COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - CHAPTER - 8

Chapter – 8

Swapna Ganguly went upon the dais to collect the prize as joint winner in Bridge tournament. Her co-winner was Chanakya Nag who was out of the auditorium. Rozario was sitting on his chair with serious face ogling at Swapna’s heavy hips and protruding breasts. When Mandakini was about to hand over the prize, a leather case containing two packets of cards to Swapna, Chanakya Nag came upon the dais from the side door and collected the same jointly. Nag of course handed over the leather case to Swapna saying “Keep it for your practice to win the next year’s trophy.” Swapna Ganguly almost sprang like a baby waving her bobbed hair, hips and breasts and came down from the dais with the trophy.

Other recipients of prizes got to wait for sometime as Rozario and Nag were engaged in serious discussion. After few minutes Nag got up from his chair and announced without microphone, “Ladies and Gentlemen! After the prize distribution is over, please do not leave your chairs as there is another important item which I will announce shortly. Thank you!”

Gouri Chatterjee called Budhadeb Sinha of stores department to come upon the stage for collecting his first prize for recitation in Bengali. Mandakini handed over to him complete works of great revolutionary Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. After Budhadeb came Jolly, daughter of Chanakya Nag and Mandakini to collect her prize for “Bharat Natyam” dance and Amit, son of Ramani Talukdar and Keya for vocal music. Consolation prizes were given to Badal, son of Jagabandhu Adhikari and Basabi, daughter of Fatik Nandi. Lastly Ramchandra, personal peon of Chanakya Nag got a special prize for his obedience and sincerity.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! I am now happy to announce about the farewell party of Mr. Santanu Majumdar, our ex-Divisional Manager, Home Products. After serving Rainbow India for five glorious years, Mr. Santanu Majumdar left us for betterment in his personal career. We extend our best wishes to him. Today, I mean, this evening we have arranged a farewell party for Mr. Majumdar. Unfortunately he has not been able to attend this function, as we understand, suddenly he got indisposed.” Chanakya Nag paused for few seconds.

Rozario spoke something to Kelvin who shrugged occasionally.

Nandi whispered from behind, “Sir, it’s an absolute imposture.”

Nag said again, “Ladies and Gentlemen! We would have been happy had Mr. Majumdar been with us at this auspicious moment. Anyway since he has not yet turned up, we will send the farewell gift to his residence.” Nag showed a wristwatch to the audience.

He further said, “Third session of our today’s function is cocktail and dinner. Perhaps most of you have come here with your children and some from distant place. So I request those members, especially ladies with small children to wait for few minutes for dinner in the office hall. Those who desire to participate in the cocktail party may kindly be present on the terrace of our office building sharp at 8 p.m. However on behalf of Rainbow Calcutta I invite all adult members to join us at cocktail this evening. Thanks!”

Audience who remained seated in the auditorium with so much patience and discipline started moving out through the main door like stampede as seen in the cinema halls after the end of film shows. We, I mean managers and executives got to remain inside till the departure of VIPs from the dais through side door. Before going out Nag advised Tarit Ganguly and Gouri Chatterjee to see him in his cabin.

Gouri Chatterjee, the thin and tall bearded young man was a personal appointee of Chanakya Nag as recommended by his wife Mandakini who got to oblige one of her co-joggers in front of Victoria Memorial. Being the student of a Calcutta English medium school, Gouri could speak English fluently in Anglo-Indian accent. Very often he used the word “Bloody” even while talking to seniors. He spoke some words in his own accent and sounded something else to others. As for example instead of speaking ‘Well’ he would utter ‘Boel’ and similarly ‘Buil’ instead of ‘Will’. Nag was very much impressed by spoken English of Gouri and appointed him as a Medical Representative in pharma division under P.K. Sanyal. Within a short time Gouri became a top favourite of Chanakya Nag as he was the only person who could procure original Scotch whisky and virgin girl friend in shortest time for entertainment of Rainbow guests and big bosses. There was a confidential rumour that Iris Stephen was one of such virgin girl friends of Gouri Chatterjee. She applied for the post of secretary to GM (East) of Rainbow India as per direction of Gouri who had brought her to Chanakya Nag long before her final selection by Rozario. Gouri once told his immediate boss Prodyot Sanyal that as per prediction of his family-astrologer, he would rise up to a senior position in Rainbow very shortly. Fatik Nandi was standing nearby and he heard Sanyal saying pointing towards Nag’s cabin, “I also foresee, you are occupying that room very soon.”

Gouri came out of Nag’s cabin and approached Iris who was chatting with Leda, Rupa and some other ladies standing near to me.

“Iris! You have got an exciting responsibility! Do you know what is that? You are to show Mr. Kelvin some of the historical relics of British Calcutta. Go down and get inside the air-conditioned limousine for a nice time to Victoria Memorial. From there you will proceed to Dalhousie Square and show Mr. Kelvin G.P.O., Writers’ building and Octorlony monument before taking him to Hotel Intercon for freshening. However, you must see that you come back to Rainbow house at 8 p.m., as Mr. Kelvin is the guest of honour in the cocktail party. Anyway I am coming down with Mr. Kelvin within a minute.”

Gouri delivered lengthy instruction to Iris and proceeded towards Nag’s cabin. Within two minutes he came out with Kelvin and went downstairs for Limousine and Iris.

I decided to spend the period of intermission in the office only. I was not married at that time. My mother was quite old and my sister was allergic to cocktail party. She never opposed my taking drinks in official parties of previous employers, as I would always keep myself confined within limits. But she questioned me many times why official parties could not be confined within tea, coffee and soft drinks. Though I had tried to quote many historical royal parties and modern banquets arranged by country or state heads in honour of visiting heads of other countries where French Champagne, Spanish Sherry and Scotch Whisky were served, I was unable to convince her of the utility of alcoholic drinks.

Chandan, sales executive of my division came to me and asked me when he would be promoted to the rank of DSM. Though I did not like his untimely quest for career development, I smiled at him and said, “Oh yes! Why not? Very shortly.”

Tactfully I avoided his further question and moved towards my cabin.

I had been relaxing on my chair stretched in inclined position for ten minutes or so when Nandi entered my cabin and said, “Sir, sorry to disturb you.”

I said, “Not at all Mr. Nandi! Welcome! So what are the news? Please take your seat.”

“Most disturbing news Sir!” Nandi said comfortably.

I brought my chair in normal position and looked at him curiously.

“Sir! Do you remember Swapna Ganguly? I mean Tarit’s wife?

“Yes I do.”

“She accompanied Mr. Rozario for marketing.”

“It’s alright! What’s the problem?” I asked Nandi.

“No problem Sir. You asked me about latest news and I told you about that.” Nandi said with depression.

I realised that ever jubilant Nandi did not appreciate my total indifference towards latest news provided by him. As a matter of fact though I welcomed Nandi and offered him to sit before me, I was totally preoccupied with my new assignment in USA. Fortunately, I did not accept official flat of Rainbow as one of the perquisites besides official chauffeur driven car for twenty four hours as I had four roomed rented flat in an excellent locality of central Calcutta. My landlord was a NRI settled in USA like millions of immigrants from all the countries of the world who had migrated to this golden continent in search of platinum currency i.e., US dollars. USA also sheltered these immigrants as their citizens. My landlord used to visit Calcutta once in a year and meet us normally on the day before his departure for USA. He was very friendly to me. So in my absence there would not be any problem for my family to stay in the same flat. I decided to inform some of my distant relatives and close friends to look after my mother and sister for some time.

“Mr. Nandi, you did not finish your story of Kipling and Kingsley. So far I remember, you stopped somewhere when Mr. Anderson indirectly invited you to meet him in his hotel room.” I said to make the situation light.

Nandi smiled and said, “Sir! You remember everything so vividly!”

“Yes! I met Mr. Anderson in the hotel same evening. Such a great man he was! Immediately on being informed by reception, I was asked to go to his room. Door was kept open for me. When I entered into the room, Mr. Anderson almost jumped from his chair and said, “Hallow Fatik! Welcome to my room. Like some drinks?”

“What did you say?” I asked.

Nandi became shy to some extent and said with a smile, “I said, most welcome! I am at your service.”

I was about to burst into laughter but restrained on hearing a knock on the cabin door. Nag entered my cabin and said, “Sumanta, I am extremely sorry to tell you, without your permission I asked your driver to take out Mr. Rozario for marketing. If you need car, I will arrange something for you.”

