Cocktail In The Rainbow - Chapter - 16

Chapter – 16

 

Melodious solo tune on violin reverberated on the illuminated roof under moonlit sky. I was sitting alone enjoying the violin recital of unique Sonata of Beethoven, the ‘Pathetique’, having the glass of lime and soda in my left hand and patting right thigh with right palm in keeping with musical beats.

Cocktail service seemed to have attained it’s peak form. Boys and stewards were running from one end to other with drinks to rejuvenate the guests, young and old, ladies or gentlemen to their heart’s content. There was enormous gathering. Besides medical representatives, sales representatives, sales executives of ten Indian states and two neighbouring countries under the jurisdiction of Rainbow’s eastern regional organization, there were also many other guests from various government departments related to the company in day-to-day matters. Dinner was not yet announced and so drinkers were busy in consuming Scotch, French, Spanish, Polish and Russian drinks as much as they could without hesitation. It was a carnival of drinks.

I heard somebody humming Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique’ behind me. I looked back and found Atanu with his ever-smiling face and glass in hand.

“What happened with you, Atanu? I did not see you for a long time.” I said.

“I came once near to you and found you having chats with Mr. Talukdar. So I changed my direction.” Atanu said.

“You need not change your direction now, sit on that chair.” I said and asked him further, “What you are having in your glass?”

“Same material as you are having.” Atanu said smilingly.

“You mean, lime and soda?” I said.

 “You are right Sumantada. It will take another half hour to start the dinner. I have already consumed three drinks and do not like to have any more as Rikta is waiting for me. She won’t take her dinner unless I reach home and give her company.” Atanu said and his face became pale.

“That’s good spirit and should be the relation between husband and wife.” I said. Though I had already heard from Fatik Nandi that his wife was blind, I was very much careful in avoiding any reference from my side. I wanted him to speak.

“Probably you don’t know Sumantada that Rikta is blind and very much dependent on me.” Atanu said.

“I am really sorry Atanu.” I said.

“But I am not at all sorry Sumantada. I loved her when she could enjoy the visual beauty of the world. I loved her when she lost her eyesight and was deprived of her vision of everything. I love her most today as she is my wife and life partner. In my heart, she is the only lady, nobody else. You know Sumantada, she is not born-blind. She met with a serious motor accident on her marriage day. Not with me, she was to be married to a very rich groom. Instead, she fell in the hands of a petty salesman like me after losing her eyesight.”

Atanu paused for a moment and said, “Sumantada, please don’t mind. Let’s have small Whisky.”

He called the cocktail boy and picked up two small Scotch. I filled up the glasses with plain water.

“You displayed a very costly chivalry, Atanu,” I said sipping the diluted Scotch.

“No…No…Sumantada. You are mistaken. It’s not chivalry or generousity. As I told you before, I loved her, love now and will love for ever.” Atanu said.

I looked at Atanu. He was not drunk, but few drinks made him outspoken.

“Sumantada, I am sure you wonder, I am talking like a tragedy hero of a film. Truly speaking, I have not yet been able to convince Rikta that I married her because I loved her, not out of compassion that she was blind. Tell me frankly, had she not been blind, would she have come in my life? Daughter of an established wealthy Barrister would have become daughter-in-law of some other Barrister or Industrialist, not the life partner of a medicine canvasser.” Atanu said and had a sip of Whisky.

Moon in the sky was shinning with it’s full glory on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight.

“When did you meet Rikta first?” I said calmly.

Atanu smiled and said, “It’s a long story Sumantada. However since you have asked I will tell you briefly.” He paused for few seconds and said, “Standing on nearly a dozen of queues of job-seekers, I got at last a job of medical representative of Kipling and Kingsley for their Holland Pharma Division. I was posted at Cuttack and my territory was entire state of Orissa. After the training period was over I left for Cuttack with my bedding and suitcase. Two cases of physician samples and medical literature were booked by transport carrier to the address of one leading pharmaceutical distributor wherefrom I would have to collect the consignment for my use. While I was under field training of a senior medical representative, he gave the name and address of a lodging house. So on arriving at Cuttack I took shelter at that place. It was not exactly a commercial lodging house. It was resthouse founded by some senior medical representatives twenty years back as there was no good lodging house at moderate rate in those days. Medical representatives or sales representatives of pharmaceutical companies for selling their medicines or home products were eligible to stay in this rest house, known as Orissa Medical Representatives Rest House. It was really a home away from home. Whoever used to stay here, even for a day, became member of a big joint family having love, affection and mutual cooperation. Like me, there were few young medical representatives having headquarter at Cuttack. All others used to cover Orissa from Calcutta, Patna or Hyderabad. Though I got my tour programme for covering different parts of Orissa from the office, senior medical representatives guided me to the best of their knowledge.

One of my college friends gave me name of a local gentleman with his address before my departure from Calcutta. The gentleman was a friend of the elder brother of my college friend. My friend suggested me to contact the local gentleman as in an unknown place it would be always better to have a known person related to friend or relative.

So one morning I arrived at the house of Mr. Rabindra Patnaik, friend of my friend’s elder brother. Mr. Patnaik was an advocate and was known as a good man in the locality. His wife Mrs. Sakuntala Patnaik, who was also an advocate, was better known than her husband as legal practitioner.

Mr. Patnaik was sitting in his chamber, when I introduced myself; he asked me where I had put up. He got angry when I told him that I had lodged at Medical Representative Rest House. In the mean time Mrs. Patnaik entered the chamber from her living room and hearing everything asked me to bring my suitcase and other belongings to their house. Both of them almost commanded me to stay with them. They had such big hearts! However, I convinced them somehow that I would meet them very often. Mrs. Patnaik whom I used to call Sakuntaladi got words from me that the day I would visit their house, I would also take my dinner with them.

