Vocation

Rural Economy. Gross Domestic Product. Per Capita Income.

These things are meant for the economists and planners only. They have nothing to do for the rural poor and illiterate mass of India. They plan their own budget for their own family. They do barter. Some become rich. Beget more children. Work hard without even a little botheration of the so called globalisation. Their economy stood on the agri field and livestock alone.

Guru was a young boy of twelve years, born with five brothers and seven sisters. He was the last child. So he had the privilege of studying in the local school. His elder brothers and sisters had not gone to the school. Some of them were married and had children older than Guru and studied along with him.

His parents were big farmers in the village toiling in the field from morning to evening. Some elder brothers and sisters also assisted them. In addition to the large land holding, they owned large number of cattle which include cows, bulls, buffaloes, goats and sheeps. But a pair of bullocks were given special treatment and meant for pulling the cart only. A thick black belt in their neck adorned with a brass bell would give rhythmatic sound based on their speed of walk. The cart was used to transport the biological manure to the fields and carry the members of the family to the nearby town for purchase of grocery and animal feeds. The livestock also included a big population of poultry, roaming around either in pair or a hen with number of chics in while yellow color rolling like a ball missed in the badminton court. In addition to the livestock, there were three male servants to look after them. They were treated at par with the cattle as far as the work and food is concerned. Sometimes the latter were better than the former with regard to the rest and liesure.

Guru had natural liking for the servants and move closely with them and pass his time after school timings. They also like him very much as he was the youngest child of their masters.

That was a developing extension area of a big town resembling country side with few big buildings standing like palm trees in a barren land. The roads were not formed. But still we could call them road by constant use of vehicles, and cyclists. The smoke of dust follows every vehicle, taking its own time to settle in and around the locality including the houses nearby.

A name plate shining in brass letters written in bold capital as S.Gururaj, B.Sc.,B.L., Asst. Sessions Judge welcomed persons entering the palatial building in the area. A pomaranian dog in white color also welcomed with a squeak barking voice to inform the master that someone has come to see him. The dog also runs here and there inside the compound wall and sometimes whirl around faster than a top. The activities of the dog revealed that it is very kind to play with and not dangerous animal. The fur was well groomed and the haris were also clean. The abundant white creamy hair covered the face and legs. The sharp pointed face and feet were the only identification that it is a living creature.

Except the pet and its voice, none of the occupants were seen. That serene atmosphere indicated that there were no children in the home. Begetting children for a few couples was a difficult and impossible task.

An official car arrived in front of the house. A middle aged man in a safari suit came out and got inside the car. A lady came out and seen him off with a wavering hand. The dog as usual whirled around and greeted him with a barking noise. A name board in front and back of the car revealed that the occupant was a judicial officer of the local court.


The village life for Guru was not charming. Since he is the last child, he was utilised for all menial jobs such as fetching some urgent requirements from the local grocery shop. Still he gets special treatment as far as the food items are concerned. He was the only boy to get all rare eatbles, fruits and sweets which are not easily available in a village.

Harvest season would make the people of the village very busy. Even the servants in Guru's house would abscond suddenly leaving the job and cattle unattended. They have not signed any contract like the modern computer wizards. They left their job at their will, to earn some livelihood in the harvest season, to the nearby areas. That is the time for Guru, to be put up in the job of taking the cattle to the nearby grasslands for grazing. He had to discontinue his studies and take care of the cattle. The close association with the servants had also helped him to manage the cattle with ease. A lunch pack containing the remains of previous night in a brass vessel will be ready to be caried. He had to forget the fresh food served by his mother during the lunch recess of the school. He had to keep his bag containing the books and notebooks aloof in a cupboard and forget the studies till the return of servants to their job. He had to join the other boys from the poor families of the village in taking the cattle together. He had to wait in the hot sun looking after the grazing cattle and running goats in search of fresh leaves from the thorny bushes till a siren heard from the far off textile mill to tell him that the time is over to take back the cattle home. He required minimum cloth to wear unlike the neat school dress.

The life of Guru went on like this, by discontinuing his studies in every year for brief period whenever the servants abscond. He was also an obedient son for his parents to take up the job of looking after the cattle during their absence and went to school whenever they are present. With the alternate assignment of student and cattle boy, he could somehow complete his studies in the school and went to college.

The shuttle service of the official car from his house to the court and back was very regular on week days. The judge spent his time after attending the court, in writing judgements and orders. His wife used to be busy in watching many serials of single prolonged scene with family sentiments. Sometimes she felt embarrassed to see a family with many children and relatives in a TV show comparing hereself lamenting aloof, without expressing her sentiments to her husband, as a devoted wife of middle class family. The sedantary life of couple had paved tha way to inherit the favoured diseases of blood pressure and diabetes which made them to visit the doctor often. Otherwise they were confined to the house only and played with the dog.

It was a Saturday morning.

Guru's wife woke him up.

"Dear, please get up. It's already six"

Is it six. Why don't you call me early?"

"Since you slept late previous night, I didn't want to disturb you."

"But my profession never allowed me to roam around freely in daytime. The twilight is meant for the people like me, actors and politicians to move alone freely."

"I'll wake you up early tomorrow. The dog is waiting to accompany you."

"All right. The coffee is ready? I'll refresh and come soon."

He went inside the bathroom. The dog was wagging its tail waiting for his master to have a stroll with him. That creature is also bored of the confinement.

"Come let's go," saiad Guru patting the dog.

He came out, dressed in white colored T-shirt, shorts and imported shoes, with a long chain to restrict the freedom of his pet.

They both came out of their house for a morning walk.

The dog started running ahead of him pulling the chain tight under control of his master.

His thoughts flashed back. Started thinking of his younger days when he used to take many cattle to the grazing field without binding anyone even in a single rope and controlling them with a stick and high pitched sound.

Now the cattle had been replaced by the dog.

What is in a name, when the job is same.

..concluded




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