565. Seeking A Help From the Brother

"Till now, you have not asked for any help from your elder brother. Why don't you ask him just this time? After all, you will be asking his help, only for the higher education of our son" said Sarala.

"I often wonder whether my brother was the same person who grew with me in the same house, played with me and moved close with me. He has changed so much. I don't feel comfortable even to visit him" said Kumaran.

"Siblings, after growing up, do not remain the same they were in childhood. However much your brother two might have moved away from you, I am sure that he has affection for you. Why don't you go to his house and try?" persisted Sarala.

"Affection? His affection for me, his mother, has evaporated after he became rich. Once he had started earning money, he transformed himself into a goblin entrusted with the task of defending his wealth. He has no consideration for me, his mother, who brought him up. He has taken for granted that I will stay with my younger son Kumaran and has never given a thought to ask me to stay in his house, even for a short period. Even when I had stayed in his house for a few days on a couple of occasions, he treated me like an unwanted guest. It was his wife who showed me some kindness, by taking care of my food and other needs. That is why I have stopped going to his house. Is he going to help you? I don't think he will" said Gandhimathi, Kumaran's mother, showing her frustration and anger.

"For what it is worth, I will go to his house and ask for his help. He had been affectionate towards me in the past. I hope some traces of that affection is still present in him."

"Ramesh has got admission in an engineering college. I have to pay a substantial sum at the time of admission, towards admission fees, tuition fees, caution deposit etc.. I need money for this. I have applied for a loan against my provident fund. But it will take a few weeks for the loan to be sanctioned and released. If you can lend me the money now, I will repay it once I get the PF loan. I will be able to manage the fees for the subsequent semesters, from my own resources" said Kumaran.

"Kumaran! People are under the illusion that businessmen have a huge quantity of currency notes stacked in their locker. The reality is different. I have been running my business, by taking a loan from the bank. Sometimes, when my wife asks for a couple of thousand rupees for domestic expenses, I won't have the cash with me. I issue cheques for my suppliers for the goods supplied by them even when there is not sufficient money in the account and send my Manager to the bank to beg the bank officials to pass the cheques, just as you have been hunting for money, after getting admission to your son in an engineering college" said Kumaran's brother Adhi.

Kumaran was at a loss to know how to respond to Adhi's observations.

At that time, a servant reluctantly came into the room and told Adhi, "Sir, People from that orphanage have come again."

"Even when they came here last time, I should have turned down their appeal firmly. I said that I would consider donating sometime in the future, just to avoid saying a firm 'no.' But, taking advantage of my considerate reply, they are pestering me again. Tell them that I am preparing to go on a tour and that I won't be able to see them" Adi told the servant in a stern voice.

He then turned to Kumaran and said, "I hope everybody is fine at home. Hope mother's health is good. Take good care of her. I have to leave to a place urgently."

Kumaran recalled his mother describing Adhi as a goblin guarding his treasure and stood up to leave.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Refraining From Doing Terrifying Things

Verse 565 (in Tamil):

arunchevvi innA mugaththAn perum selvam

pEy kaNdu annadhu udaiththu.

Meaning:

The wealth of a person who is inaccessible and has a harsh countenance resembles a treasure protected by demons.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'aNNanidam kEtta udhavi' by the same author.)

Verse 566 (Soon)
Verse 564

1132. Eyes That Were Waiting

Palani first met Narmada in a cinema theatre.

She was occupying a seat one next to his seat. The seat between the two remained unoccupied, till the film ended.

Since she kept looking at people entering the hall, even several minutes after the movie had started, Pazhani concluded that her companion did not turn up. 

It appeared to Pazhani that when there were some interesting scenes in the film, she turned to his side and looked at him, as if she wanted to share her enjoyment with someone.

During the intermission, she turned to Pazhani and asked him, "Can you do me a favour?"

"Do you want me to get you coffee, tea or some snacks?" asked Pazhani.

She laughted out loudly and said, "No, no. My friend was to give me company, but she didn't turn up. After the film is over, can you please accompany me to the bus stop?"

Wondering why she wanted an escort during the evening time, Pazhani said, "Oh, definitely."

The bus stop was not far from the theatre.

"If a young woman walks alone on the road, some miscreants may create trouble. That is why I asked you to escort me" she said, while they were walking towards the bus stop.

"You appear to be a gentleman" she said, as if she was justifying her seeking his help.

