A Tainted Legacy

With the demise of Karunanidhi, a Chapter in Tamil Nadu politics comes to an end. DMK has hard core support base in Tamil Nadu, and hence, it was not surprising to see crowds flock to his funeral.

 

Lot of good things have been written about Karunanidhi, as people would when anyone dies. People tend to gloss over a dead mans defect, and over a period of time, the anecdotes get embellished with superlatives, taking the persona of the dead man to a higher plane.

 

It is true that his brand of politics gave a sense of entitlement to many downtrodden people. And no one can grudge them for it.

 

However, this came with a heavy price.

 

DMK and its parent Organization DK, were built on Anti-Brahminism, and this was at its height in late 60's and 70's. The result was the highly educated intelligent Brahmins, who are very adaptive, were forced to move out of Tamil Nadu due to bias, loss of jobs and being hounded day in and day out. This resulted in a Brain Drain, which was never quite filled by the non Brahmins to date. Any leader who willfully ensures diminishing the Human Capital cannot be called a good one by any stretch of imagination. It was quite unnecessary, as there was enough space for Brahmins and non Brahmins to co-exist in Tamil Nadu.  If properly managed, the Non Brahmins would have gained a lot from the knowledge, experience and wisdom of Brahmins. In the absence of proper grooming, those who filled in turned out to be not up to the mark, and this reflected in the development of the State.

 

The anti-hindi agitation led by DMK and Karunanidhi, led to generations of Tamilians having a negative view of learning Hindi, which resulted in them not being in a position to seek jobs outside Tamil Nadu. This gap was beautifully exploited by Malayalis.

 

By highlighting the Dravidian Culture, Karunanidhi tried to create a wedge between Tamilians and other Indians, to the detriment of Tamilians. His support for LTTE, Tamil Ealam, Anti-IPKF stand has led to the current generation getting restive and hyper sensitive. Add to this, his blatant support of the Conversion Mafia, and radical islamists, we have a situation where Tamil Nadu is potentially one of the most dangerous State in India and a threat to National Security. The Church backed agitations, be it Koodankulam, or Sterlite Plant or Jallikkattu all had the tacit backing of DMK, and the people of the State will pay a price for this in the long run.

 

By being opportunistic with respect to alliance at the Centre, Karunanidhi, created a model of politics where ethics and principles didn't matter, and only power mattered. He was also the kingpin of Corruption. He ensured his family amassed wealth. Once he adopted this line, he lost his moral right to preach his followers to not indulge in power seeking politics or to not being corrupt. This attitude percolated down to the lowest party functionary, who made merry at common mans expense.

 

That, unfortunately, was his tainted legacy.

Interesting Characters I met in my life -1

Some interesting characters I met in life.....

When I was working with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd in Coimbatore, I had a Depot Manager. An Iyengar, by birth, he lived a life that was quiet contrary to how a Brahmin should live. A charming character, he was one of the most corrupt person I have seen in my life, and I have seen quite a few of them. And he had a wife to match his greed for money. The guy was all honey and milk, when he spoke to you. He started his career in erstwhile CALTEX as a Personal Assistant, and his Superiors progressed when the Company became HPCL, and took him with them. He was a Deputy Manager when I joined as a young 24 year old Sales Officer. Though I didn't report to him, I had to work closely with him to ensure free flow of supplies to Petrol Pumps under my control. He had provided everything from money to liquor to women to his erstwhile bosses, and they were already under obligation to him. Most of them had become Senior Managers when I joined. The guy took cut from Corrupt Transport Contractors, Dealers who adulterated, and never missed a chance to make money. He was a fat guy with a big paunch, wearing a very short shirt. He drank like a fish, and was much sought after by Superior Officials who visited Coimbatore, for he took care of all their 'needs'. Since those were the days when mobile phones had not entered the market, and me being a Bachelor, once I leave the house, there was no way my Regional Office in Cochin can reach me. They call the Depot and this guy to enquire about my whereabouts. I would have been in the Depot talking to him just 5 minutes before, and he knew jolly well I was standing outside talking to a Dealer. But when Regional Office call arrived, he would say I don't know where Rajan is 'NOW'. This left an impression in the Regional Office that I am not a team player, and the guy was technically correct in a way. He hated my guts as I was totally non corrupt, and waged a lone battle against corruption in the District. But he was always charming to me, gave lot of advises and more importantly regaled me with stories about the antics of many in the Top Management. Above all, he was a guy who could get anything done with his vast network.