My working programme was divided in two cycles, each having ten days’ stay at Cuttack. So every month I was out of head quarter for twenty days. While working at head quarter I used to visit Patnaik couple every alternate day normally in the evening hours after completing field work and would come back to the rest house after having dinner with them. I got only one Sunday and on that day too, I had to take lunch with them. They developed so much love for me. Their seven years old daughter told me one day that she would not take her lunch if I was not at their home on Sunday. So I could not escape my lunch with them on Sunday, whenever I was at Cuttack.” Atanu paused for few seconds and looked at the moonlit sky probably to recollect the sweet moments of the past. Samuel Biswas and his orchestra raised melodious tune of Mozart’s ‘Turkish March’ just after completing Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique’.

“One Sunday,” Atanu continued, “I saw one beautiful young girl sitting in the same chamber of Rabida and Sakuntaladi. They introduced me with her. She was daughter of Mr. Samarjit Choudhury, a renowned Barrister of Calcutta, with whom Patnaik couple was associated in their profession very closely and this association turned into family friendship. Mr. Samarjit Choudhury and his family were on their way to Puri. They halted at Cuttack for few hours with a view to meeting one of their close relatives and Patnaik family. They would start for Puri in the afternoon. It was only two and half to three hours journey by car. Mr. and Mrs. Choudhury came after sometime. Sakuntaladi introduced me as usual with the Choudhury couple. From the facial expression of Mr. Choudhury I could feel that he was not happy with my status. Taking off the tobacco pipe from the grip of his teeth Mr. Choudhury said, “Medical representative! I mean medicine canvasser? Representing which firm?”

“Kipling and Kingsley, for their Holland pharma division.” I said without pretention.

 “How is your Topilal? I mean Topilal Sarbetwalla. I prepared his draft for the purchase deed of Kipling and Kingsley. He maintains respect for me. You may refer my name to him if need arises.” Mr. Choudhury said. Looking at Rabida and Sakuntaladi he said, “You are coming with us. We are having two cars. There will be no space problem.”

Sakuntaladi looked at Rabida and said, “Ok! Let us have lunch now and then we will decide.”
“Oh Kuntala (short name of Sakuntaladi)! No excuse. I will get your words and then I will take lunch with you.” Mr. Choudhury said in confidence.

“Oh my god! You are our honoured guests. You must have your lunch with us. We will give you company to Puri. But my brother will also go with us.” Sakuntaladi said and pointed her fingers towards me.

I said, “No Sakuntaladi. I have got other programme. I will have to go to Berhampur – Ganjam.”

“First class! It’s almost on the same route. You spend with us one day at Puri and then you can straight go to Berhampur, need not come back to Cuttack.” Sakuntaladi said emphatically.

After lunch I went to my rest house and brought my suitcase, bedding and the detailing bag, full of sample and literature, as I would have to be on tour for more than a fortnight starting from Berhampur.

At Puri all of us lodged in a seaside bunglow owned by Mr. Choudhury. In my previous three four visits to Puri, I stayed at Puri Hotel or Victoria Club where normally sales people used to stay during their visits to Puri on company’s work. Like medical and sales representatives’ rest houses, these two hotels also rendered the homely comfort to the sales people.

Programme was chalked out by Sakuntaladi for next two days. On the next day we would visit Sun Temple at Konarak, Khandagiri and Udaigiri hills near Bhubaneswar to see ancient rock cut Jain temples, Temple of Lord Shiva at Bhubaneswar and Zoological garden. Day after, we would visit Chilka Lake wherefrom I would proceed to Berhampur and rest of the party would come back to Puri.

We strolled on the beach, bathed in the surf dashing on the sea-shore, viewed the stone images of amorous couple on the Sun Temple at Konarak built in thirteenth century, entered the caves of the ancient Jain Temples on Khandagiri and Udaigiri hills, enjoyed the vastness of the lofty stone temple of Lord Shiva and pleasant boat ride on the lagoon at Chilka. Excepting occasional glances I did not have much opportunity to speak to Rikta, daughter of Barrister Choudhury. But I found the captivative look in her eyes and a serene smile like ‘Monalisa’ on her beautiful face. She desired to talk to me as much as I wanted to do so. We had fallen in love through our glances though we could not express.

One day at her house, Sakuntaladi asked me whether I had developed liking for Rikta. If so, she would propose to Choudhury couple during her next visit to Calcutta. Due to our cordial association for few months, I was very frank in my conversation. I told her that developing likeness for the moon, a man, whether short or tall would not be able to touch it by stretching his hand. It was like that, if a field salesman of an agency house would aspire of getting married to the daughter of a renowned and wealthy Barrister. Sakuntaladi replied sharply saying that it was true, a man, short or tall, would never be able to touch the moon by stretching his hands upwards. But through perseverance and hard work man could land on the moon. After all she was an advocate practising in the High courts of Cuttack and Calcutta with overloading briefs. So it was difficult for me to beat her in argument. Sumantada, on this wise I spent one year in Orissa under the shade of love and affection of Sakuntaladi and Rabida. I toured from one end to other of this picturesque and peaceful state several times and enjoyed the serenity of unravished nature and simplicity of the people.

