http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=56954

Friends,

What inference can you draw from Peter Karthak's so nicely expressed views in this article? Particularly the last three concluding paragraphs might be indicative of the situation we are in Nepal?? Let us say it is a very interesting article, to say the least.
Mr. Karthak is an excellent writer who seems to express his views as he sees them. Imagine where he would land if he begun to write on the Nepal politics.

Haddock jee,

hahahahah.... sorry hai.... I call anything I pen down as 'ramblings'--- a sleep of tongue bhayechha. Risaani maaf paun.. :) Ramblings - not literally, as in grand gripping tales, anecdotes, aadi ityaadi. Jokes aside, you have my full encouragement, mate and I look forward to your contributions in due course. Can I btw say that I do really enjoy reading your posts - you're one of those few Sajha writers with a gifted mind to analyse issues with precision? With original thoughts. (I'm serious).

Every Place : Every Person : A Himalayan Tale from Darjeeling"?
Yes, that was the one. I have yet to order a copy of the book. Pse do share your thoughts hai once read. Many thanks and take care.

***************
""his two assistants were a Rai and a Yakha.""
Note: Yakha is actually a Rai sub-caste, like Bantawa, Chamling, Thulung etc.

Have a good day.

Dear Capt C and SH Lahure,

Not much left for me to say since you two have said it all and said it well. Enjoyed reading your exchange of views. I wonder why many others Sajhaites, who jump to pour their views at the slightest caste related topic, are not participating in this thread. Is it because the truth is bitter? Anyway, perhaps, I say perhaps, should the Badamtam tea company, as presented by PK, be considered for a discussion to be a role model given the crisis with no end in sight here in Nepal? Just a thought to pursue discussion on this thread.

Right on Haddock, like you I also do not have a direct insight into Karthaks' mind, but make my inferences based on his writing, both the present one and his past articles too. Given that Karthak is a good writer (sometimes gets a little tedious with his old queens' english) but nevertheless and has witnessed a lot of changes from his begining at Darjeeling at its' heydays and his subsequest settlement in good old KTM.

Now this is my analysis. I think part of his bitterness toward the ruling Bahun Chhetri elite stems from the fact that Mr. Karthak comes from a minority caste and doubly so, because he is a Christian too. And as you rightly point out he does try and address the 1000 pound elephant in the room, which is the whole deal with casteism in Nepal. We do still have a highly patriarchial society in Nepal and the ruling class is a Bahun-Chhetri nexus with people of other castes dotting the landscape here and there. The fact that people of these castes make the highest segment of population may have something to do with it. That aside, the question that we have to seriously ask and try to address is that "Is the rampant corruption, mismanagement, general apathy, crime, political disillusionment, social ills etc explained only by the caste angle? And if it is, what are the ways to deal with it?" I do agree that identifying the problem is in effect half of the problem solved, as Mr. Karthak has rightly done. But is caste the only problem. COnsider a Nepali society, as in the Tea Estate, minus the Bahuns and the Chhetris, would that somehow magically remove all the social ills that we have and somehow pull us out of this stagnation and purgatory that we find Nepal in right now? I seriously doubt that analysis. At this point, one must not forget that the minorities also have no love lost for the elites, the "racism" or "casteism" goes both ways and in effect is a two way street.

Not to say that the Bahun Chhetris have not taken advantage of their relative social standing for their own benefits and that too at the cost of putting the people of minority in the shadows. But we do need to find a problem around that. A good way might to have social inclusion by the ways of cross caste marriage (that still is unheard of in Nepal, inbreeding is rampant and the genetic pool is not diversifying). We also need to chuck this concept of government as a religious based organaziation, seperation of church and state as they would say in different part of the world, but I would like to say, seperation of "temple and state".

And you know what, it is up to the people who are in a position of advantage to do something about it. That is the Bahun and Cheetris themselves have to initiate this idea of inclusion. In any society, I think, it is the responsibility of the majority to take care of the minority and not let the minority feel as second class citizens.

Am I making sense or has this become a rambling..............?

Sandhurst Lahure, Nirwan, Kundale -

Check out this thread on Darjeelingnews forum: - http://darjeelingnews.net/forumdarjeeling/viewtopic.php?t=910 . It has a couple of reviews of the book and Mr Karthak himself has participated in the thread!