 "It is unusual for a young man like you to come to the theatre alone, without the company of friends" she remarked, as they were walking.

"I asked some of my friends to come along. But they were not interested in watching a Gemini Ganesan* starrer. If it were a Sivaji or MGR film, they would have accepted my invitation, enthusiastically. Why, they would have taken the initiative to go to the movie and dragged me along!"

"So, you are the only fan of the 'King of Romance**' in your group!" she quipped, with a giggle.

"Did you come to this film for the heroine Savitri?" asked Pazhani.

"No. I am also a fan of the 'King of Romance'" she said, smiling at him.

Pazhani wondered whether she was trying to convey any subtle message to him. 

They reached the bus stop.

Driven by the anxiety that her bus could be arriving any time, Pazhani hastened to ask her, "What is your name? I presume you are a college student. In which college are you studying?"

"My name is Narmada. I am s student of B.Sc. (Botany) in Kamakshi College."

Even before she could finish her sentence, her bus had arrived. 

Narmada took leave of him saying, "Thank you. See you!" 

Quite unexpectedly, she extended her hand, gave him a handshake and boarded the bus.

'How will she see me again? She has not even asked me for my name!' thought Pazhani, cursing himself, for having not got her contact details, when he was walking with her from the theatre to the bus stop,

"I wonder whether there will be any other person in this world, matching your stupidity. You should have got her contact details and given her yours, before you reached the bus stop. Instead of doing this, you talked about the 'King of Romance' and missed the chance to affirm your romance" said Pazhani's friend Govind.

"I had just met her. I thought that after I escorted her to the bus stop, we would part as strangers. It was only after we started conversing that I had a feeling that she had a liking for me. By the time, I convinced myself of her interest in me and discovered that I was also interested in her, we had reached the bus stop. The bus arrived immediately and she left. Everything happened so fast."

"If she had a liking for you, she could have skipped the bus and taken the next bus, using the opportunity to converse with you."

"It was a five minute walk from the theatre to the bus stop. Neither of us could have thought and acted the way you expect us to have, within such a short time" said Pazhani, showing his irritation at Govind's  persistence with finding fault with him and the girl.

"But, such a short duration was enough for romance to develop between the two of you!" quipped Govind.

"The romance is real. For the past one month, I have been tormented by my inability to meet her again."

"Did you go to her college and enquire?"

"For one week, I stood outside the college gate at the time the classes ended and looked at the girls coming out. But, I didn't find her. I thought of making enquiries about her, with other students. But I didn't do so, lest it should create a bad impression about her. She herself may not like my doing so. This is not the Sangahm Era***, when one could express one's love openly. This is the year 1962. I should be wary of the ethos of the present times."

"In which college is she studying?"

"Kamakshi College."

Govind's face became brightened. 

"I think Lady Luck has not abandoned you. My fiancee is also studying in that college. She is studying B.Sc. (Chemistry), final year. As you know, our marriage was finalized only last week. Since our marriage had been arranged by our parents, I expressed a desire to talk to the girl, in private. The girl's parents have asked me to come to their house tomorrow. I will ask her to enquire about Narmada."

"I will write a letter to Narmada. Please ask your fiancee to deliver it to her."

"First of all, I am not sure whether my fiancee will be able to locate Narmada. Even if she finds her, delivering a love letter to a person she is not acquainted with may not be appropriate. As you have just mentioned, our society doesn't have a healthy attitude towards love between a boy and a girl. You will remember that in the film 'Kalyana Parisu,' there is a scene showing your favourite hero, the King of Romance, being expelled from the college, for giving a love letter to a girl student!"

"My letter will be very short. I will write it and give it to you now. You can read it and decide whether it is appropriate" said Pazhani.

He then took out a small sheet of paper, wrote a few lines and gave it to Govind.

Govind read out the letter loudly.

"Narmada! After taking you to the bus stop and getting you board the bus, I couldn't meet you again. I will wait for you at the same bus stop, this Sunday at 4 p.m. - Kaththirundha Kangal."

"Instead of writing your name at the end, you have written 'Kaththirundha Kangal!' said Govind.

"That was the title of the film we watched. So, she will understand who has written the letter. Incidentally, the title has the appropriate meaning 'eyes that were waiting for you!'

Pazhani and Narmada met again at the same bus stop, at 4 pm, the next Sunday.

