SEARCH FOR THE OASIS

SEARCH FOR THE OASIS

A few months ago, Budhu has lost his father, dying after a prolonged illness. Whatever small savings father has left behind, are dwindling. Now Budhu is on the look out for a job.
Family is on the verge of starving. Its early humid morning. He picks up the daily to search for suitable openings.

Fox & King given an Ad for Walk-In Job Interview. That draws Budhu towards the ad.

He reads the ad again. WALK-IN INTERVIEW
Minimum Qualification: Graduate
Minimum Experience: Two years desirable

Budhu thinks, let's give a try. After all,Fox & King is an old reputed company , getting selected there can change his and family's fortune.
He reads the ad a few more times. Yes, he has the qualification. Age on his side.
Experience -well two years is desirable but not mandatory. So he fits there too. He has high integrity, but how will the interviewer know of that, simply looking at his face and talking for a few minutes. He brushes that thought aside. It is , after all, not his headache and gets up.

Within an hour, Budhu is ready for the interview. He stands before the mirror and looks at himself. How does he look? Calm and poised - does it reflect obedience and loyalty for the would-be employer?..In no time Budhu dashes out of home for the interview. Budhu’s mother watches silently through the window as her son crosses the busy street and waits there for public bus. She crosses her fingers and prays to God for his job.



"May I come in, sir?"

"Yes, come in."

Mr.Agarwal is sitting behind a huge table,wearing a costly cream suit. A blue tie is
resting comfortably on his bulging belly,a few diamonds sparkling from his finger rings.
"Thank you, sir.",Budhu said.

"What’s your name?"

"Budhu."

"Shit! Budhu? Do you know the meaning of your name?"

"yes, it’s foolish. I was very plain speaking and truthful in childhood unlike our
neighbourhood boys. So my father gave me that name."

"Such a horrible name! Okay, leave it, tell me about your qualifications."

"I’ve done master’s degree in science. Physics was my special paper. Got first class in post-graduate."

Agarwal only nods his head. He doesn’t seem that happy.

"Any experience?"

"Sorry..none sir. How do I get experience, sir! I am flying like a shuttle cork from
Diamond Harbour to Salt Lake for months… gave a few interviews….buuuut.. none
clicked ! They had their own candidates and I had no recommendations… that’s why.."

"Jobs here are earned, no one offers job on a platter free!"(then Agarwal starts
murmuring) "So many others are waiting outside. Well…tell me something about you."

"I am an obedient humble servant, sir! We are born slaves,
sir …my grand-dad was a reputed servant of the nephew of the father-in-law of King’s
Security guard, …then my father was a servant too, but by mistake he learned to read
and write. Oh God ! Grand-dad was sooo furious ! He ordered him to leave home, sir.
Then father grew up doing odd jobs here and there. He often used to tell us, your God is your employer. Always protect him, even if God doesn’t sometime care for him ! You see, sir, we are great servant for generations." Budhu's mind laughs hearing him say those words in a serious tone, though he knows he is making a fantastic story for them.

Now Agarwal smiles silently. He seems to like the boy. Perhaps he is in the lookout for a boy who will silently obey all and silently bear abuses like this boy’s dad did. He has found a jem. Agarwal’s eyes now get brightened. He says, “Well very good. What work you can do ?”

"What not I can do, sir?..I will serve you,sir, even before your desire for anything turn into want. That’s what made my dad a famous servant, sir. I will follow his footsteps."

"Ohho ! very nice."

"If you select me, sir, I will keep you ever happy, sir ! If you do not take me sir, I can swear by God sir , you’ll miss a great devotee for your life! And will never know what a servant can do for his boss !!" Budhu's mind laughs at his exagerated tone of devotion.

"But Budhu! Are you serious about what you saying?"

Budhu blinked his eyes and in his deepest of self he knows, what he is talking is just acting accroding to a friend’s script. He has to act like the humblest servant who has no stings. That will assure him of a job and save his family from imminent starvation.Budhu clears his throat and reply, “Always I am sincere and truthful,sir. That’s why my dad gave me a name like Budhu.”

Budhu now laughed a bit anticipating some positive signals from the interviewer.

"My dad used to tell, the best service is that where you spend whole life in a company, see it grow and retire from there."

Agarwal now gives a broad smile.

"OK Budhu, nice meeting you and hope to see you in our company if you pass the next
test. Here is a small formality to complete."

He scribbles something on a piece of paper and tells Budhu, “Take this slip and meet Mr. S.Rungta. He is sitting downstairs. Now go fast for test. Wish you good luck!”