I got up from my chair and said, “Sir, you have done excellent job. There was really no necessity of asking for my permission. I will not go out anywhere before the end of the cocktail party. Mr. Nandi is giving me jocund company.”

Nandi had got up before Nag entered my cabin and seeing him in person felt very much uneasy. Probably Nag understood the mind of Nandi and said, “Well done Nandi. Why don’t you take out Mr. Bose to the hall, some ladies and children are taking dinner. I am sure, he will enjoy.”

Nag further said, “Sumanta, you can come afterwards to my cabin and enjoy cards.”

I said, “Thank you Sir!”

Nag left my cabin.           

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 6

Chapter 6

Rozario enjoyed very much the laudatory clapping of the audience. Sitting on his chair he was talking to Mandakini Nag and Kelvin occasionally ogling at Swapna Ganguly. Swapna also responded to him by erecting upper portion of her body for proper exposition of her protruding breast.

He was in steel grey coat and trousers made of lustrous synthetic cloth which seemed to be glittering under high powered neon light. His thick dyed curly hair with partition line exactly in the middle above narrow forehead looked like much popular picture of the advertisement of hair-dye inserted in different newspapers or magazines. His sunken eyes on his black complexion below joined wide eyebrows and above long pointed nose were piercing like that of falcon in search of prey.

Fatik Nandi told me one day in my cabin that a perfect English gentleman like Mr. Anderson, founder of Rainbow India had to fall down as a most unfortunate prey of his trusted personal assistant Leo who caused his infamous departure from India. Nandi further added that a steno-typist becoming the Managing Director of a multinational company Rainbow India was probably a world record.

Following the programme, Gauri Sankar invited Haladhar Jana, oldest peon of Calcutta office. I learned from Fatik Nandi that like him Haladhar was also the appointee of William Anderson who picked him up from Hotel Emperor Intercon. Haladhar was not a regular staff of the hotel. But he used to work in the garden attached to the swimming pool everyday. While relaxing beside swimming pool, one day Anderson watched the young man working very attentively in trimming grasses and plants. He could know from a bar waiter serving him beer that this man was on ‘no work no pay’ basis. Next day Chanakya Nag met Anderson beside the swimming pool. Haladhar was also trimming the grasses at that time. Anderson advised Nag to ask Haladhar whether he was interested to get a permanent job. Haladhar agreed and next day he was appointed as peon of Rainbow’s new office in Calcutta. So long William Anderson was the Managing Director of Rainbow India; Haladhar Jana was very powerful man of Calcutta office. He would always carry on ego of being the personal appointee of MD. After departure of Anderson from Rainbow India, Ramchandra Mondol, personal peon of Chanakya Nag exercised more power and almost eclipsed Haladhar with the change of situation. Ramchandra Mondol became powerful man in the office, as he was previously a favourite household servant of Mandakini Nag on whose recommendation Chanakya Nag appointed him as his personal peon. His extra job was to serve tea or coffee to the Divisional Managers. But in all household occasions like family get together or entertainment of official guests at homely lunch or dinner Ramchandra would be in Chanakya Nag’s flat to assist Mandakini and her cook. So Divisional Managers, other executives and office staffs had to depend mostly on Haladhar Jana and another peon Netai Chand.

Haladhar came on the dais and saluted everybody bending upper portion of his body at hundred eighty degree angle. He then looked at the audience and stood in standstill position. Binoy Bhar prompted from the side door of dais. But Haladhar could not follow him and forgot what he was to say. He again bowed at hundred eighty degree angle and came down from the dais. Though the audience started laughing, Chanakya Nag seemed to be irritated as could be seen on his facial expression. Rozario murmured something looking at Nag. Probably he expressed his displeasure.

Gauri Sankar came on the dais and dispersed the sultriness of the auditorium. He took the mouthpiece of the microphone and said smilingly glancing at Rozario and Kelvin, “Ladies and Gentlemen, first session of our function has come to an end. I will now recite a poem specially composed by me for this occasion.”

He paused for few seconds. Touching his well groomed French cut beard on the chin and tightening up neck tie knot he said,

Rainbow in the sky, emits seven colors

Rainbow on the earth, it’s only ours.

Kelvin and Rozario clapped loudly followed by all other on the dais and in the auditorium.

Second session would start after ten minutes. Most of the ladies and gentlemen came out of the auditorium along with children to ease themselves. In air-conditioned auditorium smoking was not permitted. So the smokers lighted their cigarettes outside without any loss of time. Smoking and easing were to be completed within ten minutes. I was smoking standing beside a window of the big hall just opposite to my cabin. Chanakya Nag had already escorted Kelvin and Rozario to his cabin. Bhar also rushed in Nag’s cabin followed by Ramchandra carrying Gin and Lime. Antony was talking to Talukdar. Both of them were non-smokers. Ganguly lined up with Phuchkanwala. Chandranath Gupta was joking with Chandan. Prodyot Sanyal was having chats with other head office executives.

In such crowd of office staffs and their family members it was difficult to identify the persons excepting those I had met during these few day in Rainbow office. Such persons were very few in numbers. 

No young man can forget Iris Stephen once seen. So it was not difficult for me to identify her when she came out of Nag’s cabin where Kelvin and Rozario were resting on Gin and Lime. Probably Chanakya Nag called her for getting some paper or file.

Gouri Sankar and Bhar were standing in front of Nag’s cabin. Iris talked to them for a moment and went to Leda Joseph, the telephone operator cum receptionist. Being holiday, Leda was not sitting on her chair. She was talking to Accounts officer Jagabandhu Adhikari and Fatik Nandi. She was well shaped beautiful tall Anglo-Jewish girl in early twenties having reddish complexion and curled light brown hair resembling a Greek beauty. She was soft-spoken having always a sober smile on her charming face. She was attractive, but not seductive like Iris Stephen.

Adhikari and Nandi got dispersed in the crowd with the arrival of Iris before Leda. Iris was an appointee of Rozario. Immediately on becoming Managing Director of Rainbow India, he visited Calcutta on special request of Chanakya Nag and selected Iris. Leda Joseph was an appointee of Anderson as private secretary-cum-steno-typist of Nag because of her serene beauty.

Nandi told me once that Anderson was always fond of serene beauty, sober habits and surroundings. He himself was soft-spoken and liked soft-spoken people. Out of ten girls interviewed, probably for that quality Leda was selected by Anderson. But things changed after his departure. Leda was made receptionist-cum-telephone operator and Iris was appointed as secretary of Chanakya Nag. Simple reason for this change was Leda’s unwillingness to accompany Rozario for marketing some garments for his wife in New Market and thereafter to his hotel in the evening for taking dictation of some important letters. When proposed, Leda could understand the ultimate desire of Rozario instantly and regretted her inability point-blank, as she had to attend some household celebration.

Obviously Rozario decided to do away with Leda tactfully, as he had never expected to get such rebuff from an office girl who according to him was expected to follow the order of her immediate boss. He expressed his displeasure to Nag and asked him for taking necessary action tactfully. Chanakya Nag was an intelligent guy. He did not want to displease any party, either Rozario or Anderson. So Nag also expressed his artificial anger and displeasure for Leda’s imprudent attitude and act of disobedience, though personally he liked her.

However he advertised in the leading English daily of Calcutta for attractive young female secretary and short-listed half a dozen girls for final selection of one by Rozario during his next visit to Calcutta. Iris got place in this list and was finally selected by Rozario during his first visit to Calcutta as Managing Director of Rainbow India. On the first day of her appointment as secretary to Chanakya Nag, she cheerfully agreed to go to hotel in the evening to take dictation from Rozario on some important management matters. Nag consoled Leda saying that because of her pleasing personality her services were required on the reception desk, which had so far been occupied by Rupa Banerjee who had been transferred to pharma godown. Leda was not unhappy for this change; rather she emitted sigh of relief.

It was time for second session and everybody started entering the auditorium. I was about to follow them. Fatik Nandi rushed towards me and said, “Sir, I have got a funny news for you.”

I looked at him with curiosity.

Looking at all sides by moving his body and head Nandi said, “Mr. Majumdar has not yet turned up. Mr. Chanakya Nag is very worried.”

I said, “Why?”

