SIWAN BIHAR 1 and 2

1 and 2

1. FB 27 06 18

In the last few weeks  I got a lot of FB friends – almost all from Canbank family – most of them from other states all over India- north, east west and south.

Obviously most of them cannot read Tamil .So I thought of posting my thoughts in English.  Of course I cannot be fluent in  English .Yet I wanted  to make a trial

To begin with I will rewrite in in English what I have put in Tamil in my Blog about places like Bihar, Punjab, Chandigarh ,Jammu Kerala and Karnataka

It will not be a translation- just a rewriting

I request my Canbank friends express their views freely

First

BIHAR SIWAN

On elevation to scale II in Canara Bank some 30 and odd years back I was transferred to Siwan Bihar.

Despite odds and difficulties in going to an unknown place, I really enjoyed my 7 months stay in Siwan

The following are still lingering in my memory

-The bitterest cold I have ever experienced. Even this I was able to enjoy – I was just 34

- Very healthy climate. When I went to Tamilnadu from Bihar my relatives were surprised as I have grown 10 years younger. Particularly my hair has turned totally Black

-Very cheap, tasty and fresh food and snacks

- Very rich in natural and human resources

-daily power cut for 23 hours – supply only from  12 midnight to 1 AM

-very good company in branch – SM from Gujarat, one mgr and officer from Tamilnadu, two officers from Bihar, each one from Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra

- Generally good natured people.

When I was transferred from Siwan after a short stint of 7 months, all my colleagues, right from Senior Manager to Sub staff came to Railway Station , carried my luggage to train and bid me a farewell 

Above all one incident in Bihar I cannot forget and always quote this with Pride

What is that ?

Wait for a week  

Siwan Bihar -2

FB 03 07 18

It was a pleasant day,. bitter winter just passing and spring season entering. And I was caught alone in Siwan in a continuous spell of holidays – all my colleagues having gone to their native places

After breakfast I went for a stroll. On the way I saw a cinema theatre. I purchased a ticket and went in and occupied the seat. My knowledge of Hindi was almost Zero. Yet somehow I understood that it may take about another hour to begin the show

So I decided to continue my stroll and came out. At the entrance  one was selling lemon tea. It will be delicious in the pleasantly cold morning.

I took one cup paid him one rupee and continued to walk. After some distance I felt that somebody is following me. My heart came out when I turned and saw who it is. A man with hectic figure and wearing just a langode  in his waist- the lemon tea seller was coming fast after me.

I felt I have done some gross mistake. My imagination went wild. No body to help me. No colleagues to inform my family if something serious happens to me. I stepped up my speed to jogging level but he also increased his speed. At one stage I couldn’t go further and stopped

He came near me and offered Namaste with folded hands I compared it to garlanding a sacrificial animal and was mentally prepared for the assault.

He just put 50 paisa coin into my hand, turned up and walked away.

What has happened! It took me a few seconds to realize the reality.

The cost of the tea is just 50 paisa and I have paid him one rupee. Just to pay me the balance he has run after me for 10 minutes ignoring the large crowd waiting for tea.

What a noble man! What a honesty! What Innocence!

I felt ashamed that I had a wrong notion about a man of high esteem.

In my confusion I have not even thanked him.

It is a matter of 50 paisa. But this small amount made me think very high about, that man, Siwan, Bihar India and mankind as a whole.

This posting is my mental tribute to that man whom I don’t know even by name

Blog Address

sherfuddinp.blogspot.com

FB B 03 07 2018