Sandhurst Lahure - Ke he esto - blowing hot one moment and cold the very next! He he - just kidding. I think you are an amazing person and I was only pulling your leg :)

Kundale - I am with you on everything you have said - both in terms of defining the problem as well as the possible solutions. I have a couple of things in mind I'd like to share but am short of time right now - I will come back this evening to post more on the subject. :)

Nirwan - I have some ideas on why people are reluctant to speak up on this issue - will share them when I am back.

Have a good day all.

Kundale - You bring up some great points. A couple of comments and thoughts:

- There needs to be a sense of generosity on the part of both Bahun/Chettris and SETAMAGURALIs on issues of caste and ethnicity. Bahuns and Chetris should own up to the fact that discrimination has been practiced in their names even if they have not been individual contributors. Likewise, people of the other castes need to accept the fact that the average Bahun or Chettri is as much a victim of oppression at the hands of a corrupt elite as the rest of the population. The real struggle is against an entrenched elite that occupies the highest echelons of power and has misused that power time and again against *all* Nepalese.

- Getting back to the story, as much as I have come to enjoy reading Mr Karthak, I have had to take his comments on caste with a grain of salt. While I look at the last set of comments in a generally positive light, he leaves the door wide open for different interpretations. His nostalgic references to the Raj makes one wonder if they are indicative of a sub-conscious inferiority complex towards the former rulers of India. When he says there were 2 British guys in the tea estate, one is left to wonder whether he is implying the managerial skills of those guys, and not necesarily the absence of Bahuns or Chettris, is what is responsible for the smooth state of affairs at the tea estate. The idea of a society without Bahuns and Chetris may sound romantic and appealing to some but the Badamtam example doesn't do it a whole lot of justice because it leaves a lot of gaping holes in the theory.

- All said and done, Mr Karthak deserves praise for his work and I eagerly look forward to reading his book. He seems like an interesting guy and I had a good laugh reading some of his comments on the Darjeeling forum.

haddock, my thoughts exactly. while one would wish for an ideal society without "Bahuns and Chhetris" and all forms of societal disfunctionalities, one cannot wish them away and unfrtunately work with them. it is the myopia in the society that we must fight instead of playing the blame game.

about Mr. Karthak, he did come along with a great series of posts in KTM post a few months ago about reminiscenses of 60's and 70's KTM. i liked that series of articles. i haven;t read "everyman everyplace" yet, but one of these days will. I doubt that Mr. Karthak is much a fan of the "Raj", but he grew up when the "Raj" was collapsing and di witness the decay of Darjeeling along with dysfunction that set in Sikkim after the Indian takeover, that may be the root of his discontent.

the whole deal with stagnation of Nepali society is something else and should be discussed in detail in other posts, i guess.

Quite a diverse workforce at Badamtam Tea Estate and to blend so wonderfully so as to share the fruits of success in the end must have certainly been rewarding to all.

To me Darjeeling was "love at first sight" and although it was a short three day college trip ten years ago, I feel like it was just yesterday that I first visited the place that mesmerized me to the core. Before that I had always wondered what a "hillstation" looked like and having heard so much about the place from my hostel owners, my expectations of the place were pretty high and surprisingly, it didn't fail me. Whether it was the windy road, the mini train with its peculiar sound, or the lovely tea gardens, the colorful monasteries the busy chowrasta, or even houses etched on the hills that made a breathtaking view from afar; everything about Darjeeling was pleasing to the senses. I would definitely love to visit Darjeeling again hoping that this time it will be a longer stay. :)

On another note, as a first time visitor, Mr. Karthak should be participating on this thread pretty soon. Since the ongoing discussion here is pretty interesting, I thought he might like to join and he said he will.

Mr.Karthak is indeed a prolific writer and he is at his best when it comes to writing about what is closest to his heart- DARJEELING.
Darjeeling.. Dorjeyling and for some of us- Darj, has been one place filled with fond memories- be it happiness or sorrow, the day to day struggle for the basic amenities.And yes the ever so warm social atmosphere that Darjeeling holds is not to be found elsewhere...
The novel in mention is worth a read-tracing the history of this beautiful place it meanders into a beautiful story.The author so vividly portrays each and every nook and corner of the Queen of the Hills. The characters are' us 'and we are 'them'.For me,the Protagonist of the novel is Priya.The story 'is' her and her act of forgiveness is heroic.
The rest of the characters are life like.. i get a feeling of having bumped into such people while walking through chowrasta, or while strolling in the mall,or even while walking through the busy streets of chowk bazaar and making our way to the taxi stand.
The girls College that is in mention is closer to my heart and i was able to identify myself with Priya in a lot of ways.I must say that i got to live with the nun in mention and she was one strong woman!
Priya says " everybody's leaving"-didn't it strike a chord somwhere?...I don't know about youl but i felt a pang of guilt.....

