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Wednesday, 25 September 2013
The Password
Passwords have
been around us since ancient times. We have all heard of Alibaba (of Arabian
Nights fame) using the password ’Open Sesame’ to gain entry into the secret den,
where the forty thieves stacked their stolen riches. Since ages in the military, sentries have
been challenging persons trying to enter prohibited areas to give the correct
password before allowing them to proceed. Since recent years, we need a
password for almost everything, whether it is to gain access to your mobile
phone, satellite TV, e-mail or Facebook; to draw cash from your ATM account or for
e-banking and even to read the morning newspaper on-line. In addition to the
passwords, we senior citizens with our failing memories have to grapple with
several ten-digit PINs(Personal Identification Numbers) to make various electronic
transactions.
My
first brush with password took place ages ago during my college days in the NCC
Training Camp held at Sambra, near Belgaum. Once every week, we were assigned
guard duty at the Camp Armoury, comprising several old .303 rifles, LMGs,
TSMG’s and some hand-grenades. There
were eight of us in our platoon, who were deputed for guard duty that night.
Each one of us was given a 303 rifle loaded with live bullets – or, at least, we
were told so. We were expected to take turns standing there at the gate as a
sentry for a two hour stint at night. If any intruder turned up, we were supposed
to challenge him and let him to pass, if and only if, he gave the correct
password; else, we must call out the others from inside the guard house, who would
then come out running on the double to take positions all around the armory,
with their rifles all ‘cocked’ and ready to shoot on orders. We were told that at the end of the camp a
trophy would be awarded to the Best Platoon on Guard Duty. So, we were
expecting to see some real, tough competition from other participating colleges
by way of surprise checks by their officers and ‘attacks’ by ‘enemy’ cadets or
some sort of mischief during the night.
I
got my turn at Sentry Duty a little past midnight. An hour or so after I had
taken charge, the eerie silence of the night was broken suddenly by a distinct,
rustling sound of leaves in the distance. Soon, as the sound increased
steadily, I could see the headlights of a small, Fiat car heading in my
direction. The car stopped some distance from the armoury in the shadows of a
tree where the light from the street lamps could hardly reach it. I heard the
car doors open and shut with a bang and then even in the dim moonlight, I could
clearly make out the faint figure of a tall, hefty man as he stepped out of the
car. “HALT!” I cried out with my hands trembling on the rifle. “Halt, who goes
there? Friend or Foe.” The man stopped
in his track, but, did not reply. After a while, I repeated the question still
getting no answer. I was slowly beginning to swelter in my uniform. I asked him
again the same question for the third time and again got only a dead silence in
response. There was not even a murmur of a reply from the obstinate man who was
standing there frozen like a statue. “Say something, Man” I said at last in
desperation “Look, dumb ass! We have orders to shoot if we don’t get a reply
for more than three times. So, for Heaven’s sake, tell me if you are Friend or
Foe.”
At last, after some time, the man replied
in a cool but subdued tone: “Foe!” Now,
even in my wildest dream, I had not expected that one for an answer! God, I
could actually feel myself shivering in my pants!! “What! Err….What did you say?” I asked, more
to hide the sense of horror in my voice than to confirm. “Foe, I said.” said
the man nonchalantly.
God!
In case he had said “Friend” I would have known exactly how to proceed,
because we had clear instructions that, in that case, we should ask the
intruder to tell the password. But, here
was this guy telling me so blatantly that he was the ‘foe’ and I for one had no
inkling of an idea as to what does one do in such a situation! Well, there was nothing so suspicious about
him either --- neither his movements
were stealthy nor did he carry any arms or weapons of any sort to lay claim to
be the enemy!! What on earth did he
want?
In my utter confusion and consternation,
I blurted out: “Well, then, tell me the Password.”
“What
password? Is the foe supposed to tell you the password?” replied the man, now
sounding a bit indignant.
“Of
course not! In any case, put your hands up and step forward --- and no dirty
tricks, Mister.” I said pointing my rifle straight at him. I could somehow gather
enough courage to speak that bit of dialogue from a war movie I had seen
recently and I think it had the desired effect. For, instantly, he raised both
his hands in an obedient manner and stepped out forward into the light where I
could now clearly see his handsome features. He was a tall, well built man with
a well trimmed, ‘handle-bar’ moustache.
“Do you know who I am, you stupid
Nincompoop?” he bellowed haughtily.”I am Colonel Ukidway, your camp commandant!
