Like most of us, Sardar Shivsingh, District Engineer of Shahjahanpur, had his share of both good and the bad. According to his subordinates the good thing about him was that he was compassionate even towards the guilty and believed that justice need not be harsh. The bad thing, from the viewpoint of his colleagues and subordinates, was that he was neither greedy nor selfish. His compassion, even for the guilty, had rendered his subordinates lazy and they had little apprehension of any action against them. And what they and Sardar's colleagues detested about him, had turned them into Sardar's mortal enemies.
One fine morning Sardar got ready to leave for inspecting a bridge that was under construction. He had instructed his coach driver last evening to report for duty early in the morning but he hadn't turned up yet. The sun came up and rose high in the sky and made the cool breeze of the morning hot. However it seemed that all this had failed to pull the driver out of his slumber.
Sardar got tired of waiting and let himself down in a chair. At long last, the coach driver did show up but now the orderlies went missing. One that had been sent out to collect the mail was busy offering a prayer in a temple. The other, who was to deliver a message to the contractor to come and accompany the officer, was smoking marijuana with a local sadhu, Baba Ramdas.
It was getting very late and hot. Sardar, annoyed and tired of waiting, got up and went inside the bungalow. He spoke to his wife in an irrirated voice, "It is so very late but even one of the orderlies is not to be seen. I am truly fed up with them."
His wife looked blankly at the wall and replied, "They have been spoilt by none other than you yourself!"
Sardar said with much annoyance, "So? Do you want me to hang them?"
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Sardar did not have a car, nor even a fitan (a fancy horse drawn carriage.) All he had for transportation was an "ikka," a plain carriage drawn by a single horse and lacking all ornamentation. His staff called it his flying craft while others in the city very unkindly called it a junk cart. Sardar was very thrifty indeed. His dependents included two younger brothers studying at Allahabad, his widowed mother living in his native village as also his widowed sister. He provided scholarships to some poor students too. This put him in dire straits financially. And yet, he never succumbed to any temptation to accept bribes. His friends and loved ones admired him for it. However, the same trait was sorely detested by those who were in a business relationship with him for it came in the way of their making money. Even his wife was at times miffed by his overly honest ways.
One evening when Sardar returned from his office, his wife had a talk with him. She said in a loving tone, "What use is all your honesty? No one ever has a good word for you."
Sardar replied in a firm voice, "I couldn't care less. The God above sees all."
His wife, Rama, had anticipated this response. She said, "Let us not get into a debate. You, of course, get a reasonably good salary and can make do without going for any extra income. Just think how does your approach affect those around you. Your orderlies, peons and clerks get no more than 5 to 10 rupees a month. They too have families, social obligations and all the usual expenses. Their children too have to be married, there are occasional medical expenses too. How can they manage all this with their meager salary? The other day the wife of Ramdeen, your peon, was here. She was crying bitterly. Her daughter is to be married. Ramdeen is a brahmin. In their caste expenses on a girl's marriage run into thousands. Tell me, who is going to be responsible for their misery?"
Sardar himself used to ponder over these matters and didn't totally disagree with his wife. In fact this was the reason for his leniency towards his subordinates. However his leniency and gentlemanly approach was never accepted by the subordinates as compensation enough for the underhand dealings denied to them.
Sardar said, "I do not disagree with you. But I just cannot compromise on my principles. If it were up to me, I would give all of them a hefty raise. But as regards bribery, I will neither engage in it myself nor allow my subordinates to do so."
Rama repeated her question with sarcasm, "Then, again, who will take responsibility for their misery?"
Sardar said irritably, "The responsibility squarely lies with those who choose to live beyond their means. Why should an orderly aspire to have a lawyer as his son-in-law? If a peon chooses to employ a household help, it is almost a sin. It is the height of folly if a stableman's wife aspires for heavy silver jewelry. How can another person be responsible for their ostentation?"