* Gemini Ganesan, Sivaji (Ganesan) and MGR (M G Ramachandran) were popular stars of Tamil films in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

** Gemini Ganesan was called the King of Romance.

*** Sangam Era was an ancient period in which Tamil literature had flourished. Love was a prominent theme in the Sangam literature.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 114
Shedding Shyness

Verse 1132 (in Tamil):
nOnA udambum uyirum madal ERum
nANinai nIkki niRuththu.

Meaning:

Overcoming modesty, the suffering body and soul save themselves by riding on the horse called the letter.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kAtthirundha kaNgaL' by the same author.)

Verse 1133 (Soon)
Verse 1131

564. Came and Went!

"Our new General Manager seems to be highly efficient" said Gangaram, Regional Manager.

"Oh, is that your assessment?" asked Murthy, Executive Secretary to the General Manager.

The two senior executives have been working together in the company, from the time they joined the company, in their young age,

"You should be knowing better. As his Executive Secretary, you have been observing him from close quarters. I am meeting him for the first time."

Before Murthy could respond, his intercom rang. After speaking on the call, he told Gangaram, "He is asking you to come in. All the best."

When Gangaram came out of the General Mamager's cabin after ten minutes, his face was sullen. He came out of the cabin, wiping his face with his handkerchief.

"What, Gangaram? Was the air-conditioner not on?" asked Murthy, suppressing his laughter, with the palm of his right hand.

"When I entered the cabin, I thought that the cooling effect of the air-conditioner was a bit too much,  But in five minutes, I found the atmosphere had become sultry!"

He then came near Murthy and whispered in his ears, "What is this? The man is abrasive. I am meeting him for the first time. Before coming here, I have heard people speaking highly of him. The man seems to be hoarding a vulcano in his mouth. The words coming out of his mouth are like lava bursting out of a vulcano. They also stink like drainage water. How do you manage to work under him?"

"The intercom line to his cabin is open, Your comments would have been heard by him" said Murthy, closing the mouth of the receiver with his palm.

"Oh My God!" exclaimed Gangaram, feeling unnerved.

"Don't worry. I was just kidding" Murthy reassured him. "But, I am worried that hearing your cry, he may come out of his cabin" he added jokingly.

"Thank God! Don't frighten me like this, even for fun!"

"What did he say?"

"My region stands first in turnover and profitability. But he says that my performance is just average. It seems that while he wants to fly at the speed of a jet, I am crawling at the speed of a bullock cart. I don't understand what he wants!"

"Don't mind what he said. Feed your bullocks properly and maintain your bullock cart well. Otherwise, your bullock cart won't move!"

"I am already upset by what the General Manager told me. You are also teasing me! I don't understand how other Regional Managers I spoke to, spoke so well of him."

"It is like the story of a fox that had its tail cut, when it was trapped into a bush. The fox claimed that after it had its tail cut, it was able to see the stars on the sky, even during daytime. Believing it, other foxes also cut their tails, only to realize that the fox had tricked other foxes, so that it won't be the only fox with a truncated tail! Perhaps, you may also tell the people in your office that the new General Manager spoke to you in an encouraging way!"

"Maybe, I will! I am worried how I am going to survive, working under a person like him" said Gangaram, with a sigh.

"He will keep throwing dirt at you. You should learn to skirt and and avoid the dirt falling on you" said Murthy. He then whispered into Gangaram's ears, "You know one thing? This gentleman has been hopping from one company to another. Till now, he has changed six companies. This is the seventh company he is working for. So, we can hope to be rid of him, sooner than later."

"How do you manage to tackle him?" asked Gangaram.

Murthy's intercom sounded. After taking the call, Murthy told Gangaram, "I will go and tackle him!" and stepped into the General Manager's cabin.

After a few months, when Gangaram was in his office, he received a phone call from Murthy.

"What, Murthy? Did the General Manager ask you to summon me?" asked Gangaram, in jest and half, even while feeling concerned about the purpose of Murthy's call.

"He won't summon you hereafter. He is leaving!"

"What happened?"

"After the present General Manager took over, the company's performance has been deteriorating. The Regional Managers have become demotivated. Therefore, sales have fallen and so has profitability. Some Regional Managers have complained to the Directors about the the General Manager's practice of making insulting observations and using intemperate language. Some Directors queried me about the General Manager's attitude and behaviour. In the meeting of the Board of Directors held yesterday, it was decided to dismiss the General Manager. Shnkar, a senior Regional Manager has been designated as the General Manager, for the time being. If his performance is satisfactory, he may be confirmed on a regular basis. I just received the fax. The official announcement will be made, only after Shankar takes over. Apart from me, you are the first person to know about the development. Congratulations!" said Murthy, with excitement.

