequate if you could furnish a photocopiy of the original, duly attested by a Gazetted Officer. Hence immediate action may be taken to submit the same.
It is also to request you to make the following changes/modifications etc. in the script as advised by the concerned Ministries /Departments/ Organisations / NGOs, etc. and resubmit the revised script.
In the script submitted, it is detailed that there are 101 children (called Kauravas) born to one Gandhari and 5 children (Pandavas) born to Kunthi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken objection to such a depiction since this would send a wrong message to the public, particularly in view of the government spending millions for promoting family planning. Hence the numbers could be reduced to, say, three for Kauravas and one for Pandavas, to meet the basic needs of the story.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has observed that the process of birth shown for Kaurava siblings is suggestive of a type of human cloning, a technology banned in India. Hence this episode be modified to show a normal delivery. However, the artificial insemination process shown for the birth of Pandava kids is a legally permitted method and hence, is acceptable.
The National Commission for Women has objected to the part where the father of Pandavas, Sri Pandu, is practising bigamy; similarly,the Pandavas are shown sharing one wife, Draupathy. These characterisations are not acceptable and need to be changed. However, if the number of Pandavas, is reduced to one, there would not be any objection about Draupathy’s portrayal as the wife of that Pandava.
A Capital city called Indraprastha is being shown as under construction, after putting an entire forest to flames. This depiction justifying construction by clearing forests has been objected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and hence needs to be suitably modified.
Also, the Ministry has observed that at many places the character of Krishna has been portrayed as one wearing a peacock feather. Peacock being our national bird, any such illustration with people using peacock feather to promote themselves is an offence under the Wild life Protection Act, 1972. Hence, such depiction should be avoided.
Pandavas and Kauravas are shown frequently engaged in playing the game of dice which is not legally acceptable, as it may encourage betting. However, for keeping up the tempo of the story, they could be shown as taking part in horse-racing , since that sport is not treated as gambling, according to the Ministry of Law.
The Department of Women and Child Development has pointed out that the event describing the public disrobing of Draupathy is objectionable and derogatory to women in general. Also, the Ministry of Home Affairs feels that this may create a law and order situation. Such scenes also invite penal action under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. Hence this part may be deleted from the script.
The script shows that the Pandavas are working in King Virat’s employment without any salary and allowances. According to Human rights Commission, this act tantamounts to justification of bonded labour system and may attract provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Hence it would be advisable to have a scene in the film wherein the terms and conditions of the employment are read out to these workers, indicating their salary and allowances as also pensionary benefits including family pension, etc. to show that their employment is with an ideal employer, like a government agency. Necessary corrections as suggested may be incorporated.
In the Kurukshetra war, a young boy, Abhimanyu,(age below 18), has been shown engaged in fighting. The National Labour Commission has observed that war being a hazardous industry, such an illustration is indicative of forced child labour and hence violates the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986. This episode may be deleted.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has pointed out that usage of elephants and horses in war scenes attract provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and hence suitable changes may be made in the script to address these objections.
It may also be portrayed suitably that those who participated in the war had valid licenses under the relevant Arms Act.
The script may be modified on the above lines and the revised script along with an attested copy of the original text may be resubmitted for our consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Under Secretary)
(Adapted from the document -“Pensioners Mahabharatha” -by Sri V. Natarajan, a pensioner)
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