Nandi said, “Sir, it is extremely confidential. After the prize distribution ceremony there will be a small function which will be announced publicly by Mr. Nag. But I have collected the secret information from Adhikari that arrangement has been made for Farewell reception of Mr. Santanu Majumdar, ex-Divisional Manager, Home Products. Mr. Rozario and Mr. Nag would congratulate Mr. Majumdar for his yeoman’s services rendered to Rainbow in developing sales of Home Products in Eastern Region for last five years. At the end of this function Gauri Chatterjee will recite a poem composed by him in honour of Mr. Majumdar.”

I said, “But this function could have been celebrated some other day! Why in such haste?”

Nandi inclined his head towards me and said in low voice, “Mr. Rozario desired that farewell reception of Mr. Majumdar should be held in presence of Mr. Kelvin. Accordingly he informed Mr. Nag few days’ back and advised him to purchase one farewell gift for Mr. Majumdar. Adhikari told me that he had already paid to Bhar for buying a good watch for Mr. Majumdar as per advice of Mr. Nag. After all Mr. Kelvin should go back with excellent impression regarding Indian management of Rainbow.”

Fatik Nandi wanted to tell me something more. But he slipped away towards the auditorium gate, probably observing Nag coming out of his cabin.

I saw Chanakya Nag coming with Kelvin and Rozario. Before their arrival I entered the auditorium.  

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 5

Chapter 5

On the dais there were six chairs. As per earlier arrangement two middle chairs were meant for Kelvin and Rozario. Two chairs beside Rozario were to be occupied by Antony and Nag. Other two chairs beside Kelvin were meant for Phuchkanwala and Gupta.

Entering the auditorium, I found Mandakini sitting beside Rozario and Nag. Other two chairs beside Kelvin were occupied by Antony and Phuchkanwala. So Chanakya Nag directed Bhar to place one extra chair on the dais beside him for Gupta. However Gupta politely told Nag that he would feel quite comfortable to sit with other managers on first row facing the dais. But Nag did not comply with his request. He came down and escorted Gupta to the dais to occupy his seat beside him.

First row of seats for audience was filled up. There were Tarit Ganguly and his wife Swapna, Ramani Talukdar and his wife Keya, Subbarao Naidu, Pradip Mehta, William Fernandez, Mahendra Soni, sales tax consultant Dilip Sen and clearing and forwarding agent Panchu Saha. I took my seat on the second row between Atanu Samanta and Deb Pratim Dutta in spite of Gauri Sankar’s request for sitting on the first row. Gouri told me that he would send Panchu Saha to second row. I convinced Gouri that Panchu Saha was our guest and as such it would not be proper for us to ask him to leave his seat and go behind.

On the third row, just behind my seat Fatik Nandi was sitting. He whispered, “Sir, I am so lucky! You are sitting close to me!”

“I am also lucky.” I said. Atanu and Deb Pratim glanced behind and whispered, “Here is Fatikda, the great. We are lucky!”

Gauri Sankar went up to the dais and announced on microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen! Miss Iris Stephen will garland Mr. Kelvin and Mr. Rozario and after that Mr. Chanakya Nag would deliver his welcome speech. Since the function begins, please stop your mutual conversation. Thank you.”

Immediately after Gauri Sankar had finished his announcement, Iris Stephen started walking up to the dais vacillating her round hips and protrusive breasts carrying two garlands on two hands drawing everybody's attention, particularly of male members present in the auditorium. Her tight half sleeved red velvet banyan with open armpit and fitting blue trousers specially tailored for exposition of her heavy swaying buttocks made her so attractive, both Kelvin and Rozario seemed to be dumbfounded as if a fairy had come down from the blue to garland them.

Probably as a woman Mandakini could guess the mental disbalance of the menfolks sitting beside her, including her husband. She almost snatched the garlands from iris and put on the same herself around the necks of Kelvin and Rozario. With the clapping of Bhar and Gauri Sankar, whole auditorium almost burst into loud clapping. Iris also started clapping while coming down from the dais with pale face. Chanakya Nag clapped little late as probably he did not approve of sudden action of his wife beyond the schedule and minimum civility.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! I now request Mr. Chanakya Nag, GM, East to deliver his welcome speech.” Gouri announced and placed the microphone mouthpiece in front of Nag.

“Thank you Gouri. Mr. Kelvin, Mr. Rozario, Mr. Antony, Mr. Phuchkanwala, Mr. Gupta and all my colleagues of head office, Eastern Regional establishment, Ladies and Gentlemen!” Nag said, “I welcome everybody present here on the auspicious occasion of the foundation day of Rainbow Eastern Regional office. I thank Mr. Rozario, specially for bringing amongst us Mr. Kelvin, Overseas Director of Rainbow International, who looks after entire global business of our parent company. You will be surprised to learn, he is so busy, if on Monday he is in London, on Wednesday he will be in New York and on Friday he will be in Singapore.”

Both Kelvin and Rozario started laughing and others sitting on the dais followed them.

Nag paused for a moment and narrated in brief how he had sowed the seed of Rainbow in Eastern India and how did the seed germinate and finally take shape of a big tree having so many branches thickened with green leaves and colourful flowers like the ladies and gentlemen sitting in the auditorium.

Rozario clapped loudly and everybody followed. There were loud reverberations of clapping inside the auditorium. In his speech Chanakya Nag did not mention the name of Anderson, founder of Rainbow India and reason I had already known from Fatik Nandi. Rozario, who was elevated from the post of stenographer to Administrative Manager, then to General Manager of Rainbow India and within a short time to Director by Anderson, never liked after becoming Managing Director that anybody should refer the name of his benefactor as it would erase his personal identity. There was also strong hearsay that Anderson was marked with infamy in the board of the parent company i.e. at the headquarters of Rainbow for his princely life style and licentious activities in India. Such an infamous downfall of Anderson was caused by his once trusted and most favourite man, Leonidus Rozario, affectionately called by him as Leo who obviously became overambitious to sit in the cabin of Managing Director without much loss of time. Opportunity came to him when as Director he was sent to Rainbow headquarters in England by Anderson for attending a special meeting in his place. After coming back to Bombay, Rozario did not have to wait long. Anderson was called back and Rozario was made the first Indian Managing Director of Rainbow India.

Chanakya Nag now requested Rozario to deliver his inaugural speech. Rozario thanked him and requested Kelvin personally to speak something about his feelings as a chief guest of the function. Bhar immediately placed the microphone in front of Kelvin who got up from his chair and shrugged looking at the audience.

He said, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Namaskar! It’s my pleasure to be with you and I feel proud to see the development of Rainbow India under the leadership of Mr. Leonidus Rozario. I am also happy to find tremendous organizational capability of Mr. Chanakya Nag in arranging such a beautiful function on the foundation day of Rainbow office in Calcutta. I will be delighted to be with you every year in future. Thank you.”

Rozario, Chanakya Nag and all others on the dais started clapping loudly and audience in the auditorium followed them. Gouri Sankar came on the dais from the side door and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Now our beloved Managing Director, Mr. Leonidus Rozario will deliver his long awaited inaugural speech. Please clap loudly and welcome Mr. Rozario.”

Rozario got up from his chair and said after the loud sound of clapping had sunk down, “Mr. Kelvin, Ladies and Gentlemen!” He glanced at Mandakini smilingly and continued, “I am very happy to be here with you in this pleasant evening. My heartiest thanks to Mr. Nag and his colleagues for such nice arrangement. I thank all the members of Rainbow family for taking so much trouble in assembling in this auditorium to make the function a wonderful success. Though our esteemed government has requested us for family planning, I feel there should not be any family planning in Rainbow. Let Rainbow family spread throughout our country and all over the world.” Chanakya Nag and Kelvin along with other head office dignitaries started clapping loudly and were followed by everybody in the auditorium.

“Thank you, Thank you,” said Rozario and continued, ”Only few years back Rainbow India started operation with few medicines under license of Rainbow International and with the cooperation of the government and the people, today Rainbow India is included in the list of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the country. Two more divisions of Rainbow, Home products and Agro-Chemicals are progressing rapidly. We are planning to put two new feathers on the cap of Rainbow India, I mean the bulk drugs and laboratory chemicals for which we have already got approval from our parent company and the local government.”

Everybody started clapping and in the meantime Rozario cleared his throat by making light cough and sipping gin with lime as given by Binoy Bhar.

Rozario said again, “Probably you have heard, some of our imprudent workers in head office and factory have taken recourse of indiscipline and are trying to disrupt normal work of the peace loving members of Rainbow family. This has caused great concern to us and to our headquarters in England.”

