DUST
"Papa has come, Papa has come." Saying these both the children of Diwakar hugged him. "You took a lot of time to come today." Diwakar's wife said. Diwakar did not reply and sat silently on the bed. "Papa, did you bring my book?" "I did not remember today, I will bring it tomorrow," Diwakar replied reluctantly. "I have a test the day after tomorrow. I have been asking you for so many days. You say this every day but you never bring it. Now how will I give the test?" "I will bring it tomorrow." "You say this every day. If you bring it tomorrow then when will I remember? If I get lower marks on the test then you will scold me asking why I got lower marks." "Don't make up too many stories. You have learned to make up a lot of stories." Diwakar said scolding him. Just then Diwakar's younger daughter Preeti said with irritation- "Papa, did you not bring any toffee today?" "There is no toffee or anything. Be quiet today, don't mess with my mind." "Then why did you say it in the morning? I want toffees now. Otherwise, I will not cook food." Preeti said stubbornly. "Papa is like this. He asks for everything but does not bring anything." Diwakar's middle son said. "You people have become very rude." Diwakar got up and beat all three children in anger. The children started crying loudly.
Diwakar's wife said while defending them, "Why are you beating them? They are right in saying that when you do not want to bring anything then why do you say it?" "Yes yes, everything is fine. The only bad thing in this house is me." Diwakar said angrily. "What are you saying today? What has happened to you?" "I have gone mad... this is what you want to say, right? You sit at home all day that is why you have talked so much. If you have to work in the office like me, then you will know the price of flour and pulses." "Yes, yes, I sit all day long. You hired many servants for work." Sunita said in anger. "Look Sunita, don't make me angry or else I will hit you too." "What did you say? So you will hit me?" Sunita got up in anger and went to the room stamping her feet and slammed the door.
The children got scared seeing their parents fighting opened their bags and sat down. Diwakar sat there alone for some time thinking about something. Then he put on his clothes and went out. He kept wandering on the streets for a long time. He returned home around ten o'clock.
The children were asleep by then. Sunita asked Diwakar to eat food but he refused. Sunita tried to persuade him, but he quietly went to his room and lay down without eating. Sunita also did not eat food. Both of them slept hungry.
Diwakar woke up late in the morning. He bathed and washed himself. Then he picked up his bag and left for the office at 8 o'clock. Sunita kept asking where he was going so early, but Diwakar ignored her and came out. It was 8:30. There was still one and a half hours left for the office to open. Diwakar was not able to understand where he should go. After thinking for a while, he headed towards the park. He came to the park and sat on a bench.
Office incidents started playing in his mind one by one. Diwakar is a storekeeper in a government office. Three months ago, purchases worth three lakh rupees were made in Diwakar's office. The commission was divided among everyone from the senior clerk to the senior sahab, but no one asked about Diwakar. The firm from which purchases were made for the last several years was government-recognized. Its goods were good. But it gave less commission. So this time the new sahab and the senior babu together gave the order to another firm. He gave them the desired commission. But the goods supplied by the firm were of very poor quality. Diwakar kept sulking in his heart but he did not say anything. When many days had passed since the goods had arrived, one day the senior clerk called Diwakar to his cabin. He said to Diwakar, "Diwakar Babu, these goods have arrived for many days. You should receive it.
After all, you are the owner of the store." "This stuff is of very poor quality. I cannot receive it, Bade Babu." Diwakar said arrogantly. "You will have to receive it. If you don't do it, then Sir will get angry." Bade Babu said softening his voice. "If it happens, let it happen. Sir takes the commission and we deliver poor-quality stuff. What kind of justice is this?" Diwakar got angry. "What you say is true. But an officer is an officer, Diwakar Babu, it is not right to mess with him." Bade Babu explained to Diwakar. "Whatever happens, I will not receive these goods," Diwakar said in a firm voice. "Okay, as you wish, I will convey your message to the boss." Diwakar came to his table.
Nothing happened for two-three days. Diwakar thought that his scolding had worked. Now no one would ask him to receive the goods, but on the fourth day, as soon as he sat on his seat, the dispatch clerk brought a letter from Bade Sahab and handed it over to him. It was written
"Mr. Diwakar Store Keeper.
