Cocktail In The Rainbow - Chapter - 15

 

Chapter – 15

 

“Sir, meet Harun-Al-Rashid.”

I was taken aback on hearing the name of the famous ‘Khalifah’ of Baghdad, immortalised in the stories of ‘Arabian Nights’.

I was actually floating in the crowd with the same glass in my hand after Atanu had gone down for toilet to ease himself. Myself being a music lover I did not feel bored as the orchestral party had been playing all along my favourite songs on their instruments. At that time I was totally mused in the sweet melody of ‘Blue Danube’ followed by ‘Waves of Danube’.

I looked back and found Nandi with a handsome young man well dressed in black trousers, white coat, black bow tie and shiny polished black shoes – complete uniform for an official dinner party.

 I shook hands with the young man and said, “Sumanta Bose.”

“At your service Sir! I am Kazi Harun-Al-Rashid Rahman from Bangladesh,” the young man said.

“Bangladesh! It’s a beautiful country.” I said.

“Did you visit our country anytime?” Rahman asked me.

“Yes! I visited Bangladesh only last year, shortly after liberation. I went there on export promotion tour on behalf of my ex-employer.” I said.

“Did you visit all the important towns of Bangladesh?” Rahman asked.

“Sorry! I could not. I visited only Dhaka and Chittagong. But I had thrilling experience. From Dhaka to Chittagong I was to go by air. My host got my air-ticket cancelled and carried me by his car and boat crossing wide rivers and paddy fields both sides right upto Chittagong. I will never forget that beautiful journey with sojourn at Cumilla and Fenny for refreshment and the warm hospitality of my host.” I said.

“Sir, next time you will be my guest.” Rahman said politely and gave me his visiting card. “My residential address and telephone numbers are mentioned on the card.”

I looked at his visiting card and came to know that he was the Branch Manager of Rainbow International for Bangladesh. I also learned from Rahman that entire operation of Rainbow in Bangladesh was controlled by Chanakya Nag on behalf of Rainbow India. Very shortly manufacturing unit would be started in Bangladesh under the name, Rainbow Bangladesh distributing public shares.

“Hallow Fatikda, how are you?” said another well-dressed young man with Mongolian countenance and yellowish complexion.

“Fine. How are you Gautam? Meet Mr. Bose, our Divisional Manager for Agro Chemicals Division.” Nandi said. “Sir, meet Mr. Gautam Thapa our Sales Executive in Nepal for Pharmaceutical Division.

“How do you do Mr. Thapa?” I said.

“Fine! I am happy to meet you Sir” Gautam Thapa said.

“You are posted at Kathmandu?” I said.

“Yes Sir! Have you visited Nepal?” Gautam said.

“Oh yes! I visited your lovely country several times since Nineteen Sixty, of course on company’s business. But during each visit to Kathmandu and Pokhara Valley, I enjoyed some thrilling Himalayan excursion and sight seeing tours to the temples and palaces built by the medieval Kings.”

“Hallow brother! Having good time with Thapa?” Ramani Talukdar said with a full glass of Whisky in his hand.

“Yes Mr. Talukdar.  I got acquainted with Mr. Rahman and Mr. Thapa. Mr. Nandi introduced with them.” I said.

Nandi moved away tactfully from the place. Rahman and Thapa also followed him.

“Brother, I feel you should have fresh drinks.” Talukdar said.

“It would have been my pleasure to give you company in fresh drinks. I don’t know the reason; but my stomach is causing obnoxious eructation time to time. May be for changing drinks.” I got to tell him lie to avoid more drinks.

Talukdar nodded his head and said, “ Brother! That’s why I suggest everybody not to change wine and woman. Stick to one brand and enjoy to your heart’s content. You will never belch. You will always live in healthy body and tranquil mind.”

Looking at my glass he said further, “You need not consume whatever is left in your glass. I am getting for you fresh lime with soda. You will be alright in no time.”

Talukdar called the cocktail boy and asked him to bring lime and soda for me. Sipping almost half of the Whisky in a gallop, Talukdar said, “Brother! How do you feel as a peripheral manager?”