"Why are you congratulating me? For getting freed from the authority of a tyrant? In that case, you should be the person to be congratulated. Something good has happened to our company. Let both of us congratulate the company!" said Gangaram. .

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Refraining From Doing Terrifying Things

Verse 564 (in Tamil):

iRai kadiyan enruraikkum innAchchol vEndhan
uRai kadugi ollaik kedum.

Meaning:

“My king – he is a tyrant” : such a denouncement

is certain to hasten a king’s downfall

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vandhAr senRAr' by the same author.)

Verse 565
Verse 563

563. 'How Did We Lose?'

The meeting of the Executive Committee of People's Power Party (PPP) was in progress.

"We have been extensively campaigning about the misdeeds and shortcomings of the ruling party. People participate in our public meetings in large numbers, enthusiastically listen to the speeches of our leaders and applaud. But, the ruling party keeps winning all elections, from elections to local bodies to bye-elections to the parliament. I don't understand how this has been happening" lamented Sivaraj, the president of the party.

"In the last election, the number of votes polled by us was only five percent less than that by the ruling party. We can bridge this gap and march ahead of the ruling party, in the next election" said a senior leader. 

"We can't remain complacent on such expectations. The present rulers came to power, by magnifying the small lapses in our government and projecting us as bad rulers. The media also campaigned against us. But, after coming to power, the present rulers have been committing a lot of atrocities, with impunity. The economy has been stagnating. Prices are skyrocketing. They have destroyed agriculture. There is no industrial growth. Many industrial units have closed down, after their functioning was crippled by the policies of this government, designed to favour a couple of industrial houses close to the ruling party. There are no jobs, either for the educated or for the uneducated youth. But, the media has been turning a blind eye to the problems faced by the country and singing the praise of the ruling party. That is why people are unaware of the real situation. We need to step up our campaign to make the people aware of the commissions and omissions of the ruling party" said another leader.

"The government has recently introduced a scheme called 'one nation, one uniform.' They have introduced an identical uniform for all the students in the country, from kindergarten to college. The uniform is in red and green, matching the colours in the flag of the ruling party. The students are agitated about this. I think, very soon, huge protests will erupt throughout the country. Many a government has been brought down by students' agitation. Let us see!" said another leader.

But, there were no protests or agitations. Though there was a resentment among the students about the proposal, there were no demonstrations or agitations against the dress code. The murmurs of resentment seemed to have died down in a couple of weeks.

"We engaged you as our election strategist and paid you a hefty fee. You had confidently asserted that we were going to win big. But, we have lost the election. If we had spent the money given to you as fees in some other way, we could have won" said Indrakumar, president of People's National Party (PNP), the incumbent ruling party which lost the election.

"Sir! We conducted a post-poll survey. We met the voters, selected in our sample, at their homes and asked them whom they had voted for and why. Since, in this survey, we talked to the people in the privacy of their homes, they were more honest in their answers and more forthcoming in giving the reasons for their voting choice. So, the results of post-poll survey will be more accurate than those of pre-poll surveys and exit polls." 

As the election strategist began to answer Indrakumar's question with this preamble, Indrakumar interjected impatiently, "Cut out the ramblings. Tell me what you found in this post-poll survey." 

"Sir! Three years back, you imposed a uniform dress on the students, the colurs of the uniform matching the colours of your party flag."

"Be mindful of your words. I take offense to your saying that the colours of the uniform were matching the colours of our party and that we imposed the uniform on the students. You are using the language used by our political opponents!" said Indrakumar, angrily.

"Sir! Facts are facts. You have lost the election. You are not in power any more. So, don't try to browbeat me. Allow me to say what I wanted to. The students resented this imposition. They considered it an assault on their dignity and were highly indignant about it. But, knowing that they had no choice, they suffered the indignity silently. Of them, those who had attained 18 years and become voters, voted against you en bloc. Those who had not attained the voting age persuaded their parents to vote against you. It is this development that tilted the scales against you. There was a big surge in votes against your party and all these votes went to the PPP and contributed to its victory. The PPP didn't expect this victory. In my experience..."