On checking the TA bills you have submitted for the last four months, it was found that you have charged sixteen DA fraudulently, which is a serious financial irregularity. Why should disciplinary action not be taken against you? Submit your explanation in this regard within three days." After reading the letter, Diwakar got furious. Full of anger, he went to the senior officer and said - "Everyone in the office charges fake DA. Then what crime have I committed by charging fake DA that my bills are being investigated." "It is the jurisdiction of the senior officer to decide whose TA bill should be passed and whose bills should be investigated. What can we do in this?" the senior clerk said smiling mischievously. Diwakar
was left speechless. He came and sat at his table feeling embarrassed.
Only two-three days had passed since this incident when he was given another explanation. It was written by Mr. Diwakar, you had taken LTS in June last year. In that, you had also paid a fair charge for your mother. Whereas on investigation it was found that your mother is not dependent on you. You are ordered to immediately submit a court certificate to this effect and tell them that your mother is dependent on you for her livelihood. Otherwise, strict action will be taken against you for cheating the department.
Diwakar was terrified after reading the letter. He had never thought that such an old matter would come to the fore. On everyone's insistence, in the greed of getting a thousand rupees, he had even charged his mother's fare, while according to the rules, this was wrong. Diwakar's father was still alive and was getting a pension. Therefore, there was no question of getting a certificate of his mother being destitute from the court. Diwakar felt that the boss was collecting evidence to take action against him. This made him worried.
It is said that trouble never comes alone. Diwakar was entangled in these problems when a letter regarding his sister's marriage came from home. Her marriage was the next month. Diwakar applied for encashment. He was hoping that he would get the encashment amount eight to ten days before the marriage. But when many days had passed since he had submitted the bill, he asked the senior clerk about this. The senior officer said, "Your application for encashment has returned from the senior officer without being approved. He has written that the services of Mr. Diwakar for the last year have not been certified by the previous officer, therefore his encashment cannot be approved." He took the service book from the senior officer and saw it. His services for the last year had not been certified by the previous officer. Diwakar was shocked. He had thought that he would get thirty-forty thousand rupees for encashment. By adding ten-fifteen thousand more, he would spend fifty-sixty thousand rupees on his sister's wedding. But now nothing could be done. The former officer was transferred to a very far-off district. It was not possible to send the service book there and get the services certified so soon. Diwakar started worrying about what he would spend on the wedding now. Then a ray of hope arose in his mind. He said to the senior officer, "If the sir wants, he can certify the services based on the salary register."
Yes, he can do it, but it is a matter of the sir's mood, whether he does it or not. Bade Babu spoke sarcastically.
Diwakar was left fuming. But what could he do? The wedding date was slowly drawing near. Diwakar was becoming very worried. Everyone in the office had come to know that the boss was angry with Diwakar, so even his colleagues had started avoiding him. Meanwhile, the conspiracy against Diwakar was continuing. He received another letter from the senior boss. It was written - Mr. Diwakar, a week after receiving the letter, the office store records have to be inspected and the goods have to be physically verified. Therefore, you are ordered to submit a list of the goods available in the store in three copies to the senior boss within three days. Diwakar was stunned after reading the letter. The store had not been inspected for many years. Many things from the store had been taken away by the previous bosses. Some things were still in the bosses and other people's houses. Asking for goods from everyone meant inviting enmity from everyone. Secondly, the date of inspection was just two days before his sister's wedding. He was already worried, and on receiving this letter, whatever courage he had left also started to fail. He consulted a couple of his friends. Everyone explained that you can't be hostile to a crocodile while living in water. You have not received the goods. That is why the Sahab is angry with you. You meet the Sahab tomorrow and do as he says, everything will be fine.
After a lot of explaining from his friends, Diwakar also understood the matter. The next day morning he reached Sahab's cabin. He raised the curtain and greeted the Sahab respectfully. Sahab said- "Come, brother Diwakar Babu, sit down. Tell me how did you trouble me?" The sarcasm was visible in Sahab's voice. Diwakar was left disappointed. He said- "Sir! My sister's wedding is next week. I am in dire need of money. Please pass my monetization and TA bill." "I have heard Diwakar Babu; you are very strict about rules and regulations. That is why all action will be taken against you as per the rules." Sahab again hit back. "That was my mistake, Sir. I am ready to do as you say." Diwakar said surrendering. "Good, this is it. We will call the senior officer right now." The officer rang the bell and ordered the peon to call the senior clerk.
