607. Hunting For A Job At the Age of Forty

"You are forty years old. Did you not go for any job till now?" Shanmugam, the Manager of the firm, asked Kesavan, who had appeared for the interview, for a job in the firm.

"No, sir" said Kesavan.

"Why?"

"Family circumstances."

"That means?"

"My father was ill. He was bed-ridden. My mother was also weak. She was unable to take up any physical activity. So, I had to stay home, do the chores and look after my parents too."

"What about your siblings?"

"My elder brother has been working in another town. My sister got married and went to live with her husband."

"So, the entire burden was on your shoulders" said Shanmugam, feeling sympathetic. "But, you don't even have a good education. You didn't study even up to tenth grade!" he remarked.

"Yes, sir. I have been looking after my parents, even from my school days" said Kesavan.

"How do you know our Proprietor?"

"One of my father's friends had told your Proprietor about me and requested him to give me a job in his firm. I met the Proprietor in his house. He asked me to go to the office and meet you."

"Mr. Kesavan! This is a small organization. There is a vacancy only for the post of a peon. The salary won't be high" said Shanmugam, reluctantly.

"Any job is good enough for me, sir."

"As a peon, you will have to do various tasks, ranging from running errands to getting coffee and tea to the employees from the nearby restaurants. The job will be hectic and you will have to run around a lot. Usually, we recruit only young people for this job. They will have the inclination and the energy to move about a lot. You are not young..."

"That won't be a problem, sir" said Kesavan.

"Ok" said Shanmugam. Hearing some sounds of movement in the Proprietor's cabin, which was close by, he told Kesavan, "Our Proprietor seems to have come to the office. I will put in a word to him about you and come back."

Shanmugam then got up from his seat and went into the Proprietor's cabin.

Kesavan was able to hear the conversation Shanmugam had with the Proprietor in the latter's cabin. 

Shanmugam spoke in a subdued voice, taking care to ensure that Kesavan wouldn't hear him. But the Proprietor, who had a stentorian voice, didn't make any attempt to lower his voice. 

After hearing what Shanmugam had said, the Proprietor laughed out loud.

"Oh, that's what he said! It has been several years since his parents passed away. All these years, he had been idling at home or roaming about the town aimlessly, without doing anything useful. After squandering all the money and properties left to him by his parents and reaching a state, where he needs to earn money for his survival, he is seeking a job, at the age of forty. He is married and has a child too. His wife had been urging him to go for a job for the past several years, but, he didn't listen to her. As a boy, he didn't bother to study well. But, you say he is blaming his parents for his lack of education! My friend, a friend of his father, told me these facts. He had also repeatedly advised Kesavan to take up a job, but to no avail. It was only out of sympathy for Kesavan's wife and child, that my friend recommended him to me. By nature, Kesavan is lazy. He is likely to be sluggish in his work. Be strict with him" the Proprietor told Shanmugam.

The Proprietor's words entered Kesavan's mind through his ears and pierced it like arrows. His body shrank in humiliation, caused by his plight of having to listen to such demeaning words from strangers.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 607 (in Tamil):
idi purindhu eLLum sol kEtpar madi purindhu
mANda ujnaRRu ilavar.

Meaning:

Those who, out of indolence, do not engage themselves in dignified exertion, may have to listen to rebukes and insulting remarks.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nARpadhu vayadhil oru vElai' by the same author.) 

Verse 608 (Soon)
Verse 606

138. An Evening That Changed the Life

When I came to know that my friend Murugesh had been admitted in a hospital in Madurai, for treatment of malfunctioning of his lever, I wanted to go to Madurai immediately and meet him. But, I could not take leave, since I had some important work to attend to, at my office in Mumbai. 

When I went to Madurai after a week, Murugesh had been discharged from the hospital. 

I visited him at his home. 

I was shocked to see the skeleton-like figure lying on the cot.

'Is this Murugesh?' was the question that instinctively arose in my mind. Though it had been some years since I had met him, I could not believe that he would have changed so much in appearance.

I first met Murugesh in a training program organized by my company for new recruits like me, at its head office in Delhi. Within a few minutes of getting acquainted with each other, we became intimate.

On the last day of the training, the company hosted a dinner for the trainees in a high class hotel. Liquor was served before dinner. Those who had already been exposed to drinks partook the drinks, with excitement and joy. 

Some of us, including Murugesh, who were not accustomed to drinking liquor, stood aside . 

"Have the drinks and enjoy, boys! You won't get such high quality liquor at other places. Nothing wrong in taking a peg or two occasionally. I don't drink regularly, but I never miss my drinks in parties like this. Should we not enjoy life?" said our Training Officer.

Prodded by his talk, some people began to taste liquor. Murugesh was one among them. That was the starting point for Murugesh's addiction to drinking. 

Murugesh and I had been working at different places. So, we were not able to meet often. However, we were in touch.

Over the years, I got several promotions and rose to the position of a Deputy General Manager. Murugesh, however, remained a junior officer in the company.

The drinking habit, acquired by Murugesh at the hotel in Delhi on the last day of our training, had gripped him tightly. His addiction led him to such a state that he could not refrain from taking liquor even for a day.

During the times I met him, I had been urging him to give up his addiction to drinks. After his marriage, his wife had also been pleading with him to give up drinking. But, he was unable to come out of the drinking habit.

As could only be expected, excessive drinking resulted in causing a serious damage to his liver. He had to be admitted to a hospital for treatment.

"You have become so emaciated" I said.