”
“Oh! Oh, I’m so sorry, Sir. I really didn’t
mean to ---- Well, I couldn’t recognize you in ‘mufti’, Sir. But, NINCOMPOOP is
very correct, Sir --- that means you know the password, Sir! Until a moment ago, I didn’t even know what it
means!! Please proceed Sir. I can’t stop
you now!” I said lowering my rifle. “But,Sir! Sir, please hold on one minute. Sir,
let me give you a ‘present arms’ first.”
So saying, I sprang smartly into the ‘attention’ posture and moved my
right forearm upward bringing the rifle to a vertical position right in front
of me close to my body and then, raising my right foot up to the waist level, I
brought it back sharply on the ground clicking the shoe instep against the left
heel. I then brought my left arm swiftly across the body to grip the rifle near
its butt end with my fingers extended and thumb resting on top of the
forefinger. For all this drill, the colonel merely gave a nod of
acknowledgement to my salute and I continued with my profuse apology:
“I’m so sorry, Sir. It’s so dark out there,
I really couldn’t see you clearly, Sir. ..But, where have you been all day,
Sir? Our Sergeant Major has been looking
for you, Sir. He was saying the Blighter may turn-up anytime to-day for a
surprise check! Err --- Well, that’s
what he was saying, Sir”.
Since then, thank God, I didn’t have to
deal with another Password until the coming of the electronic age, several
years later, with its P.C, ATM and the like.
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Our Favourite "Pu La"
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| P. L. Deshpande (1919 - 2000) |
"Pu La" : A favourite personality
Friends,
Purushottam Laxman Deshpande (8 November 1919 – 12 June 2000), was a noted Marathi writer, who was affectionately known amongst his fans by his Marathi initials : पु. ल. ("Pu. La."). His was a multifaceted personality. Besides being an author, he was also an accomplished film and stage actor, music composer, harmonium player, singer and a great orator. He was an immensly popular and prolific writer, whose literary work was mainly in Marathi with poignant, witty and nearly philosophical humour, centered mostly around the common man from the lower middle class like a small grocer, clerk, school teacher or a music teacher. His writings include such humorous essays as Chitale Master, Mhais, and Pestonjee; Life sketches like Vyakti and Valli (which got him Sahitya Academy Award); travelogues like Apurvai, Poorva Rang, Jaave Tyanchya Desha and three-act plays like Ammaldar, Tujhe Ahe Tujpashi , Sundar Mi Honar and Tee Fulrani . His plays and short stories were marked by his characteristic ending on a philosophical note with thought-provoking punchlines. In all his humorous works, while the first half of the play/story would be hilarious, making you roll with laughter with his special brand of humor, in the latter half towards the end, it would invariably take a serious turn with tender pathos, touching your heart to the core, almost bringing up a lump in your throat, if not tears in the eyes. On the stage, P.L. was a performer par excellence. His one-man shows introduced a new genre in Marathi theatre with Batatyachi Chaal, Asa Mee Asami, Waryavarchi Warat and Hasawinyacha Majha Dhanda . He had written the story or screen play, composed music, directed and acted in several Marathi and Hindi movies which include, among others, such famous ones as Pudhache Paool , Doodh Bhat, Dewabappa, Gulacha Ganapati, Phool Aur Kaliyan, Aaj Aur Kal and many more. In the film Gulacha Ganapati, he played the lead role giving his best, typical 'P.L' performance. In recognition of his immense work, he won several National awards during his lifetime, some among them being Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Award and Maharashtra Bhushan.
P.L. Deshpande was a great philonthrophist having donated and participated in several social causes.
Tenshops' Blog has just completed one year of blogging; my first article "Satyamev Jayate" was published on July 20, 2012. Since then, I have published around twentyfour(24) articles. About 5135 persons around the world have viewed the Blog so far, of which 2135 persons are from India and 2100 persons from United States, the rest being from several other countries ranging from Russia to U.A.E! This is most gratifying for a budding author like me.
Some years back, an old friend had forwarded to me, via e-mail, a copy of a letter in Marathi supposed to have been sent by Shri P.L. Deshpande to his close friend, Dr.Shrirang Adarkar, as a wedding gift for his son, Ashok. I found the letter to be written in a lighter vein with his characteristic humorous touch. I immediately proceeded to translate it into English and showed it to several of my non-Maharashtrian friends, who found it very funny and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The original letter in Marathi has now appeared in print in a recently published book, by name, "Gathode" which is published by M/s. Purchure Prakashan, Girgaon, Mumbai. I am now publishing it, here below, in this first anniversary issue of "Tenshops' Blog", which is dedicated in the memory of our beloved "Pu. La".