Having worked as a Personal Secretary, he had wonderful command over both spoken and written English, and he used it to good effect. I had an office cum residence, and the Depot situated in the heart of the town was the only HPCL Official location. Disgruntled LPG Customers or Dealers sometime go there to see how I can be contacted. Instead of directing them to me, he will offer them coffee, make them comfortable, and assure to 'help' them, though it was not his job. He would then draft a wonderfully worded complaint addressed to Regional Office which will indict me heavily, get it signed by the Customer, and post it himself to Regional Office. After a while RO caught on to this, as all the complaints from Coimbatore had similar flawless language. He was warned not to interfere, but that didn't deter him in the least

 

He was very calculative. When he was saddled with an Operations Officer who was brutally honest, and who wouldn't support him in his nefarious activities, he manipulated to have him married to his late brothers daughter. But unfortunately for him, the girl was very sweet, and did not allow him to change his honest ways, thus checkmating her Uncle.

 

He used to make people confide in him to understand their troubles, and then help them with money or kind at a difficult situation, thereby making them obliged to him forever. He did this with all his staff, and other Sales Officers, Superiors. When I complained formally against him to my Regional Office, I met with a wall of unhappy faces, who didn't want me to make an issue of it, for they were all under obligation to him.

 

Working with him was fun, but one was always on tenterhooks, as you never knew what he will do to your detriment next.

 

He loved his food and his drink. He ate non veg, but always ended his meal with a small plate of curd rice. He would say "there is nothing like curd rice to satiate one's stomach'

 

But I still have a smile on my face when thinking about him, for he was a real charming guy, who had a terrific sense of humour, and had the rare ability to laugh at himself.

Quick Take on Current Affairs

It is a known fact that Bangaldeshis have been crossing over to India in Assam and neighbouring States during the past couple of decades and the number run into millions. An over populated country like can ill afford this. The Congress and UPA Government turned away from tackling this issue as they saw this as a vote bank. It is another matter that 99% of the migrants are Muslims. From Assam, they have migrated to all parts of India, and in far away Kerala, we can see them working in lowly jobs. Places like Perumbavoor have virtually been colonized by them. They have brought in law and order issues. But no one dared touch them for fear of losing votes. Even Supreme Court had raised concerns and ordered the Government to take appropriate action. Modi Government went ahead and released the National Register of Citizens. 40 lakh illegal immigrants were identified as non citizens and illegal. It is inconsequential that most of these are anti BJP. It should not matter. They should not have, in any case, any voting rights in India. It is amusing to see all the Opposition parties taking up the cudgel against the BJP Government for just doing their duty. The biggest noise was made by Mamata Bannerjee. It is a crying shame. Along with Rohingyas, all illegal Bangladeshis have to be deported en masse - Supreme Court Decision or not. An illegal has no place in our Country. It is as simple as that.

 

The list of Crimes by the Church is increasing. Church, is microsm of the Society and bad elements have entered into it, as it is elsewhere. However, what is appalling is the reluctance of the Government to treat sexual harassment by Pastors or undervaluing land while transacting as a Legal issue that need to be judged as per the law of the land. There has been a spate of incidents of complaints against Pastors in Kerala and Jalandhar, where Nuns and Housewives have come out and complained against the Pastors with sexual misconduct. But the Kerala Government, for fear of losing votes, have been moving so slowly, that if they move any slower, they will be going backwards!. And Catholic Church has even brazened it out saying they obey only the law of the Vatican and only Pope has the right to investigate and punish them! And no one, including BJP, have come out strongly against this. The National and State Council for Women are silent, as are all 'progressive writers' and so called 'seculars'. It is funny to note that even the Channel discussions have only Christians as panelists, and no one from other Religion, though a Sexual misconduct is a social evil.

 

I have always wondered why the Lutyens media is blatantly anti hindu. Though one can attribute it a lot to the Convent Education most of the anchors had, and their pseudo secular image, it doesn't explain their silence on crimes by minorities and blowing up even the minutest issue that is anti hindu. The only logical explanation is money. The Channels and Newspapers with their dwindling viewership and falling advertisement revenue are being funded by overseas Christian and Muslim organizations illegally. And this makes them dance to their agenda. News is doctored. This can be fought on two fronts. One by cutting the source of this money, which Modi will be able to do only if he kicks out Jaitley, Rajnath and Sushma, the Congress moles in BJP Government. And that is not likely to happen. The alternate option is to create a bigger network of monetary sources that funds 'hindu' money. That would take a decade or two to establish. Till then we suffer.