I heard the sound of sobbing from behind. It was from Murugesh's wife Bhanumathy.

"He didn't listen to you, me or to any of the other well-wishers, who had repeatedly pleaded with him to come out of this destructive habit. Now, he has got his health ruined and become bed-ridden" she told me, in between sobs.

"Give up this habit, at least now!" I told Murugesh.

Murugesh nodded his head.

"The doctor told us that if he drank again, his life would be at risk. Please advise your friend to keep away from liquor, hereafter" Bhanumathy told me.

"I won't touch liquor, hereafter" said Murugesh, firmly.

"Will you be able to do it?" Bhanumathy asked Murugesh, not convinced by his declaration.

She then turned to me and said, "In a way, not having children is a blessing to us. I have been struggling to run our family with the money he gives me, after spending a major portion of his salary on drinks. If we had children, it would be even more difficult for me to manage our family. While feeding the children would itself be a challenge, spending money for their education would be unthinkable. But, from another perspective, the presence of children at home would offer me some solace."

I told Murugesh, "Murugesh! Take leave for three months. Come and stay with me at Mumbai, with your wife. It will be a change. If you are with me for some time, you will also be able to give up your drinking habit."  

I couldn't think of anything more that I could do in that situation, to help my friend Murugesh.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 14
Possession of Propriety 

Verse 139 (In Tamil)

nanRikku vththAgum nal ozhukkam thI ozhukkam
enRum idumbai tharum.

Meaning:

Good conduct becomes the seed for good developments.

Bad habits will invariably lead to agony.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'payiRchiyil thuvangiya pazhakkam' by the same author.)

Verse 140 (Soon)
Verse 138

606. Murugan's Classmate

"You are not looking for a job. You have been sitting at home, whiling away your time. After having a good sleep in the night, you sleep during daytime too. Now and then, you sit on the pial of our house, invite people walking on the street for a chat and chat with them. If this is going to be your way of life, how will you come up in life?" Muthulakshmi asked her son Murugan.

"Dad has left me properties of considerable value. Why should I go for a job?" countered Murugan.

There is a proverb, 'If one has no earnings and keeps consumes his assets, even a mountain of assets will be reduced to a plateau, through.'"

"It will take a long time for a mountain to be exhausted. Let me see, after the mountain is reduced to a plateau."

Murugan did not pay heed to his mother's repeated pleas. After he got married, his wife Uma also echoed his mother's views. But, Murugan didn't make any attempt to change his ways.

One day, a fleet of cars entered the street in which Murugan's house was located. The cars halted in front of Murugan's house. With a number of cars arriving at the street and stopping, a screeching sound was heard over the street, making many residents come out of their houses, to find outwhat was happening.

Hearing the sound made by the cars, Uma also came out of her house, driven by a sense of curiosity and anxiety.

Two police officers got down from the cars in the front. Someone opened the rear door of the third car. 

Uma was dumbstruck seeing the person, who got down from the third car. 

It was the Chief Minister of the state.

The Chie Minister greeted Uma, by folding his palms and showing his respect to her and asked her, "Is this Murugan's house? Is he there?"

"Yes, he is. Please come in, sir" said Uma, unable to believe what was happening before her eyes. 

As Uma entered her house, the Chief Minister and two police officers followed her into the house.

Murugan, who came out from his room, hearing the voices, looked at the Chief Minister and exclaimed in astonishment, "Hey, Selvam! You are visiting me!"

"Yes, Murugan. How are you?" inquired Chief Minister Selvam and hugged him.

The Chief Minister then looked at Uma and said, "Murugan and I studied together in the primary school in a nearby village. Subsequently, his family moved to this place. Your husband would have told you about me. We were close friends in the school. We are, even now."

He then looked at Murugan and asked him, smiling "Aren't we?"

"Of course, we are!" said Murugan.

The Chief Minister conversed with Murugan for a few minutes and then departed. 

While taking leave, Selvam told Murugan, "Contact me for any help you need. I will tell my personal secretary that whenever I get a call from you, he should connect the call to me."

He then looked at Uma and said, "I came to Kumbakonam, to attend a function. I remembered that the place where Murugan has been living is nearby. I decided to visit him and came down here. My visiting your home with no prior intimation may have caused you inconvenience. The coffee you gave me was very delicious. Best Wishes. I take leave." 

After Selvam had left, Uma asked Murugan, "You didn't tell me that the Chief Minister was your classmate!"

"I didn't think it was important" said Murugan, tersely.

Uma reflected on the Chief Minister's words, 'Contact me, for any help you need.'

If Murugan were to start a business, he can get help from the government. Even if he weren't, the fact that the Chief Minister was a classmate of Murugan, which was just made known to people living in the village, would enhance Murugan's esteem and create a favourable impact about him on others.

But Uma knew that the prospects of Murugan making use of such a favourable image and impression, by working towards taking his family forward in the path of progress were not very bright.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 606 (in Tamil):
padi udaiyAr paRRu amaindhak kaNNum madi udaiyAr
mAN payan eydhal aridhu.

Meaning:

The lazy man will not be able to gain any benefit, even if he gets the acquaintance of the ruler of his country. 

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'muruganin naNbar' by the same author.) 

Verse 607
Verse 605

605. The Price of Procrastination

"You have completed your studies. Should you not be trying for a job?" Arunachalam asked his son Viswanathan.

"Don't you know that I have been trying?" shot back Viswanathan. 

"I wonder! After your examinations were over, I asked you to look for job advertisements in the newspapers and apply for jobs suitable for you. But you didn't."