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The relationship between engineers and contractors is like that between honeybees and flowers. If the bees are content with what is their fair share, no one can have any complaint against them. This sweet nectar that rightfully belongs to them is called 'commission' in the parlance of public works. It is not bribe. Bribe is bad and it mars your life in this world as well as the next. Bribe is immoral and there is always a fear of punishment lurking in the mind of those who indulge in it. But 'commission' is as natural and beautiful as a garden. And it is accepted as such by others, the God himself and your own conscience. It doesn't tar your reputation. It is like a sacrifice that is a sacred religious act and not a murder. Despite such societal acceptance, Sardar never approved of 'commission' and steered clear of it. He could be pardoned for such stubbornness.
The month of March was coming to an end. An inspection of public works in the district by the Chief Engineer was imminent. But most projects were still incomplete. The roads were in bad shape. The contractors were yet to procure requisite material for repairing them. Sardar's repeated reminders to the contractors bore little fruit.
He summoned a meeting of all the contractors. He thus addressed them, "Do you want me to be dubbed a non-performer in this district? I have always been nice to you. I could have got all work done departmentally instead of awarding contracts to you all. I did not do so because I did not want to hurt your interests. And this is what I get in return! Well, well!!"
As the contractors emerged from the meeting room, they started talking amongst themselves. Mr. Gopaldas said, "I hope the Chief Engineer's visit will make this fellow more alive to the reality."
Shahbaz Khan said, "He is impossible. I am simply waiting for his funeral."
Seth Chunnilal added, "I know this Chief Engineer well. He is going to take Sardar to task."
Old Haridas said in a sage voice, "It is true that our business interests are affected. But for that I would consider Sardar to be a godly man. Look at us. We hold on to the last paisa by the skin of our teeth. But Sardar, who is financially stretched, doesn't even touch 'commission' income that would easily work out to ten thousand rupees every year. Though he is suffering, he doesn't compromise his principles. He wouldn't accept a single penny from us. It is but our bad luck that we have to oppose such a saintly person."
Shahbaz said in agreement, "It can not be gainsaid that this man is an angel indeed."
Seth Chunnilal said in a somber tone, "You are right Mr. Khan. But, then, if you want to stay in business you cannot be a stickler for principles. The world is like this. We cannot help it."
Mr. Gopaldas, a graduate, said with pride in his tone, "Well if he is so principled he shouldn't have taken up this job. It is okay to be honest. But shouldn't you care for how your rigidity is affecting others? We would rather deal with a person who makes money for himself and lets us do the same. We don't mind even if he demands more than usual. After all, for every rupee of commission that the officer takes, we make five! But this person simply wouldn't let us. Whatever you might say, I am totally opposed to this person."
Shahbaz Khan said, "Yes, it is okay to be good and honest but only so far as it doesn't hurt the interest of others."
Those who had earlier nodded vigorous agreement with Haridas were now all siding up with Gopaldas. The spark of truth is short lived indeed in weak souls!
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Sardar had a daughter and he was in talks with a barrister at Meerut for her marriage with the barrister's son. The barrister's family belonged to a high caste and was quite well to do. It had taken huge efforts to get the matter close to being concluded. All the details had been worked out except dowry. Earlier on the barrister saw no point in discussing the matter with a person at the level of a District Engineer. A District Engineer would naturally be liberal with money and not insisting on a fixed amount would only enhance the barrister's dignity. But as close inquiries revealed Sardar's way of life and his financial status, the barrister thought it wise to negotiate the quantum of dowry beforehand. He sent a letter to Sardar asking for a dowry of five thousand rupees. He added that he regretted being forced into being so explicit with a demand for dowry. But the old, orthodox, selfish and unthinking elders in the family left him with no other option. He was helpless in the matter. Sardar finished reading the letter and inhaled sharply. All his hopes had been dashed to the ground. He felt very restless and started pacing the room.
