He was a fixture at the campus.. it was difficult not to notice him if you had stayed at the university campus for a decent amount of time… beneath the tough exterior he tried to portray to people he wasnt familiar with, was a kind hearted gentleman. when i knew him first, he was in charge of the university’s security, a routine job, because at that time, kerala was not called “god’s own country”, and therefore it existed as one…
but i knew him better as the man who used to do a whole lot of jobs for us – paying water and electricity bills, getting my dad’s license renewed etc.. his ‘consultancy’ fees were fixed and not at all exorbitant.. and it came with a broad grin. the reason you noticed him was his mannerisms, they were funny, and i used to be able to imitate him pretty well and everyone had a good laugh over these performances, little goodnatured fun…
a long time later, when i had to get my license done, it was the same man who did it for me…i learnt that, as far as liasoning with government personnel went, he was the best and could get practically any job done with his contacts.. his modus operandi was simple, based on a huge network of people for whom he had done little jobs for, and who wouldnt mind doing him a favour.
i also learnt that his two sons were well educated now, and settled abroad. they had repeatedly asked him to stop doing his odd jobs, but he had refused. it was clear that he didnt need the money, for his rates were even more nominal now, sometimes as ridiculous as a diary or a folder. besides he had a good pension and his sons regularly sent him money.someone once asked him why he still did this, specially since he was getting old. he flashed his trademark grin, and said that it made him happy to make other people’s life easier.
in a world where the lunches were becoming increasingly costly, he was a man who gave buffets almost for free… an old man, with old school values… i still imitate him, better than i did earlier.. sometimes i wish i could imitate his spirit too…
until next time, dont imitate, innovate..
