The Modern Approach

There was a commotion in the village, the price of milk had gone up twice in a month and there were further rumours that it would go much higher.



Bhola was in the middle of the commotion. Anirudh Kumar, locally known as Bhola was sent to the city to do something more for himself than what a behind the time village had to offer. He dragged his way, taking more time than the most in becoming a graduate with poor grades and repeated years and he was already tired.



Then Anirudh tried his hand at jobs, mostly he was rejected for one reason or another and reasons were many, each interviewer selected one according to their preference. He found an internship for which he himself had to pay the money, it came with a job assurance but no assurance that they would not fire an incapable, unorganised intern.



Anirudh came back to the village as this is what it was meant to be, Bhola was back to his village and as he lay on a wooden cot bed looking at the sky, not bothered by the flies flying around, Bhola’s father came out with a newspaper in his hand.



“Would you like some tea?” asked Mr Kumar



Bhola thought for a while and answered, “I would love it”



Mr Kumar rolled the newspaper and threw it at Bhola, a startled Bhola got up in speed.



“What happened?” he asked



“As if our attempt to get you settled in the city wasn’t a complete waste of my money and effort. You are making my life here difficult as well,” said Mr Kumar in an angry tone



“I started my work. Isn’t that what you and mother wanted? What happened now?” asked Bhola



“I read the newspapers daily and I know about most work out there, but a ‘Modernisation Councillor’, never,” said Mr Kumar



“I am just taking some money to help people to have a city like life here with modern facilities, by giving some suggestions for changes in their daily life,” said Bhola, a hint of pride in tone



“A city reject is guiding people to city life?”



“Yeah, dad. Do you know how people are curious about what happens in the city and many are interested”



“Now, they are after me for what you have done,” said Mr Kumar



“Why? I introduced modernisation to their lives,” Bhola defended himself



“You increased their cost of living but their income is the same. People who were happy riding bicycles you told them to get scooters, those who were happy with air coolers you told them to get air conditioners and the youngsters, they are demanding branded clothing and shoes because of your influence”



“But this will inspire them to grow, right? It will be good” said Bhola



“Most of them are not educated or qualified, they will never find a work better than what they have here”



Just then both of them heard some people coming towards them, talking in an angry tone. Bhola decided it was better to run for the moment and he did.



These people were angry because of the milk prices gone up, Bhola had convinced them to opt for the more ‘modern’ packaged milk which came with so many benefits. The milkman sold most of his buffaloes and cows and started selling packaged milk of the city.



Bhola did not run for some time. He did for a long time. A little late, but he knew the depth he could be dragged into here and thus he headed back to the city. Without his home village to go back to, at least for a while, Bhola found work in the city and he did turn his life around, not much, but enough to have a decent living.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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