Advocate Ansari : Have you seen the amusing news Professor? - Grandmothers going husband - hunting...

Doctor Damu : Husband-hunting! That is funny .... and that too grandmas...

Advocate Ansari : Yes! In their 60's and 70's ... All Americans.... they have a club it is reported and the membership is said to be 700!

Prof. Pandu : And they have to their credit 3000 grand-children! I have seen the news Mr. Ansari and I know that it would amuse you. That club, Doctor? is in Chicago! And these dames ... I should add 'Old' ... came all the way to London to get husbands for themselves...

Doctor Damu : Why, London, Professor? Are there not enough fishes to net in America itself...

Prof. Pandu : Perhaps, Doctor! There are men in London ready enough to take any risk if only they are assured of tons of money... and these American ladies are very rich... They went, I am told, last year to Hawar! One dame reports in a lighter vein, that one lady fell in the ocean and another fell in love and was married within two months....

Advocate Ansari : For ladies of 60 and 70.... what a thought! Should richness kindle such audacity? ... Old hags...

Prof. Pandu : Sir! I would not equate oldness with age! No! It was the late lamented Mr.Sathyamoorthi who once stated that a woman is as old as she looks and a man is as old as he feels..... So being sixty or seventy need not necessarily mean, being old....

Advocate Ansari : That is the most curious interpretation. I have ever heard. Anyhow Professor! Age has got something to do with inclination, is it not? And should these money-bags get ideas about marriage at such an age ....! While grand-children are sending forth peals of laughter, these cronies want to hear and get delight from the wedding bells. Impudence! Impertinence! .... And a club for such a clumsy purpose.

Prof. Pandu : Sir, there are many such clubs, ..... do you know? There are, Baldmen's clubs! Hen-peckeds club!

Doctor Damu : Why, in our own country, in Delhi they organised, Stouts club....

Advocate Ansari : That is how society gets degenerated. For flimsy and frivolous reasons, moderners organise clubs, conduct seminars and bring forth souvenirs.

Prof. Pandu : People with no thought of the morrow, with tons of money, amassed wealth, find life long and monotonous, and hence engaged themselves in any work, if only it is peculiar.

Advocate Ansari : Can they not utilise their leisure time for useful purposes....?

Prof. Pandu : They think perhaps that they are contributing something substantial ...! The other day I read in the papers that the Nizam of Hyderabad is shortly going to release a book - a research work - on Swords. It is said that he has taken much pain and care to study swords of various ages and shapes ...

Doctor Damu : And how is that going to benefit the public....? Study about plants or germs would have yielded much benefit to humanity ...

Advocate Ansari : What is today urgently needed is, study about agriculture ... Food production has become an urgent necessity today ... Research in that line is needed. There should be a vigorous effort in that line. And why not men with leisure engage themselves in such work...? Women too.... Instead we find some of them going husband-hunting. Silly, I call it .... stupendous stupidity...!

Prof. Pandu : Sir! Do you know the variety of whims and fancies such people cultivate. While there are half-clad men and women in tens of thousands, and urchins half-naked, a society of ladies of the mansions, has been organised, for the purpose of clothing horses and does, bulls and cows...

Doctor Damu : That is unthinkable! Whatever is the reason for this tomfoolery...?

Prof. Pandu : They seriously state, Doctor, that to keep these animals naked is an insult to society .... Decency demands these dames declare, that animals should be properly clothed .... while they move about the streets. It irritates us, they say, to find animals naked and unashamed...

Advocate Ansari : And yet they would not raise their little finger to help those human beings who do not have enough to cover their bodies. The sun scorches them, the wind and rain plays havoc on these miserable people...

Prof. Pandu : While all the while, these fashionable ladies shed tears at the plight of the animals that go naked ....

Doctor Damu : They lack the sense of proportion ... the idea of priorities...

Prof. Pandu : This problem Doctor, about the proper utilisation of the leisure time sensibly is not a new one. People with riches have always been like this.... When Rome became rich and powerful, when there were thousands of slaves to look after the hard jobs, and menial works, the rich of Rome, were enjoying chariot races arranged lavishly, or were sitting around the stadium clapping their hands with glee at the sight of lions tearing to pieces men who were asked to enter into a combat with those basis ... gladiators fought and died just to supply glee to the gents and ladies of Imperial Rome.

Advocate Ansari : And that was exactly how the Roman Empire was ruined ... Most of the rulers of Rome began rolling in luxury, lost their valour and courage, and finally brought about their own ruin and damnation....

Prof. Pandu : In our own times we find painted beauties rolling in swimming pools while the toilers and tillers are rotting in the slums....

Doctor Damu : Such a state of affairs is bound to sow seeds of revolution...

