Impatience
It was around 8am Ananthan was talking on the landline phone in the
drawing hall. He seemed deferential in tone and all attentive. The caller must
have been his senior boss on urgent matter.
His six-year-old son came running to the hall and tugged his shirt
calling “Papa, come with me”. He looked at his child angrily and signaled with
his hands to remain quiet,
The little boy did not stir but pulled him more vigorously and said
sobbing “Papa, come quickly. You can talk on phone later.”
Balancing the receiver on the ear and simultaneously cupping it near
the mouth with one hand, Ananthan slammed the boy on his back and pushed him
away even as he shouted, “You dirty scoundrel, get lost from here before I kill
you.”
The boy who fell down rose up immediately and clasped his dad’s legs
crying inconsolably and telling, “Papa, amma has fallen down on the kitchen
floor and not answering. Fire is burning big all around. I am terribly afraid. Come
immediately
Ananthan dropped the receiver and ran towards the kitchen shouting “Why
did you not tell me earlier, you fool,” even as he heard a loud sound from the
kitchen side.
The Saviour
Gunaseelan was waxing eloquent at the local Corporation school on
Children’s day on his concern for children and the gross violations of Child
Labour Act. There was a large crowd of children and their parents, mostly
mothers.
He thundered on “It is highly deplorable that in our country that
tender children who should be studying in primary and elementary schools are
employed in tea shops, tailoring, provision stores, eateries, match factories and
fireworks units toiling all day long in unhealthy conditions. The Child Labour
Act specifically prohibits children below some age limit from employment.
It may be said that the poor parents themselves send their children for
work to augment family’s income. Still it is illegal as it barters away the
children’s golden future for narrow temporary selfish ends. I strongly condemn
this practice and vouch to take it up for stricter enforcement of laws. I would
plead in the legislature for a special grant of monthly allowance of Rs. 1000 to
children in BPL families. The quality of mid-day meal should also be greatly improved
and books and notebooks given free.”
There was an audible appreciation with loud clapping for a long time.
Gunaseelan was happy at the good impression he had made before the parents
particularly two months ahead of the elections.
He concluded his speech with a loud statement in his stentorian voice,
“Every child found working is a stigma to this constituency and particularly
against me. I am sure you would extend your support to fulfill my pledge made before
you .”
As he alighted from the car past 11pm and entered his house, he shouted
“Meenakshi, send that boy Babu to my bed room. My legs are aching after a long
day of speeches.
As he lay on the cot in the air conditioned room with his legs stretched,
the eight-year-old kid Babu in his shorts and banyan was seen standing
massaging the man’s legs continuously. At frequent intervals the leader was
admonishing the boy, “You dirty scamp, massage properly giving good pressure.
If you do not do well, I will flog you and starve you.”
It was more than an hour and the leader was seen dozing with a soft snoring.
The room had turned cold. The hungry and sleepy boy slightly slackened a bit prompting
the leader to get up and give him a sharp cuff (குட்டு) on his head with his closed
fingers. “Rascal, are you sleeping when I dozed a bit? I will skin you alive you
scoundrel “exploded the great saviour of children.