I was called by my company to Calcutta to attend annual sales conference. Official stay in Calcutta was for two days; but I extended the same by another ten days as there had been accumulation of earned leave after completion of one year in company’s service. One day I happened to meet Fatikda at Esplanade on footpath below Esplanade Mansion. Fatikda was in Rainbow at that time after leaving Kipling and Kingsley. He told me that in their expansion programme Rainbow east would recruit some medical representatives for Calcutta and upcountry towns. On my request he arranged an interview for me with Mr. Chanakya Nag and I was selected. Total amount that I would get in Rainbow including salary, daily allowance and sales incentives appeared to be more than double the amount I had been getting from Kipling and Kingsley. Besides, as a medical representative of an Indian pharmaceutical agency house I always aspired for working in multinational company like other young medical representatives working for Indian medicine companies.”

“Hallow Sumanta! Having nice time with Atanu? May I join you?” Chanakya Nag stood before us with smiling face.

to be continued....

Cocktail In The Rainbow - Chapter - 14

 

Chapter – 14

 

Samuel Biswas and his orchestra were playing on their instruments another classic “Over the waves”, a waltz piece composed by J.Rosas and one of my few top favourites. The symphony was so sweet and serene that I did not walk further. Near by some upcountry medical representatives were having chats and laughter with their drinks. I occupied a chair behind them and started listening the music beyond their knowledge. I was still having half glass Scotch Whisky mixed with soda water as offered by Ramani Talukdar and decided not to have more. Already the mixture of Brandy, Sherry, Scotch Whisky and few pieces of chicken sik kabab, fish finger and cheese cube in my stomach had formed an alcoholic chemical compound, which rejuvenated my brain to be little serious and tactful in dealing with the well-wishers and advisers in a cocktail party.

“Boy! What are you having on your tray?” asked one medical representative.

“Scotch, Sir,” the boy replied.

The MR was bit intoxicated. He said, “Scotch will not suit us. Bring country liquor.”

“Sir, there is no country liquor with us. If you desire, I can bring Polish Vodka or Jamaica Rum. Both are very strong.” The cocktail boy replied.

“Ok! Bring both Vodka and Rum and we will make punch.” The MR said and asked his friend, “Do you know where did Swapna Ganguly go with MD?”

Another MR said, “Don’t start like that. Reduce your volume, otherwise some sycophants may overhear what you say and transmit the same to GM through triple B.”

He lowered down his voice and said, “Ok! Ok! Thank you. But you have not replied to my question.”

“I don’t know. Better you tell us where did she go with MD.” Said the second MR.

Meanwhile the cocktail boy brought drinks for them. Since I was sitting with my back towards them. I did not see whether it was Vodka or Rum. I could understand only from their conversation that their desired drinks had come. Instead of adding plain water or soda water they punched Vodka and Rum. After taking a sip, the first MR said, “I have got the latest news. They went to the strand of the Ganges near Princep Ghat and parked the car at a lonely place. Mansij was given a ten-rupee note and was asked to stay away for sometime. After an hour they went to Hotel Emperor Intercon. Mansij could not tell what happened afterwards as he was asked by Mr. Rozario to go back to office.”

“What’s about Iris? We heard, she had given company to Mr. Kelvin to show him some heritage buildings and monuments of old British Calcutta. Few minutes back I saw her sipping Gimlet and chatting with Gauri Chatterjee.” The second MR said.

The first MR said, “Yes! You are right. They travelled a lot in the air-conditioned Limousine from Victoria Memorial to Dalhousie square and finally went to Hotel Emperor. The Limousine driver also could not tell what happened afterwards.”

All the boys burst into laughter. I left the place silently and started moving again in the crowd.

“Sir! How do you like the party?” I heard Nandi’s voice and looked back. He was smiling with a glass of whisky in his hand.

“After Sherry this is your first Whisky I suppose.” I said.

“Sorry Sir, this is the second. I did not want to have more. Anil Phukan, our senior medical representative of Gauhati offered me this glass. I could not say ‘No’ to him for his loving nature.” Nandi said bashfully.

“That’s nice of you. Now you can go slow in drinks as so many items are there for you to eat.” I said, “You could not complete Atanu’s story, as I had to leave you to meet Mr. Rozario.”

“It’s a pathetic story. One day I was sitting in Mr. Majumdar’s cabin, I mean now your cabin. Suddenly Atanu entered and requested us to be present at the Entally Marriage Registrar’s office at 7 p.m. in the same evening. He told us further that besides Debu Dutta, some of his well wishers would also be present there as witness. We reached the marriage registry office exactly in time and joined the bridal party. On the side of the bridegroom, there were only three persons including Debu Dutta who were introduced us with Atanu’s elder brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Mohanty. I was little struck by wonder how Atanu Samanta’s elder brother could be Mr. Mohanty. However, I thought immediately they might be closely related. That was for the first time in my life I had visited a Marriage Registry office. I was only acquainted with social marriage. I did not find the bride and members of her side. Atanu became restless to some extent and went down in search of them.

They arrived at last and we were dumbfounded to see the beauty of the bride. Though it was not the social marriage the bride was in her full bridal dress. In red silk Varanasi saree, gold ornaments and well-designed marks by sandal paste on the forehead she looked like a fairy. Mr. Majumdar said with exclamation, “Atanu! I must admire your choice! You are marrying a princess!”

Suddenly the bride stumbled down and Atanu caught hold of her left hand and brought her near the Registrar’s table. We were then surprised to see the movement of her right hand and the eyes which seemed to be in search of something, like blind or insane person. Atanu told us in extremely low voice, “Sorry, she does not see anything. She is blind.”

Nandi paused, probably seeing Atanu coming towards us. He whispered, “Sir, please do not tell Atanu what I have said. He may be hurt.”

“Ok! Don’t worry.” I said.

Atanu came in front of us and said loudly, “Oh! Fatikda! Changed over to Whisky?” I stared at him. He was the same jolly fellow.

“After Sherry this is the second glass of Whisky.” Nandi said proudly. “It’s good, you have come. Let me see what is happening elsewhere.” He left.