He paused for few seconds and said, “Do you know the reason? It is absolutely ridiculous and unreasonable. They claim that they should get same bonus as they used to get when Mr. Anderson was Managing Director. Not only so, they further claim that the difference in bonus for last two years should be paid at a time. Ladies and Gentlemen! Rainbow is your company. Why should you ask for your bonus? It will come automatically. We are now giving bonus exactly as per government rule i.e. 8.33% though we are not making any profit because of our reinvestment in new projects. I tell you once again, it is your company. You earn more for the company and take more to your home. Thank you! Namaskar!”

“Three cheers for Mr. Rozario.” Gouri Sankar said loudly.

Everybody on the dais started clapping. As usual, audience inside the auditorium also clapped loudly, probably without knowing the reason what for they made loud sound by beating their palms rhythmically.     

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 4

Chapter – 4

Family members of office and field staffs assembled in the main office hall. Binoy Bhar requested ladies and children loudly to enter the auditorium and take their seats, as the head office bosses would arrive at any moment. They would be accompanied by Chanakya Nag. Ramani Talukdar had already come to office to arrange for the reception of foreign and Indian dignitaries.

Talukdar showed me the blueprint of the protocolic reception as outlined by Chanakya Nag seven days back. Three Divisional Managers i.e. Divisional Manager Ethical Products alias Ramani Talukdar, Divisional Manager Home Products alias Tarit Ganguly and Divisional Manager Agro Chemicals alias Sumanta Basu i.e. my poorself would stand in front of the reception group at the office gate.

Air-conditioned foreign Limousine carrying Robert Kelvin, Lionidus Rozario and Chanakya Nag would be attended by Ramani Talukdar. Other two Ambassador cars carrying Gregory Antony, all India Manager for Ethical Products, Homi Rustam Phuchkanwala, all India Manager for Home Products, Chandranath Gupta, all India Manager for Agro-Chemicals, Narayana Govinda Subbarao Naidu, Manager – Manpower and Man-Management, Dr. Pradip Kiran Mehta, Manager – Ethical Technical Service, William Vincent Fernandez, Manager – Sales Promotion and Mahendra Lalchand Soni, Assistant Manager – Audio Visual Training System would be attended by Tarit Ganguly and myself.

Behind Divisional Managers would stand second ranking managers like Atanu Samanta, Product Manager – Ethical Products Division, Prodyot Sanyal, District Sales Manager – Ethical Products Division, Deb Pratim Dutta, District Sales Manager-Home Products Division and Chandan Purakyastha, Sales Executive of my division i.e. Agro-Chemicals.

Binoy Bhusan Bhar would stand just at the gate of Rainbow House along with Haldhar Jana and Ramchandra Mondol on his right and left sides.

On the first floor entire group of dignitaries would be received by Mandakini Nag, wife of Chanakya Nag. She would be aided by Keya Talukdar, wife of Ramani Talukdar and Swapna Ganguly, wife of Tarit Ganguly at the main door of the auditorium.

This year’s special attraction was the Rainbow’s own auditorium. Till last year foundation day of Eastern Regional office of Rainbow India used to be celebrated at the banquet hall and the attached lawn of nearby three star hotel. This would normally cost high to the company and cause inconvenience to the family members.

Opportune moment came to Chanakya Nag when the adjacent block on the same floor was about to be disposed of by a Delhi based company willing to wind up their business in Calcutta. He convinced head office bosses and tackled the landlord very efficiently by paying him handsome non-refundable advance money. Entire floor with huge area came under occupation of Rainbow with exclusive right of the roof. Except two big shops, one departmental store and another automobile distributor on the two sides of main gate, whole building appeared to be owned by Rainbow. Being so happy with big amount of non-refundable advance amount, landlord of the building changed its name to Rainbow House from old name Jagattarini Bhawan.

Nandi said, “Sir, landlord got the overall benefit. Besides getting huge amount, he succeeded in getting a job in Rainbow for his son-in-law staying with him. It’s the job of stamp clerk having no worry, no tension!”

“Stamp clerk?” I exclaimed.

“Yes Sir. His job is to stamp the medicine packets or bottles scheduled for government supply.” Nandi said.

“But such stamping is the job of the government Inspectors!” I said.

“You are right Sir. So far as the system is concerned, Inspectors will check up the medicine in respect of specifications mentioned on the labels, order form and challan. If everything is O.K., packets or bottles will be stamped by the Inspectors before final packing in cardboard cartons or wooden cases, not the suppliers.” Nandi said and smiled at me. Without waiting for my next question he said further, “If the system is followed, both the parties will be losers.”

I could not follow Nandi and hence looked at him with curiosity. He said with seriousness on his face, “Sir, one thing I must tell you, Rainbow is very much particular about maintaining quality of the medicine. Because it is for government supplies, quality is not degraded. Multinational company like Rainbow is always conscious about quality, dignity and popularity. But these three virtues can not fetch business. For procuring government order two essential factors play important role. One, the lowest price and another, unofficial arrangement starting from top to bottom including these Inspectors. To cope with the second clause, only alternative is to supply less quantity with the cooperation of the Inspectors who are normally overwhelmed with the warm hospitality of Rainbow.”

Ramani Talukdar entered my cabin and said, “Bose, let us go down. They are coming.”

We stood like army regiment in “attention” position as per blueprint on the footpath in front of the gate. Everybody was silent and checked up necktie knot. Within five minutes, the large air-conditioned black Limousine followed by two white Ambassador cars arrived below Rainbow House. Chanakya Nag was beside the driver of the Limousine. He got down from the car and opened the door of the rear seat to help Rozario and Kelvin get down. Though Talukdar tried to throw his body for opening the rear door, he missed the big catch. Chanakya Nag advised him to look after other guests and proceeded towards the gate along with Rozario and Kelvin.

Talukdar introduced me with Gregory Antony, Homi Rustam Phuchkanwala and other guests. I knew Chandranath Gupta as he had been with Rozario during my interview in Bombay.

Chanakya Nag showed Kelvin and Rozario the new glow-sign board of Rainbow House and company’s nameplates written in English, Hindi and Bengali on both sides of the gate. Glossy brass letters shining like polished gold were fixed on black stone. Entire group reached the first floor walking up slowly on the thickly carpeted wide staircase.

Mandakini Nag was waiting at the auditorium gate with smiling face along with Keya Talukdar and Swapna Ganguly standing on her both sides. Their faces seemed to be glittering with more brilliant smile like the smiling stage girls standing on both sides of the magician exhibiting his magic skill.       

On arriving at the auditorium main gate Rozario shook both fair and soft hands of Mandakini Nag by his blackish hard hands and said, “Halloo…Halloo Mandakini! How are you?”

“Very good! Thank you Sir!” replied Mandakini.

Though waiting for warm “shake hands” from the two big dignitaries, both Swapna Ganguly and Keya Talukdar were disappointed as Rozario and Kelvin did not do that. Instead, Rozario entered the auditorium along with Kelvin keeping his left hand on Mandakini’s lower back. However Rozario did not disappoint Swapna Ganguly. While entering the stadium he patted softly Swapna’s plump cheek with his finger and rubbed her protruding breasts with his right elbow as if not intentionally. Being excited with sudden ecstasy Swapna jerked her bobbed hair and said “Thank you, Sir.” Keya Talukdar stood aside with pale face and looked at Swapna. Tarit Ganguly observed the entire episode standing beside me and seemed to be delighted with the performance of his wife. He introduced Swapna with Homi Phuchcanwala, his all India boss who shook hand with her and entered the auditorium hand in hand. Tarit Ganguly followed them.

Ramani Talukdar seemed to be thoughtful, whether due to poor performance of his wife or his failure in attending Rozario and Kelvin as per blueprint, I could not make out at that moment. But this much I could understand that he was a practical salesman. He changed his facial expression instantly seeing his divisional all India Manager Gregory Antony talking to Chandranath Gupta before entering the auditorium. He almost dragged his wife Keya and brought her before Antony for introduction.

With ready-made smile Talukdar told Antony, “Sir, I told you many times about my wife Keya? Here she is.”

Gregory Antony shook his masculine hands with thin dry hands of Keya and said, “How do you do fair lady? I am so glad to meet you.”

Keya almost jumped up an inch above the ground and said “Thank you, Thank you.”