Vasant Hattangadi
Some years back, an old friend had forwarded to me, via e-mail, a copy of a letter in Marathi supposed to have been sent by Shri P.L. Deshpande to his close friend, Dr.Shrirang Adarkar, as a wedding gift for his son, Ashok. I found the letter to be written in a lighter vein with his characteristic humorous touch. I immediately proceeded to translate it into English and showed it to several of my non-Maharashtrian friends, who found it very funny and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The original letter in Marathi has now appeared in print in a recently published book, by name, "Gathode" which is published by M/s. Purchure Prakashan, Girgaon, Mumbai. I am now publishing it, here below, in this first anniversary issue of "Tenshops' Blog", which is dedicated in the memory of our beloved "Pu. La".
Vasant Hattangadi
How to be Happy though Married
P.L Uncle’s
Advice to Newlyweds :
How to
be Happy though Married
P. L. Deshpande
(A free translation, by Vasant Hattangadi, of the original
letter in Marathi)
P.L. Deshpande,1, Roopali,
777, Shivaji Nagar,
Pune-4.
June 8,1980
777, Shivaji Nagar,
Pune-4.
June 8,1980
My
Dear Ashok,
Today is a very important day in yours and dear Komal's
life. Some thirty-four years back, in the very same month of June, a similar
important day had once dawned in my own and your Suniti auntie's life. So, on this
very happy occasion, based on my own
experience of the last 34 years, I would like to give you a few words of advice on the important subject of
“marriage” though, as a matter of
fact, I have often advised others to refrain from giving such advice to anyone
on this very delicate subject. All the same, I would like to share with you
some ‘trade secrets’ for a successful
married life. In this regard, it may be well to remember what Oscar
Wilde had to say: " A Perfect marriage is based on perfect
mutual misunderstandings! "
Thus, the success or otherwise of a marriaqe depends totally
on complete, mutual misunderstanding between the husband and wife. To take my own example, from the day we got married to this
day, Sunita nurtures this misconception about me that I am a thoroughly disorganized person! Now, it's true that on my wedding day
when I sat down to
sign the marriage register, I did land right on the top of the Registrar's hat!! But then, at least I didn't find any substantial
difference in the condition of the hat before or after the act. Once I happened
to squat
on someone's eyeglasses; but, a mere recollection of the then state of my
pajama and my own plight, when the shattered pieces of glass had pierced a most
‘unearthly’ spot in the rear, makes me perspire
profusely at the very same place even to this day. Well, let bygones be bygones. The point to be
noted is that, to this day Sunita has maintained her mistaken opinion about me
intact. Therefore, whenever I travel I always make it a point to forget without
fail to get back all such otherwise forgettable personal effects as pajamas,
bath towel, soap etc. Then, rather than being
sorry at my personal loss, my wife is all too pleased because her pet theory
that I am such a disorderly dunce has
been proved right after all. Now, being a doctor dear Komal may someday,
perhaps, think that you're not taking good
care of your own health. If so, you should try to maintain that 'misconception' at all costs. Even though you may
consider yourself to be in robust health, please note that from the feminine point of view, which no
male has ever been able to fathom, yours is a very special case! So, if your wife thinks that
you are too careless about your own health or that you worry too much about your work day and night, then help reinforce that belief by periodic sneezing
or coughing and faithfully swallowing any pill that she may dole out. Please remember, as per the candid opinion of
a physiotherapist friend of mine married to a lady doctor, a pill from a
physician wife is any day safer than her "Sambar" and tastier too! Well, for next six months, I should
not venture anywhere near Jaslok Hospital!! Now, a word of caution: Make
sure that there is no young lady around when you cough or, even as much as, clear
your throat. For, if you have been careless, you should be prepared to face the
consequences with such inconvenient questions as: "Come on, tell the truth. Just who was that signal meant
for?" So, just be careful while you are perpetuating your wife’s
misgivings. (By the way, the word 'young' denotes now-a-days any age up to
57 or 58 years! You will know what I mean, if you just take a roundabout on Carmichael
Road. )
In married life, there is
no greater bliss than when the husband has no convictions of his own especially regarding worldly matters. You may beg
to differ with your spouse on such topics as Khomeini, Sadat, Moche Dayan or OPEC; but, you will have to take her word
for it on questions like "Which is better, stuffed Pomphret or fried fish?" Beware,
you don't pass any indiscreet remark on "Karwari" food, though.