Yikes..sorry readers..i got carried away.Just realised i was off track.. Trust me ,I always do that!;);)

Phoenix, what is the name of that place where they have pony rides? We stopped there first before heading up to Darj. I forgot the name but that place was beautiful as well.

Here's Peter Karthak's response via Email.

******************

Sajha.com is quite erratic in registering and slow in loading up. It also has difficulties for logging my replies to the Sajhedar friends; so I haven't been able to register in it as yet. But I've read all the "inferences" and "ramblings" of the readers.

I think the respondents are mostly Nepalis of Nepal who love to get busy in what I call "cognitive dissonance" - the diplomacy of debates and love for arguments, the art of splitting hairs which are already thin anyway. One says that Yakhas are Rai this and Rai that. Well, in Badamtam, they were distinctly Yakhas and that was that! Another raises the point of Bahuns and Chettris being absent from Badamtam and has his own "inferences" on that, raising the questions of Jats and Janajatis etc etc. Well, the "tall tea tales" series is still continuing in the Sunday edition of The Kathmandu Post; it will conclude after four more insertions. Only then, readers can reach their conclusion.

Most of my reactions to Sajha members are provided by Manjushree Thapa in her weekly article of yesterday (Nov 15) entitled "Writer's work" in The Kathmandu Post (she writes every week for the paper now). She distinguishes between journalists and their objectivity and fiction writers and their subjectivity. Manju and I are both and I know what she means. In my articles, I'm a reporter and I write matter of factly and hence without my personal comments or speculations. These are the business of readers, and that's what I see in the Sajha members as a "provoked" lot in dissecting my sentences and trying to find their preferred mysteries and meanings in them. It's a rather futile undertaking in my humble opinion - one can't deconstruct unnecessarily and unwantedly. But this letter to you can be posted in the website as my response because I'm having problems unlocking the chat or reply boxes of Sajha.com. I also wish the website were more simplified and functional and devoid of the excessive color displays and highfaluting slogans and propagandist nationalism.

I'm glad to know that my novel "EveryPlace: EveryPerson" is generating much interests among the Sajha readers. This coincides with the fact that I sent a copy of the novel to an interested lady publisher in Bangalore for Indian/worldwide imprint because publishing in Kathmandu alone isn't enough for marketing and promoting my novel.

By the way, there's a new novel called "Fragile Mountains" by Madan Kumar (MK) Limbu who works with the Gurkha children in Brunei, teaching them computers. I'm glad to say I helped with my own bit in having the novel published by my own publisher, Vajra Books. We at The Kathmandu Post reviewed the novel last Sunday. Sajha members may help by reading it; it has many strands of the chronic problems in Nepal - Bahun/Chettri/Newar/Adibasi/Janjati conundrum, Maoism, feudalism and oh God, what not! A moveable feast of topics and opinionated inferences and speculations for Sajha.com membes.

Once again, I thank you for connecting with me and for introducing me to Sajha. More later when you revert to me at your own convenient time.

Most affectionately

Peter J. Karthak

Dear Peter Uncle......... how u doing??? ( I know u dont like being called Uncle ;))

Well, Its been long we ve not met. U might be wondering who I am as my real name is hidden here. ANyway do u remember our first meeting at Bakery Cafe at Baneshwor? Then we also had some rendezvous in "The Himalayn Times" but I dont want to introduce here in Sajha......... ha ha ha ......

Its always interesting to go through ur article. And I would like to thank u for appreactiting my work, it was U who encouraged me to get published many articles . Im totally inspired by your way of writing......Hey ..do u remember????? once I told u over phone SAMRAT UPADHYA'S best writer ??? and that were YOU....

Well, now Im in Europe but miss those gatherings........ all of our fellow frens(?) left Nepal...most of them r in the US, some in other Euroepan countries and who are left..they r trying hard to leave Nepal.........Isnt it SAD????????


How r the other things? I miss Post Platform of The Kathmandu Post and Midway of The HImalayn Times. It was fun writing for them.......

Bad.. Very Bad.... these days Ive stopped writing..but will gear up soon.. Ur Book "PRATYEK THAU, PRATYEK MANCHHE" is getting really awesome response and we r v v happy. In fact I went through the book when PARKASH SAYAMI used to read on HITS FM..........