"Dad! I can apply, only after the exam results are released."

"There are many advertisements that say that candidates awaiting results can also apply. I have shown such advertisements to you and asked you to apply for those jobs. But, you responded only to a couple of such ads."

"After the examination I wanted to relax for a few days!"

"Isn't getting a job an important step in your life? You could relax, after getting a job. Look at your friend Raghu. From the very next day of completing his examinations, he started sifting through 'situations vacant' pages of the daily newspapers and applying for each and every job, for which he was eligible to apply. Now he has been called for interview by a good company."

"Dad! Raghu is a book-worm. When he was studying in the college, he was immersed in text-books. Now, he immersed himself in newspaper ads. Even if he gets a job, he will keep reading the job ads in the newspapers, looking for more lucrative jobs. He will keep doing this, even after his retirement. I can't be like him."

"You don't have to be like him. You have relaxed enough, by being carefree for two months, after writing your examinations. You have been roaming about the city and sleeping till ten o' clock in the morning. Now, the exam results have come. You have also received your score card. If you are serious about getting a job, you should be spending some time every day, going through the job ads in the newspapers. But, I find that you have been reading only magazines filled with entertainment stuff. Instead, if you read journals that have content relating to general knowledge and aptitude development, it will be of some help in writing aptitude tests or facing interviews. But, the point is, you have not been going through job ads. If I go through the ads, select the ones suitable to you and ask you to apply, you don't apply to them!"

"Dad! I have been applying to all the ads you ask me to."

"No, you are not. If I show you ten ads, you apply for two or three, that too, only after repeated reminders from me. Sometimes, you say you forgot. By the time, you remember and set out to apply, the last date gets over. It has been five months since you completed your studies. Seven or eight of your classmates have landed a job already. The number could be more. After all, I don't know all of your classmates. You get up at ten in the morning. After that, you just while away the time, without doing anything worthwhile. You neglect to do the things you have to do, in time, and just say you forgot! I am worried how your future is going to be, if you  continue with your ways!"

Arunachalam spoke his mind, conveying his concern and sorrow.

"I will mend my ways, daddy. Hereafter, I will be earnest and brisk and do things promptly" said Viswanathan.

However, Viswanathan did not make any effort to change himself.

It has been eighteen months, since Viswanathan completed his studies. He had still not got a job.

Arunachalam stopped the practice of going through job ads and pointing out the relevant ones to his son, after getting fatigued and frustrated by the attitude of his son.

Viswanathan's friend Kumar told him, "A new industrial unit is coming up in the public sector. It is going to recruit a large number of people for various positions. The ad has come in today's paper. There is a good chance of our getting a job in this firm. It is a very good firm. The salary is good. The career prospects are also bright. If we get a job in this firm, we can settle down in our life. I am going to apply for this today. You may also apply."

"I will" said Viswanathan.

Viswanathan decided that immediately after going home, he would look for ad and apply.

When he reached home, his father was there. Since Viswanathan wanted to avoid any question from his father about the job he was applying for, he postponed looking for the ad. If his father came to know about the opportunity, he would pressurize him to apply immediately, making a lot of fuss, in the process.

Since the last date to apply was about fifteen days away, Viswanathan was complacent for the next couple of days, 

Some relatives visited his home and stayed for a couple of days. Viswanathan's attention was diverted. By the time the relatives departed, Viswanathan had forgotten about applying for the job.

He remembered the matter, after two days, but he didn't remember the date on which the ad for the job was published in the newspaper. He took out the papers for the last fifteen days and searched for the ad. He couldn't find it.

Kumar would be having the cutting of the ad. But he was not in town. 

Viswanathan concluded that he had not searched for the ad meticulously. He decided to search for the ad more thoroughly, the next day.

When he searched again the next day, he was able to find the ad.

Viswanathan felt relieved.

But when he read the ad, he saw a problem.

The application process was not simple. First, he had to request for the application form, by writing to the head office of the firm at Delhi, with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. After receiving the application form from the firm, he should fill it up and send it to the Delhi office, along with copies of his certificates and a postal order for ten rupees.

The last date for receipt of the applications was only five days away. It would take four days to receive the application form from Delhi, even if he were to send the request for the form that day. Even if he could post the completed application the same day he received the form, it would take at least two days for it to reach Delhi. There was a Sunday in between. Therefore, the completed application would reach Delhi, only after the last date.

After the bitter realization that it was impossible for him to apply for that job. he put the newspaper away, in disgust.

The feeling of regret that he could have applied for that job in time, if only he had been a little less lethargic, created a pain in his mind. 

Arunachalam, who had entered the house just then, saw his son going through several newspapers and felt, 'Not bad. At least now, he has become responsible.'

After three months, Kumar received an appointment order from the public sector firm.

"You are better than me, in all aspects. So, if you had applied for the job, you would have definitely got it. Why did you miss applying for the job?" asked Kumar.

Viswanathan cursed himself for losing a good opportunity, due to his lethargy and sluggishness.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 605 (in Tamil):
nedunIr maRavi madi thuyil nAngum
kedu nIrAr kAmak kalan.

Meaning:

Procrastination, neglect, sloth and slumber; these four are the ship that are lovingly boarded by people destined to lose.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'visvanAdhA vElai thEdu' by the same author.) 

Verse 606
Verse 604

604. Father's Ceremony

"It is common for people like me, who are born poor and deprived of education and who can't find means to earn money in an honest way, to indulge in theft, for survival. One should be lucky to carry on, without getting caught. But, I was caught and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. What crime did you committee?" Satya asked Manickam, his co-prisoner.