"In your experience?" interjected Indrakumar, his anger intensified by the  strategist's explanation.

'In my experience, though dictators and tyrants may appear to be very strong, something will arise from nowhere and uproot them' thought the strategist, but said, "In my experience, I have seen such unexpected swings and silent waves that are not discernible before the election."

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Refraining From Doing Terrifying Things

Verse 563 (in Tamil):

veruvandha seydhu ozhugum vengOlan Ayin
oruvndham ollaik kedum.

Meaning:

A king will be isolated and will face rapid ruin,

if he becomes a tyrant indulging in terrifying deeds.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thORRadhu En' by the same author.)

Verse 564 (Soon)
Verse 562

130. An Unlikely Collaboration

"You say you are an Engineering graduate, but you don't even have basic knowledge of engineering. You are not to be blamed. The blame lies on those who recruited you for this job!"

Gopi was stung by the unsavoury comment of Doraiswamy, the Foreman. Containing the anger that surfaced in his mind, he cursed his fate for having to work under people like Doraiswamy.

Doraiswamy had done a diploma course in Engineering. He rose to the position of a foreman, after a few years of experience in the company. He resented Gopi, an Engineering graduate, becoming a trainee engineer, immediately after completing his studies. He was trying to put him down by using his authority, whenever he got an opportunity.

Doraiswamy was aware that a new recruit like Gopi, despite being an engineering graduate, would take some time to understand the operations and technical details of the working of the factory. But, he made use of any opportunity that came his way, to show that though less qualified than Gopi, he was more knowledgeable.

Doraiswamy repeatedly tried to show Gopi as ignorant. But, Gopi tolerated Doraiswamy's insults.

Murthy, a machine operator, who was working nearby and observing Doraiswamy treating Gopi shabbily, told Gopi, "Don't feel disheartened, sir. That is the way he talks."

Gopi looked at Murthy, with a feeling of gratefulness.

Murthy joined that company as a helper, after completing his secondary school education. He became skilled in operating the machines, through practical learning. A few years after his joining the company, he was promoted as machine operator. By virtue of his innate aptitude towards mechanical systems, his keen interest in the job and practical experience, he became well-versed on the nuances of the mechanisms of various machines in the factory.   

Whenever there was some glitch in any machine in the factory. Murthy would be called to address the problem. Most of the times, he would set right the problem. 

Gopi thought of taking Murthy's help, to gain a better understanding of the working of machines.

He asked Murthy, "Mr. Murthy! I need to have a thorough understanding about the working of the machines. When you have time, please tell me about some of the essential things,relating to the working of the machines."

"Sir! You are an engineering graduate. I am not well educated. What will be there for you to learn from me?" asked Murthy, overwhelmed by Gopi's request.

"No, Mr. Murthy! You have a lot of experience in handling and operating the machines. I have observed that you have learned a lot about the structure and functioning of the machines. There are many things I could learn from you!"

"Okay, sir. Ask me your doubts about the machines. If I know about what you ask me, I will answer you" said Murthy.

After that, on several occasions, Gopi interacted with Murthy and learnt many intricate things about the structure and functioning of the machines. After learning several facts relating to the machines from Murthy, Gopi felt that what he had learned in the college was very little.

Gopi connected several facts he had learnt from Murthy with his academic learning and gained a deeper knowledge about mechanical systems. After some time, Gopi was in a position to enlighten Murthy on certain finer aspects about the functioning of the machines.

Doraiswamy continued to speak derisively of Gopi, but Gopi decided to ignore his insults.

Doraiswamy was also critical of Gopi interacting with Murthy frequently. 

"Don't move closely with the workers. You will lose their respect" he warned Gopi.

Gopi ignored that warning too.

After several months, Gopi asked Murthy "I have an idea for improving production. I want to discuss with you about the practical aspects of implementing it."

Gopi and Murthy had several discussions about Gopi's idea and brought it to a shape. 

Gopi met the Production Manager and told him, "Sir! I have a proposal for increasing the productivity, by making a small change in the production line. If you give me thirty minutes of your time, I will outline my proposal."
 

"Go ahead" said the Production Manager.

Gopi presented his proposal, using some charts and workings.

"We have to ascertain the feasibility of your proposal. I will ask the Quality Improvement Committee to study the proposal. You can also participate in the discussion of the committee and clarify any doubts they may have" said the Production Manager. 

Gopi's proposal was approved by the Quality Improvement Team, after a detailed study.