Prof. Pandu : Yes, Sir! We do hear the distant thunder .... we find symptoms of the coming storm ... the higher ones perched in power and plenty do not care to read the writing on the wall. They think, foolishly of course, that their position is safe and strong... and do not for a moment realise that the meek and weak, one day will arise and demand the destruction of the oppressor... They forget that in France where revolution exploded, there was luxury in abundance in mansions and palaces....

Advocate Ansari : They think, Professor? that law and the entire government is there to protect their interest and position..... And as a matter of fact, law safeguards properties - got by any means....

Prof. Pandu : True Sir! But should not the government itself retain its power? If poverty is allowed to persist and spread and go deep, then the force generated through that will undermine the very powers of the government.

Doctor Damu : And when the power of the government gets weakened, unsocial elements come out openly to do any crime.

Prof. Pandu : Sir! The present state of society - in our country too - can be best understood if we consider two news items published almost simultaneously in our papers. Smuggled gold and other valuables were seized from a mansion in a big city - the value being nearly a crore of rupees. The vigilance force of the government raided a place and unearthed that huge wealth ... smugglers' earnings - This is one news item. In another part of our country, High-way robbers surrounded the mansion of a multi-millionaire and robbed cash and jewels worth half a crore... and what is significant is this; when the villagers came to attack these dacoits, their leader gave a stirring appeal to the poor people. "We but rob those who have robbed you ... we but harass the parasites .. why do you come to his help...? He is no friend to you ... he is your sworn foe..." When such a speech was made, the poor people were so thrilled that they allowed the robbers to loot the rich man's abode. This is another news-item. Both the incidents have taken place almost at the same time.... What is the lesson to be drawn...?

Advocate Ansari : The lesson, Sir! Why? The lesson clearly is this; that the old order cannot last long....

Doctor Damu : I am surprised to hear this from you Mr.Ansari, for men of your profession usually say that
this situation demonstrates the inability of the government to maintain Law and Order...

Prof. Pandu : Probably our Doctor is referring to the resolution passed by our State Congress... that body has openly condemned and stated that because of the DMK regime, law and order has broken.

Advocate Ansari : But all intelligent people know the motive behind such a stricture, The party that has lost power thinks that it should launch a fight for regaining power by accusing the present government as being weak or vindictive, they think they can damn the party in power, infuriate the people by this kind of propaganda, and don on the garb of the crusaders ....

Prof. Pandu : But, along with this resolution the people read about acts of violence and explosion, kidnapping, floor-crossing, arson and assassination in various parts of the country. The Congress Committees of those parts, did not pass any resolution condemning such nefarious acts ... they pounce upon the DMK in power. It is only in Tamil Nad that this talk about the break in Law and Order, has been mooted.... a prelude I am sure, to the attack they intend to organise as against the Popular Governments .... This was the game that the Congress played in Kerala to unseat the Nambudripad Government....

Doctor Damu : And they managed to coax the Centre to come there and take up the government....

Prof. Pandu : Any keen political observer will say that what is attempted by the Congress, is only to enthuse their workers. Having lost power, these workers are becoming almost frustrated ... and it is only to cook up some hope and place the dish before them, that the TNCC has passed such resolutions.

Doctor Damu : The Congressmen do have now plenty of time on their hands ... they therefore are in a position to cook up grievances and rake up quarrels...! How can they keep quiet, having been so active all these years....?

Prof. Pandu : None wants them to be idle. They should of course spend their time judiciously. Idle, they should not be .... Nor can anybody recommend idleness to them or for anybody. Somebody has stated, that an idle brain is a devil's workshop...

Doctor Damu : But can they not devote their time and talent for furthering the constructive programme of the Congress, instead of hunting after imaginary or illusory causes for a conflict with the party in power?

Prof. Pandu : That needs patience and a spirit of service, and these are woefully absent in that camp now. Moreover there cannot be the pep ... the workers or to be more appropriate the 'hangers-on' will not be enthused with charka or cheri reform... they want to be told that soon their party is going to unseat the present ruling party....! And the best way of enthusing their party workers is to place before them a plan for attack... the fighting mood is to be generated.

Advocate Ansari : True.... but experience ought to have taught them, that nothing substantial can be got by merely toppling the present party in power. The Congress did succeed in toppling the Communist Partyministry. The President's rule was imposed; fresh general elections were held; but the result? The Communist Party came out victorious - in bright colours. When that is the bitter lesson, how can they hope to rehabilitate themselves by unseating the present party in power?

Prof. Pandu : That is a pertinent question Mr.Ansari, but when one is blinded by prejudice, goaded by the thirst for power, logic bids a good bye. Any straw happens to become their sheet anchor.....

