Professor Deepak has a point !

Professor Deepak Joshi was a scientist, he was a professor of Physics at a reputed university. His many papers were published. He continued to passionately pursue research. He traveled to many countries to participate in conferences and gave lectures on his favorite theories. 

A news about Professor Deepak appeared in all the newspapers, that an international body has recognized Deepak’s unique contribution. The news reported that Professor Deepak has got an offer from a reputed University in a foreign country, it also said that he has not taken the offer, instead has preferred to continue in the same University as he has invested a lot in his research and he would prefer to complete. For this, Professor Deepak earned accolades from one and all.

Professor Deepak’s popularity had spread to the nook and corner of the State. He received an invitation from his school from his hometown, for felicitation and also to deliver a lecture in the same school. He remembered his school days and grabbed the opportunity to accept the invitation. 

It was almost thirty years since Deepak had left his school and his hometown. He moved to far off places as his father got transferred. Many times, he had planned to visit his old school friends. A few years back a few of his classmates attempted to organize a meeting on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee ceremonies of his school. That time he was submitting his first thesis and he could not participate. Somehow his meeting with old friends did not materialize.

Of all, he would never forget his friendship with Kasyap, his classmate and also his neighbor. From elementary school to middle school, they were together. They studied, played and ate together. Kasyap refused to go anywhere without Deepak. Their friendship was the most talked topic amongst his friends and families.

It was difficult for Deepak to leave Kasyap and go along with his father. Many promises were made by both the friends while parting. Time and professions drained away all the promises. 

When the old school from his home town proposed a meeting, Deepak prioritized getting information about Kasyap and also got his phone number. He got in touch with Kasyap, and they planned to spend two days together. As Kasyap requested, Deepak took his wife Shruti along with him. He purchased a few presents for Kasyap and his family.

Kasyap had settled in the same town, he even did not shift out from his ancestral house. He had a few acres of land and was happy with a clerical post in the local court. He was married and had one five years old daughter, who was born after many years of marriage.

As Deepak and Shruti traveled to his hometown, Kasyap came to the Railway station to pick him and drove them straight to his home. Their meeting was very poignant and both the friends were tearful. They hugged each other with warmth and had a feeling of satisfaction and happiness to see each other.

Kasyap looked a happy and contented man. The whole house looked like a mini prayer hall with a lot of framed photos of Gods and Saints, decorated with lights and flowers. That night both the families talked of welfare and progress of families and acquaintances. Deepak spoke about the crucial paper he was working and which would bring him to big fame in the field of science. They remembered all their classmates and tried to reach them. Deepak was mesmerized by Kasyap’s affectionate treatment. Kasyap almost remembered every detail of Deepak’s food and other habits as a boy. Kasyap tried to bring back those memories for Deepak. Kasyap also reminded that Deepak as a boy, used to visit a temple in the neighbourhood regularly and used to sing Bhajans. Deepak remembered his grandmother taking him to the temple and insisting he would recite prayers.

Deepak had two internal auditors, his conscience and his wife Shruti. As Kasyap was reminding Deepak, what he was like, the internal auditors got busy underlining the discrepancies of Deepak. Though Deepak was resting in his room after dinner, the contrast of Kasyap’s life and his beliefs from his own made him think of the way his life went in last few years.

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Deepak became a professor by pursuit and passion. This career had come to him by choice and hard work but not as an alternative. His interest in science and research was not limited to his work and lectures. It evolved as his philosophy of life. He believed and argued with everyone that science would explain our world and life one day. His temper was raised when people talked of Eternity, Atman, and like mythical words. He was disgraced as arrogant and adamant because he refused to attend any prayer or religious meets among his relatives and friends. He was unpopular because of his unorthodox thinking. 

Deepak believed that having conviction or ideology was not enough and people should live for them. He also believed that continued practice would turn into a movement so that a total change would be possible. He thought that continued orthodoxy impedes progress. It would kill the very nature of humans to question and progress. He supported student forums where dogmas were criticized and myths were condemned. 

He progressed academically and professionally very well. Many of his papers got published in international journals. He had many research assistants, taking his guidance. 

With all this strong conviction he did the most usual and common thing, that was to get married. He married the most eligible lady Shruti. She was well educated but decided that she would not take up a job for their children’s sake. She remained a housewife. They were a happy couple with great understanding and caring for each other. Shruti turned an antagonist for Deepak, a most unexpected change in her life, from her religious tradition which she had inherited and valued the most.

From the very early days of their marriage, immediately after realizing the diversity they decided to keep this aspect of life a personal affair. They also decided to go forward in life without touching the beliefs and rituals of the other person. But Shruti was like an enemy within himself. His every action and thoughts were almost scrutinized and audited by Shruti.

He lived in the professors’ quarters provided by the University. There was a small community for social activities. All the families used to meet often and all the meetings had an agenda of some religious rituals. Naturally, Deepak could not be at ease with such get-togethers and gradually he avoided community gatherings. Shruti and the children used to take part in such activities. 