Network Power

One of the more sensible developments is that of LIC acquiring majority stake in IDBI. The latter has been in deep trouble due to nearly 28% NPA. LIC enjoys customer confidence, and has a wide network. It has to change the name of the bank to LIC Bank on priority, and look at ways and means of restructuring the bank.

 

 Though digital platform is not a forte of LIC, it would be advisable to take that route. In addition, LIC can spare space in its offices for the Bank to have miniature branches, giving it more reach. It can also encourage all its Policy holders to open account in the new branch and shift their policy payments through these accounts. Even if LIC decides to shift 50% of its premium collection to the Bank, it would make a huge difference to the liquidity.

 

As any seasoned Financial guy knows, the real business of an insurance company is in its investments. LIC has a track record of investing in most of India's Blue Chips over the past 50 years, and this should serve it in good stead in managing the Bank.

 

This is one development that will be watched with interest in the days to come.

 

While Government has been innovative in agreeing to LIC's acquisition of IDBI, it is still surprising that the Government has taken only reluctant steps to utilize the core competency of India Post. India Post has its presence in every nook and corner of India, is trusted, and provides the last mile connectivity to the remotest person living in the country. Its core business of delivering letters is redundant. While Courier companies have moved deftly to become logistic providers for the online distributors, India Post has been sluggish and may have missed a good opportunity.

 

While India Post has been given permission to start Payment Banks, the penetration is slow. What it needs is a Minister like Gadkari, Piyush Goyal or Dharmendra Pradhan - someone with the conviction to push the sluggish manpower.

 

India Post can also play a major role in supporting farmers in the hinterland and can be linked with procurement agencies to manage procurement of Agricultural Produce.

 

The sheer reach of India Post is an immense asset that needs to be harnessed. Its network can be thrown open to the Private Sector to use it as a Distribution Channel. It can sell anything from Postage Stamps to Internet Cards to Facilitation Services for the Rural folks for a variety of online activities.

 

The infrastructure is available. The manpower needs to be retrained, but that is not difficult. What is required is vision to exploit the opportunity.

Innovations/Changes suggested to make T 20 Cricket more an even Contest between Bat and Ball

The Bat has been dominating the Ball in Cricket for a long time. Every single advantage the Bowler had over the years has been chiseled away one by one. 

Initially they had uncovered pitches, which gave a huge advantage to the bowlers in Test Cricket. Then they started covering the pitch which made it batsmen friendly.

The quality of the Protective gear has improved by leaps and bounds to such an extend that even a No 11 Batsmen is unafraid of Bouncers. The specialist Batsmen don't mind getting hit on the face grill or on the Helmet or on any part of the body. The Batting Gloves are so sophisticated that a ball grazing the glove flies over the Keepers head to the Boundary.

The rules were tweaked to protect the Batsmen periodically. The number of bouncers have been limited, stricter LBW rules were framed (unless one gets hit plumb in front of the wicket, with the ball pitching on the middle stump, not deviating and at shin height, the bowler doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of getting LBW these days), any ball pitching even a shade outside the leg stump is called a wide (in ODI and T20), Boundaries are pulled in, Bats have become lighter and stronger which meant mishits or top edges going over the ropes, the White Balls used in ODI and T 20 hardly do anything in the Air after 4 overs as compared to the Red Ball, the Seams of Kookaburra balls are a joke for they hardly exist, the number of overs a bowler can bowl in an innings in ODI and T 20 are fixed................. I can go on..... but you get the idea.

Compare this with the changes that affect the Bowlers............Zilch.

With the advent of T 20, Fast bowlers and Finger spinners are becoming a dying breed. Bowlers don't try to get wickets anymore. They are happy to get hit for 8 runs per over in 4 overs. They should grin sheepishly when they get tonked around by a tail-ender despite bowling a decent ball. In short, they are the whipping boys.

The Administrators think that people come to watch 6's and 4's. This is wrong. I have always enjoyed a match where there is something in the wicket for the bowlers than a match of T 20 where both teams score 220 plus in 20 overs.

I have my thoughts on how to make it a fair contest between the Bat and the Ball. Since T 20 is the flavour of the Season, my focus has been on T 20, though many of the ideas can be implemented to ODIs too. Some of it are cranky, while some very sensible. Read on....