“Peripheral! I exclaimed.

“You don’t know the term? No problem. I will explain. Regional GMs or DMs are all peripheral managers. It’s like a solar system. Planets are revolving round the sun and the satellites are also revolving round the planets. In a professionally organised system of a multinational or national company, both regional GMs and DMs are the peripheral managers. GMs are the planets and the DMs are the satellites. Head office is the nucleus of this professional infrastructure like the sun of the solar system.” Talukdar said and looked at me with self-satisfaction.

“Really marvellous! You have clarified our position nicely.” I said.

“No brother! I have not clarified in details about the position of a peripheral manager, better to say DM of Rainbow India, look that side.”

I saw according to his direction. Keya Talukdar was having chats with Gregory Anthony, all India manager of pharmaceutical division.

Talukdar said with a smile, “The lady does not know that her husband is to carry suitcase containing dirty garments and linens of the man she is talking to.”

I could not follow and hence looked at Talukdar with curiosity.

“I guess you don’t follow me. Ok! I will tell you, whenever head office boss comes to Regional office, depending upon status GM or DM or both will have to receive him at the airport. If both GM and DM are there at the airport, GM will accompany the VIP to car waiting outside leaving the baggage tag with the DM. DM will lift the suitcase or bag from the conveyer belt and carry the same to his car. You know, many times I saw dirty old garments and linens being handed over to hotel laundry man for washing. Since senior managers of Rainbow travel on actual expenses to be paid by the company, they get their suits and linens washed in five star hotel laundry, hair cut in hotel saloon and body massaged in hotel health clinic.”

Talukdar said that in such a style I could not check my laughter. He was senior to me in age and from the day of my joining the office he had been very affectionate to me with full cooperation as colleague. He used to address me as ‘Brother’, not Mr. Bose or Sumanta, my first name.

“Why don’t you come to my residence next Sunday for dinner?” Talukdar said.

“I will see my week-end programme and tell you tomorrow.” I said.

“For a bachelor week-end programme can be fixed instantly. So keep aside ‘tomorrow’ and confirm right now.” Talukdar said.

“Ok Mr. Talukdar, I am coming to your residence next Sunday for dinner. What will be your convenient time?” I said.

“You are coming for drinks and dinner. So best time will be 8 p.m. if not inconvenient to you, you can come earlier. We will have chats and my son Amit will entertain you with Tagore songs.” Talukdar said with confidence. 

“It will be my pleasure to be at your residence and listen your son singing Tagore songs.” I said.

“It will be also my pleasure to get you at my residence. My family and Nirapada will welcome you.” Talukdar said.

“Nirapada!” I exclaimed.

Talukdar said smilingly, “Nirapada is my affectionate dog.”

“First time in my life I hear such name of a dog.” I said.

“Oh yes! Nirapada was a common name of Bengali man in olden days. Even now this name may be found in the rural areas. Do you know who christened my dog?” Talukdar said and without waiting for my reply added “Santanu Majumdar.”

“Santanu Majumdar? I mean our former DM – Home Products?” I said.

“Yes. Santanu, my ex-colleague. He christened my pet. Since the puppy was calm and gentle, Majumdar suggested me to call the little creature ‘Nirapada’ i.e. safe in English.” Talukdar said.

“Really good name.” I said.

“But Keya did not like this rural Bengali name for a pet. She almost shouted at Santanu, as he did not suggest any good western name. Santanu was smiling, but did not argue with Keya. I told her, since creature was born in West Bengal and it’s ancestor’s identity was not established, how it was possible to christen it by western name! However Keya was not at all satisfied with my explanation. So I suggested various western names like Tom, Tusi, John, Johnny, Dick, Dicky, Tiger, Lion and so on. But my loving wife did not like these common names as many of her relatives and friends were having dogs of such names. She wanted some special name for her pet. Since dog played important role in Indian Mythology like ‘Mahabharata’, Santanu suggested some mythological names which were rejected by Keya who ultimately agreed to retain the earlier name ‘Nirapada’ or safe.”

“It’s a good name.” I repeated my appreciation of the name.