“Sumantada! How do you find the party?” Atanu asked me.

“Wonderful!” I said. “Everybody is enjoying drinks and having nice get together. Even medical or sales representative of small town has got free access to the MD and other VIPs of Bombay and London office. This is something very much commendable and I admire Rainbow Management.”

“Sumantada, I am very happy to learn that you are enjoying cocktail party of Rainbow. I do not like to discourage your enjoyment. But I feel, definitely you will not like boss and supreme boss asking you about your expected sale and collection during the month while offering you drinks merrily,” Atanu said.

“Does it happen it here?” I asked him.

“Yes, such thing does happen here. In the party Rozario meets all DMs, DSMs, and Sales Executives individually. He offers drinks and then after few words asks straightway about sale and payment collection from their territories. Probable figures told by the gentlemen are noted down either by GM or by any Head Office Manager. Within a week confirmatory letters come from Head office regarding the figures committed to the MD. If the figures in respect of sale and payment collection are achieved, MD sends congratulation letters. If not, warning letters are sent by the Departmental Managers, followed by same letters by GM.” Atanu said and looked at me smilingly. He said further, “Chanakya Nag will always repeat what is said and written by Rozario to the DMs, DSMs for his personal gain and self-existence. When Tarit Ganguly managed to get the position of DM-HOME PRODUCTS from Rozario by offering his wife to his bed on several occasions, Chanakya Nag never said a word to him in favour of Santanu Majumdar who was removed wrongly from Rainbow. Let us sit on those two empty chairs. I will tell you about the fact as said to me in confidence by Santanuda.”

This place was quite far from the southeast corner of the roof where Rozario, surrounded by sycophants, was having chats with Gurujee. Atanu told me that so long Gurujee was there in the party, Rozario and Nag would not let him remain alone as he would consume one full bottle of Scotch in one continuous sip like a frustrated film hero. Nobody in the party would object upto this stage. They would have objection only when Gurujee would start dancing in alcoholic intoxication as he did in the ballroom of Hotel Emperor. As told by Santanu Majumdar who was also in that dinner party that they had to forgo food that night. Entire Rainbow group including Rozario and first line managers of Bombay and Calcutta toiled hard to convince Gurujee and take him to his room like putting an unbridled and untamed horse back into the stable. Even then Rozario requested everybody to stay in his suite for rest of the night lest the sleeping giant woke up again to knock at his door. Though everybody spent sleepless night, nothing happened as apprehended. Gurujee had a long slumber till following afternoon and by that time Rozario and his head office troop were in Bombay.

“Sorry Sumantada, while talking about Santanu Majumdar’s humiliation in Rainbow I opened up the scandalous chapter of self-made Gurujee regarding whom I will talk to you afterwards.” Atanu said and paused for few seconds. “One day Santanuda told me, Atanu probably my last day in Rainbow is coming shortly.” “I asked him why did he feel like that.”

Santanuda told me that he had received one letter from Chanakya Nag stating that according to appraisal report of manpower and man management department his rapport with the customers was too poor. Since Tarit Ganguly was transferred from Patna to Calcutta as DSM, with his excellent rapport with the distributor, Home Product Division could survive some how. Santanuda said in reply, it was his pleasure to learn about appreciation of Tarit Ganguly who was DSM under him. As regards rapport with customers, he was unable understand anything as he had dealt with everybody so far with respect.

Chanakya Nag was excited and said, “Santanu, you are my friend. You had left a good job and joined Rainbow as DM only on my request. I maintain respect for you personally. I simply conveyed to you observation of our management. For some reason known to them, Mr. Rozario and Mr. Phuchkanwalla are not happy with your performance. According to them you also lack significantly in your managerial function. By the by, this time in DM conference in Bombay, Tarit Ganguly will be present.

Santanuda said surprisingly, “This time in DM conference in Bombay, all DSMs will be present?”

Nag said, “Not all. Only Tarit Ganguly will be there.”

Santanuda said, “But I have not been informed by head office till now.”

“I also did not know till this morning. I came to know only an hour back. Santanu, I have not yet been able to convince you that one should never question about management’s directive. As customer is always right for a salesman when he is in the market, management is always right when he is in the office. Say thanks to management when you here ‘yes’. Say ‘thanks’ to management when you hear ‘No’. No argument with management.” Nag said.

After few days Santanu Majumdar came back from Bombay along with Tarit Ganguly. He was mostly confined to office and Tarit started touring the region with the sales representatives. In Calcutta also, Tarit used to visit Saha Distributing Agency. Santanu Majumdar became almost like a correspondence clerk, only by name he remained as Divisional Manager.

Santanuda told me that in Bombay, after the second session of the first day conference had been over, he was called inside boardroom. Phuchkanwalla and Nag were sitting on both sides of Rozario. He was asked to sit on the chair opposite to Rozario.

Rozario said, “Gentleman! I have called you here to tell you something frankly. I have received report from manpower and man management department that you are devoid of required competence as a senior manager, especially what is expected from DM of a multinational company like Rainbow India.”

He looked at Phuchkanwalla and Nag by turning his head and said, “Am I correct?”

Both Nag and Phuchkanwalla said almost jointly, “You are hundred percent correct Sir!”

Rozario continued, “Because of your negligence and some unsolicited interference in activities beyond your jurisdiction, we were about to lose our great friend like Mr. Gajendra Saha. Mr. Tarit Ganguly some how managed the situation with his excellent strategy and customer relation. By God’s grace our company could avoid an impending disaster.”