Manickam did not reply.

"People like him belong to a different category. He is not someone who would be involved in activities like picking pockets, house-breaking etc. He looks like a gentleman" said Sekar, another prisoner. 

Other prisoners laughed, enjoying Sekar's wry humour.

"Did you commit what is called a white collar crime?" asked another prisoner, who was a little educated.

Manickam quietly listened to the chat, keeping his chin down.

Manickam's mother who came to the prison to see him, cried, lamenting, "Why did you bring yourself to this state?"

After conversing with Manickam for a few minutes on some general topics, she said, "Your father's ceremony falls next week. After he had passed away, we have been performing his ceremony every year, following the traditional practice by engaging a purohit* and observing the formalities. We won't be able to perform the ceremony this year."

Manickam thought about his father. What a noble person was he! What great esteem had he commanded among the people of his village!

The goodwill earned by Manickam's father had been a great asset to Manickam. But Manickam did nothing to sustain it or even take advantage of it. For a long time after his father's death, Manickam did not take up any job, due to sheer lethargy. It was only after his family's financial situation became so bad that he had to go for a job and earn an income for survival that he began to look for a job. He was able to get only a job with a modest salary.

Finding that his salary was inadequate to meet the family's needs, Manickam, in a desperate moment, forged the signature of his proprietor and attempted to draw money from the bank. But he was caught, while trying to encash the cheque, arrested and slapped a prison sentence.

Listening to his mother's lament about their not being able to perform his father's annual ceremony, Manickam told himself, 'My inability to perform my father's annual ceremony is not a severe fault, compared to my betraying his legacy through my act of bringing disrepute to his name.

*purohit is a person well-versed in scriptures, who is engaged for performing religious ceremonies. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 604 (in Tamil):
kudi mdindhu kuRRam perugum madi madindhu
mAnDa ujnaRRilavarkku.

Meaning:

If a person yields to laziness and fails to put forth efforts, the reputation of his family will be destroyed and faults will increase.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thadaippattup pOna sadangu' by the same author.) 

Verse 605
Verse 603

603. The Meaning of the Emperor's Words

"Your Majesty! You have  expanded your kingdom to a large extent, outperforming your ancestors. Your name will definitely be engraved in the annals of history" said Minister Mazhavaroyar.

"Minister! History is an ongoing phenomenon. Not only the past, but also the future, will be recorded in history" said King Suryakeerthi.

"Yes, Your Majesty. But, what about it?" 

"Nothing" said Suryakeerthi, staring at a remote spot on the ceiling. 

The Minister looked at the King with the mixed feelings of perplexity and concern.

The Minister observed that despite conquering several kingdoms and establishing himself as an Emperor, King Suryakeerthi, of late, appeared to be concerned about something. The King often revealed his concerns through cryptic remarks.

The Minister was unable to discern the reasons for the King's concerns. He was also reluctant to ask the King what he was concerned about. He hoped that someday, the King himself would share his concerns with him. 

But, that day never arrived. King Suryakeerthi passed away. 

"Your Majesty! Your late father conquered some countries and made them a part of our country. In the case of some other countries, he allowed the kings of those countries to continue to be the rulers, but made them our subjugates. They were required to pay a part of the tax money collected by them to us. They have been doing so. Your father would often visit those countries, meet the people and interact with them. Citizens of those countries loved your father so much that they did not consider him a conqueror, but a benign emperor, having power over their kings. It is my suggestion that like your father, you also visit those countries, meet the people and interact with them. Such visits will ensure that the bond your father ha established with those people remains intact" Mazhavaroyar told the new king Veeraman.

"I don't see any need for such visits, Minister. There are officials at local levels, looking after the administration and fulfilling the needs of people. That is enough" said Veeraman.

Mazhavaroyar thought that he would broach the subject again, after some time. But, when he did, Veeraman gave the same reply.

Veeraman chose to confine himself to the palace and enjoy life, by indulging in exotic food, drinks and the company of women.

"Your Majesty! Some of the kings in our empire have been creating trouble, by being defiant and defaulting on the payments to be made to us. There are also some disturbances in some regions within our country. If you visit those places once, meet the people, listen to their grievances and assure them that their grievances will be looked into, people will give up their protests. In the same way, if you visit the countries whose kings are creating problems and talk to the kings, they will become compliant" said Mazhavaroyar.

"If the king has to personally attend to everything, why do we have the officials? And why do I have you as the Minister?" asked Veeraman nonchalantly and retired to his chamber.

Mazhavaroyar realized that expecting Veeraman to safeguard the country would be foolish. 

'I should make all efforts I could, within my powers and strive to bring things under control. Otherwise, the empire created by Suryamurthy may perish even during the time of his son' thought the Minister.

He recalled the cryptic words of the late King, "Not only the past, but also the future will get recorded in history."

The meaning of the King's words began to unravel in the mind of Mazhavaroyar. Suryamurthy had made that statement, only because he had known about his son's lazy attitude and passive nature. That was why he was concerned.

Suryamurthy made that statement out of his concern that the empire created by him could wither away during the tenure of his son. That was the meaning of his remark that the future developments would also be a part of history. 

The Minister began to worry that Suryamurthy's fears could become true.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 603 (in Tamil):
madi madik kondu ozhugum pEdhai piRandha
kudi madiyum thanninum mundhu.

