Nurungukal...2...contd...

          When my wife went to Calicut for the delivery, I had to once again depend on the Nair mess. Even now I am very lazy when it comes for cooking. Many a time I had skipped my timely food when my wife is away. Especially in those days the ready to eat preparations were not in vogue in the market. But I remember that Maggy noodles, which is now a forbidden eatable had come for my rescue. Perhaps we were not aware of the hidden danger in such pre cooked foods. But I had a friend who used to be an expert cheff even when his wife was at home and she used to take advantage of his aptitude, and about which he was proud of. Hats off to my friend who is now no more.

                I would love to remember in gratitude the services rendered to me by one of my assistants who was in charge of the cleaning activities . When ever he is free he used to come to my house and help me. He loved to cultivate vegetables. The little land available around my dwelling was full with varieties of vegetables. He was from a farming community. Before joining the ware house he was working in a big farm. He had to leave because of the atrocities of the land lord. He had lost his parents  in his child hood. He never had a chance to go to school.  Although he was not a good cook, he put his heart into what ever he prepared. This gave me a chance to taste some of the native preparations made out of Ragi and other minor millets. Actually he worshipped the work he did. I have seen many such devoted workers during my service in Tamil Nadu. Their work culture is something which our brothers can emulate. Another quality which I have noticed in them is their frugal living. When we earn to spend they work to earn. So is their attitude in the usage of natural resources. Although we now blame them for the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, issues like those in Ksargode is yet to be reported from Tamil Nadu.

            Many years later when I visited Chromepet warehouse, my assistant about whom I have mentioned above came running to me and embraced me which made me shed a few drops of tears. He told me he had married and was the proud father of a boy. He had built a  house nearby and was leading a contended life. I have very closely observed such personalities and derived precious lessons. Their innocence, dedication, simplicity, transparency etc; etc; are matchless. Let us try to be at least a miniature version of them in life.....contd