Most of the time Deepak used to feel his research and academics were a priority to any other activity with family or society. That was more or less reconciled by family but sometimes the social obligations used to create a very uneasy situation for Deepak. And he would pay this price for being stubborn for his belief in science over myths. 

A few years back Shruti’s parents came to visit their daughter and grandchildren. Shruti’s father and mother grew very orthodox and devoted because of their age. They intended to visit temples around, Deepak could not follow. Her parents unexpectedly proposed a religious ritual like, function for their grandchildren. It should have been respectful and simpler if Shruti had communicated more convincingly to her parents of Deepak’s predicament. Deepak refused participation and it had blown to a level of fighting for egos. This issue though happened a few years back remained a blemish for Deepak. Deepak justified that it was just about holding for some principles. Otherwise, there was no meaning for a principle or belief. 

These thoughts of his character summed up, disturbed his sleep in Kasyap’s house.

******

The next day Deepak woke up fresh and determined to keep his cool for coming twenty-four hours away for a cause.

Professor Deepak gave a very valuable speech to students and teachers. Many teachers and students, passionate about science, attended a group discussion by Deepak. As Deepak returned from the lecture, he found Kasyap’s wife falling sick with motions and vomiting. Kasyap said that his wife would suffer from such bouts and general treatment for such inconveniences would be a visit to their Deity and blessings from the head priest. Deepak found the lady had symptoms of Gastroenteritis. He gave a dose of tablets, he carried with him. By evening Kasyap’s wife got a lot of relief and looked normal. At dinner time, Kasyap thanked Deepak and said that he always believed that Deity would look after them, and Deepak was none other than the messenger of Goddess. Deepak did not go for any argument and just laughed within himself. 

At the end of the day, before retiring, Kasyap said that he had organized a special outing on the next day for the family. At night Nine o’clock, when all are about to retire Deepak got a message. Seeing that, Deepak looked worried, and asked Kasyap, to take him to a nearby computer printing place. Deepak took a printout, signed and sent by Fax. On the way, Deepak spoke about the crucial paper he had submitted about two months back. As the award committee would meet at an international level, a formally signed paper had to go. And that was the paper, dispatched by Deepak. 

The next day morning, it looked like Kasyap did not sleep the whole night. By the time Deepak got up and got ready, Kasyap was ready with broken coconut and a few flowers. He told Deepak that he went to a nearby temple to pray for the success of Deepak. Deepak felt that no intervention, especially of Gods, was required for his paper, to be accepted. If paper was not worthy, that would be acceptable for Deepak.  

The next day morning Kasyap drove Deepak and the family to his farmlands, about forty miles away. Kasyap took them around his agricultural land a small cottage. Then he straight drove them to a nearby temple. On the way, he told a story to Deepak that his wife did not conceive for almost ten years after marriage and they were a depressed couple. They followed every piece of advice and used all medicines for a long time. Finally, some neighbours suggested Kasyap to pray at this particular Deity. They followed the advice and for a fortnight they did the rituals. Then they were blessed with the only daughter they had. Since then Kasyap and his wife believed that this temple had a miracle. Many of his friends felt the same divine effect for their wishes.

As they came near to the temple, without even asking he led Deepak into the temple. Deepak hesitated a little. Deepak was given no time and no scope for protest. Kasyap took him straight to the area where the priest was ready with floral. Kasyap asked the priest to do the required rituals in the name of Deepak.

Deepak had ritual “Vibhuti” on his forehead. Kasyap assured Deepak that with the grace of deity Deepak would get relieved of his anxieties. After a moment, with a smile, Deepak happily followed Kasyap with the remaining formalities without any resistance. He paid the required charges and also liberally donated for the temple. 

All through this, he could see a happy and satisfied Kasyap. Shruti, his wife was confused and stressed. Deepak’s, his own conscience continued murmuring.

Kasyap also gave a booklet and asked Deepak to recite, daily. Kasyap felt he gave a big parting gift to Deepak. Deepak in turn felt that obliging Kasyap was a great and a very expensive return gift.

Deepak and Shruti were on the train for the return journey. Shruti was silent and a lot of deliberations were happening in her mind. How would she understand a great scientist and principled man? All through his life, he was adamant, aggressive, and stuck to his principles. He behaved most discourteous with her parents, neighbours, and close colleagues when it mattered. What should be her reaction when Deepak obliged his friend and relaxed all his convictions? 

Deepak grinned and said to Shruti that she was certainly justified for her annoyance. He clarified that he did not compromise with his ideologies or principles. He was still strong with his beliefs. He felt innocence and purity in Kasyap, it was not a place to contradict and argue. He wanted to be a good friend and repay for unbounded and unconditional affection. No doubt personally it was a very expensive compromise and his friend was not aware of it. He wished Shruti would show maturity and understanding for him. Deepak left the booklet, the parting gift from Kasyap, in the train itself. Deepak never reported back to Kasyap that his paper did not get recognition. 

Living for beliefs and principles requires lot of grit and strength, but breaking a principle for a good cause elevates character of a person to the next level.

Vallinath Mangalampalli