“But even by mistake please don’t admire this name before Keya. Then you may miss specially fried Pomphret with drinks at my residence on next Sunday. You will have to munch only roasted peanuts.” Talukdar said jokingly.

“Oh no! I don’t like to miss specially fried Pomphret. You may rest assured I won’t repeat this mistake. By the by, is Nirapada the first pet at your residence?” I said.

“You are absolutely correct. Nirapada is the first pet at my new flat given to me by Rainbow as my official residence. Previously I used to stay at my ancestral home at Salkia in Howrah city where we had many pets like cats, mice, rats and cockroaches which used to move freely in the old house of our joint family. After getting company’s flat, I moved there with my wife and son. Flat was well furnished with beautiful cushions and curtains. I spent further amount to beautify it as per demand of Keya. But you know, desire does not have limitation. One day Keya told me that during my tour and Amit being in school she had felt many times absolutely lonely in the flat and so she must get a pet to spend the lonely hours. She further told me that she had seen a nice Pekingese dog on the lap of Mandakini Nag during our last visit to their flat.” Talukdar paused for few seconds and had another long sip of Whisky.

“So my search for foreign puppy began. Santanu Majumdar came forward to help me. One day he took me to the bank of the Ganges near Princep Ghat where some Gypsies had been living for few months. Though I did not meet before any Gypsy, I heard that these Romany people earned their livelihood by selling puppies, musks, taxidermic figures of birds of Prey and Mongoose, aphrodisiac herbs etc. One elderly fellow brought from his tent nearly a dozen of puppies, all of which looked like the offspring of street dogs abandoned in Calcutta city. He touched each small creature and said smartly Alsatian, German Shepherd, Greyhound, Foxhound, Dingo, Lurcher, Mastiff, Terrier, Spaniel, Bull dog, Great Dane, and so on which I can’t remember. Santanu told him that he did not find any difference in appearance and so it was not possible for him to select any one. If he had any pure Indian puppy, he would buy immediately. The Gypsy fellow with his fully expressed laughter said, ‘Sir, all these puppies are of purely Indian origin. You may choose any of these creatures. All are same. But I tell you, if you domesticated properly, any one of these puppies will become your obedient servant.’ So we bought one puppy that day and the little creature grew up to full form of an Alsatian male dog with meat, milk and maize dough mixed with Rainbow multivitamin capsules as fed by Keya with her motherly care everyday. But I tell you brother, the fellow is hundred percent safe. Santanu rightly christened it’s name ‘Nirapada’.” Ramani Talukdar put an end to his dog’s story, but not to his drinks. He picked up another glass of Scotch from the tray of a passing cocktail boy and said, “Meet you again brother, some guests are waiting for me, bye.”  

to be continued....

Cocktail In The Rainbow - Chapter - 13

 

Chapter – 13

 

Samuel Biswas raised his melodious concerto on accordion for an unforgettable musical composition of Lara’s theme from Dr. Zhivago, the book I had read twice and the film I saw thrice.

Though I was having chats with Nandi, I could not resist my desire of listening the music.

I was so much obsessed in Lara’s theme, I could not afford to stand like that in a party. So I moved on keeping glass in hand with Nandi and passed Atanu who was having a nice get-together with a group of medical representatives. We went further and I asked Nandi, “What’s about Atanu’s wife? I find him single in the party.”

Nandi’s smiling face changed to some extent and he said, “Atanu does not bring his wife to office party. Has he not told you anything during these days?”

“No. Atanu did not tell me anything about his family. Sorry! I was also busy and did not ask him.”

Nandi said in low voice, “Rikta, I mean Atanu’s wife is blind.”

“What? I almost shouted.”

“Yes Sir! She is totally blind. Can not see anything.” Nandi said.

“Oh my god! Since when?” I said.

 Taking a light sip of Sherry Nandi said, “Not long. She lost eye-sight on the day of her scheduled marriage ceremony in a car accident.”

“So Atanu married the blind girl?” I said.