Talukdar seemed to be tremendously happy and escorted his wife and Antony to the auditorium. So far I studied Talukdar within few days, he would prefer to be satisfied with buttermilk to pure milk not available when desired.

“Nice door-ballad! How do you feel Mr. Bose?”

I looked behind and found my departmental boss Chandrakanth Gupta smiling. He seemed to have enjoyed the reception of big bosses. I did not comment anything, simply smiled at him. I requested Gupta to enter the auditorium as I got to take care of other head office managers. Fortunately Gouri Shankar Chatterjee, who was given charge of conducting the function along with Binoy Bhar, came out and escorted Gupta into the auditorium.

Though Atanu Samanta, Prodyot Sanyal, Deb Pratim Dutta, Chandan Purokayastha and Binoy Bhar were standing behind me, I requested Subbarao Naidu, Pradip Mehta, William Fernandez and Mahendra Soni to get inside the auditorium. After they had gone, I requested all my other junior colleagues to enter the auditorium in spite of their resistance. However they complied with my request.

I felt a pat on my shoulder and looked back.

“Bravo Sumanta! Well done! I am happy with you.” Chanakya Nag said.

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 3

Chapter –3

Binoy Bhar came in and said, “Sorry to disturb you Sir again.”

I said, “You are most welcome Mr. Bhar, tell me what I can do for you.”

Bhar looked at Nandi. I could understand that he wanted to talk to me something confidential in the absence of Nandi. Probably Nandi also understands Bhar’s mind and left the cabin saying, “With your kind permission Sir.”

Bhar checked up his tie knot and clearing his throat said, “Sir, is your car free and can be spared for some time?”

I said, “Yes, it’s absolutely free and you may use it without any hesitation. I am not going out anywhere.”

“Sir, you are so kind. Actually it is not for me. I will have to send to Mrs. Nag.” Bhar said.

“Of course you can send to Mrs. Nag. But I suppose Mr. Nag’s car is free for her use as he is busy in pharma conference in Hotel Emperor Intercon.” I said.

“Yes Sir! You are right. But Mrs. Nag requires two cars as she is having some guests.” Bhar said politely.

“That’s all right. You may ask my driver to go to Mr. Nag’s residence with the car.” I said.

“Sir if you kindly advise Mansij, I mean your driver, it would be better as the fellow does not obey anybody other than General Manager or Divisional Manager under whom he works.” Bhar said scratching his fatty chin.

Bhar was correct in his assessment of Mansij whom I had already known for his trickery and slyness.

I did not get the car and driver on the first day of my joining Rainbow. Some formalities were to be complied with by the office. Second day he came with the car which was parked on the road in front of the building in which I used to reside. He appeared before me in white uniform bearing insignia “Rainbow”.

 He saluted straightening his body in upright position and said, “Good Morning Sir! I am Mansij at your service.”

He took my briefcase in his hand and led me to the car. He opened the door of the back seat and requested me to get in. He behaved upto this stage like a gentleman. But on my way to office I felt little uneasy for his undesired question.

“Sir, I heard you were better placed in the previous company, why you have come to this dirty place?”

Though little irritated I said calmly, “Today will be my first day. How do I know which is dirty or which is clean? Let me go to the office and work for sometime; only then I will know whether it is dirty or clean, O.K.!”

After sometime he said, “Sir! Please excuse me for my impertinence. My only defect, I want to be free and frank with my boss.” I saw his cunning face in the rear view mirror above the driving seat. He eyelids were quivering below thick brows.

He was driving very fast. I asked him to slow down the speed.

Reducing the speed to a great extent he said, “Sir, I was scolded many times by my previous madam for the same reason. Bad luck! She was so nice lady, but I left her services. You know, now my madam is a minister. Had I stayed with her, I would have become a government servant.”

“But you should not repent. You are well paid in Rainbow.” I said.

“You are perfectly right Sir. But there is no security here. In government service even if you do not work, your service is hundred percent secured.” Mansij said touching his forehead with his right hand.

I felt very much amused with this man and said, “When you are so much repentant, you should have gone back to your Madam. I think she would have taken you back.”

Mansij suddenly looked behind and said, “Sir you have told perfectly what I had thought. But my second wife did not approve of my going back to her.”

“Why?” I said in exclamation.

“Sir, it is difficult for me to tell you the reason as I feel shy to express in words.” Mansij said with quivering eyelids as I could see in the rear view glass.

“If you feel so, you need not tell me.” I said.

 Car was held up at the traffic signal for a longer period behind so many vehicles as the police gave away smooth passage to a VIP car following pilot motor bikes and followed by a fleet of cars and police vans. I became very much impatient though there was sufficient time to reach the office, because there would be terrific jam on the streets ahead already traversed by the VIP, his foregoing and following security personnel.

“Sir, I am illiterate, uncultured and a rural man. May be I am wrong, but it’s beyond my imagination when I see these leaders of public are so much afraid of public. In my childhood I saw leaders and ministers travelling in open hood less cars taking salutation and ovation from the public.” Mansij said with seriousness. His eyelids were normal, not quivering.

“Those were the bygone days which you can not get back.” I said.

VIP fleet was gone. As anticipated even after getting green signal, car was crawling at a snail’s pace. Mansij kept silent for sometime. Suddenly he said, “Sir, do you know what was my wife before marriage?” His eyelids started quivering.

I was bit confused for his odd query as how could I know what had been his wife before their marriage.

“She was lady’s-maid of my Madam, I mean my ex-employer.” Mansij said without waiting for my reply.

I kept silent and looked at my wristwatch being worried of reaching office in time.

The chatterbox could not remain silent for a long time. He said, “That was the only reason why she did not allow me to go back to my Madam. She was envious of Madam’s affection for me. Madam was never beautiful, rather her face looked ugly due to her protruding foreteeth. But she was very young having robust health and well-shaped body even at her middle age, which made her attractive specially……” He could not finish his lecture as the car was about to hit a Rickshaw-puller crossing the road suddenly. I asked Mansij to be careful and not to talk further before reaching office.

Bhar was awaiting my instruction to Mansij who entered my cabin with clasped hands.

“Mansij, take the car to General Manager’s house and meet “Memsaab”.” I told him.

“Thank you Sir.” Bhar said.

Looking at Bhar obliquely with concealed rage Mansij left my cabin saying, “Thank you Sir!”

“So your problem is solved.” I told Bhar.

“Terribly Sir! You are great.” Bhar said and left my cabin.

Within few days it was not possible for me to know much about office environment as I got to be busy whole day for planning the marketing strategy of the new division to make it a profit center. That was my answer when I was interviewed by Rozario in Bombay in his chamber.

“Tell us why we should select you for the position?” asked Rozario.

“Because I will make the Agro-Chemical Division a profit center.” I replied.

“Any other question, Mr. Gupta?”  Rozario asked Chandra Nath Gupta, all India Manager of Rainbow Agro-Chemicals.

“No more Sir. We have got the correct answer.” Gupta said.

Shaking hands with me Rozario said, “So Mr. Bose! You are selected for the post of Divisional Manager, Eastern Region for our Agro-Chemicals. We will shortly start laboratory chemicals which will also be looked after by you in your area. Congratulations!”

After coming back to Calcutta from Bombay initially I recruited one Sales Executive namely Chandan Purakayastha for my division. Chandan was recommended by Chanakya Nag. When I would appoint Area sales Representatives, Chandan would become District Sales Manager. Nag advertised for a lady secretary for my division and assured of recruiting a beautiful girl for me.

I was very happy to get cordial and friendly treatment from Chanakya Nag who was overall head of eastern regional establishment of Rainbow India. He was meticulous in maintenance of office, manager’s cabins, conference room, anteroom, toilet, etc. he left strict instructions with Binoy Bhusan Bhar to move around the office everyday for a check up fifteen minutes before the beginning of office hours.

On the first day of my joining the office I reported to Nag who after introducing with all the staff members accompanied me to my cabin.

“You like your room?” Chanakya Nag asked me.

“Thank you sir. It’s excellent.” I said.

I leaned from Nandi afterwards that Santunu Majumdar, ex-Divisional Manager, Home products used to sit in this cabin which was specially designed by Nag for his good friend. After his departure from Rainbow, Chanakya Nag did not allot this cabin to his successor Tarit Ganguly who was given the cabin of Ramani Talukdar. All these changes were done very recently.