Especially, be careful to pay proper
respect to anyone having "Rao" as his/her last name. You never know
which Rao will turn out to be a
member of the "Bride's" Kinship! I will tell you why I always speak so
high about Rabindranathji: it's only
because his last name was "Thakore"! For similar reasons, you
should be a little more careful about a surname like "Borkar".
In married life, you must be very careful about little
things such as the words you use; else, sometimes you may have to
eat them along with what stuff your wife cooks for you (from which there is no escape, anyway). For instance, never say:" I too could
become a doctor, if I wanted to". On the contrary, say
"My Goodness, I could never have become a doctor! It calls for a different
class of genius like yours." Say this
to your spouse once a month on the payday; then, there's likelihood of the shopping being
cancelled in the ensuing happiness. Also, you must be very careful when you
talk about the Medical
Profession. Remember when you are only one against three at home, your knowledge of Karate is not
going to be of much help. With Karate
you may be able to break bricks, but not staunch opinions.
So, avoid expressing your own views on medical
profession. Similarly, it’s best not to utter a word at home about your realm
of "Technology". If anyone from wife's side does ask how
things are going on at work, then simply throw around a few words of technical jargon (But, make sure beforehand that
the person concerned is not from your own profession!) Then, their impression that
you are among the top five scientists in your field will be confirmed
and the thought that you are the real diamond in "Diamond
Shamrock", while all others are either just "sham" or dumb
"rock" will be further enhanced
ensuring even more respect at home.
Do not forget that since Komal has come into
your life, the strength of the female constituency in your
household has increased by one. As now dear Bharat's stay in the U.S is
prolonging for some unknown reason, in the present ‘government’ it's just
you and my friend, Baburao (Chairman, Shenvi Co-operative Bank) against the combined
strength of Malati, Punni and Komal. So, remember, at least for the time being it’s
the "Hand" that rules the roost. Instead of unnecessarily opposing "constant
shopping" every time, welcome it with such encouraging words as "Bravo!",
"Great!" or "Oh Wonderful!" etc. When going out, remember that for
a very formal question from wife, like
"Shall I wear this saree, Dear?", no answer is usually expected. Although
grammatically speaking it may be a question, in domestic grammar it is considered to be a
Firm Statement: "I am going to wear this saree tonight". Respond to that question by acting as if you are closely
scrutinizing the saree and then, depending on the situation, make some such
loud sounds as "Wow!", "Hmmm"
or "Yes! Yes, Very Good!" or at the most "Fantastic Idea!".
Alternatively, you may resort to such dialogues as:" Oh,
you are wearing this one? Great!" But, for heaven's sake, even if you feel
like it please desist from uttering words like: "Wear any damn thing, I
say. Who's going to see it, anyway?" In this respect,
you must follow the ideal example of the President of India. The moment he
receives a suggestion from the P.M he
promptly writes ‘agreed’ and signs it. I think this same sane policy of our President should
be generally adopted by all husbands. Thus, when going out for a party you must
say on the other hand, "Which Bush
shirt shall I wear tonight, Dear? Your choice is always First Class!" Make
sure, however, that she doesn't catch on
to the implied meaning behind your statement that her choice is always better
than yours. Else, you will hear those good old words as ancient as the Vedas: "I know what you mean", generally followed by the monosyllabic
‘don’tno’ in response to every question.
