A Prelude

A Prelude

 

Sixteen years of penance

for an accredited credence

to seek a job of repute

facing interviews en route

to serve and to get served

a practice never swerved

is too tasking an assignment

that impatient youths in us resent.

But the allures of the chair

the pomp and power it airs

silence the mental revolt

as the coffer box, it unbolts

that treasures for our future

opulence, pride, and power,

evening visits to a club to amuse,

posh hotels to dine and booze,

to the boss at works with little tension

fat is benefits and remuneration,

jet flights, tours abroad and so on

make life ahead filled with frolic and fun.

Weighing options at hand then a few

firmed up I to choose one between two.

One was a job in a factory with the center

the other is a job in the state sector.

The perks in the state government

weigh scanty to a factory’s emoluments,

promotional avenue in the industry is better

in a state worse is the bossism of superior

Weighing the pros and cons state job was kept aside

a job in a central sector industry was eyed/

.

Two tiers of competition

competing across the nation

selected as a GET in Public sector SAIL

a job prestigious, every public did hail

A steel plant for its integrated run

needs for its managerial function

technocrats with exceptional caliber

challenges to engineers they offer

what motivates fresher to run for it

at the end of life to reap the gambit.

On our train journey to join BSP

thoughts many were swelling within me

- on promotion a chauffeur-driven car at my will

such thoughts many in me thus did shrill.

“As I merited better in all India competition

I have to enjoy better benefits in comparison.”.

The reception at Railway station

touched my vanity and imagination.

The reception at the hostel, accommodation

did not belie much of my expectation,

the tea party in our honor

by BSP’s Head and all seniors together

bumped my ego on my choice of profession.

Swelled, in my imagery, my price in bridal selection.

Thoughts such also had its companions

those would pale the prince on coronation.

Next day joining at the training institute

gauged I my future with observations astute

A self-driven pretty old car parked at the portico

a small tiffin box carrying lunch gave me a blow

On emergency, my colleagues were asked to go

in shifts and extended shifts that we did not know

with helmet boots hand gloves and dresses for safety

looking as ghost shocked my dream to be boss dirt free

Assumed I to be a manager I would only oversee

from me and machine layers would exist many

“Why do then my friends look so funny?

On their return, the story of their miserable look

my dreams, desires and self-esteem it shook.

from their talks as I felt that the workers

unruly they were and slipped out for pleasure

the blunt, the mangers had to carry

thus would be the entire life story.

My search to be happy with ease and comfort

as this prelude revealed me, got a lethal real jolt.

 

Man proposes but God disposes

Providence shaped my career as per its wishes

sticking me to the similar job till superannuation

severing forty years of loving association,

 

At this ripe age

turning to that page

just fresh out of Alma-mater

dreaming to be a world-beater

for me happiness had no limit

it was reaching the infinite

Then it got the feel of reality

to contain happiness within the human limit.

Serving there for forty years

from the same debris, derived I elixirs

the aroma of sweat-soaked dirty dresses

the labor unrests, the break downs to address,

round the clock duties, tensions, and worries

real happiness came to me from these furies.

No regret but pleasant memories I cherish

though its preamble had put me then in great anguish.

 

P K Routray

In the service of Lord

 

 

(Experiences and feelings, then on joining Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) as (GET) Graduate engineer trainee in 1971 being almost fresh from college.)