He paused for few seconds and looking at both Phuchkanwalla and Nag, said, “Gentleman! I can not take further risk in keeping the growing division in the hands of an incompetent person. However, according to generous policy of Rainbow India, I would like to give you further opportunity to improve in your performance and for the purpose, Mr. Tarit Ganguly will help you independently to develop Home Product Division in the Eastern zone. Mr. Ganguly will report directly to Mr. Nag and I hope you will extend your best possible cooperation to him. Am I clear to you? Good luck!”

 to be continued.....

 

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COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - CHAPTER 9

Chapter – 9

It was a pleasant moment to look at the children sitting on dinner in the office hall. Some ladies and office staffs were also taking dinner, as probably they would not attend the cocktail party. Bhar was specially attending Jolly, daughter of Chanakya Nag and Amit, son of Ramani Talukdar. Narrow dining tables were placed in four rows on the open space in the middle of the hall. Some medical and sales representatives were looking after their children and wives. I learned afterwards that smart wives of some medical representatives would attend the cocktail party.

Nandi introduced me with his wife and daughter who seemed to be shy and could not eat in my presence. So I moved to other direction and reached near Nag’s cabin. Talukdar saw me and almost dragged me inside.

Around the big table of Chanakya Nag were seated head office first line managers like Antony, Dr. Mehta, Phuchkanwala, Subbarao and Fernandez. Besides, there were Sanyal, Ganguly and Nag himself. Talukdar, who was oft for a little, joined them again on flush. There was a mound of coins and notes at the centre of the table. Everybody invited me to join the game. I smiled and submitted my apology for utter ignorance about this interesting pastime though I knew the cards and system of Flush and Rummy.

“Mr. Bhose has missed the real pleasure of life.” Tarit Ganguly said after throwing ten rupee note on the table.

Nag put another ten rupee note on the table and said, “Why don’t you enjoy the pleasure of life yourself! Go on throwing more notes.”

By “Bhose” Ganguly actually meant me. Instead of “Bose” or “Basu” some so-called anglicised Indians pronounce “Bhose” or “Bhasu”.

Tarit packed the cards and said, “quit”.

Drawing the mound of coins and notes towards himself Nag stretched his cards open on the table. It was the flush of diamonds.

I came out of Nag’s cabin and met Atanu Samanta who was about to enter Talukdar’s cabin. He requested me to get inside Talukdar’s cabin where there had been a nice sitting on Rummy. I entered into Talukdar’s cabin and found Debu Dutta playing Rummy with some medical representatives and their wives. Debu Dutta got up from his chair and requested me to participate in the game. I thanked him and expressed regret for not knowing such an interesting game like Rummy and Flush. Here also I avoided sitting on gambling.

I came out of Talukdar’s cabin and decided to relax in my room and to change my dress for cocktail party fifteen minutes earlier. I carried extra shirt and trousers while coming to office in the morning. Fortunately Mansij brought from the car that bag containing shirt and trousers to my cabin even without my asking him to do so. Probably he knew that car would be used by other persons. Though I did not like his garrulity, in my soliloquy thanks came out of me for Mansij for his matured anticipatory action.

Besides Nandi, Mansij also told me about gambling in form of Flush and Rummy that took place in Rainbow office everyday after office hours along with serving of cold beer in presence of Chanakya Nag. This session would continue minimum for two and half to three hours. He added that no doubt for working overtime he got his extra allowance every month, but he was utterly disgusted with his wretched life. Everyday before and after his scheduled duty hours, he got to spend minimum four hours extra. When there was official party he did not know when he would go back to his wife and children. As per his version “Private company’s driver should not have any personal life.”

Nandi came out into my cabin and said, “Sir, I am free now. I sent my family home with my brother-in-law who had come earlier to pick them up immediately after dinner.”

I smiled at him and said, “So you are free to drink, dance and dine.”

Nandi bent down his head and said bashfully, “Sir, I am not a regular drinker. You know I got initiation in alcoholic drinks from Mr. Anderson.”

“Yes! Yes! I remember very well. Mr. Anderson invited you to his hotel room, offered you drinks and gave you job in Rainbow.”

Nandi closed his eyes for few seconds and said, “Yes Sir! I don’t know why. Mr. Anderson developed so much confidence in my ability, he clearly told me that I would have to get all the formalities done for opening an office and godown of a medicine company. Chanakya Nag who was appointed at that time as a field supervisor, would look after only sales and supervision of medical representatives. I don’t think anybody knows about those days. What a great task was given to me by Mr. Anderson!

Chanakya Nag was only a man of the field having no experience about the formalities to be complied with for establishing office and godown of a pharmaceutical company. Trade and health licence of corporation, drug licence, sales tax registration of local government and central, fire licence, central excise registration, certificate of shops and establishment department, police licence and so on. Though in Kipling and Kingslay most of these licences and certificates had been procured long before, amendments and renewal of licences were there every year. My British bosses were not at all anxious about these matters, as they knew that Fatik Nandi would get everything done in time. Mr. Kipling and Mr. Kingsley were so much generous that I had their open permission for spending money for renewal or obtaining new licence from the respective departments. Mr. Kipling taught me to hand over money to respectable officers in white plain envelope, twenty five percent in advance and seventy-five percent after getting the job done. Afterwards I made permanent arrangement with the key-persons monthly allowance for them.”

Nandi paused, as there was knock at the door.

“Come in please.” I said loudly.

Atanu Samanta entered with smiling face and said looking at Nandi, “My intuition did not betray me. When Fatikda was not found anywhere I thought he must have taken recourse in this chamber.”

Nandi retorted immediately, “Where else I can go? I do not know anything about playing cards, specially gambling like Flush and Rummy. So, I am an unwanted person in the gambling den. Young boys may not like my company, as I am a middle-aged man devoid of any knowledge of modern jokes and feminine gossips. Young ladies may enjoy my presence in their gathering as a buffoon, but not as a man of their desire. You will be surprised, even I am not so much wanted person in my family.”