Finally,
a very important thing. Never forget your wife's birthday. It doesn’t matter if
you forget to put on trousers once in a way while going to office, but there's no
excuse what-so-ever
for the great crime of forgetting one's own wife's birthday. Many a faithful husband
celebrates the spouse's birthday in various
ingenious ways – some even give a rare, expensive present; but, there is
nothing so rare a present as the husband’s absence in office on the auspicious day. Now, in the opinion of
an experienced husband, just as you may gobble
onions religiously on the “Kande-Navami” day, even if you don’t relish them so much, so also you must persuade your wife to invite on her birthday all her
close relatives that you would not otherwise even like to meet on a
deserted island, some in the
afternoon and some for dinner at night. So,
now, the wife gets very pleased that you have taken leave to be with her at
home on her birthday. Also, as it’s her relatives who would be devouring the stuff, naturally she
will be busy cooking in the kitchen all day long. The house will be swarming
with her next of kin and their brats. So, keep all the glassware where the children can easily reach it. As the 'record
breaking" performance will be done by her brother's or sister's kids, rest assured the lady of the house will be on “mute”
for the rest of the day. However, you should not miss this opportunity to
intervene and say some appropriate words of consolation as: “Oh, never mind; they’re
just small children, you know. If they don’t play mischief, then who will?” Then, see to
it that all the breakable or ‘spillable’ items in the house are placed within reach of the in-laws’
children. However, don’t forget to mention that all electrical switches in the
room where you generally keep your tape recorder or CD
player etc give a terrific shock and keep the room locked. In other words, just don’t forget your wife’s
birthday irrespective of which
birthday it is and you may as well forget
all other advice I have given. A very intimate friend of mine, by name Triloksheth, once happened
to miss his wife's birthday. Well, let me relate that incident exactly as he told me. Listen.
"Saala, what to tell
you? Aarre, my wife's birthday, I just totally forgot! How she flared up!! Just don’t ask me, Saala. Straight
away no talk! When my Saali wife turns like this from ‘talkie’ into ‘silent movie’,
you know, I generally keep my bloody mouth shut. The way she got so mad
at me that, when I just asked her what we are having for breakfast, she just
threw her brand new dentures out of the window! I had paid that dentist,
Talpade, Saala, two thirty-five rupees through the nose for those damned
dentures. Now, Saala, all the thirty-two teeth are scattered all over Bhai Jeevanji Lane! And
the big joke is, Saala, she thinks that they were
my dentures! Meanwhile, my dentures are having a hearty laugh inside the glass
bowl!! To be on the safer side, I
immediately put them in my
mouth, Saala. Then, Saala, when I saw her 'toothless' mug for the first time, my
"tube-light" flashed at
once! Saala, that day was wife's fifty-eighth
birthday!! It was exactly on her fifty-second birthday that I had got
her those dentures from Dr. Talpade. Now,
right on her birthday she throws them out! Saala,
I didn't even know whether to wish her "Happy Birthday" or not.
So, I just put on my sandals, went out and to make her happy, I got her some Laddoos, which she relishes most. But, that Saala, Dayaram Mithaiwaala, is another idiot. I had warned him ten times to give me only soft Motichoor Laddoos, but the idiot puts in my bag one dozen hard Boondi Laddoos! Without any teeth in her mouth, Saala, how the hell do you expect my wife to eat the stuff? And she thinks I brought the hard Boondi on purpose! Saala, let me tell you, when these wives talk without teeth in the mouth, they sound so horrible and their sight is hundred times more horrible. You know what trick I have played now? Below Saibaba's photograph, I have now got my wife's birth date neatly carved in the wall with a nail. You know how costly these dentures have become these days. Saala, what to do? I am only idiot. Of all the stupid things, Saala, I had to forget my wife's birthday!"
So, I just put on my sandals, went out and to make her happy, I got her some Laddoos, which she relishes most. But, that Saala, Dayaram Mithaiwaala, is another idiot. I had warned him ten times to give me only soft Motichoor Laddoos, but the idiot puts in my bag one dozen hard Boondi Laddoos! Without any teeth in her mouth, Saala, how the hell do you expect my wife to eat the stuff? And she thinks I brought the hard Boondi on purpose! Saala, let me tell you, when these wives talk without teeth in the mouth, they sound so horrible and their sight is hundred times more horrible. You know what trick I have played now? Below Saibaba's photograph, I have now got my wife's birth date neatly carved in the wall with a nail. You know how costly these dentures have become these days. Saala, what to do? I am only idiot. Of all the stupid things, Saala, I had to forget my wife's birthday!"
Well,
I should not take any more precious time of newlyweds like you. They say such a person either
becomes a Gurkha or a Doodh Bhaiyya in the next life. But, one who has
sincerely followed my advice shall not only lead a happy, married life but also
find general happiness in life, with such good fortune as getting fresh fish,
rice, sugar, wealth, children, school-admissions for children,
‘window-seats’ in the bus/train and also the telephone number as dialed. Amen.
Yours truly,
P.L Uncle and Sunita mavshi
P.S. : I liked your novel idea of writing “ No Presents, please!” in the invitation cards.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Internet Humour : Travel Jokes
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