The Production Manager called Gopi to his cabin.

"Congratulations, Mr. Gopi! The committee has cleared your proposal. I talked about this to the Managing Director. He has given his approval for implementing your proposal. This is the first time a trainee has proposed an improvement, within a year of his joining the company, even before completing his training period. The Managing Director told me that you would be given the award 'First Year Achiever.' He will call you and personally inform you of this, in a day or two" said the Production Manager.

"Thank you, sir" said Gopi and added. "I have a request. 
Please include machine operator Murthy for any award you propose to give for this improvement. He helped me a lot in understanding several technical aspects about the machines. He also collaborated with me in giving a shape to my proposal. I finalized this proposal, only after taking into account several suggestions given by him" said Gopi.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 13
Restraint

Verse 130 (In Tamil)

kadham kAththuk kaRRu adangal ARRuvAn sevvi
aRam pArkkum ARRin nuzhaindhu

Meaning:

The God of Righteousness will wait for the moment to adorn one, who controls anger, learns all there is to learn and exercises restraint.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kaRRadhum peRRadhum' by the same author)

Verse 131 (Soon)
Verse 129

562. Can't Be Forgiven

Partibhan stood, with his head hung low, before the General Manager Gajendran 

"Mr. Partibhan! As the manager of your department, you were expected to manage your department efficiently and responsibly, not to abuse your position to make money in an illegal and immoral way" said Gajendran.

"Sir! I committed a wrong. But this will be my first and last wrongdoing. I did not commit any violation of our company's rules. I didn't seek any bribe from the contractor. The contractor offered me the money on his own, saying, 'This is a normal practice. I have made such payments to your predecessors also. But I won't expect any concession from you, in return for this payment.' In spite of my refusing to accept the payment, he thrust the envelope containing cash into my palm and went away" said Partbhan.

"Whether you asked for money from the contractor, or, he gave you the money without your asking for it, it is a bribe. Having committed the offence of taking money from the contractor, you claim that you have not violated any rule! I have cancelled the contract given to that contractor. Now, I should punish you. The normal course should be to file a complaint against you with the police and send you to jail."

"Sir! Please don't do this. I have never committed any wrongdoing in the past. Please forgive me for this transgression and give me a chance" pleaded Partibhan.

"If people who commit wrongs could be allowed to go scot free, why do we have a system of awarding punishments? I should at least suspend you for a few days. For the next two days, just remain in your seat, without doing any work. You will receive an order" said Gajendran, in a strict tone.

Partibhan was about to say something, but restrained himself and left the General Manager's cabin.

The next day, Partibhan received an office order signed by the General Manager stating that he was transferred to the Madurai branch.

The transfer order came as a relief to Partibhan, who was expecting to receive an order of suspension. 

He realized that his being demoted as a manager and posted as an officer in Madurai branch, where he would be working under the manager of that branch, was a punishment awarded to him. 

However, he also realized that he was spared from severe actions like getting suspended or being subjected to police action, only due to the compassion shown by the General Manager.

He tried to meet Gajendran, thank him and take leave of him, before leaving for Madurai, but Gajendran refused to give him an audience.

"The GM is busy. You can't meet him now. He asked you to join at our Madurai branch immediately" said the General Manager's peon.

Bhupathy, the manager of Madurai branch of the company, received a phone call from Gajendran. The two had been working in the company for long and had been good friends too, though Gajendran held a higher position in the organization.

"Tell me, Gajendran" said Bhupathy.

"I have transferred Partibhan to your branch. He was a manager here. He is a good person, but committed a wrong, due to a momentary indiscretion. So, he has been demoted. But, I want you to give him a responsible assignment and keep you in a position next to you in your branch. I expect that he will act with responsibility, without giving room for any misdemeanour on his part. I want him to take over from you as the manager of your branch, when you retire next year - of course, only if he conducts himself well and you recommend him for the position!" said Gajendran.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Tyranny

Verse 562 (in Tamil):

kadidhu Ochchi mela eRiga nedidhu Akkam
nIngAmai vENdubavar.

Meaning:

Let the king, who desires that his prosperity may long remain, commence his preliminary enquires with strictness, and then punish with mildness.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mannikka mudiyAdhu' by the same author.)

Verse 563
Verse 561

561. Is the Punishment Adequate?

"Your Majesty! The thief who intruded into the palace has been caught" said the minister.