That was about allotment of cabins. I could learn further from Mansij regarding reallotment of cars. After being elevated to the post of GM (East), Chanakya Nag got one new Mercedes Benz car sent from Bombay. His brand new Ambassador car was allotted to Ramani Talukdar who had been using so long one four door standard Herald. Santunu Majumdar got a new Ambassador car for his use which I got along with his driver Mansij. Tarit Ganguly got the old four door standard Herald so long used by Ramani Talukdar.

Fatik Nandi entered my cabin and said, “Sir! Mansij is down with diarrhea. He could not go to Mr. Nag’s house with your car.  

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 2

Chapter – 2

In the morning hours all pharma sales people, including Ramani Talukdar and Chanakya Nag were out of the office. They were busy in pharma sales conference. Though there was an official holiday for the office, managers of other divisions and essential staff members like Binoy Bhar, Fatik Nandi, Jagabandhu Adhikari and Leda Joseph, telephone operator cum receptionist were requested by Chanakya Nag to remain in the office.

So I was there in my air-conditioned cozy cabin relaxing on the soft revolving chair in an inclined position with my eyes fixed on the slow moving fan.

“Sir, may I come in?” Nandi appeared before me. “Sorry to disturb you. Should I come after some time?”

“Oh! No! Please take your seat Mr. Nandi.” I said.

Nandi sat on the chair opposite to me across the table and said, “Thank you Sir!”

“Welcome, it’s my pleasure Mr. Nandi.” I said, “You didn’t finish the story of Kipling and Kingsley. I am interested to know more about the company. What happened to those two English gentlemen?”

I relaxed on my chair again and started smoking. I offered a cigarette to Nandi. He refused with thanks as in Rainbow no office staff used to smoke in the presence of senior managers.

“What should I tell you, Sir,” Nandi said and paused for a moment closing his eyes.  “Entire office of Kipling and Kingsley was a garden of flowers. Except very few male members office was full of beautiful Anglo-Indian, Armenian and Jewish ladies. Secretary of Mr. Kingsley was such a paragon of beauty, all the male staff members were eager to have her eye-glance. I saw her other day in the Esplanade-Park Circus tram-car. Middle age could not eclipse her beauty. Miss Martin caught hold my both hands and expressed her immense pleasure of meeting me after a long time. Passengers of the tram-car were looking at me with curiosity.

“And I am looking at you with jealousy,” I said with a smile. Instantly I told him, “Sorry I am just joking with you, please continue.”

Nandi said, “Sir, I remember very much my days in Kipling and Kingsley and often become nostalgic for that period of my life, I can never get back.”

Nandi paused for a while and then said, “Worst disaster came down to Kipling and Kingsley office with the sudden death of Mr. Kipling, who was a confirmed bachelor. I mean unmarried, having no legal issue. Mr. Kingsley’s health broke down shortly after the death of his loving friend. His wife came to India once, only for a short period as she was very much afraid of Indian malaria which had taken the life of    Mr. Kipling in its malignant form. She constantly persuaded Mr. Kingsley to leave India disposing of his company and the property. Ultimately, the company along with all assets and liabilities was purchased by Mr. Topilal Sarbatwala.”

“Was there any change in salary structure or benefit, the staff members used to enjoy before the change over of management?” I asked.

Nandi said, “No Sir. There was no change for anybody. Rather Mr. Sarbatwala assured us of five-percent increase in salary after six months. All male staff members were happy and thanked Mr. Sarbatwala for his generosity. The ladies kept standing with their pale white faces. They seemed to be very much unhappy. Of course, when asked by Mr. Sarbatwala, they smiled.”

“Why the ladies were not happy?” I asked. Nandi started laughing and said, “Sir, I feel shy to tell you. Ladies used to earn much more from Mr. Kipling and Mr. Kingsley besides their salary depending upon their capacities in pleasing them and their guests.”

Suddenly Binoy Bhusan Bhar entered my cabin with Ramchandra and carpenter Khodabox having screw-driver in one hand and measuring tape roll in another hand.

“Sorry to disturb you Sir. I have come just for a check-up of the cabin. Is there any defect with your furniture Sir?” Bhar asked me.

“No thanks! Everything is all right. Nothing is defective.” I said with a smile, though I did not like his entering my cabin in such fashion.

 Before leaving my cabin Bhar looked at Nandi with vexation, probably because he did not like his sitting before me. In Rainbow no office staff except personal secretaries used to sit inside GM’s and DM’s cabins. Though I did not like this system or norm, as I was new in the company I did not break that. Since it was a holiday and everybody was in festive mood, I requested Nandi to sit before me.

After departure of Bhar I told Nandi, “Be easy. You need not worry for Bhar. If he reports anything to Nag, I will take care of you.”

“Thank you, Sir!” Nandi said with an expression of gratitude.

On my first day in Rainbow, Chanakya Nag introduced me with all the Managers, officers and staff members of the office. When we went to Nandi’s table, he said, shaking hands with me, “Good morning Sir, welcome to Rainbow India. Always at your service, Sir.”

After half an hour Nandi entered my cabin and told me, “Sir! Please consider me as your own person as you are from Kipling and Kingsley, my old company. I will remain always at your service.”

Since that day I have enjoyed company of Fatik Nandi, who used to come to me somehow or other evading falcon looks of Binoy Bhar.

Getting himself very homely again, Nandi told me more about his days in Kipling and Kingsley.

“After the changeover, almost all the ladies left the company for the future. Even some of the sales and medical representatives joined the services of the other companies. I remained along with few more office staffs. Mr. Topilal Sarbatwala recruited some new persons, both in the office and the field. He finalized new agency agreements with some Indian companies.

One day I heard that Rainbow International would terminate their agency agreement with Kipling and Kingsley as they had already finalized their factory site in Bombay after getting a license from the government. I too heard that Mr. William Anderson, overseas manager for Southeast Asia of Rainbow International got the charge of setting up factory in India and he would become the first managing director of Rainbow India.”

Nandi paused for a second and said, “When gossips regarding Rainbow cooled down, one day I was very surprised to find Mr. William Anderson in our office. Mr. Sarbatwala came out from his chamber to receive Mr. Anderson. I was standing very much near to the door of Mr. Sarbatwala’s chamber. While going into the chamber Mr. Anderson saw me and said loudly, waving his right hand, “Hallow Fatik? How are you?”   

Not only Mr. Sarbatwala, everybody in the office got stunned.”

“Did you meet Mr. Anderson beforehand?” I asked.

“Not once, many times” Nandi said with gravity and told further, “Whenever Mr. Anderson used to come to Calcutta, Mr. Kipling and Mr. Kingsley entertained him at their Alipore Bunglow. Though there had been official room booked in Hotel Emperor Intercon, Mr. Anderson was a special guest in Alipore Bunglow. Only two trusted persons were engaged to look after William Anderson. For indoor comfort Helen Martin, personal secretary of Kingsley and for outdoor job, this poor man, Fatik Nandi.” Nandi said with confidence.

There was a phone call for me. It was from my residence. My sister informed me that a letter had come from American Agro-Chemicals. It was about my appointment letter and obviously I dropped the receiver with a smile.

“Sir any good news?” Nandi asked me.

“Nothing special, please continue your interesting episode of Kipling and Kingsley.” I said.

“Oh! Really interesting. That was the golden time of my life. Do you know what happened that day?” Nandi asked me.

“How can I know unless you tell me?” I said with a smile.

“After having meeting with Mr. Sarbatwala, when Mr. Anderson was going out, he dropped his visiting card on my table. On the back hotel room number was written. I was sure he desired me to see him in his hotel room.”

Nandi did not complete his story, suddenly he got up from the chair and with my permission left the cabin.

I sank in my soft revolving chair with high backrest and closing my eyes thought about my new assignment in American Agro-Chemical. Within a fortnight I would have to complete passport, visa, foreign exchange and other various documents, besides making some new arrangement for my family.

Within ten or fifteen minutes Nandi entered my cabin and said, “Sir, I am sorry to go out abruptly. My wife and daughter were to come here to attend the function. So I went out to see whether they had come.”

“Have they come?” I asked.

“Not yet, Sir. They will come by local train from Canning. My brother-in-law will pick them from my residence and leave at the office. That was the arrangement.” Nandi said.

I said, “Please do not worry about them. Canning is quite far from Calcutta. Sometimes local trains are irregular. They will come in no time. Please take your seat.”