Meaning:

The fool who lives clutching the fatal indolence,

will see his family’s demise before his own.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'arasar En appadich chonnAr?' by the same author.) 

Verse 604
Verse 602

139. "I Wish Him Well"

"You gave a new lease of life to that urchin, who, orphaned by his parents, was roaming on the streets, by giving him a job and enabled him to earn a decent income and live a dignified life. For the past several years, he had been working for you with sincerity and dedication. Now, he has quit the job, without even telling you and started a business in competition with your business. Are you going to allow him to get away with this treachery?" burst out Sundari, giving vent to her anger and frustration.

Sabhapathy did not say anything.

"For his act of ungratefulness, I want him to..."

"Don't curse him" interrupted Sabhapathy. "May he be happy!" 

"We should at least condemn a person who betrayed us, in strong words. That will give us some satisfaction!" said Sundari.

"The hallmark of a good person is not to use words intending harm to others" said Sabhapathy.

"What do you mean? We may decide not to punish a person who has wronged us. But should we not give vent to our anger? That's what will make us feel better."

"It is a wrong approach."

"What you say is strange. Some people will use abusive words against a person who has wronged them. Dignified people won't use abusive language. But they will curse the traitor, saying things like, 'he will pay the price for this,' 'he will be punished by God for what he did to me' etc. It is natural for people to react this way."

"Using harsh words amounts to punishing ourselves."

"How can it be?"

"In our mythology, there are stories of sages who attained extraordinary powers through long years of penance. But if they cursed someone, their powers would get diminished. This is what we see in several mythological stories. Now, what is cursing? Cursing is using words intending harm to others. Doesn't the sages' suffering loss of power, when they cursed other people, indicate that this resulted from their lack of discipline and propriety? Is this not a punishment the sages inflicted on themselves, by slipping on their discipline and code of propriety?"

Sundari did not answer her husband.

After a few months, there was news of a person running a chit fund having absconded with the money deposited by the subscribers to various chit fund schemes. Sundari had subscribed to a scheme promoted by him and deposited fifty thousand rupees over a period. When she heard the news, she was shocked. The grief resulting from losing a large amount of money made her feel angry towards the person who had cheated her. She began to curse him with the words, "May he suffer from...." But immediately, she changed her thought and murmured "I wish him well."

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 14
Possession of Propriety 

Verse 139 (In Tamil)

ozhukkam udaiyavarkku ollAvE thIya
vazhukkiyum vAyAl solal.

Meaning:

Those who practice propriety will not utter harmful words even inadvertently. 

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

Verse 140 (Soon)
Verse 138

602. Nandan's Plans

"What did our MD say?" Sukumar asked General Manager Prabhu, who had just been to the Managing Director's cabin.

Prabhu was designated General Manager of the small firm because of his seniority. But he was nearly at the same level as were the other employees of the firm.

"Everyday he comes out with some new plans. I don't know how he expects them to be implemented. Listening to him, my head reels!" said Prabhu.

"He expects you to carry out his plans, doesn't he?"

"He doesn't say so. I think he wants to share his ideas with someone and makes use of me as a receptacle for his thoughts. But, I am worried."

"Why?"

"I don't have the expertise or competence to carry out his ideas. If he thinks that I am not good enough to bring his ideas into fruition, he may replace me!"

"It won't happen. You have been working in this firm from the time of his father. If you feel insecure, what will be the state of people like me?"

"His father was an achiever. He quit a well-paying job and started this firm. He faced several challenges and obstacles. But he overcame all the obstacles through his dedication, hard work and perseverance and made his firm to grow to the present level. Since the business had been firmly grounded by him, our firm has been functioning smoothly like a lubricated machine. Our business runs almost on auto pilot. Even if we don't do anything, the business will keep running. We just need to execute the orders we keep receiving. And cash will keep flowing in. But, our MD seems to think that he has to make his own contribution to the business."

"If my father had left me a business like this, I would be sitting pretty, collecting the cash that keeps coming and enjoying my life" said Sukumar, with a sigh.

"Mr. Prabhu! I have been talking to you about my ideas for making our business grow further. What do you think of them?" asked Managing Director Nandan.

"Sir, your ideas are amazing. But, I am not sure whether we have the setup to carry out those ideas" said Prabhu. After some hesitation, he added, "Are we not doing well, already?"

"On both counts, you are right. It is true that we have been doing well. My father had built up the business and taken it to such a level that I can just sit tight and watch the business run on its own. But, should we not emulate our parents? I think it is not enough, if we just enjoy what they have left for us. So, I have been thinking of ways to expand our business and sharing my ideas with you."

Prabhu kept quiet, not being sure how to respond to this.

"But, as you rightly said, we don't have the setup to carry out my ideas. We cannot execute my plans with the setup we have. So, I have decided to create a new setup. As the first step, I am going to  appoint a Project Manager."

Prabhu was waiting with bated breath to listen to what the Managing Director was going to say further.

"But the new setup should not disturb the existing setup. So, I propose to create a new division headed by the Project Manager I will be appointing. We will construct a new building adjacent to the existing building. The new division will function from there. That way, the new division will not have any link with the existing division being managed by you. But, I need to make some changes in your division too."

Prabhu began to worry how the changes proposed by the Managing Director would affect him.

"Though you have been designated General Manager, you don't even have a cabin. So, I will create a cabin for you. I will also delegate specific powers to you, to enable you to function independently to carry out your responsibilities. You can suggest creating positions under you that could function as responsibility centres. What do you say?"