Atanu said, “Fatikda, ok! I agree with you except what you say about your family. Your wife and daughter definitely love you and you are the only much wanted person to them. Tell me frankly, did you have any time to relish and reciprocate their love? In your youth, you had to come down to Calcutta by early morning Canning-Sealdah local train and go back to your home by late night Sealdah-Canning local train, even when you were newly married. You would go to your bed almost in the mid-night and leave much before sunset. With this schedule your daughter came to this world to see everything everyday except her father who was not free even on Sundays and holidays. You must spend some time with your family. I do agree that for a daily passenger coming to Calcutta from a village beyond Port Canning, it may not be possible to have get together with family members on weekdays; but you should have kept your Sunday free for them. Am I correct Sumantada?”

Atanu looked at me for my comments.

I said, “Oh Yes! You are correct. Mr. Nandi must spend some time with his family. I met his charming daughter today.”

Nandi became serious and said, “Sir, now there is no problem. I am not required by Rainbow at all on Sundays or on holidays now. I spend my holidays with my family. But my wife taunts me very often even during our homely discussion. If for any wrong action on her part or on part of my daughter I say anything, my wife says that I feel disturbed at home and so I talk like that. It would be better for me to spend time in the office only.”

Atanu burst into laughter and restraining himself said immediately, “Mrs. Nandi is absolutely correct. Today she must have seen you spending time with Iris and Leda. So, be prepared for your next meeting with her.”

I could not check my laughter on hearing Atanu’s jokes. Nandi turned jovial and said, “Sorry Atanu! In that respect my wife never doubts me. She has got hundred percent confidence that I will not go for other woman.”

Atanu said smilingly, “Ok! I also agree with your wife that you do not go for other woman. But it does not mean you will not keep information of the women of our office. Why did Leda look so grave? I wished her, but she seemed to be without mood. She reciprocated in cold voice.”

Nandi looked at me and said, “Sir, if you kindly permit I can tell something about latest status of Leda in Rainbow.”

“Carry on please”, I said.

Nandi looked at Atanu and said in low voice, “You know, Leda was transferred to the reception desk from the secretarial chair. In her place Iris was appointed by Mr. Chanakya Nag as per direction of Mr. Rozario. First offence committed by Leda was that she had declined to accompany Mr. Rozario for marketing and also for taking dictation of confidential letter in his hotel room in the evening. Mr. Rozario was at that time one of the Directors of Rainbow. So he maintained his personal grievances against Leda. When he became MD, he took first action against her. But she was not sacked as he still had the hope that one day Leda would realise her mistake and yield to his desire.

Nandi paused for a little and continued with serious facial expression, “Today again offer came to her through Iris who tried to allure her of immediate promotion to the post of lady executive to be placed directly under GM. MD was to buy something from New Market and come back to office via Hotel Emperor Intercon where she could freshen herself in the Beauty Parlour for the cocktail party.”

“But Mr. Rozario picked up Swapna Ganguly, I mean Tarit’s wife for marketing.” Atanu said.

“Yes! That is true. But this time Leda was the first choice of Rozario as he had already enjoyed company of Swapna in the past. Leda had refused the big offer placed before her by Iris; Mr. Rozario selected Swapna as his companion for marketing. I do not know what is stored in Leda’s fate for her second offence.” Nandi said bending his head towards the tabletop.

Rubbing softly his wide forehead by his right hand forefinger Atanu said, “Letters inscribed here can not be changed by human being. These are the inscriptions of God. What worst thing may happen to Leda? Her services will be terminated, this much? You know, sometimes curse turns into blessing. She may get better employment in some other organization just like Santanuda, I mean our beloved Mr. Santanu Majumdar. Do you know? In Rainbow, he was the Divisional Manager, Home Products of a particular region i.e. Eastern Region. Today he is the all India Manager of a reputed processed food manufacturing company having additional responsibility of exporting their products to Middle East and South East Asia besides Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka and Bangladesh. He is of course not employed in a multinational company having at the top so called anglicised licentious Indian boss surrounded by band of sycophants who got promotions by sending their wives or girl friends to share his bed. Santanuda is employed in a middle-sized Indian company based in Calcutta and having distributors network throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. His Directors regretted for not being able to offer him perquisites at par of multinational company; but they assured him of taking care of his abode and kitchen throughout his life provided he did not leave their service.”

“Sorry for interference Atanu; why did Mr. Majumdar leave such covenanted position of Rainbow?” I said.

Before Atanu could reply to my question, Nandi said, “Sir, please don’t mind for my interference. Atanu was not present in the office when Mr. Majumdar had handed over charge to Mr. Chanakya Nag. Diana Gomes was the secretary to Mr. Majumdar. After the resignation letter had been typed by her and signed by Mr. Majumdar, same came to me for despatch. As per despatch system of Rainbow, even internal letters or memos are to pass through despatch department as entries are to be made in the register. Though the resignation letter was submitted to GM by DM and obviously of confidential nature, Mr. Majumdar advised Diana to send the open letter to GM only through despatch department. It was a simple letter stating resignation was submitted on personal ground. But so far I know and everybody in the office knows, Mr. Majumdar was asked to submit resignation, as he could not please Mr. Rozario.”

“But I heard some other story.” Atanu said. “Mr. Rozario had to please some other person aspiring for the position of DM, Home Products as per his commitment given to somebody.”

“Should I tell you, who is ‘some other person’ and who is ‘somebody’? Nandi asked Atanu.

