Jun 18, 2007

Romesh Sharma was the class teacher for grade V in D division. All the students wished him has he entered the class. Today was scheduled to be the class test in mathematics.

“Good Morning.” He acknowledged their greetings. “Please close all your books on the desk and keep them in.”

They followed the instructions. The text and note books were picked and placed in. Romesh Sharma distributed the answer sheets and then wrote the questions on the black board.

Ravi who was sitting on the third row, removed the spectacles and wiped the glass. Unfortunately he had become the casualty of short sight at an early age. Whether the class tests or the term examinations he would answer them with equal zeal. He was trained and guided by his mother. He was trying really hard to be the number one. He looked at the black board and then continued his work on the answer sheets. His mother would be pleased only when he scores full marks and nothing less.

It was not easy for Ravi. In spite of his complete efforts he had always remained on third position. The first position was ruled by Abhiijit and the second was occupied by Manav. Abhijit was School headmaster’s son and Manav’s mother was one among the school supervisors. Ravi’s mother Devi’s big dream was to see her son top the class. But as on date only once Ravi had come second in a mid term examination, but the joy had short lived with Manav gaining back his position in the final examination.

Abhijit also being monitor of the class was unassailable and had remained supreme. No one had managed to outscore his total marks since last five years.

All the students were focused on their answer sheets. Unexpectedly an altercation occurred between Manav who was on the second row and Abhijit on the first row.

“Sir,” Manav reported. “I saw Abhijit copying from his text book.”

How could it be possible? Abhijit was known for his incomparability and dominance in studies, how could any one point finger at him? It was just unimaginable. The complete class was shocked to witness such an accusation.

“No Sir,” Abhijit refused. “I did not refer any book from the desk. I had only changed the pen as it was not writing.”

Romesh Sharma angrily came closer to them.

“I know the difference between a pen and the text book.” Manav argued. “I saw when you peeped at the text book.”

Romesh Sharma looked helplessly at them. It was not easy to believe when the accused was the topper of the class, that too son of the headmaster. The situation had become difficult more so by the charges were hauled up by supervisor’s son. Romesh Sharma was holed up in the dilemma without knowing whom to favor.

“He is lying.” Tears popped out from Abhijit’s eyes.

“Cry Baby,” Manav mocked. “He is caught in the shameful act. That is why he is crying.”

“Did anybody see when Ahbijit glanced at the text book?” Romesh Sharma verified.

Manav looked back at Ravi. Now all the eyes glared at Ravi.

“Ravi must have seen.  Abhijit’s place is appropriately visible from Ravi’s desk.” Manav pulled Ravi for his support.

“Ravi, get up.” The teacher squealed and lifted the scale. “Tell me the truth, what did you see?”

The change in Romesh Sharma’s voice was detectable. The tone could be spongy while speaking to Abhijit and Manav, but easily would get hard at others.

“Me?” Ravi fumbled. He wanted to deny and tell the truth that he had not seen. The words slipped down from his throat and in the process he botched up.

“Yes, he has seen.” Abhijit confidently carried on.

“Anyway now you all may sit and finish the test. But remember all three of you should  follow me to the supervisor’s office after the period.” Romesh Sharma had no other option.

That was only choice he could think of.  If the case was not reported to the supervisor and if Manav gives an account of the tale to his mother, he would be certainly questioned. Hence he thought of playing it safe.

Ravi sat down back on his chair. He tried his best to focus his mind on the test.  He felt pity on Abhijit who was wiping his tears. Ravi did not know whom should he support. He disliked Abhijit for his super ego for his number one position in studies and more so being the son of the headmaster the arrogance was evident. The sense of resentment against Abhijit was felt by majority of the students in the class. Ravi always had felt comfortable with Manav whom he thought was his best friend.

Once the period was over the top three students of the class accompanied Romesh Sharma to the supervisor’s office. Manav again brought up the allegation against Abhijit for copying during the test. Abhijit sobbingly declined and called it false charge. Supervisor turned at Ravi for his testimony.

“I was writing for the test and I felt as if Abhijit peeped at the text book.” By then Ravi had decided to back up his friend.

“That is not all. He always makes fun of you.” Manav affixed additional charges.

“What do you mean by making fun of me?” Supervisor lost her cool.

“He calls you Mallika Sherawat and laughs loudly with his friends.”  Manav had more stuff which was cooking within. Was the accusation of copying just an excuse?

“Who is this Mallika Sherawat?” Romesh Sharma had no knowledge of Hindi movies.

“Abhijit you do not know how to respect your elders.” She helplessly scrunched her teeth.

“What about Manav? He calls my father a drunken elephant.” Abhijit retorted.

“He claims you had helped me to win the junior elocution competition by persuading the judges. You may check with Ravi.” Abhijit’s list was end less.

Ravi nodded his head.

“His mockery at my father is very insulting.” Abhijit continued to weep.

Their juvenile allegations at each other prolonged for ten minutes. Supervisor shook her head in disbelief. Ravi did not have much to say except taking side with Manav. Romesh Sharma was taken a back.

“You may go back to the class room.” Supervisor gave the order. “I will speak to the headmaster. He has to understand how the discipline has gone awfully terrible. I am disgusted.”

The inquest momentarily came to an end. The boys walked towards the classroom. On their way they did not stop teasing at each other. The fight continued. 

During that evening Ravi came running to his house.  He was charged up to report the big fight between the two toppers of the class.