Doctor Damu : My compounder tells me Professor, that the Congress Party is now arranging propaganda meetings, vigorously ... and a good amount of people come to their meetings...

Prof. Pandu : Sir! That is the usual jargon advanced. Were we not told just on the eve of the elections that the Congress propaganda machinery has become more powerful...? They had processions on a grand scale, conferences, well-attended. It was stated at that time, that the Congress Party had gained strength day by day .... Now what special significance can there be by conducting meetings frequently? That is not a new game or scheme .... it has not paid them well or adequately.

Advocate Ansari : Yes, in spite of that the Congress Party was defeated at the polls. How is it possible to re-cupearte? The top men know this.

Doctor Damu : And as a part of their plan of action, Mr.Kamaraj, has broken his self-imposed silence ... He is I am told, going to address a public meeting at Marina ... that would demonstrate their strength, determine their future course of action.

Prof. Pandu : Sincere friends and well-wishers should advise Mr.Kamaraj about the risks involved in that venture ...! We are not authorised though entitled, to offer our suggestions. Silence will have a better effect than talk.... at the present time. Mr.Kamaraj with his robust common sense realised this truth and so did not talk all these days. And that attitude was much appreciated.... I am reminded of an anecdote. When Benjaman Disrali was in power, there were a good number of Parliamentarians who did not speak. One of them approached Disrali and asked him if he should participate in the debate. Mr. Disrali replied, "I think it would be better if the House were to wonder why you did not talk rather than why you did.....". That would be the appropriate comment that would become necessary as and when Mr.Kamaraj speaks out.....

Doctor Damu : He follows the principle of silence on the most crucial issues. Take for instance the burning problem about the purse to the princes. Mr.Kamaraj is silent.... he refuses to commit himself this way or that. Take again the bloodshed in Naxalbari! No comment is forthcoming from the Congress President. Even when Mr. Patil and Mr. Chavan have come out with conflicting statements Mr. Kamaraj keeps silent.

Advocate Ansari : Does that mean that he does not want to take sides, or that he feels diffident to express any opinion on that subject...?

Prof. Pandu : Perhaps he is studying the situation with a rare care ...! And even apart from the peculiar situation today, it is not necessary for men of his stature to stand exposed to popular criticism. That is why I think that Mr.Kamaraj is just sitting on the fence...

Advocate Ansari : A master of tactics I should say. Moreover, the materials supplied to him are neither enough nor genuine.

Prof. Pandu : Sir, forming an idea or formulating a policy, chalking out a programme or implementing a scheme is not an easy matter..... Every small bit of news, one should weigh and test before he speaks out.... Lafyatte the great leader of Revolutionary France has put it aptly thus. Said he, "I read, I study. I examine, I listen, I reflect and out of all this I try to form an idea in which I can put as much of common sense as I can' This is a principle well worth following.

Advocate Ansari : And yet, the Congress President is going to give up prudence and exhibit valour...
Prof. Pandu : And he is sure to get the applause from his company, but not appreciation or approbation from other quarters.

Advocate Ansari : Professor! I am told that the Congress President is not capable of mastering his temper. Either he is silent or he raises a storm!

Prof. Pandu : I do not know Sir! But this I know, when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it.
Advocate Ansari : And Doctor! May I know from you whether marriage cools one's temper...?

Doctor Damu : Sir! I cannot give a direct answer to that question .... medical science is not explicit about it. But from the common sense point of view I should say, constant companionship, sweet and intimate is bound to act as a breeze and cool down mental inflammation... In that sense one can say that marriage will regulate the temperament ... and for the better....

Advocate Ansari : But there are instances to prove that couples have come to clashes because of the fact that they were not able to control their temper... and have consequently lost the sweetness expected of married life.

Prof. Pandu : Sir! There are ways of getting peace and pleasure in married life .... simple is the solution for most of the trouble that crop up. I am reminded of a poem...
To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the Loving cup
Whenever you are wrong admit it
Whenever you are right shut up!

Advocate Ansari : A very fine piece... and a timely one...

Prof. Pandu : What do you mean Sir! When you say timely...

Advocate Ansari : Sir! An advocate friend of mine is to get married next Friday... we wanted to present a gift - this poem is timely in the sense, I propose to engrave this poem on a silver plate, to be presented to him ... and so, will you Professor, dictate to me the poem...?

Prof. pandu : You want to give it to the engraver, Sir! Well, I would not take the risk of getting the poem made awkward by bad spelling ... If you are serious about it, I will accompany you to the engraver's shop where I will write it down myself.... and moreover I can choose and suggest some fine ornamental lettering....

Doctor Damu : That is a fine idea.... let us go to the 'Elite' - the jeweller, popular and trust-worthy.

(Home Rule - 13-8-1967)