A House for Grandfather
In August,
1991, I joined as Director, Budget & Deputy Secretary, Finance. That was my
first posting at Mantralaya, and I was much stressed about ‘life at Bhopal,’
which unlike field postings, meant no earmarked bungalow, no official car, and no
household help. First thing to do after joining is to hunt for a suitable
house, I had been counselled by a few seniors. I submitted my application to
Under Secretary, Home Dept, and asked when and where I might be allotted a
house. ‘Difficult to say,’ was his cryptic reply. Government accommodation was far
short of demand, and there was a long waiting list, forcing newly arrived
officers to spend several months in whichever guesthouse they could manage to
get for temporary accommodation.
I was
entitled to E-type quarters, but the houses in Char Imli, the preferred residential
colony for senior officers, had only duplex houses. My grandfather who lived
with us had arthritic knees, and I was keen on getting a single-floor flat in
Shivaji Nagar for which there was much lobbying.
I went and
met Mrs. Nirmala Buch, Principal Secretary, Home during her ‘open hour’ at 4.00
PM. She was reading a thick tome of a file, and without looking up asked, ‘Yes?’
My visitor’s slip was on her table, and she knew who was standing before her
and why.
‘Good
afternoon, Ma’am. I have joined recently, and have applied for a house. Please
allot me a ground-floor flat in Shivaji Nagar. My grandfather is very old.’
She looked
at me for a moment and said, ‘Grandfather toh old honge hi,’ and returned to
reading the file.
I knew my
time was up. Thanks, Ma’am, I said and returned to my room. I was rather unhappy
since Ma’am had said neither yes nor no to my request. Her comment also hurt a
little. Reflecting on it, I realised that I had seriously goofed up in my
pitch. What was that about grandfather being old? Why didn’t I come straight to the point and mention that my grandpa
had bad knees and couldn’t climb to the first floor, and that our youngest
child was only two-months old? I was expecting her to ask me a question or two
about me and my family, but realised that PS, Home was a terribly busy officer,
and had no time for chit-chat.
Next day, I
got the allotment order for E-100/25, Shivaji Nagar, a ground-floor flat!
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