Budhu shakes hand with Agarwal and comes out of his cabin. He looks around the huge
hall with fitted cubicles – so many people are working silently. Nobody bothers to look up and smile at him. He gets into an elevator and reaches the floor where Mr.R.Rungta is sitting. In the entrance there is a chamber with a golden name-plate “S.Rugta, Manger, HRD”. A security guard is sitting in front of his door and in full alert, “ What do you want?”

Budhu shows the chit to the guard . Guard gives a look at the chit and orders “Quickly go inside. Sir is now free.” Budhu pulls his legs and knocks at the door with cheerful eyes and slightly opening the door,asks – “May I come in sir?”

Rungta gives a curt smile and says,”Mr. Agarwal just informed me about you.”

Budhu is happy that Agarwal is so kind-hearted that he so much interest to inform
Mr.Rungta about him. He decides, the day he will become an employee he will surely
take full care of Agarwal’s wellbeing . A question drops out from Budhu’s mouth ,”Am I selected for the job,sir?”

But what Rungta says, Budhu is not ready to hear even in his dream.
Rungta says, “How can I assure you the job? you’re not the only candidate. Look there, more than hundred willing boys standing in queue to serve our company ?”

Perplexed Budhu quips, “But sir! Mr. Agarwal just told me, I am sure to get the job!”

"Ha Ha Ha….", Rungta laughs…then suddenly he becomes serious and says in a low
voice, “You may have passed the parameters but not the acid test. If you are directly recommended by any CEO or GM of a famous company or any political big shots, we can,of course, take you . Do you have any such reference ?"

Budhu goes blank . It’s a shock but not altother unknown in this country.

“No,sir I am from a lower middle-class family. We do not have such high contacts”,
Budhu tries hard to speak. He is controlling his frustration and anger.

"Then, wee….lllll, we are sorry. We can’t take a boy without good reference. I am very sorry to say that’s our corporate policy."

"Do you think, sir! high reference means high capability and high integrity of a
candidate?"

Budhu is starting to get angry now. He continues, “Don’t you know the most corrupt in our society comes from that level ? I have brilliant degrees, character certificate of my college principal and the school head-master. Don’t you value these respected men’s signature?”

Rungta looks a bit upset with Budhu’s outburst. Rungta smiles again,“Well boy! there is another way to get here too. Cool down. Agarwal told me, you are very needy. If you do not get the job, your family will starve. I feel pity for you. Now listen, it’s very secret. Bring 20K by tomorrow and the job is yours. I will manage to get you the job.”

" twenty thousands? That’s too much . You need all that to get me the job?"

"No—no, not me alone. I will have to spray the money to two-three other executives…"

"But Mr.Agarwal never said that I will have to pay to get a job?"

"Well Mr.Budhu, we take much less, but Mr. Agarwal I will have to give fifty percent of share. If you can arrange by tomorrow, Mr.Agarwal and I guarantee you the job.Tell me, are you ready? Quick …quick..I am very busy..I have no time to spare..."

Budhu thinks a few seconds as Rungta watches him. Finally Budhu says,”Weeeeell sir!
Done. Tomorrow?” and Budhu’s eyes glare at him. He wants to be a man-eater to eat
away these men from earth.

"Okay. That will do.You are a nice coperative boy. We will enjoy to keep you in our
company. Congratulations!!"

Now after a brief pause, Rungta continues, “You will be put at a basic salary of three thousands. With perks and other tit bit you can get near six thousands. I believe you can do justice to the post. Let’s shake hands. Congratulations again !!”
HRD Manager offers his hands with a cunning smile.

"Where you want the money?"

"Take this tele no of mine. Tomorrow I will be standing at the crossing of Park Street and Russel Avenue sharp at six in the evening. Remember, sharp at six. …. Ohho! I almost forgot…, take this Bio-data form. Fill it up and hand over to me tomorrow."

"When will I join?"

"Next week. Don’t worry, you will get the appointment letter delivered at home!” Rungta smiles, “Now you may go, I will finish my other appointments."

Budhu comes out of Everest tower and starts walking down the pavement. A big
illuminated banner at the top of the Everest tower flashes “Fox & Co…..Fly Your Dreams Safe and Secured”. Budhu sweats profusely though a sudden wind is blowing from the river Ganges. His mind speaks out, congratulation Budhu, your Fox & King acting was exciting! Why not you be an actor! You can earn through that too?

Budhu remembers the Tagore’s poem again that he has kept so close to his heart since
childhood,
” chitta jetha Bhoisunya
ucha jetha sir………….”
(where the mind is without fear
and where the head is held high….. “ )

That poem again electrifies Budhu’s body and mind. He goes to the nearest public
telephone booth and ring up “ Police Head Quarter….”. Budhu comes out of the booth
smiling. Takes out the Biodata form from the pocket and tear it into pieces and throw into the wind…..reciting:
“where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high….. “