Pull

Split the T 20 Innings to Two

Spit the T 20 innings to two. Batting team to bat 10 overs first. Fielding Team to bat 20 overs. The batting team then to play the last 10 and chase down the target or alternatively Batting Team to bat 10 overs first, followed by Fielding Team to bat 10 overs and this is repeated once again. (For ODI's this can be 25 Innings X 2 per Team). In the event of a rain affected match, the scores at the end of both teams completing 10 overs (for ODI 25 overs) to be considered.


Pull back the Boundaries to 80 Yards
This shall straight away negate easy 6's and 4's, mishits will get caught in the deep, Batsmen running 3s will be seen more (when was the last time you saw a Batsmen run 3 in a T 20 or ODI?), the Finger Spinners and Wrist Spinners get the motivation to toss up the ball, which brings stumping chances and in all this one change will spice up the game.

Reduce the Number of Batsmen who can bat in an Innings to 7
If Bowlers are allowed to Bowl only 4 overs, why should all the 11 Batsmen be allowed to bat in a 120 ball game. The issue here is that a Team has less to worry about getting all out, as it means the Bowling team has to take a wicket on an average one every 12 balls. The Batsmen hence can and do take risks. Reduce the number of batsmen who can bat to 7 (though the Team shall comprise 11 players, the other 4 being Bowlers), with a Team getting all out if they lose 6 wickets, and suddenly you will see these silly innovative hitting getting curbed. This will also encourage Teams to play specialist Bowlers rather than bits and pieces cricketers who can bat and bowl a bit (or rather who cant bat or bowl a bit like Stuart Binny).

Changes in the Ball
Do away with the White Ball. Replace it with Pink and see the fun as the Pink Ball swings a lot more. Batsmen these days just pick the line and take an almighty swing through the line, for they know the ball will not deviate.They are exposed when it either swings or turns.Make it also mandatory that the Balls have pronounced Seam, like SG or Duke. This helps both the Pace and Spin Bowlers.

I would like to go a step further and introduce a Ball that has shine on only One Side. Let the manufacturer apply lacquer on one side with the other side roughed up. The Ball will swing like a banana.This shall take the Ball Tampering issue out of the equation.

No Balls, Wides, LBW
I have  written before here. No Ball should be called when the Front foot cuts the popping crease. Use sensors.  Scrap Free hit for No Ball. Increase penalty for no ball to 2 runs and bowler to re-bowl the ball. The re-bowled ball is a legitimate ball, and batsmen should not get undue benefit of him not getting out, as is the current scenario.

Leg Side Wide to be set at 3 stumps beyond leg stump. Offside wide to be 6 stumps outside the off stump for T 20 and ODI. This gives the bowler a little more leeway.

LBW Rule to be amended. The only criteria is ‘Would the ball have hit the stumps’. This is logical. If a ball has pitched 5 stumps outside the leg stump, turns, hits the stumps the batsmen is out. If the same ball hits the Pad, but the ball would have hit the stumps if the pad was not to be there, is considered not out. I cannot understand the logic behind this. I am aware this is about blind spot. But to me it doesn't hold water. If any ball would have gone on to hit the stumps if the pad was not to be there, it should be given out LBW.

Additional Stumps
This is a bit off beat. I would Have 1 additional stump each on both sides, making it 5 in total for T20. This gives the bowler a better chance to hit and will make the batsmen stand still in the batting crease than dancing around.

Any Takers?

Cricketing Thoughts

The ICC has been deliberating Rule Changes once again and decided to continue with the Toss. They also, in principle, agreed to take more 'stringent action' against Personal abuse and Ball Tampering.

The latter is a joke, as this is being left to the discretion of the Match Referee, and we know the track record and bias of most Match Referees. If they had only shown some spine and taken stringent action in the past against perpetual offenders like Australians, we would not be in such a sorry state of situation now.

There is a palpable disinclination to stamp out on bad behavior. Tennis faced this situation 25 years ago, took proactive steps and we haven't heard of boorish McEnroe/Nastase type behavior since, except for an odd crackpot like Kyrgios. But then he has not been allowed to get away with his tantrums. Players know that if they cross the line, they will have to face severe consequences. And Tennis players are much higher paid than Cricketers.

ICC has not shown the will to clamp down on sledging and bad behavior. Both don't have a place in ANY modern sport.

The solution is simple. Switch on Stump Microphones. Make it available to Match Referee all the time. If a player so much as says one bad word or directs a conversation against the batsmen, throw the book, ban him and his Captain for One Year, impose a stiff fine on the Board, and individual players that should not be less than 6 months earnings for them. And then see the results.