Nandi sat on the chair and said, “Some interesting news! Binoy Bhar may come to you very shortly.”

“He is most welcome. Anything special?” I asked Nandi.

Nandi looked at the closed door of my cabin and said in low voice, “Car politics.”
I stared at him and said, “Sorry, can’t follow you.”

Before Nandi could say anything there was a gentle knock at the cabin door.

I said, “Yes, come in.” 

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 1

CHAPTER - 1

It was the foundation day of the Eastern Regional head office of Rainbow International India Private Limited. The long auditorium used for territorial or regional conference was rearranged like a small theatre hall lighted with powerful lamps on the walls and two big chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There was a dais on one side. Though there was a holiday in the office all staff members, officers and managers were busy in the afternoon and seemed to be waiting for a particular moment.

Overseas Director, who was the head of all overseas units of Rainbow International, came to Calcutta for the first time to be the chief guest for the function which would be inaugurated by the Managing Director of Rainbow India. There were also half a dozen senior managers of Indian head office and factory of Rainbow who used to accompany the Managing Director always during his visits to regional and branch offices with audiovisual system.

I got a cyclostyled copy of the program of the function. There would be prize distribution, break for two hours and the cocktail and dinner.

Function was supposed to start exactly at four o’clock in the afternoon beginning with the introduction of the guests and welcome speech by Chanyaka Nag, General Manager (East) of Rainbow International India. Leonidus Rozario, first Indian Managing Director of Rainbow would deliver his inaugural speech. Robert Kelvin, Overseas Director of Rainbow International would deliver his lecture as chief guest. Iris Stephen, young and beautiful private secretary of Chanyaka Nag would garland Kelvin and Rozario. Haladhar Jana, the oldest peon of Rainbow, Calcutta would thank the Indian management conducted by Rozario for honest, generous and kind attitude towards the employee on behalf of third and fourth class staff members of the Eastern Regional establishment. On behalf of sales, medical and chemical representatives of Rainbow India, Eastern Region, Gouri Sankar Chatterjee would thank Kelvin, Rozario, and head office executives, Chanyaka Nag and other managers of Rainbow India, Eastern Region for excellent management and administration. He would then recite an English poem written by him for this special occasion.

Second part of this function consisted of only prize distribution ceremony.

Mandakini Nag, wife of Chanyaka Nag kindly consented for distributing the prizes to the winners of various events as organized by the Rainbow sports club of Eastern Regional head office. She would be aided by Binoy Bhusan Bhar, administrative officer of the Calcutta regional office. Bhar loved to be called as “B cube” by Nag for the first letter B for his first name, first letter B for his second name and first letter B for his surname. He did not like to be called “B cube” by any other member of the office and the field, since he was an officer, not ordinary staff. However, he was called as B cube by everybody in his absence.

Binoy Bhusan Bhar was on the top of the list of recipients of the prizes. He would get the first prize of debate competition. Besides, he would get MD special prize for arranging all the functions of Rainbow House systematically. His name was recommended by GM (East). The best cricketer prize would go to Debpratim Dutta, District Sales Manager of Home Products Division. Prodyot Kumar Sanyal, familiarly known as PK who was District Sales Manager of Ethical Products Division would be awarded the best chess player prize. Stores clerk Budhadev Sinha would be awarded first prize for recitation. Atanu Samanta, Product Manager of Ethical Products Division would get a best actor prize for his superb acting in the office drama.

List of prize winners was quite long. Indoor and Outdoor sports competition in Rainbow sports club used to be held twice in a year, along with a family get-together. Wives and children of the office and field staff including managers were free to participate in various indoor events.

Joint winners of Bridge tournament were Chanyaka Nag and Swapna Ganguly, wife of Tarit Ganguly, Divisional Manager of Home Products.

Jolly Nag, daughter of Mr. Chanyaka Nag and Amit Talukdar, son of Ethical Products Divisional Manager Ramani Ranjan Talukdar would get their prizes for dance and music respectively. Consolation prizes would go to Badal, son of Accounts officer Jagabandhu Adhikari and Basabi, daughter of Despatch Assistant Fatik Nandi. Lastly, special award for sincerity and obedience would go to Ramchandra Mondol, personal peon of Chanyaka Nag.

I did not see when Fatik Nandi stood beside me. I could know when I heard his voice, “Sir, gone through the programme?”

“Yes! Good arrangement for entertainment,” I said.

Nandi said in his low voice, “There is a small programme after the prize distribution and before the break.”

“But it’s not mentioned in this cyclostyled copy!” I said.

“Yes Sir! You are right. This programme would be announced by Chanyaka Nag.”

Fatik Nandi said and continued, “It’s a confidential programme to be known by the public abruptly."

Binoy Bhar was going towards the auditorium. He stood in front of me and said,

“Good afternoon Sir! Anything I can do for you?”

I said, “Thanks!” Binoy Bhar lowered down the upper portion of his heavy body as a mark of respect and again straitening his stature left in the auditorium.

“Sir, please don’t mind, he is a number one hypocrite; never open your heart to him.” Said Fatik Nandi.

I joined Rainbow about a week back. Whenever he got the chance, Fatik Nandi tried his best to give me details of Rainbow Calcutta office for my guidance. Though initially I did not like his unwanted talks and would avoid him, after two days used to enjoy his company in my chamber. I got lots of information from him regarding Rainbow within these few days.

Rainbow International is a prestigious multinational European company in the field of medicines, including bulk drugs, laboratory chemicals, agro-chemicals, paints and consumer goods. In mid-sixties Rainbow set up their own establishment in India with head office in Bombay and factory in it’s suburb. Till then famous Kipling and Kingsley company used to deal with Rainbow products and distribute through reputed medicine wholesalers in the cosmopolitan cities.

Not only Rainbow products, Kipling and Kingsley company used to import various ranges of products of many other multinational companies of the world. Afterwards, they manufactured some medicines, insecticides and whiteners of foreign companies under loan license in Calcutta and suburbs. In the fifties and sixties Kipling and Kingsley company was a very popular name, particularly for young graduates desirous of joining the sales profession and to less known foreign companies interested to market their products in India used to approach first Kipling and Kingsley.

Though in the market Kipling and Kingsley company was known as multinational foreign company, in fact, it was purely an Indian company run by two English gentlemen, Robert Kipling and John Kingsley. They were retired army officers and good friends. Both of them were posted in the North-East Frontier province of India. After the end of the Second World War, they came to Calcutta from Kohima in Nagaland and settled in this city. In those days of mid-forties houses were available at very cheap rent. Robert and John got one large house near Calcutta police headquarter in Lalbazar and formed their partnership company Kipling and Kingsley. Initially they used to import foreign liquors, articles of toilet and fancy dresses. Within a year they started importing medicine mostly from European countries. Before the independence of India, there were very few manufacturers of pharmaceutical and chemical products. Life saving drugs were largely imported in the subcontinent. So the business of Kipling and Kingsley got increased by leaps and bounds. They opened their branch offices in Bombay, Delhi and Madras.

After independence, many English families left India for England. But Robert and John stayed permanently in Calcutta. They purchased a two-storied bunglow at Alipore from the heir of a vassal state. After renovation in English style they shifted their residence from Lalbazar to Alipore. Three-storied building at Lalbazar was fully converted to office and warehouse. Warehouse was on ground floor, general office at first floor and Directors with management staves on the second or top floor.

Nandi could not finish the story of Kipling and Kingsley that day as I had some meeting with Chanakya Nag. The next day I got the opportunity and called Nandi in my chamber. I requested him to finish the story of Kipling Kingsley.

“Sir, what should I tell you, it’s not a story but a fairy tale. Nobody will believe how great were those two ‘Sahibs’!” Nandi said and after a short pause continued, “I was hardly a boy of seventeen, I joined Kipling and Kingsley company as an errand staff. Starting from the bank, sales tax office, corporation etc., I got to go everywhere as per advice of two beautiful private lady secretaries of Robert and John. I was made common personal secretary of both of them for doing their personal outdoor work. They used to call me by my first name Fatik.” 

Nandi could not finish the story of Kipling and Kingsley that day also as he got to leave my chamber to make statement of despatch particulars of medicine samples sent to representatives of Eastern India.

Within a day or two all the representatives of pharmaceutical, chemical and home products division would come to Calcutta to join the function of foundation day to be followed by cocktail and dinner.