"Your vision to take this firm created by your father to higher levels is laudable, sir" said Prabhu.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 602 (in Tamil):
madiyai madiyA ozhugal kudiyaik
kudiyAga vENdubhavar.

Meaning:

Those who you wish to make their clan reputed will kill laziness.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nandhanin thittangaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 603
Verse 601

601. Library Assistant

"The groom's family has been a wealthy family, since several generations. The family has tremendous goodwill in the village. If you ask anyone in the village about the family, they will say, 'you can't see such nice people anywhere.' We should be lucky to give our daughter in marriage to a boy from that family" said Ayyaswamy.

"Oh, good! What is the groom doing?" asked his wife Lakshmi. 

"The boy is educated. But he is not working. His parents are no more. He has a lot of properties. So, he has been looking after his properties, by residing in the village" replied Ayyaswamy.

He then turned to his daughter Thangam and asked her, "What is your opinion about this match?"

Thangam said, "You know what is good for me, dad."

Three months passed since Thangam married Dhandapani and came to live in his house in the village. She observed that her husband was mostly staying at home.

Thangam asked Dhandapani, "Should you not be going to our fields and supervising the farming operations going on there?"

"There is no need. I have leased out my lands. The tenants will carry out the operations and give us our share in the harvest. Our job is to just to receive the paddy and store it in the bins. In fact, I won't be bringing home our entire share of the paddy. I will bring only the quantity needed by us for our food. The tenant will sell the remaining quantity to paddy merchants and give me the sale proceeds in cash" said Dhandapani, proudly.

'It is like someone peeling the banana and feeding it into your month, saving you even the little labour of peeling!' thought Thangam.

"We own a rice mill. You don't go there either" remarked Thangam.

"We have appointed a person to manage the rice mill. He meets me every evening, gives me the day's account and hands over the amount earned that day. Have you not seen him visiting our house every day?"

"Has this been the practice since your grandfather's time?"

"My grandfather was looking after the lands, but there was no rice mill during his time. My father was not interested in farming activities. So, he leased out the lands. He started the rice mill and looked after that business. Since the rice mill business had stabilized during my father's time, I entrusted running the rice mill to a manager" said Dhandapani, feeling proud about his ingenuity.

"Are you going to start any other business?" asked Thangam.

"No. But, why are you asking this question?"

"Your grandfather was looking after the lands. Your father started a rice mill and was looking after it. But you have not been looking after either. That is why I wondered whether you had a plan to start some other business."

"I have been looking after you. Is it not sufficient?" asked Dhandapani, jocularly. 

After a few days, Thangam told Dhandapani, "You know there is a free library in our village."

"Yes. An old lady has been running it. I have visited the library. But I don't have interest in reading books. So, I have not been using the library. The lady has been running it very well. I have often wondered how she has collected so many books and why she has been lending books to people free of cost, spending her own time and money in doing the service. I salute her for doing this service at this age, exerting herself physically."

"Yes. Running the library has been a difficult task for her. When I was talking to her, she said that it would be helpful if someone assisted her in running the library. I intend to go to the library every day and help her in her task" said Thangam.

"What is the need for you to do this? We are not in need of money. She won't be able to offer you a good salary, either" said Dhandapani, surprised by Thangam's idea.

"I won't be working for a salary. I just want to volunteer my services."

"Why? Sitting at home is boring to you! If you feel bored, you can borrow books from the library and read. You can even buy books and read."

After hesitating for a moment, Thangam said, "Our family has a good reputation among the people in this village. Your grandfather kept himself busy by looking after agriculture. Your father started a rice mill and kept himself busy by running it. But, you are not engaged in either activity. If we live an idle life, without engaging ourselves in any activity, the esteem and goodwill we have among the people will get eroded gradually.  Only if we are involved in some activity, will people respect us. Till the time you take up a job or some activity, I propose to engage myself in such activities, to save our respect and esteem from getting faded."

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Not Being Sluggish

Verse 601(in Tamil):
kudiyennum kunRA viLakkam madiyennum
mAsUra mAyndhu kedum.

Meaning:

The inextinguishable flame of distinguished ancestry will be put out,

if the filth of sloth starts blocking it

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nUlaga udhaviyALar' by the same author.) 

Verse 602
Verse 600

600. Trees Grown By the Father.

"You are twenty five years old. But you have still not got yourself a job!" said Thilakam.

"I have been trying" said her son Natarajan.

"I doubt it. I am not not well-educated. Still, I look for job advertisements in the newspapers and suggest the suitable ones to you. But, you apply only for a few of the opportunities I bring to your notice."

"Only I can decide what kind of a job will suit me. I can't apply for all the jobs advertised in the papers and picked by you as suitable to me."

"Why can't you seek the help of influential people known to us for getting a job through their contacts? I referred you to some people. But, you didn't approach them."

"I cannot meet everyone you want me to and beg for his charity" said Natarajan, showing his irritation. He added, "Are we struggling for survival? Are we not living comfortably?"

"We are surviving, alright. But, we can't continue like this, forever. After you get married and your family expands, won't you need a steady income to run your family? Your father died when you were a boy, leaving the responsibility of bringing you up, to me entirely. You will never understand how much I struggled single-handedly, to bring you up.. But, you have the habit of taking things easy. You didn't concentrate on your studies. I saved money for your college education, by being prudent in spending and cutting down many of my needs. But you were not interested in joining a college. You were happy to stop your studies at the school level. Now, you are not making any effort to take up employment. When I think of your future, I am worried. But you don't have even an iota of concern about your future" lashed out Thilakam, pouring out her feelings of anger and frustration.

