never forget the imprints of the British legacy in India. Years after our independence still it’s thought and practiced as a way of elite people to talk in English. The la

seas countries beat over the native peopl

from England. Others referred to him for assistance whenever they doubted English drafts or files. My uncle moved very importantly among all his colleagues. It’s one of such moments

ten is correct. If what you’ve corrected is to be there in the file

oon be a laughing stock even among your colleagues.” Never to say, the officer kept my uncle out of office so long as he officiated in that station. The suspension followed another and so on. My uncle was not paid. He had no children and my aunt advised him to go and apologize to the officer. His vanity never permitted my uncle to see the officer again. For several months the couple managed to make out their living and finally my aunt left for her mother’s place. Le

of talented officials. Once there was a misappropriation of funds in my office in the accounts branch. My controlling officer issued a show-cause notice to me attributing the loss of funds and demanded why I shouldn’t be placed under suspension. Ev

ever any enquiry proceeded the culprit surrendered himself. Usually, such cases resulted in a suspension from service for a month and remittance of disputed money into government funds. But this officer who’s known for his integrity and smartness sus

, “Sir, I’m used to it beca

better than others but I never sai

giggling silently. What

at English.

their honesty but indulged in distasteful acts

it was in the protocol to pick him up from the railway station whenever he visited our office. He came once a mo

ing to Sund

s S

hicle to the railway station and I’ll be there in the first class compartment mar

my officer never came out. The express train hardly stopped for more than three minutes. I hurried to look into the reservation slip pasted on the cabin near the entrance. My officer’s name was not there and there were a number of seats va

ere the hell have you gone? Did I not

I chec

et in.” And the ca

to travel in second class and claim first-class fare. For that he’d judiciously collec

s clever,”

urt many a case. Don’t be surprised there were bills claiming travelling allowance on 31st November. It s