Adventures with Chamuk [Chapter-2]

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I took morning flight from Delhi and landed on Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport which is also called as Sonegaon Airport at 8:00 AM. Chamuk was staying in Hotel Pride which is at walk able distance from airport.

I entered the hotel and went to reception.

Yes Sir? – One fair receptionist in bright red sari asked me.

In which room Mr. Mogh… Mr. Chamuk Mogh is staying?

She cheeked her computer. ‘Sorry Sir, can you repeat the name?’

‘Mr. Mogh…..Chamuk Mogh from US.’

‘Room No. 3011, third floor’ – she said.

‘Can you connect me to the room?’ she dialed the number and handed over the receiver to me.

Some one with sweet voice said ‘Hello’ from other side.

‘Hello – can I speak to Chamuk, I am Ani’ I said

‘Just hold for a moment….Chams, I think Ani has arrived.’

‘Good Morning! So you reached, come, come upstairs to my room, we can have breakfast together.’

‘Yes, I need it badly.’ I said and put the phone.

Chamuk opened the door. I was shocked.

He was not what I was expecting. He had become fat, overweight and heavy with very little hairs remaining on his head. He hugged me and I was squeezed.

‘Oho….! Ani you have not changed’ – Chamuk said.

‘But you have!! Control yaar! What is this? If I had met you accidentally some were else, I would not have recognized you, really.’

‘Meet her, Pushpika, my wife’ – Chamuk said.

‘Namaste Pushpika how are you? How was the journey?’ I asked.

‘Journey was good, come bhaiya pehele nashta karte hai fir baate.

Where is Jayati? She was supposed to come along with you – asked Chamuk.

‘She is staying in next room.’ – I said.

‘What!! What are you are saying? Are you mad?’

‘Yes she reached yesterday night only and staying in next room.’

‘Who? Who is she? ‘- Asked Pushpika.

Chamuk replied – ‘Jayati, his friend, she is coming along with us. We will go by her car; you know they are going to marry soon’

‘Wow that’s great, I will have her company, because you childhood friends will all talk about your childhood stories and I would have got bored.’

‘Okay guys, now it’s time to move, lets checkout, pack your bags in meanwhile I will call Jayati.’ I said.

I knocked next room - Room no. 3012. Jayati opened the door.

contd....

Adventures with Chamuk

Chapter-1

On one fine day in December 2008 I got call from my old friend Chamuk. I was talking to him after 9 years; I was astounded and at the same delighted to hear his voice.

How do you have my number? – I asked.

Chamuk – I read your blogs regularly…I got your number from there.

Ok..ok..that’s great, you read my blogs?…Good! Where are you now days?

I am in United States and I am coming to India soon…with my wife.

I said – Ohooo! Shadi karli aur bataya bhi nahi?

See Ani I called you because…., we will be reaching India on 22nd and we want to visit Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh and we want you to accompany us.

Why not? But just give me some time freind…I will cheek my schedule and call you back by evening…..no no no, I will mail you; give me your mail id.

c.mogh@mcpuff.biz – he said

What is this macpuff? – I asked.

‘Leave it. I will tell you when we reach there’ – Chamuk said.

Chamuk Mogh studied with me till class Eight in Amravati. Amravati is a small city in Maharashtra and boasts of historical temples of Goddess Amba, Lord Shri Krishna and Shri Venkateshwara. His father was a Sanskrit teacher at our school. After my eight grade examination my family left the place and we mostly remain in touch either through letters or phone. Chamuk belongs to Brahmin family; you can say pure (poor) Brahmins (as my father used to say at that time).

Chamuk’s grandfather was priest at Amba Devi temple, an ace body builder and freedom fighter. His grandfather had little contribution in Indian Freedom Struggle for which his whole family never fail to take pride. In 1929, famous freedom fighter Bhagat Singh stayed in Amaravati during his under ground tenure and stayed at local Hanuman Akhada. During those three days Chamuk’s grandfather made all arrangements for his staying and food.

Chamuk’s mother never allows him to eat any thing from my house as we were non-vegetarians. He don’t even attend my Birthday parties in which my mother used to prepare delicious Chicken Biryani for non-vegetarians and idly & Pulao for my vegetarian friends. For any reasons if I had to go to Chamuk’s house, his parents would ask me to sit outside in varandha as I used to wear leather shoe & leather belt which were forbidden in his house. My father used to say - these things are forbidden in their house because they can’t afford it- you understand! I did not have a religious upbringing like Chamuk, in fact, my family encouraged me and my sister to have a questioning mind and opt for the scientific, secular and progressive path, which I think contained the spiritual impulse to address issues that plunge humanity at large.

I cheeked my Microsoft office outlook calendar:

22nd Jan 08, Sunday

9:00 AM – Residence welfare association meeting

10:30 AM – Dentist @ sushant lok

12:00 AM – Ambiance mall with Mondal & Srila

6:00 PM – Painting exhibition @ Gallaria

9:00PM – Dinner @ Omax with Modi Ji

23rd Jan 08, Monday

10:00 AM – Meeting with RS for PMS @ RNY

6:00 PM – Complete presentation

I mailed Chamuk that I can manage only after 24^th and we can meet directly in Nagpur on 25^th. He soon agreed & replied – Okay.

Contd......

Its Easier to Criticize

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciple hood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills. He decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.

He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read-"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying"

Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young disciple couldn't believe it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough. Don't make false hopes..

"Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work." Master interrupted him.

Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.

"Come with me." master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it." Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!

It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behavior it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. Take criticism in your stride; consider that which are genuine and implement those which you think is the best to improve you as a person!!