“Mom,” While having his evening snacks Ravi quickly fired. “Do you know what happened today in the class?”

‘How was the Mathematics class test? You did not tell me the marks.” She was keen on his performance.

“Sir did not have the time to check the paper. I will get full marks.” He was confident. “Why are you not listening to me? Do you know what happened in the class?”

“Tell me, what happened?”

“You know Abhijit, headmaster’s son he is a dirty cheater rooster. Manav caught him today red handed while copying during the test. You should have seen his face. He was humiliated and disgraced. His pride bit the dust.”

Ravi explained the whole episode. Ravi’s mother Devi found it interesting that too the topper being caught in the act. ‘This is how they score high marks!’ She presumed. ‘My son at least does not cheat to come first in the class.’

Devi’s husband Raman was working as foreman in a private firm close to dockyard.  Raman had lived in gulf for eight years before shifting to India for good. He had deposited all his gulf savings in a bank. Life had become reasonably comfortable with income from bank interest and reasonably well paid job.

Raman reached home at 6:45 in the evening. He had followed the routine of having bath and then switching on the TV for news channels. He would eagerly follow the state and central political developments. Devi would get glued to the idiot box once Raman was updated by the news reporters. By then Ravi would go to bed after the completion of homework and studies. There after the husband and wife would join at the dining table for supper.

“Did you watch our chief minister’s farce on the TV?”  Raman picked up the topic while eating.

“You know that I am not keen follower of politics.”  She did not show much curiosity.

“Look at this.” He continued with swelling enthusiasm. “The home minister has pointed his finger at the chief minister in a press interview. He has claimed the involvement of the chief minister in the recent hawala scandal. Further He has even threatened to walk out of the party to prove his assertion. He says the accusation would be supported by the party secretary. You have to understand home minister’s game plan. He knows if the allegation is affirmed the party secretary who enjoys clean & soft image in the public means it is doom for the chief minister. The public would believe their statements and definitely the opposition would push for re-election. The public sympathy would favor the home minister and he could become the next chief minister.”

“Let it be.” Devi was irritated “Other than your factory work and the news channel do you have any knowledge on what is happening within our surrounding?”

“What’s gone wrong?” Raman raised his eyebrows.

“Do you know what happened today in Ravi’s class?” She swallowed the food and gave a brief on the copying accusation and the fight between Abhijit & Manav.

“Please do not take this very seriously. Kids fight easily and forget quickly.” Raman conveyed his view.

Devi was convinced by Raman’s opinion. She too expected the boys to patch up quite soon and thought some day even her Ravi would top the class. Next day she waited for Ravi to return back from school. She had become curious to know the developments.

“Do you have any fresh news on yesterday’s episode?” She enquired.

“Abhijit has stopped talking and he is angry with me for taking Manav’s side.” Ravi reported. “You know his pride is hurt after the humiliation. Today Romesh sir asked us to meet the head master. I went along with Abhijit. Abhijit spoke for most of the time and I just nodded my head. There after what happened we really do not know. But everybody was speaking about the big fight between the supervisor and the headmaster. They loudly and bitterly quarreled, that is what some other students informed me.”
 
Devi lost interest in the incident while helping Ravi in his home work. She did not bother to discuss with Raman when he returned from work. He was absorbed by news channels and the latest political developments amused him.

Some minor events occurred during the next week. Ravi informed on the promotion given to the supervisor. He was elevated to deputy head master’s position. Manav was made as the deputy monitor of the class. Ravi was delighted as his friend was given a position in the power. Abhijit and Manav had forgotten their bitter fight and joined hands to be good friends. Romesh Sharma was snubbed by both headmaster and his deputy for weak leadership in handling the students. His ability in student management was questioned. Ravi had heard such rumors.

Next day evening Ravi entered the house with a sad and long face. He was in tears.

“Ravi what happened.” Devi was disturbed.

He snuffled and wept out of control. Then he picked up a memo from his bag which was given by Romesh Sharma and handed over to his mother. The note unsettled her mind. The problem had become thorny. She needed Raman to sort out and waited for him to return from office. Devi explained the situation to Raman before he could make way to the bathroom.
“Do you remember the big fight which had place in Ravi’s class and Manav had pulled Ravi into the episode related to Abhijit?”  She recalled with shaky voice.

“Why are you worried? Is the fight still on?”  He was surprised by her act.

“Tomorrow you may have to go to the school and speak to the headmaster.” The tone of the voice was still under stress. “The class teacher has given a memo.”

“What is written in the memo?”

“Ravi’s behavior in the class has been questioned.” She explained. “He has been accused for fabricating division among the students. They say he does not respect the teachers and ridicules them. The head master has advised the parents to come and discuss the issue.”

Raman too was infuriated by the news. He went for the shower. As usual he switched on the TV after coming out from the bathroom.  The engrossment with the news channels continued until the food was served.

“Do you know the latest updates on chief minister’s hawala scandal?” He was impulsively enlivened.

“I am only worried about my son.” Devi grumbled.

“Some days back the home minister had leveled an allegation on the chief minister’s involvement in the hawala case.” Raman picked up the glass and drank some water. “He had even indicated that the party secretary would support him with evidence. Now there is a big turn around. The chief minister has re-shuffled the cabinet and home minister has been promoted to deputy chief minister. The deputy chief minister in his statement has accused the magazine for misquoting his interview, further he has blamed the party secretary for creating faction within the party. An enquiry has been ordered on party secretary for indiscipline.”