As soon as the senior clerk arrived, the Sahab said, "Look, the senior clerk, Diwakar Babu, has agreed to receive the goods. You should check the goods in the stock register and get them received. After that, both of you come to me with the stock register." "Okay, Sir. Come, Diwakar Babu." Diwakar matched the goods with the list and received them. After that, both of them reached the Sahab's room. The senior clerk said, "Sir, Diwakar Babu has received all the goods." "Okay. Come and sit both of you." The Sahab ordered tea for both of them. After drinking tea, the senior clerk said, "Diwakar Babu, you have already received the goods, now you make a back-dated demand letter for the said goods and attach a certificate on the stock register that the purchased goods have been matched with the sample. The goods are suitable for departmental use." "But this will put all the risk on me." Diwakar expressed his doubt. "There is risk in every work, Diwakar Babu. We will also take the risk by certifying your services of last year." Sahab said laughing. Diwakar could not think of any answer. He started looking around.
Bade Babu said - "There is no risk in this, Diwakar Babu. Then why do you worry when Sahab is there."
"Okay, as you wish." Diwakar silently made the demand letter and also pasted the certificate on the stock register. Sahab looked at the stock register and the demand letter, then said with satisfaction, "Okay Diwakar Babu, now you can rest assured. You will get the money for your cash and T.A. bills the day after tomorrow." "And the store inspection Sir?" Diwakar said in a low voice. "That will then be done at your convenience. Bade Babu, tomorrow make a letter for them that the store inspection is postponed till further orders." "Okay, Sir. Will make it tomorrow." Bade Babu nodded in approval. After that Diwakar left. Bade Babu paid the TA bills and cash to Diwakar on time. An office peon was sent to Mr. Diwakar's place to work at his sister's wedding. ... One month passed. The Sahab was happy with Diwakar. Then an incident happened that made Diwakar lose his sleep at night and peace during the day. The firm from which purchasing was done every year was not happy with this purchase. They were angry in their hearts and were looking for an opportunity. At their instigation, a daily paper published detailed news regarding the supply of substandard material. The newspaper cutting reached the District Officer. Under pressure from local leaders, the District Officer handed over the investigation of the entire case to a magistrate. When a magisterial inquiry was set up against purchasing, there was a commotion in the entire office. People started worrying about saving themselves. Bade Babu, Chote Sahab, and Bade Sahab together put the entire blame on Diwakar. On the advice of Bade Babu, Bade Sahab did a surprise inspection of the store and asked Diwakar for an explanation. It was written-
Mr. Diwakar, during the store inspection, the recently purchased goods were checked. The investigation revealed that the material purchased was of very poor quality. Whereas you have marked a certificate on the stock register that the material purchased is suitable for departmental work. The demand letter for the said material has also been submitted by you. This shows that you had collusion with the said firm. Explain under what circumstances you did this; otherwise, strict action will be taken against you for deliberately keeping the department in the dark. Copies of the letter were also sent to the District Officer and the Investigation Officer. Due to this, he became the culprit in everyone's eyes. The investigation was going on for a week. Every day he was asked dozens of questions. Diwakar remains very upset. He had put the certificate on the stock register on the instructions of the senior clerk and the sahab; the same became a noose around his neck.
Diwakar gets angry now and then that look, these people have embezzled thousands of rupees in purchasing and now when the investigation is going on, they are making him a scapegoat. He remains restless, but what can he do to the Sahab people? He takes out the office rage at home. He scolds the kids for every small thing and beats them. He rebukes his wife badly without any reason. He gets angry at every small thing. His wife is worried about what has happened to him. Diwakar later regrets his behavior. Diwakar was not able to understand how long he would bear this mental torture and how long he would keep smoldering inside like wet wood. Just then the municipal clock rang for ten hours. Diwakar got up with a start. He picked up his bag and left for the office. He was thinking let's see what new trouble comes today.
