Honesty prevailed, Temptation lost

At the start of this year, I decided to treat myself with a new cellphone. Given that I am one of the worst informed souls around when it comes to these gizmos, I decided to seek help from few friends at IIMA campus like Satyaki (Chatta) and Narayanan (Dastak). Since both of them owned Motorazr, I almost decided to buy one for myself. I coerced one of my friends to accompany me to a nearby Croma where I got the all new Motorazr v3i Black. But, all this is history, why am I bothering you with all this???

Because I was on the verge of losing it, not once but twice - that too on consecutive days in last week.

On the first day, I went for a meeting with my colleagues and on my way back, I left the phone in my colleague's car. Since I had taken an auto to reach home from where my colleague had dropped me, there was no way for me to ascertain where did I lose my lovely, Motorazr? But, thanks to Ankur and Rajesh, my blackberry had a message informing me about the incident even before I had a chance to start worrying about it.

But, as they say, some people always learn it the hard way. And, I did not wait too long for receiving another lesson, a tougher one.

I again lost it the next day and this time again, I had no clue whether I left it at office or in an auto while coming back home. And, as my fate would have it, it was in the auto. I indeed got my lesson, was really anxious and tried calling the cellphone. Every second while it was ringing, it kept my hopes alive of regaining the phone and finally at last, someone picked it up and told me that he was at Kurla station and was with the auto driver in whose auto I had left the phone.

I immediately got one auto and reached the station, mumbling prayers on my way. The person waited for me at the Hanuman Mandir near the station and was kind to return it.

This incident taught me a clear lesson about my carelessness and I will definitely try not to repeat such mistakes. But, apart from the lesson, I also got a chance to witness the honesty and integrity of poor people like this auto driver in India who value their conscience, way higher than money.

The phone is worth 6-7K and he could have easily fetched money equivalent to his weekly income had he fallen under the temptation.

I am glad that Honesty prevailed, temptation lost

Reservation and common man

Yes, I know this is what you are thinking - has reservation become my pet topic? Though I can write on other issues but something happened that instigated me to write about this topic once again.

There is a small shop near my house which is run by Mr. X, who is a gujjar from rajasthan by caste. He knows that I am a native of Rajasthan and for some unknown reason, thinks that I have some connection with media.

I went to his shop some 3 weeks after Rajasthan govt. granted additional 5% reservation to Gujjars. He welcomed me with a smirk and quipped, "aap media wale chahe kitna hungama kiye, lekin hum logon ko bhi paanch taka (5%) mil hi gaya".

I know this guy has moved with his full family, lock, stock and barrel to mumbai and may be does not go to Rajasthan even once a year. This reservation is hardly going to bring an iota of change in his life but his happiness knew no bounds.

Since this common man is the one who decides the government, it is no surprise that all the political parties have queued up to pander to unreasonable and unsustainable demands of these so-called backward castes.

God save the talent of this nation !!!