"So I heard. I also learn that the judge has awarded prison sentence to him. But, why did you have to come with the Chief of the Secret Service, to tell me this?" asked the king.

"Your Majesty! The judge doesn't know about the severity of the crime. The thief was charged with intruding into the palace, intending to commit robbery. On the basis of this charge, the judge sentenced him to imprisonment for five years."

"So, what am I missing here?"

"Your Majesty! Do you know how the intruder entered the palace?"

"I was told that two palace guards had heled him and that the guards had also been arrested." 

The minister looked at the Secret Service Chief.

The Secret Service Chief, feeling nervous and embarrassed, told the king, "Your Majesty! The intruder entered the palace, through the underground passage!" 

"Through the underground passage? Only a handful of people residing in the palace know about this secret underground passage, emanating in the palace and leading up to a spot outside the fort. How did an outsider enter the passage and reach the palace?" asked the king, fuming with anger.

"When interrogated, the intruder told the guards that he saw someone coming out of the fort through that passage. Out of curiosity, he went to the spot, found the passage, walked through it and arrived at the palace."

"But, how did he enter the palace? There is a door at the entrance of the palace, which is always kept locked. How did he open it without a key?"

"He didn't enter the palace, Your Majesty. He was stuck behind the door. Since it was dark, he couldn't find the way to go back either. So, he got panicked and knocked the door. Hearing the knock, a couple of guards from the palace went to that place, opened the door and arrested him."

"Thank God! Then, what about the information that two guards who assisted the intruder were arrested?"

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. That information is false. It was released as per my instruction."

"Why did you give this instruction?"

"The news that a person who intruded into the palace was caught had spread throughout the capital city. The question how he entered the palace guarded by security guards will arise in the minds of people and make them have concerns about security. Only to prevent such concerns rising in the minds of the people, I advised the Chief of Palace Guards to announce that two guards who helped the intruder enter the palace have been arrested."

"A wise move. Now, tell me what I should do?"

"Your Majesty, considering the severity of the crime, five years' imprisonment is inadequate. The judge has the power to award imprisonment only up to five years, for braking into a house. I would request you to enhance the punishment awarded to this intruder."

"I don't want to create an impression that intruding into the palace will attract a more severe punishment than intruding into the house of a common man."

The minister remained silent.

"Let us do one thing. Let us increase the maximum punishment for breaking into a house" said the king.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We can increase the term of imprisonment to ten years" suggested the minister.

"Ten years is not severe enough. I think imprisonment for life will be appropriate."

"Imprisonment for life? It appears too stringent, Your Majesty!"

"Why can't we consider robbery a heinous crime? Is not a severe punishment appropriate for a heinous crime! If we make robbery a crime punishable with life sentence, it will instill a fear in the minds of potential offenders and dissuade them from committing this crime. This will bring down the incidence of robberies occurring in our country."

"Yes, Your Majesty" said the minister, reluctantly.

"I understand the reason for your hesitation, minister. Life sentence is cruel. For that matter, any kind of imprisonment, even if it is for a short period, is cruel. If there is a fear that if one is caught in a crime of theft, one will have to spend the rest of one's life in prison will act as a deterrent and result in decrease in this kind of crimes. If a person imprisoned for a crime is afflicted by a severe illness or has a family emergency requiring his services to the family, we can release him, on compassionate grounds. We have been doing this already. Therefore, I believe that enhancing the severity of punishment and thereby bringing down the crimes will be a good move" said the king.

"We can do accordingly, Your Majesty! Your decisions have always been logical and fair. You may award life sentence to the person who tried to intrude into the palace."

"No, minister. A rule should be enforced, only from the time it is brought into force. Punishing a crime that occurred in the past, by retrospectively applying a law enacted in a later period, is unjustified, both on legal and on moral grounds. Let the five year imprisonment awarded by the judge prevail."

"Your Majesty! Just now I said that your decisions would always be both logical and fair. You have demonstrated your correct and just approach, yet another time" said the minister.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Refraining From Doing Terrifying Things

Verse 561 (in Tamil):

thakkAngu nAdith thalaich chellA vaNNaththAl
oththAngu oRuppadhu vEndhu.

Meaning:

Investigating neutrally, and punishing appropriately,

so as to deter the repeat of a crime, is the duty of the king.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'dhaNdanai pOdhAdhu' by the same author.)

Verse 562
Verse 560