He was very much free and frank in opening his mind to me as he could learn, before joining Rainbow as their Divisional Manager, Agro-Chemical Division, Eastern Region; I had worked for Kipling and Kingsley for a year as a manager of their Insecticides Division. But this Kipling and Kingsley company was not that as owned by Robert Kipling and John Kingsley. It was owned by Topilal Sarbatwala, a share broker and estate agent who purchased the company without changing the name. 

Nandi told me, “Sir, what a coincidence! Both of us are from KK. I mean Kipling and Kingsley family.”

With a smile I said, “Good! I feel at home to get someone from my ex-employer. I mean the company, not the owners.”

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Prologue

It was mid-August of end-seventies of the last century. I was relaxing in the coupe of a first class air-conditioned compartment of Howrah-Delhi Express waiting for departure from Howrah station. My destination was Patna junction.

I always preferred overnight train journey to irregular day journey by aeroplane not only to enjoy the luxury of first class air-conditioned couch, but also to save working hours.

I could learn from the reservation chart affixed to the outer wall of the compartment that the upper berth of the coupe was allotted to one Mr. S. Bose destined to Mokamah junction.

“Good evening! Sumanta Bose."

I looked at the caller. A tall gentleman of the late thirties in blue jeans and Havana coat with bent tobacco pipe gripped in the left corner of his jaw stood before me smiling.

“Good evening,” I said, “Please take your seat Mr. Bose.”

Mr. Bose thanked me and helped his porter to unload his big suitcase decorated by many multicoulered stickers of hotels and airlines.

Sultry weather of August in Calcutta was so tiresome that I was wearing only a printed ‘lungi’ and side cut ‘banian’.

Since air-conditioning effect was very mild I put on the fan on full speed. For the sake of formality, I wore my thin ‘Kurta’ when Mr. Bose had gone to the toilet for changing his dress.

Arriving back in his sleeping suit Mr. Bose asked me “Like some drinks?” Saying this without waiting for my ‘yes’ or ‘no’, he brought out a big bottle of Cognac Napoleon, a superb French brandy, I heard of, never seen or tasted.

I had a pint bottle of Indian 3X Rum, of course virgin, in my suitcase. Earlier I thought of enjoying my own drinks alone had there been cancellation of the journey of other passenger at the last moment. Many times in my travelling life, it happened thus. I was totally alone in the coupe relaxing with drinks and few current light magazine containing interviews of film stars and their spicy stories. I also used to imagine young princess of some ex-Vassal state or leading film actress occupying the last moment cancelled berth and I would express my chivalrous courtesy by offering my lower berth to her ladyship.

“Most welcome Mr. Bose. It’s my pleasure,” I said enthusiastically. Co-passenger offering Cognac Napoleon seemed to be more precious to me than the young princess or film actress. In many dinner parties at the five star hotels I had the chance of enjoying Scotch whisky, Spanish sherry, French champagne or Cognac. Obviously I was thrilled at the sight of Cognac bottle bearing the name of the famous French Emperor.

Sumanta Bose called the coach attendant and asked for some ice.

“Sir! Had you told me earlier, I would have fetched from the platform, we do not keep ice in the compartment,” replied the coach attendant cracking the joints of his fingers.

Before the attendant finished his useless words of cheap excuse Mr. Bose had jumped up from his seat and vanished within a moment. Just two or three minutes passed, he came back with a block of ice.

“Poor creatures! I don't find any change at all. Without doing anything they would stretch hands for tips as they did before,” said Mr. Bose                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

He seemed to be irritated for the cold behavior of the railway employee. In fact, he was not that much experienced with the psychology of the travelling railway staff. Had he given the coach attendant a ten-rupee note with his order for ice, material would have been brought by him without showing any excuse.

Bringing back smile on his handsome face Mr. Bose said, “Now the problem is how to break the ice.”

“No problem at all”, saying this I opened my suitcase and brought out a heavy metal bottle opener, which was once presented to me by a fellow traveler attached to a wine company.

I told Mr. Bose, “Hope this will also act as icebreaker.”

“Really marvelous!” Exclaimed Mr. Bose. He then brought down two glass tumblers from the holders and poured in Cognac to make two equal large pegs. I helped him break the ice block with the opener and got two large pieces which were again put in the tumblers. The rest of the ice block was wrapped inside a towel to prevent immediate melting.

Cheers! Mr. Bose raised his glass.

Cheers! I echoed pushing the brocade screen to one side of the window. Through clear glass screen, though double, I could see the fast receding light posts and lighted windows of the railside houses and realised that the train was picking up speed.

Mr. Bose filled with fresh tobacco in his pipe after the exchange of our individual identities.

He would get down a Mokamah junction and would go to Urvaraknagar, a fertilizer township near Barauni oil refinery, hardly at a distance less than three kilometers.

Mr. Bose was employed in an American fertilizer company in their South East Asian Marketing Division having office in New York and deputed by his company to survey the prospect of joint venture in Indian sub-continent. The first study was to be made by Mr. Bose about the production capacities of the fertilizer companies situated in different countries of the sub-continent against projected market potential and also to assess the requirement of fertilizer to cope with the agricultural development program so that his company in the United States could plan strategy for export of fertilizer to those developing and underdeveloped countries or for collaborating with the public and private sector companies.

“I look through the window everything clear outside. Can you tell me Sir about the position of moon this evening?” Mr. Bose asked me.

I was bewildered to a great extent. Spending so many years in sales and marketing I was only busy in my endeavors in reaching business and collection target, attending sales conference, reviewing territorial performance of sales personnel and moving often in the region allotted by my company, besides participating in multifarious cocktail parties and meeting incoming and outgoing bosses at the airport, I had no time at all to catch the movement of my family members. How could I know the motion of celestial bodies like sun, moon, stars, planets, and so on? But it was not possible for me to reply like that.

“Probably full moon night,” I said. Next moment I remembered that I was having a diary with dates in three languages – English, Bengali and Hindi along with lunar days. I brought out the diary from my briefcase and got, what had been asked by

Mr. Bose.

“Today is the fourteenth of the light fortnight, Sukla Chaturdashi as is said. Full moon, I mean Purnima will fall at 10.15 p.m.,” I said again.

“Sukla Chaturdashi?” Mr. Bose exclaimed, “What a great coincidence!” he continued, “I remember the big cocktail party beginning in the evening of Sukla Chaturdashi and closing with the full moon descending towards the horizon.”

Having a light sip of the Cognac I told, “Thrilling! To hear about a long cocktail party, I feel I was there.”

Mr. Bose burst into a sounding laughter, which he restrained within few seconds and said pointing to my glass, “Perhaps you would have been misfit in that party, you are too slow in drinks. Please finish your glass, we will have next.”

I told smilingly, “Only next, no further.”

“That we will think later. Let us enjoy,” Mr. Bose said while pouring drinks in the tumblers.

Though most of the ice melted into water inside the towel, whatever was left I broke in two pieces and put inside our glasses.

I said, “Mr. Bose, you told about a big cocktail party, that was in India or abroad?”

“Oh! You remember that! Yes, it was in India and of course in Calcutta. It was the last cocktail party I participated before my departure for the States,” Mr. Bose said and took a sip of Cognac. He continued, “You know had it been a hilarious dinner party starting with dance and cocktail session, I would have forgotten the event long back. But I have not forgotten even now after so many years as the party appeared to me something different, beyond knowledge of many Indians having no idea of multinational corporate companies.”

I stared at Mr. Bose with curiosity.

Mr. Bose continued, “Yes, it was the cocktail party of a multinational company’s eastern regional office in Calcutta where I worked only for seven days as their Divisional Manager of Agro-Chemical products.”

I said, “If you don’t mind Mr. Bose, can I know the name of the company?”

Mr. Bose said, “Why not? You may know the company very well. Perhaps better than me. ”

“It is Rainbow International India Private Limited.”

“Yes I know. Now the company’s name has been changed to Rainbow Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals India Limited. It is now a giant company in India manufacturing chemicals of all types, pharmaceutical products, bulk drugs, diagnostic kits and hospital equipment. I know some boys working for Rainbow. But I am very much interested to know about your experience of the cocktail party in Rainbow,” I said with a smile.

“Oh! Sure! But don’t fall asleep. It’s a long story and still there is half bottle of Cognac.” Mr. Bose said with sounding laughter again.

After having a long sip of Cognac, Mr. Sumanta Bose started narrating the story of Cocktail in the Rainbow.