He picked up the letter and went inside. He wondered if he should share it with Rama. Finally he decided against it as there was no hope of getting any sympathies from her. Why be weak? She will only make me feel like a fool with her acerbic criticism of my ways.
Sardar was a kindhearted person and such a person can hardly face adversities and remain unmoved. He was full of sorrow and remorse. He wondered why should he have to suffer so even though he was careful not to hurt others. After months of efforts and just as he hoped that the matter was about to be closed, the whole thing had gone up in smoke! There was no way for him to remedy the situation. It may not be easy to go through the same pains once again. He felt immersed in gloom with no ray of hope. His eyes filled with tears as he thought that there was no one on whose shoulders he could cry.
He sat down in the chair. Several bills submitted by contractors were lying on the table in front of him. The bills had been lying there for weeks awaiting Sardar's attention. As he looked at the bills in theses moments of weakness, it occurred to him that a simple solution to his problem was right in front of him. He wouldn't be required to speak up; a gesture will be enough. The subordinates will manage everything with just a nod of agreement from him. He will not have to face any embarrassment. The thought took such hold on his mind that he started looking up the bills and working out the likely amount of commission he might get.
However the weak moments passed soon as his real self reasserted itself. He thought, "What has come upon me? Am I going to lose a lifetime of inner rectitude for the sake of money? I may not have money but I always hold my head high. Even those having motor cars and other luxuries could hardly look me in the eyes. Am I going to throw this hard-earned honor away for making money? So what if it runs into thousands of rupees?"
Having thus overcome his momentary weakness, he was suddenly filled with joy and had a hearty laugh in that closed room. He felt light and relieved at this victory over sudden rush of greed. He threw the bills down on the floor and walked over them. He was all smiles as he left the room.
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The Chief Engineer visited Shahjahanpur as scheduled and the visit brought Sardar bad luck in its wake. None of the projects had been completed. CE's assistant said, "Sir, it is just not possible for the contractors to complete projects in time. The District Engineer subjects them to much harassment." The head clerk accompanying CE found accounts full of errors and omissions. To make matters worse, the visiting team was not offered any gifts nor was any dinner hosted for them. It made them dig deeper for finding faults. After all they were only colleagues and not family members!
The contractors in the district sought an appointment with the CE. They came with a gift hamper overflowing with expensive presents. They said, "Sir, even at the cost of incurring your wrath we must submit that we can no longer put up with the unjust ways of the DE. He may have a reputation for not accepting commissions but you cannot imagine how harsh he is towards us!
The CE wrote in his inspection report - "Sardar Shivsingh is very honest person and has an exemplary character. However he is not able to properly manage the affairs of a district as big as Shahjahanpur."
As a result of this Sardar was demoted and posted at a smaller district.
His friends and well-wishers organized a farewell function. Everyone praised him for his uprightness in their speeches. In the final speech, the president said that they were all going to sorely miss Sardar and no one could fill the vacuum left behind by him. However the farewell dinner proved that a good dinner can help people overcome any grief howsoever severe.
Sardar's household bags were all packed up. When he came back from the farewell, his wife found him very sad and morose. She had been after him to entertain the CE, tip his assistant, offer gifts to the Head Clerk and host dinner for all of them. But it was all to no avail. So even after she got the news of Sardar's transfer and demotion, she continued to be sarcastic towards him. But now the look on Sardar's face made her heart melt. She asked him softly, "Why are you so sad?" Sardar said, "Do you think I should celebrate and laugh merrily?" Rama said, rather seriously, "Yes, you ought to celebrate and laugh. It is their lot to cry who compromise their integrity and principle for mere money. You have not been punished for doing any wrong. You have been punished for being a true gentleman. And you must not let it distract you. On the contrary you should be happy about it."
Having finished speaking, Rama looked at Sardar with eyes overflowing with love. Sardar too looked at her lovingly and found her face aglow with true joy. He hugged her and said, "All I needed was your love and understanding. Now no punishment can detract from my joy."
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