Nurungukal…2..contd..

         I never thought that it would be a tight rope walk when I agreed to contest in a local body election. After retirement from service I settled down in a village in Wayanad. Initially my intention was to manage the coffee estate which my wife had inherited. But as days passed,gradually I became active in some social activities. It became intense when I was asked to be a part of the peoples’ planning program . The request was based on the experience I had acquired as an official, and considering my aptitude in serving the community.

          Traditionally for generations our family  were ardent followers of Indian National Congress. The offer was from the front in which INC  was the major partner. Hence I decided to give a try. The complexity of contesting in an election was realized as the campaign progressed. I had several draw backs. My main problem was how to effectively deliver a public speech. Till then I was akin to impress a class room audience. To my surprise I found that many with much less education and exposure were able to drive home the points better than me. They received applause from the crowd. It is like sharpening an ax before the cut. It was then I recollected about the tips one famous author had given on effective public speaking. And applying them over the years now I have managed to improve on this art.

           As we went on pleading with the voters many issues in which I was not directly involved started creeping in and on many occasion I had to cut a sorry face. In a particular case I was at the verge of easing out an amount, had it not been for the ingenuity of one of our experienced  campaigner.  My temperaments were changed  and became very polite.Even very harsh and derogatory remarks failed to irritate me . I became totally immune to any abuse. I was devoid of any expressions other than a broad smile. I became calm and poised. In my sleep numerals poped up because my subconscious mind was always entangled with the number of votes I can pocket !!. I did not realize then that my bank balance was slowly depleting, as my entire concentration was on how to make a win and uphold the prestige. We chalked out some strategies. More than once we approached the electorate.

      It was customary that a candidate made condolence visits when there is death and a courtesy call in case of marriage  irrespective of the relationship or familiarity. In the case of death a wreath has to be invariably laid. Every thing is fair in love and election !. I was also forced to observe such techniques to draw the sympathy of the electorate.

           It was a team work and every thing went smoothly as planned. In the process I had a chance to visit all in the area and establish a friendship with many. In the final analysis this was the only gain from the toil. .

            On the contrary my opponent was a silent worker. Unlike me he went alone, met the voters and established a personal rapport. He was more experienced than me in such assignments. I have seen him moving from one voter to another like a bee collecting honey. By the time I realized the efficacy of his approach, it was too late and my defeat was certain. Although the margin by which my opponent won was slender, I had to admit that my strategy failed to click. The lesson that I learned from my defeat was that success is with those who know the ground well in a fight. As far as I am concerned I was rowing  in unfriendly waters, looking at the surface without the knowledge of the strength of the under current. Experience has no substitute to learn about failures.  …..contd