“Yes Sir. But not on that day. Rikta was betrothed to some other boy and was scheduled to marry him on the day of her accident. But the boy’s family ignored the betrothal and denied to accept the blind girl. Atanu married her long after and that’s also a long love story.” Nandi said. He could not proceed further as Gauri Chatterjee came to me and said, “Sir! Mr. Nag calls you. He is sitting in that corner with Mr. Rozario and Mr. Kelvin.”

I moved to that direction nodding my head and waving my glass to the persons I had met before. Samuel Biswas concluded Lara’s theme on his accordion.

I reached the corner where on a big sofa Rozario was sitting with Kelvin and Gurujee. Nag was sitting on a chair in front of them and said, “Hallow Sumanta, how do you enjoy the party. Mr. Rozario wants to know whether you are comfortable in Rainbow.”

“It’s thrilling to be in this party. I feel quite homely in Rainbow.” I said looking smilingly at Rozario.

“I am very happy to learn what you said about. What’s about business? Rozario said.

“Sales are going up. I am confident of capturing the market shortly.” I said.

Kelvin and Rozario shrugged smilingly. Nag said, “Very good. What you are having in your glass?”

“Brandy” I said.

“Oh! No! Have Sherry. Steward! Sherry please!”

Nag himself replaced my glass of brandy with a glass of Sherry and raising his glass said, “Cheers! Rainbow Agro Chemicals!

Rozario and Kelvin looked at Nag with adoration. They also said, “Cheers!”

I said, “Cheers!” and left the place seeking kind permission of Rozario, Kelvin and Nag. Though they did not introduce me with Gurujee, I bowed my head towards him as a mark of respect. He smiled at me waving his right hand to shower his blessings.

I was searching for Nandi or Atanu with whom I had become much familiar within few days and moved on in the crowd. I saw Debu Dutta talking to Mandakini Nag and beside him there was a smart beautiful young lady. Debu also saw me and introduced me with his wife Sikha and Mandakini to whom Chanakya Nag had already introduced me earlier.

Mandakini asked me, “Where is your wife?”

“Sorry madam! I am not married.” I said.

I could not talk to her further as Gajendra Saha appeared before us and saluted Mandakini.” Madam! Can you recognize me? During last visit of Mr. Rozario to Calcutta I was one of the guests at dinner at your residence. I am that Gajendra Saha.”

“Oh! Yes! Yes! I remember you. How are you Mr. Saha?” Mandakini said.

Looking crookedly at Sikha Dutta, Gajendra said, “You are great madam! That’s why you remember a small man like me.” He then looked at Debu and said, “Mr. Dutta is also great! Son of a rich man having own multi-storied house at Jodhpur Park and District Sales Manager of a multinational company married a door-to-door sales girl without knowing her origin and character.”

Debu Dutta roared like a lion and said, “Mr. Saha! You are our guest tonight. Had you uttered such words at any place in front of me, I would have punctured your well-bred tummy with my single fist. Hope, you have not forgotten the weight of my fist!”

Debu and his wife left the place and mingled in the crowd. After their departure Saha shouted like a street dog after a big animal and said, “Madam! You have heard what that bloody fool said. You are my witness. I will report to Mr. Rozario regarding audacity and misbehaviour of his petty DSM whom I can export and import many times. The poor fellow does not know what it costs to his company in disturbing Gajendra Saha. No other agency house in Calcutta will distribute Rainbow Home Products if Gajendra Saha says ‘Good bye’ to the company.”

With kind permission of Mandakini Nag I left the place. I did not know what was told by Mandakini to please Gajendra Saha, a very important person to Rainbow and about whom I learned afterwards from Ramani Talukdar.

Samuel Biswas and his orchestra were playing on their instruments “La Paloma”. I was just strolling in the crowd when I heard somebody saying “Hallo Brother!”

I looked around and found Ramani Talukdar on my left smiling at me. “So by now you know the eminence of Gajen Saha in Rainbow.” Talukdar said.

“Yes I do.” I said.

“But do you know this man and his company?”

“I met this man for the first time. But I saw advertisement in newspapers of spice powders manufactured by Saha Spice and Consumer Products Company. I do not know whether he is the same man.” I said.