Upset by his mother's words, Natarajan walked out of the house.

When Thilakam was engaged in nurturing the plants in the garden at her home, Sivakami, a neighbour came there.

"Did your son get a job?" Sivakami asked Thilakam.

"Not yet. He is still searching for a job" replied Thilakam.

Looking at the plants in the garden, Sivakami pointed to one tree and remarked, "This tree has grown up so tall!"

"All these plants were nurtured by my husband. Now they have grown into tall tress" said Thilakam, feeling both proud and nostalgic.

Seeing her son Natarajan step into the house, 'What is the difference between these plants and my son?' wondered Sivakami.

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 60

Possessing Zeal

Verse 600 (in Tamil):

uram oruvarkku uLLa veRukkai ahdhu illAr
maram makkaLAdhalE vERu.

Meaning:

Abundant zeal is one's strength. People, devoid of this are trees in the form of human beings. 

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'appA vaLarththa marangaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 601
Verse 599

599. The Man Who Came From Nowhere

Murugan started his campaign in that small village.

He landed at the nearby town and stayed in a small hotel in that town. He travelled by a bus and reached the village.

After alighting from the bus, Murugan went to a tea shop near the bus. Sipping a glass of tea, he began conversing with the people dining at that restaurant.

They listened to his talk with amazement. The owner of the tea shop also listened to him with interest.

While paying for the tea, Murugan spoke a few words to the owner of the tea shop. The tea shop owner listened to him and nodded his head, somewhat reluctantly.

Murugan then got into a bus and went back to the town, where he had taken a hotel room.

When Murugan came to the village again at 6 o' clock in the evening, about twenty people were standing near the bus stop, waiting for his arrival.

Murugan exchanged a few words with them and went along with them. 

They led Murugan to a broad street in that village. About fifty people had assembled there already.

Murugan stood before them and began to address them. A person, sitting on the pial of a house nearby, told him, "Please sit on this pial and speak. Then only, people will be able to look at you."

Accepting his invitation, Murugan sat on the pial and began to speak.

"Good evening! My name is Murugan. I don't belong to this village, but I am a citizen of this country. I have taken the liberty of visiting this village, considering that you are also citizens of this country and that the issues I am about to discuss with you are also issues of concern to you.

"The person who won from this constituency was elected by legislators belonging to his part, to lead this country. He has been holding the top office for the past four and a half years. He has not done any good to people, but has been successfully deceiving people. 

"If someone questions him about his commissions and omissions, he and his supporters pounce on that person like a ton of brick, attack him and spin a web of false allegations against him. The man elected to lead this country uses his authority to imprison his critics on the basis of flimsy or fabricated charges. He has made it a habit to characterize his critics as anti-national elements.

"Whenever he faces strong opposition from people, he creates divisions among people, by spreading hatred through false propaganda. He eventually overcomes such opposition, by diverting people's attention to issues created by his false propaganda.

"The opposition parties, who have the duty to oppose his tyrannical ways, for some reason, act timidly and often waver in their stands. As a result, the leader is becoming stronger and stronger. It is widely believed that he is going to win the next election too!

"Some sections of the media purchased by him and other sections intimidated by him have been covering up his failures and wrongdoings and singing his praise, extolling his imaginary achievements.

"When unjust things happen in a society and we allow such things to continue, great harm will be caused to the society. The society also has to carry the shame for silently suffering the atrocities, without displaying the courage and wisdom to resist them.

"I believe that our society should not suffer such a shame. I am sure that there are many among you, who feel the same way as me. I think it is my duty to make people, who don't feel this way, understand what is happening around them and what its consequences are going to be. Once they understand this, they will also join the ranks of people who want to put an end to this disgraceful situation. 

"This man made an entry into the public sphere quietly like a cat. Today, he has morphed himself into an elephant that has turned rogue The wild elephant is now pushing people around and crushing people who resist its arrogance, under its feet 

"There is an eternal question as to who should bell the cat. Rats not having the courage to bell the cat, foe fear of being caught and killed by the cat is understandable. Bur a lion or tiger should not fear the elephant. Many people amongst us have been living in fear, like rats. We are not rats, we are tigers. We have the strength to take on the rogue elephant.

"In the next election, I am going to contest against the leader, who has been cheating all of us. I am an individual. Since the opposition parties that have the power, the strength and the responsibility to take on the tyrant ruling us are inactive, clueless about how to devise a strategy to fight him, I have begun the effort of subduing the rogue elephant, by mobilizing the power of people.

"Today, I may be a nobody. There are six months for the election. During this period, I will be meeting people, telling them the truth about the state of affairs and mobilizing them against the tyrant. I am confident that I will succeed in my efforts."

"The reason for my stating my campaign in your village, situated in his constituency, is the name of your village, Satyapuri - meaning the abode of Truth. What I am launching is a struggle for justice and truth. It is only appropriate that it begins at the abode of Truth.

"As of now, I am a single person. Swami Vivekananda said, 'Give me hundred young people. I will transform this country.' I also need just hundred people. With their help, I will be able to achieve success in my efforts. If I get one person from this village to work with me, I will consider it a beginning for success."

After Murugan had completed his speech, five people from the crowd raised their hands. 

"You will definitely succeed in your mission, young man" a voice from the crowd proclaimed loudly.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 60

Possessing Zeal

Verse 599 (in Tamil):
pariyadhu kUrngOttadhu Ayinum yAnai
verUm puli thAkkuRin.

