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THE COMMON MAN SAYS

 

 


I had gone to pick up something from the market, when I overheard a conversation between two people as I was opening the door of my car. That place is a busy intersection and serves as a pick-up point for labourers. I could make out that they had come to that shop to buy their daily quota of Kheni, Gutka and Chuna, before someone hired them for the day.

 

Both had touch screen mobile phones. I could not make out what brand the phones were but rest assured these guys were not only connected with the world through the internet but were very well aware of what was happening around.

 

What caught my attention was their discussion on the increase in ‘tobacco prices’ which the panwala charged them due to the effect of the war in the gulf. The way they “bakoed” Doland Bhai Tump with explicit terminology which only a Marwari can coin, was music to the ears. Their awareness to global problems and assessment was much better, rustic, straight from the heart, absolutely true and much better than discussions done by learned panelists on any news channel.

 

Having bought what they had come to buy, both of them ordered a chai from the ‘tappree’ before they stuffed their mouths with the booty in their hands. The discussion continued on the escalation in fuel prices. “Gas ro cilander mile koni, black main apan leven koni. Mhari lugai lakri been nu lave, khana usi pe ban jave la”. The gist was that the LPG cylinder is not available, if available it is in ‘black’. His wife gathers firewood and cooks’ food on woodfire.

 

“Elekson ho gayo, modi ji badal gayo”. The broke into a loud laughter as if they had hit the nail on the head and gave each other a ‘low five’ while sipping their cup of tea. “Chai ro bina kaam chale koni”. Nothing works without a cup of tea and their conversation continued.

 

Soon, the conversation drifted towards the one and only Modi ji. “Aap to videsh chala gayo hai, athe apan ‘Pali’ koni ja sakan, videsh yatra to dur ri baat va”. “Sona ki bhav mile hai”. “Abaar check karan internet ton. Ek lakh sirsit hazar tola ho gayo hai”. “Hain, said the second person, kaien baat karo. Itno mehngo”!

 

I wanted to butt in and say that it has become so costly for us too. But you guys have ancestral reserves, and we the middle class of India can’t even touch gold with a barge pole.

 

“Ek aur baat kahi Modi ji ne kahi, work from home. Apan work from home kikar kar sakan”. “Apa lokan re ghar te kaam karan, yo samajh ro bahar hai”. He had a point. “Chauthi baat jo boli, vo tel kam khan vaste. Apan desi ghee instemal karan, tel koni khavan”. Balle, I said, he had an alternative. For us, the doctor says no to ghee, oil or butter. Better switch to boiled things. But then I remembered my old formula, “Mar jana par daliya nahi khana”.

 

Just then one man showed a photo of modi ji to the other on his phone. Another loud laughter session and a high five this time. “Kathe gayo Pradhan mantri ji. Italy. Ye kaun say. Ye Italy ro pradhan mantri hain. Modi ji kinna khush lage, “hathaiyan” (gossip)karan lag reho hai”.

 

“Apne desh main bhi to Italy wali hai, jis ko vo aur unki party subha shaam bakti rahti hai”. More laughter. “Usko pooche koni, vathe ja ke ha-ha thi-thi kare hai”. “Ki de riyo hai PM saab lugai ko”. “Melody toffee hai”. TOFFEE, jo panch rupay ri teen apna pan wala deta hai”. “Wah modi ji Wah, aur gift koni milyo kaiyen”.

 

“Bara hans ke baat karo hai. Wapas aa ke serious kyon ho ja hai modi ji”? “Mane thaa koni”. I don’t know said the second person. “Je kar hans ke petrol-diesel ri keemat barha deve, apan khushi-khushi de devan”. Bhar ja ke doosra chehra, ghaare bootha sujay ghoome, khair”. When he goes out of the country, he is so jovial and when he returns, he becomes serious.

 

I had spent too much time listening to such an interesting conversation. The heat was too much to bear even with the AC on. I left the learned duo to themselves and drove home.

 

Awareness was at its best. The heat of price rise is being felt till down below. The poor can still rough it out, but we the middle class face a ‘double whammy’. We pay all taxes and have to face the price rise too.

 

PM Saab, when you return, please stay in a good mood. Think about the people who are in between also. We do not mind paying taxes for the nation, but we do mind when you forget us. We are eagerly waiting for the VIIIth pay commission to be implemented.

 

Will he listen to what the common man says? I wonder!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© ® NOEL ELLIS

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