“Yes! You are right brother! He is the same man.” Talukdar said. “But I find your glass empty. Steward! Come here please!”

Steward came and Talukdar ordered for two Scotch, which we got immediately as the cocktail boy was just behind him. Taking a long sip Talukdar said, “I tell you brother, in drinks there is nothing like Whisky, specially if it is Scotch. By the by, let me tell you about Gajendra Saha and his company.”

He paused for few seconds and said, “This is between you and me. I will tell you the fact, not a fiction.”

I heard the story of Gajendra Saha and his company from Ramani Talukdar who was in very good mood after consuming already three pegs of Scotch and enjoying the fourth one.

Founder of his company was Rajendra Saha, his grand father. In old days, there was no office, but a grocer’s shop namely Saha Stores. Though Debendra Saha, son of Rajendra Saha used to assist his father, he was more interested in wholesale rather than retail business. He expressed his desire to his father who gladly made some space for his son for carrying on wholesale business in the same shop. In one corner of the shop accomodation was made for one small table, two chairs and one wooden cupboard for files. Within very short time wholesale business progressed by leaps and bounds. For wholesale business, initially they used to buy goods from Burra Bazaar (Big Bazaar) and Jaan Bazaar. With the rapid progress, Rajendra Saha negotiated with some soap and talcum powder manufacturers for direct agency. He was successful and renamed the wholesale department of Saha Stores as Gajendra Saha and company after the newly born grandson Gajendra. Name was further changed to Saha Distributing Agency in course of time.

So long Rajendra Saha was alive; he used to look after only retail business. After his death Debendra Saha rolled up the retail business and shifted his distribution office to Trade Centre of Biplabi Sarani. With the help of good interior decorator and fabricator he made a modern office of Saha Distributing Agency. Old shop of his father was initially converted into a godown and thereafter a small spice powder factory. Demand for spice powders grew up day by day and Debendra Saha could not manage production in a small area. So he acquired bigger space in north suburb of Calcutta, set up a big factory for spice powders and marketed both in small and big packings. Since Gajendra was still a school boy, Debendra got to shuttle between his office at Trade Centre and his factory at Dum Dum to manage all by himself. Within another four or five years Debendra became terribly sick with asthma and heart problem. By that time Saha Distributing Agency became one of the leading Agency houses for consumer goods in Calcutta. Even Kipling and Kingsley Company used to indent Rainbow cosmetics and home products from Rainbow International specially for Saha Distributing Agency. When Gajendra could not pass the School Final Examination three times, Debendra decided to place him at his office at Trade Centre to look after the agency and wholesale trade. He concentrated mostly in supervision of his spice powder factory at Dum Dum. But Debendra did not live long like his father. One day in the factory he started coughing and sneezing until his lungs and heart stopped functioning forever.  He was declared dead by the Doctor.

Gajendra Saha became all in all of the company. Though having a bulky body like baby elephant, he was a regular visitor to night clubs and massage clinics with his friends. However, under any circumstance he did not neglect his family business. He would attend his office everyday from morning till late evening excepting Sundays and holidays and expanded agency lines. Sometimes during the day he used to visit his spice factory which was kept under the supervision of a wholetime factory manager. Spice powders as manufactured by his company were moving well though formula was changed. During lifetime of Debendra Saha, he never mixed adulterants with his spice powders. But Gajendra Saha made the formula fifty fifty. Original spice fifty percent and adulterant fifty percent. So he could reduce the prices of his spice powders and captured the market. Since his adulterated spice powders did not cost anybody’s life he did not bother for complaints received time to time from the retailers. He used to compensate the retailers with much higher discount than his competitors and satisfy the Food Inspectors to their heart’s content. These gentlemen did not lift anytime, samples of GS brand spice powders from the market dealers for laboratory test. GS was the brand of spice powders manufactured by Saha Spice and Consumer Product Company and marketed by Saha Distributing Agency.

“So brother! Get some idea of GS, I mean Gajendra Saha? A multifarious genious!” Talukdar finished his Whisky in one sip and said, “Let me see how others are progressing in drinks! Ok! We will meet again.” He left.    

to be continued....

 

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