Meaning:

It is huge; it has sharp tusks; yet, the tusker

is frightened when the tiger attacks.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'murugan enRu oruvan' by the same author.) 

Verse 600
Verse 598

137. Accusation And Acquittal

"What is happening in our office? I see a flurry of activities near the MD's (Managing Director's) cabin!" asked Govardahanam. 

Govardhanam was a person, who would keep to himself and won't be bothered about things going around him in the office.

"It seems that a fraud has been committed" said Ganesan. He had just been to the section, where the MD's cabin was located and made some inquiries.

"What kind of a fraud?"

"A sum of three lakh rupees that should have been transferred to a supplier's bank account has, instead, been transferred to some other account."

"How is this possible? It is the Chief Accountant, who handles bank transfer transactions!"

"Someone had used his password and transferred the money to some other account. The supplier firm noticed that it did not receive the payment, only a few days after it had received the payment advice from our firm. The firm then took up the matter with us. Our people checked the records and found that the payment had gone to the account of some unknown person. Only after that, the fraud was discovered. Three weeks had passed during the process. Our management had kept the matter secret. Today, two police officers have come to our office, to investigate the matter" explained Ganesan.

"I think they will be able to find the culprit, by tracing the bank account to which the money has been transferred" said Govardhanam.

"They have traced the account. It seems that the account had been opened only recently and that the account holder withdrew the money and wiped the account clean. The identity proof and address proof given by him were found to be fictitious."

"Do they suspect any of the employees?"

Before Ganesan could answer Govardhanam, the office peon came there and told Govardhanam, "Sir! The MD is calling you."

Two police officers were sitting in the MD's room. As soon as Govardhanam had entered the room, the MD asked him, "Mr. Govardhanam! Did you work in a firm called Vinayaka Enterprises, before joining our firm?"

Taken aback by this question, Govardhanam replied reluctantly, "Yes, sir."

"Why didn't you mention that in your job application?" asked the MD.

"How could he mention it? How could he say that he was dismissed from that firm for embezzling five thousand rupees, while working there as a cashier?" quipped one of the two police officers, in a derisive tone. 

The officer then looked into the eyes of Govardhanam and demanded, "Confess to us that it was you who swindled three lakh rupees, through a fraudulent transfer!" in an intimidating tone.

Govardhanam felt a wave of panic sweeping his body, from head to feet. 

Events that took place ten years back flashed in his mind's screen - his incurring gambling debts, embezzling five thousand rupees from his office on an impulse, to safeguard himself from the threats issued by the money lenders, getting caught, selling his mother's jewellery and paying back to the firm the money embezzled by him, the firm dismissing him, yet showing him some mercy, by not preferring a police complaint, considering that he had paid back the money taken by him, and his turning a new leaf, by taking up a new job and living a disciplined life.

"Are you wondering how we came to know of this? After the fraud had happened, we checked the background of each and every employee of this firm. You joined this firm, ten years before. But you had completed your education twelve years back. When you applied for a job here, you led the management of this firm to believe that you had not worked in any other firm earlier. We were intrigued by the gap of two years. When we probed your background, we found out about your previous employment and your embezzlement. Now, tell us, where the money stolen by you is!"

Govardhanam looked at his MD and pleaded with him, "Sir! It is a fact that I had committed a wrong once. But, after that, I have been living with the determination that I shouldn't make even a small mistake. I don't even know how to do online transfer of money from a bank account. Please believe me."

The MD looked at the police officers.

"You are a suspect. We have to arrest you" said the police officr.

Govardhanam desperately looked at his MD.

The MD shifted his gaze in another direction.

Four days after Govardhanam's arrest, the police found out that a former employee of the firm had committed the fraud and arrested him. Subsequently, Govardhanam was released from police custody.

Two days after Govardhanam was released rom prison, Ganesan, Govardhanam's friend in the office, came to Govardhanam's house..

Govardhanam felt ashamed to look at his friend's face. 

"Take it easy. It has now been proved that you didn't commit the fraud" said Ganesan.

"The wrong I committed ten years back is still haunting me. What a humiliation I had to face! I feel ashamed even to look at you, a friend of mine" said Govardhanam.

"Leave it!" said Ganesan.

"It was the wrong that I had committed in the past that made me a suspect in the eyes of the police. I realize how one misdeed of mine brought me such a fall and humiliation! However, I have one regret."

"What is it?"

"I committed a wrong once. Therefore, the police suspected me. But, I have been living an honest life for the past ten years. Doesn't that honesty have any value?"

"Of course, it has a value!" said Ganesan.

"Don't say something just to appease me. What did I get for being a man of integrity?" countered Govardhanam.

"Your integrity has been recognized. I came here to tell you the good news. But you began to talk about the humiliation suffered by you. I thought I would tell you the news, once you calmed down a little.

"What good news?"

"Though it is now known that you committed no wrong, our MD was a bit unhappy that you had concealed your past, while applying for the job. But, realizing that it was not fair to punish a person who had been working hard for the firm for the past ten years, he has reinstated you. A letter has been sent by the firm reinstating you. You will get that letter in a day or two" said Ganesan.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 14
Possession of Propriety 

Verse 137 (In Tamil)

ozhukkththin eydhuvar mEnmai izhukkaththin
eydhuvar eydhAp pazhi.

Meaning:

One will attain eminence through propriety of conduct. Violation of propriety will lead to insufferable disgrace.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'paNa mOsadi' by the same author)

Verse 138
Verse 136