“Sorry Fatikda! I don’t want you to be so much naked. Sumantada has understood what you have said right now.” Atanu said smilingly, “Excuse me. I take leave for fifteen minutes.”

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 7

Chapter – 7

Atanu Samanta and Deb Pratim Dutta welcomed me almost jointly to occupy the same chair between them. I complied with their request though Gouri Chatterjee had earlier requested me once again to sit on the front row as Dilip Sen, sales tax consultant had left for home and would turn up sharp at 8 p.m. to join the cocktail party.

Prizes were nicely arranged on a table covered by immaculate white silken cloth at one side of the dais. Rozario, Kelvin, Nag, Mandakini and other senior managers of Rainbow head office seemed to be waiting for next announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, now we start the second session of our today’s ceremony. I request our beloved GM….” Looking at Chanakya Nag with smile Gouri Chatterjee announced, “I mean Mr. Chanakya Nag to inaugurate the prize distribution ceremony.”

Chanakya Nag got up from his chair and said loudly without microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen! You know that Rainbow is a worldwide international family. I am sure, you know well that some members go out for attending job or business and some look after household matters. But everybody meets in the family get-together. Same thing we do in Rainbow. We meet here on such auspicious occasion and enjoy. Tomorrow again we will be busy in our respective work. I now invite Mrs. Nag to give away the prizes to the winning members.”

Mandakini Nag got up from her chair and smilingly stood near the table on which prizes were kept for distribution. Gouri Chatterjee caught hold of the microphone mouthpiece by one hand and the list of winning candidates by other hand for announcement. One handsome young medical representative stood beside the table to help Mandakini in giving away the trophies with the announcement of Gouri Chatterjee.  

“Mr. Binoy Bhusan Bhar! Please come upon the stage for collecting your prize; Oh! I am sorry! You are getting two prizes. One, first prize in debate competition and second prize, oh! It’s MD’s special prize for arranging all the office functions systematically.” Gouri Chatterjee announced.

Binoy Bhar came upon the stage from the side door and bent forward the upper portion of his heavy body at sixty-degree angle. He collected from Mandakini Nag one Parker 51 fountain pen as first prize in debate competition and one original Japanese calculator as MD’s special prize. Holding up the prizes by his two hands he once again bent forward his body above the waistline at sixty-degree angle and turned towards the audience before exit.

Fatik Nandi already told me about Binoy Bhar who although was very fond of his family life, could not leave the office any day before 9 p.m. whenever Nag was in Calcutta. After office hours Nag had fancy in playing cards almost everyday with DMs and DSMs and also with his other favourite chaps in the big hall sitting around a convenient table. Usual games were Flush or Rummy at stakes of coins and currency notes of lower denominations. During the game, cold beer with spiced peanuts and snacks were served by Binoy Bhar as directed by Nag. After the game everybody would leave except Bhar who had the responsibility of closing and opening the office with the help of two peons.

Before joining Rainbow, Bhar used to work in a travel agency as Public Relation Executive. Though this travel agency was having office on an infamous lane of the most notorious red-light area of Calcutta, it’s tour itinerary included all famous places of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It had so much influence with rail, plane and shipping reservation counters that only with few hours’ notice confirmed tickets were delivered to the clients.

On the first day of his official visit to Rainbow as PR Executive of Transganges Travels Bhar told confidently, in Safari tour to the Jungles of North Bengal and Assam, elephants’ backs and the forest Bunglows were given preference first to his company. Even in Rajasthan deserts, best camels were reserved for the tourists booked through Transganges. There was a luxurious “Sikara”(boat) on Dal Lake of Kashmir exclusively reserved for this travel agency.

Nag was very much convinced by Bhar of Transganges Travels and very shortly opportunity stumbled down at his feet to utilize services of this agency house. He was informed by Rozario, the then Director (Marketing) over telephone from his residence at his residential number that a four member party consisting his two sisters-in-law and their husbands would visit Calcutta for a pleasure trip. He (Rozario) would be happy if Chanakya Nag could arrange their sight-seeing tour to North-Bengal, especially to Darjeeling, queen of hill stations in the Himalayas.

Though for official tour of Rainbow Managers and Executives, tickets were booked through World Wide Travels, an international travel agency as approved by Anderson, the then MD, Nag negotiated with Transganges Travels through Binoy Bhar for this private tour of the close relatives of Rozario. Nag knew well that officially being the Director (Marketing), Rozario was at the helm of administration. A blue-eyed boy of Anderson, Rozario used to interfere in the activities of Director, Commercial and Director, Technical. Anderson never hindered him in his activities beyond his jurisdiction as the white gentleman was captivated by this young man looking more like an Abyssinian than the descendant of Portuguese who ruled the tiny state of Goa for a long time.

Nag was aware of the fact that after Anderson, Rozario would become the MD of Rainbow India. Foresight of Rozario was also very sharp. He developed friendship with all four GMs who were favourites of Anderson. It was due to the recommendation of Rozario, four regional heads having designation Divisional Manager were elevated to post of General Manager – East, South, west and North.

Nag told Bhar that he would arrange payment of the entire expenses of the tour of MD’s relatives by cash only, not by cheque. Transganges Travels were delighted for getting entry into Rainbow and assurance of cash payment without bill from GM. Obviously such payment would not be liable for any tax.

Relatives of Rozario enjoyed the tour very much. One medical representative having headquarters at Siliguri was advised to receive the party at Bagdora airport and accompany them during their tour to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok and Jaldapara forest. After going back to Bombay they expressed their happiness to Rozario for the excellent hospitality extended to them by Nag and his boys.

Since then Bhar became a person of Nag’s confidence. Within a month he was appointed by Nag as the Administrative Officer of Rainbow Calcutta office with kind permission of Rozario who in the meantime had become Managing Director Designate of Rainbow India after abrupt retirement of Anderson.

