(Postal Diary )
by-Ajit Rajbangshi
( Translation from my one published episode “Sadaye Thakiba” in Assamese Daily ‘Dainik Agradoot’on 21-04-13 )
Will remain forever.
The person came to Post office with torn and dirty clothes seemed to be a Berger. But when he took some bundles of hundred rupee to deposit then Sub Postmaster chocked. The office is in so remote area. The river Brahmaputra is also too near of the office. In the time of flood , water got entered to the office. During the period of Ramcharan two times water entered in the office .
Sub Postmater , Ramcharan worked in the office with busy mind. There was light music of song of Angarag in the office computer. He liked songs of Angarag .
“Sir , are you a singer in the past?” – asked packer man abdul to Ramcharan. He laughed and said , “ Yes Abdul , But I am a Bathroom singer . If I use to sing song here the office will not remain as office. Public will say ‘good bye’ to this Post Office. .” Actually though he could not sing, he has good respect to this field. In the child hood he has little practice in school , but his tune was not for favour of any song. Suddenly he saw one person looking to him through the open window. But after a while he went away from the Post office campus. Actually not only for this day , the person used to come this office many times ; but looking a while to the works and office staff he used to go away without asking or doing anything in each time. Like other days the person today also went away. Ramcharan thought – what may be motive of the person? What things he came to see? What –What??—In today’s life it is not possible to assume anything. . Can any body assures he had not any bad willing ? Few days ago there was a bank dacoity in the main town of the district. The Bank manager in the interview to News Channel said that some unknown person came to office two-three times to know various scheme of the Bank. But actually they came to the bank to find out the favourable way for dacoity . However due to having CC camera in the bank the police could arrest the culprits easily.
Postmaster Ramcharan asked to the other staff i.e. packerman Abdul and GDS MD (public call as peon) Rahim of the office in an inner room and said to both , “Listen , both you are resident of this area. Do you know that person that left this office campus a while ago? The person used to look us peeping through the office window and each time went away without doing or saying anything . I suspect the person . What may be the motive of him ?”
Abdul said , “Sir , I have also looked the matter . Presently I don’t know him. But sir on next coming we must follow him. Don’t mind Sir.” GDS MD Rahim added , “Sir , perhaps it will be better to inform police the matter .”
“ No Rahim , we will 1st enquire ourselves. If he has motive of Dacoity he will be in shame himself – how much rupee remains in this office ? He will think- have I did this only for such little amount ?” –Postmaster Ramcharan said. It is decided- on next coming they must follow the person.
Generally the person came on market days. One day is only for market day for that area. On next market day all the three staffs of the Post office keep watch on the person. But all in vain , the person did not come that day. But why he will not come ? On next very market day at
about 11.30am the person like other days used to peep and left .
Abdul immediately followed him and called , “O dangaria, listen please. Our Postmater Sir is calling you. Come to office.”
The person socked . Thought a while. Answered , “why – why he is calling to me ? I have nothing work at this time .in post office. ”
Abdul said, “You may not have any works, but please come. Postmaster Sir have something with you and you are bound to come .” With hesitation he came in the Post office and said to postmaster , “Sir , namaskar. Did you call me ?”.
“Please sit down. We have seen many a days that you come to this office campus and peep through the window something and without asking or doing anything you go away. What is the matter ? We suspect you for such works.”
“Sir , forgive me sir. I have nothing bad intention sir .”
“But why we will believe you ? nobody comes like you. There are so many extremist underground front in this area . Why we will not suspect you? ”
“ Sir , I am an illiterate man. I can not read or write. I have huge amount of money which are deposited in this Post Office as fixed deposit before you coming to this office . So sir , I come to see this office in fear.”
“What are you saying dangaria ? What kind of fear ?”- postmaster Ramchran said.
“Sir , previously I deposited money in Presid Housing , Jivan Suraksha , Une-pay and Sarada schemes. But all my property went in vain. These are all cheat funds and I lost my all deposited money. So , Sir I come periodically to see whether the Post office is or not . Sir , If this office is also closed down like Sarada etc. I would have no other way except committed suicide.”
Postmaster Ramcharan immediately catch one hand of the person and said proudly ,
“ Dangaria, don’t mind --don’t mind. Nothing to be afraid. Listen , one day I will die- one day you will also die. But Post office will remain forever.”
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By- Ajit Rajbangshi, SPM, kamarkuchi SO under Nalbari HO-781347.
Tel-098591-25146// 08822973987. ajitrajbangshi8@gmail.com
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