Regarding the Toss, I might have another option. Taking the Toss away and giving the option to the visitor is a no brainer. Instead, why not have two slips in a bowl, one written 'Batting', other 'Fielding' and the Visiting Captain given the option to choose one. This gives both the teams a fair 50-50 option, unlike the toss, where the winning captain further has an option to choose batting or fielding.

The ICC has still not found a way to sort out the 'No Ball' situation. No Balls are rarely called, and unless a wicket falls, no balls are not checked for at all. This is ridiculous. I had given a solution to this in an earlier post. You can read it here

We are still no where close to making the shortened versions more of a battle between bat and ball.

The absurd leg side wide has to go. We have a ridiculous situation where the ball is just a mm outside leg stump and is called a wide. The bowlers should get a bit more leeway. Similarly, the offside wide line has to be brought closer to the stumps.

We are still seeing bats becoming lighter and stronger, while the ball has remained the same. Added to this the boundaries have become smaller and smaller. We are killing the finger spinners. In the recently concluded IPL, not a single finger spinner could succeed, not even left arm finger spinners. All the successful spinners were wrist spinners. Even those finger spinners who played were more keen on pushing the ball through than resorting to flight and dip. Once boundaries go back to 80 yards, they stand a better chance of succeeding and displaying their wares.

Another option could be to restrict the number of batsmen who can bat in a T 20. If a bowler can be restricted to bowl only 4 overs, why should the batting team be allowed to have all the 11 batsmen bat. It should be limited to 7, with Teams getting all out if they lose 6 wickets. This shall force the batsmen to take less risks, and would also give an opportunity for the bowler to be more attacking.

Any takers?

Social Upliftment Policies and how horribly they go wrong - An Anecdote from 1989 - Part 2

The story continues.......( Read the First Part here )

 

I finished my work by 3.30 pm, had a late lunch. Despite the assurances from the family, I had no hope of Natarajan turning up at my Hotel. Since Palani Temple was only 20 kms away, I decided to drive down in the evening.

 

Just as I was leaving the Hotel, Natarajan turned up and his appearance belied all my expectations. I was expecting a tired, weather beaten guy in old clothes, based on my impression about his house. But Natarajan turned out to be spotlessly dressed, ironed shirt and pant, looking very fresh, with a sandalwood tilak on his forehead, a honest face with an innocent smile and exuded confidence. He was just about my age. I took an instant liking for him.

 

I was in a bit of dilemma. I had come to Udumalpet with the express purpose of meeting him, but in my heart was sad the opportunity to have a darshan of Lord Murugan of Palani was slipping by.

 

Natarajan took the decision out of my hands and calmly said "Come Sir, let us go to Palani and talk on the way. I could also do with a bit of divine intervention".

 

We drove to Palani, and while I suggested the Winch to go up, he insisted we walk up the flight of 700 odd steps, claiming it was a good experience and one should not take the easier way of reaching the God. He wanted to do it the hard way. I could sense a very intelligent and sharp mind beside me.

 

Then he told his story.............................................

 

Obviously he had an extremely tough childhood, and had to struggle for even buying books. He braved all of it and finished his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, the first to pass out from his Cheri. Add to that he got a Supervisors job in the Public Sector Undertaking Bharath Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in Trichy at a princely salary of Rs. 1,700. Please remember that as a  MBA (and MBAs were rare those days), working in HPCL as Sales Officer, my salary was just around Rs 3,000.

 

His life was happy. His uncle had promised to marry his daughter to Natarajan, which is a local custom, and she was his childhood sweetheart.

 

He, of course belonged to the Scheduled Caste Category. Two years ago, in 1987, a forward caste Gounder  Landlord (Gounders of Pollachi are Agriculturalists and Feudal Landlords, and very clannish) from Pollachi approached him and asked him to apply for the Dealership of HPCL in Oonjavalampatti to the Oil Selection Board.

 

Natarajan was reluctant. His life was smooth. He had a nice job, with iron clad job security. His fiancé was waiting. He was adored by his people for being a success. He had just cleared all his family loans and could think of doing something for his family.

 

The then HPCL Sales Officer, an old man nearing Retirement Age, who was close to the Gounder promised all help and convinced him to apply, assuring all help. Natarajan pleaded that he had no financial background, and as he understood, operating the Dealership involved raising funds to the tune of Rs 2 lakhs apart from identifying a suitable land. But all his objections were brushed aside, and he was literally forced to send the application. In due course, he got the Dealership.