“Ladies and gentlemen! I now invite Mr. Deb Pratim Dutta, I mean our beloved Debu Dutta to come upon the stage to collect the prize of best cricketer.” Gouri Chatterjee announced on microphone.

Debu went up to the dais to collect his prize from Mandakini Nag who seemed to be stunned to look at the handsome tall young man with reddish white complexion and well shaped body wearing bright crimson tight T-shirt on white trouser. He looked like a romantic Hollywood hero. He became District Sales Manager, Home Products very recently after Tarit Ganguly had been promoted to DM of this division. Debu did not hesitate to admit that his wife Sikha had brought him luck as immediately after their marriage he got his promotion as DSM from Senior Sales Representative. Sikha was sitting with other ladies behind us, which I could know afterwards. I met her for the first time only in the cocktail party.

After Debu Dutta, P.K. Sanyal came on then dais to collect his prize as best chess player. Prodyot Kumar Sanyal, commonly known as PK, liked to be addressed like that by his seniors. He was jolly and ever smiling with burning cigarette gripped by his fingers. Nandi told me that PK could prepare instant story to pamper Talukdar, his immediate boss and Chanakya Nag. I remember the day Chanakya Nag introduced me with PK, a plump young man of short height and dark complexion, “PK, meet Sumanta Bose, our DM Agrochemicals and Sumanta please meet PK our DSM, Ethical Products.”

Shaking hands with me PK said, “ Welcome Sir to Rainbow.”

Turning his head to Nag he said, “Boss! You are great! Your forecast regarding railway tender has come true. We will get the business.”

“Thank you. Come to me after getting the business.” Nag said.

Prize distribution ceremony was progressing fast. Nag seemed to be feeling uneasy on the dais. Bhar, who was standing near the side door, came before Nag getting his signal. Nag whispered something to him. Bhar left the auditorium immediately.

“Ladies and gentlemen! I now request Mr. Atanu Samanta to come upon the stage to collect his prize as a best actor in the last drama presented by Rainbow sports club.” Gouri Sankar announced.

Atanu went upon the dais and collected a complete volume of the works of Shakespeare from Mandakini as his prize.    

Atanu Samanta, Product Manager of Pharma Division was a cultured literary young man of medium height and fair complexion with thinning hair above forehead and bright eyes. He was humorous and smiling. For a short period Atanu worked in Kipling and Kingsley as a field supervisor for pharmaceutical products.

In Rainbow Pharma Division, medical representatives would report to District Sales Manager who would again report to DM. So I was to some extent curious about job responsibility of Atanu who told me a very interesting story in my cabin in presence of Nandi.

It was the story of an old pharmaceutical company in Calcutta. Though a private limited company, it was wholly owned by a Jewish family. For some of their ethical products there was good demand in rural areas as in the villages and suburban towns most of the doctors used to own medical stores which were attached to their clinics. These doctors placed regular orders with medical representatives of this company who got to empty their detailing bag containing physician samples on their tables. They got meagre salary and commission on sale. In spite of personal and joint appeals, company did not settle their demands. So one fine morning, management of this company saw ‘stop work’ notice submitted by the medical representatives. MD was at that time in USA for a special training in man power and man management. He came back by earliest flight to Calcutta on being informed by his office of the grave situation as the sales supervisors had also endorsed the agitation of the medical representatives.

Mr. MD, a staunch worshipper of Jehovah, was a man of cool brain. He further equipped himself with the recent training in man management during his short visit to U.S.A. he met the leading members of the striking medical representatives and sales supervisors and appreciated their action very much. He further told them that had he been in their position he would have taken recourse to same action. However, he admitted that all these problems had cropped up due to absence of any sales conference for a long time. So he invited all the medical representatives and sales supervisors to join him in a conference to be followed by buffet lunch. Everybody was delighted with the munificent attitude of the MD just returned from U.S.A. They heard about sales conference accompanied by lunch or dinner held by multinational or big Indian pharmaceutical companies. It would be an eventful occasion for them to attend sales conference to be accompanied by lunch for the first time.

Morning session ended with gala lunch. Fish being the top favourite of Bengali people, fish fry was in abundance with chicken leg ‘Biriyani’ and mutton ‘Kabab’. Last item was “Rosogolla” a favourite Bengali sweet.

Afternoon session was fixed for personal discussion with MD. One after another sales supervisors and medical representatives went inside MD’s cabin and came out smiling. It was known afterwards that all sales supervisors were promoted to Sales Managers and all medical representatives were made Territory Managers, their salaries and commission remaining unaltered. Since commission was paid in terms of percentage, more sales would fetch more money as per very simple mathematical formula. Atanu paused for a moment and I burst into laughter. Nandi also joined me. Being a humorist Atanu did not laugh and said seriously, “Sorry! I have not yet finished my story.”

“An upcountry sales supervisor rushed towards MD’s chamber when all the new managers left the office. The poor fellow was awfully late as his train had been held up at a railway station by the agitating passengers travelling without tickets in the previous train and punished instantly with heavy penalty by the mobile checking staffs.

Mr. MD listened to the gentleman with patience and said, “My boy! I am sorry, there is nothing left for you as you are late.”

“Sir, I have told you everything. Please do something for me.” The sales supervisor said desperately.

Mr. MD consoled him by patting his back and said, “Ok boy! I will give you promotion. But are you prepared for less salary?”

“I don’t mind Sir! Please give me promotion.” Sales supervisor almost cried.

“Ok! My boy! From today you are my Product Manager! Congratulations!” Mr. MD said with ecstasy.

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.