 

The Gounder had a land of his relative beside the highway which he finalized for him, and the Sales Officer took him to the local Bank, who had enough funds to fund him under the Social Objective Category Funding allotment. In any case, getting a Oil Dealership was considered to be a Gold Mine.

 

A pre-condition of getting the Dealership was that he had to resign his Public Sector Job, which he did. He took all the approvals for developing the Site, and HPCL installed the Dispensing unit with a 16 KL underground storage tank. Natarajan was sent for a perfunctory two-day Dealer Training program, which hardly prepared him to manage the outlet.

 

With the Bank arranged facility of Rs 1.5 lakhs, he took his first load of 12 KL, and started selling. The dealer is entitled for only Dealer commission those days. The price of Diesel was Rs 3.25, while his Commission was just around 2.5% amounting to Rs 0.08. He had to deposit the balance in the Bank so that the Bank can give him a DD for the next load of 12,000 litres.

 

He sold 2000 litres on Day 1. The Collection was Rs 6,750.  From this, he was entitled only for Rs 150 as Commission. He was supposed to deposit Rs 6,600 back in the Bank. This was, if the Sales held, he would have made around Rs 4,500 per month as Dealer Commission, which should cover his Rent for the land, Bank Charges, Loan Repayment, Salary for Staff, Electricity Charges etc. At best he would have been left with about Rs 1000 at the end of the month for himself. Even that was a stretch.

 

NO ONE TAUGHT HIM THIS.

 

Or rather, if they told him this at the Dealer Training Program, they didn't stress much on its importance. Neither did the Sales Officer, who was supposed to be his mentor. His objective was to commission the Retail Outlet and then make a visit once a month or so, have a cup of coffee, chit chat and leave.

 

The first days collection was around 6,750, as I said before. His family members all came to see him at the Retail outlet. His father, a poor cobbler, had not even seen a Rs 100 note in his life. He was earning Rs 5-7 per day. His mother had unlimited needs. All his relatives were poor.

 

First his father had a look at the cash counter and his eyes opened wide at seeing all the money. He helped himself to Rs 100. Then his mother took Rs 200. Like that everyone took various denominations.

 

This continued for a few weeks. Natarajan didn't realize that his Capital was being taken away. And suddenly Natarajan found that he was short of the amount needed to order 12,000 litres of Diesel and the outlet had to be closed for want of stock.

 

The Sales Officer came down, scolded him, spoke to the Bank and arranged additional funds. The Gounder knew this would happen, and was waiting in the wings like a scavenger, ready to scoop. He had all the money and he knew the business. The Outlet was situated in the Gounder dominated area, where they were very powerful and aggressive. He started putting additional pressure on Natarajan for the rent of the land and asked him to return the money he had loaned to cover pre-operative expenses. In the meanwhile the leakage continued, as the demands from family members increased. The Sales Officer or the Regional Manager failed to identify the root cause.

 

Natarajan slipped further and further into a debt trap. The Gounder started threatening him and demanded he enter into an agreement with him for selling the Dealership (which was illegal) to Gounder in return for waiving the meager amount of money he had spent as pre-operative expense and rental arrears.

 

Sales Officer refused to interfere and left Natarajan high and dry. He also started threatening him of him losing the dealership, if he doesn't reopen the outlet.

 

The Bank was worried and sent notices after notices.

 

His family turned hostile. His Uncle closed the door on him.

 

The final straw was when his Uncle decided to marry his fiancé to another person.

 

Natarajan lost everything - A good job, his fiancé, his standing in the society, was in a debt trap and was totally broken.

 

He went into hiding and had no clue as to how to solve the situation.

 

We reached the Top of Palani Hills.

 

And prayed hard, for even I didn't have a clue as to how to solve this mess. Neither did he.

 

P.S: I talked to the Bank to restructure the loan. But had to tackle the issue of the Gounder's threat of physical harm to Natarajan if he entered the premises. I tried negotiating with the Gounder through my other Dealers. But no go. My Superiors washed their hands off, saying it is my head ache, for they did not have any solutions. Natarjan met me many times after that hanging on to his slim hope. I was young, and tried my best, but was against too many obstacles. His trips to my house became less and less, then stopped completely. The Outlet remained closed. Every time I drove by it, there was a pang in my heart. A sense of helplessness and failure. It is almost 3 decades since this happened. Recently when I enquired about that Outlet, I was told it doesn't exist anymore. A tear came down my eyes. A tear for the simple, nice guy. A tear for a guy who didn't deserve what he got.