Ok Peter Uncle....... (sorry........the YOUNGEST teenager in our group ha ha ha ha ha) hope to see you in SAJHA...........

Urs Fan..........and well wisher
Amazing......... (plesae dont disclsoe my name, if u identify me )


Hey frens of SAJHA, I could have writtne him personal mail but......just want to do in SAJHA coz I would like to give him surprise.. if he could log on this time : )

------------------------AMAZING-----------------------

Goody!! a response from MR. Karthak himself :) So I could not help responding. Mind you, this is a conversation not a debate (which is the last thing that I would want to do. After all, it's a free society and we are entitled to our opinions, well, at least theoretically anyways.

First of all, not being a student of English or for that matter psychology, I had to look the term "cognitive dissonance" up in dictionary.com, to fully understand Mr. Karthak's response. Are some of the postings n Sajha confused because people do what they realling do not belive in, do not practice what they preach and enter a state of cognitive dissonance as you say? Maybe, in fact undoubtedly, some do. That cannot be avoided. But look at why this thread started. Someone looked at your article and concluded that you were trying to say something about the present state and caste strucutre of Nepal. And I think what we were trying to do was understand what exactly you were trying to say in that paragraph. Often times, one writes something and the message that gets through is something else, like the issue with the cartoon in Nepali times that's been raised in this forum somewhere else. I do not think that is is "splitting hair", but we were trying to understand a statement. That;s all.

I also did look up Ms. Thapa's article on TKP of Nov. 15th, and the thing that I take away from that article is the same thing that I took in after watching Spiderman, the movie - "With great power comes great resposibilit" (nice quote no). And if one agrees with that adage, one no longer can be a fiction writer and "brush" up facts or a journalist and write up "fiction", if I understood the article correctly. So in fact, a pure fiction writer (at least of historical novels or novels related to an existing place) or a true journalist does not exist. No matter how hard one tries, the fact that one is wriitng about some true event or place or historical fact, one must be true to the underlying structure and no matter how truthfully one tries to report, objectivity does not exisit in news. That's why we have Bill O'Reilly thriving and the rise of Fox news.

So when Mr. Karthak, you write about Badamtam or Darjeeling or even your novel, you do have your opinions inserted into the piece. And since, I do not know you personally, the only way that I can know what you are saying is by reading what you are saying. Hopeless loop, isn't it? That's what I thought too. One thing that I can do,is though, instead of crying shrilly about whatever I do not agree about in your article is try to find an alternative expression or analysis by understanding your background and reading your current article with a-priori knowledge that comes from reading your past articles. And that was only why I "rambled" on last time.

My, my - Mr Karthak himself speaking on the subject! Dilasha, thanks for making it happen. Mr Karthak, I am suprised and humbled by the fact that you have responded . I honestly did not think you would care to repsond to comments by obscure posters like myself on Sajha but I am happy to have been proved wrong!

Yes, Sajha is indeed an interesting collection of minds . My own motives for coming to Sajha are to kill time and mingle with a medley of anonymous minds. I dont have a particular knack for splitting hairs - I got tickled by that comment :) - but I have a tendency to speak my mind and have no hesitations asking questions of others when I think there is ambiguity in what they are saying. Thank you, sir, for addressing some of that - I may not see things a 100% your way always - but your response has given me more insight into a mind I have come to like and respect. I look forward to reading more of your works in the days to come.

Hope all is well with everyone else on this thread.

:)

Since I started it, I would venture again to put in my rambling thoughts to this interesting thread. I feel honoured that Peter Karthak himself chose to visit to respond to some of our thoughts, wondering and inferences. I hope other writers and reporters will do the same in some future discussions.

The subject of "jaat-paat" remains to be an intensely discussed in Sajha. Behind the cyber names, including myself, the diaspora is even vocal in showing the same narrow minded attitude towards jaat paat as it is prevalent in Nepal. The only difference being that some educated people have a different set of frontline teeth to show while there is no real mind change in attitude even in diaspora when it comes to a jaat paat issue. The same narrow mindedness hatred of "jaatpaat" is carried to a place like New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Texas and Toronto, and so forth.

Even there seems to be a struggle going on in sharing the loot among those who are at the helm of the power. You can feel the venomous words targeted to bahun cheetri when you visit a Newar or a Newa organizations and vice versa. And, this is not limited to these castes only; others freely chime in as well in their selected words in this free for all topic. While they all advocate for social equality outwardly, at the same time they would unhesitatingly address in the sycophantic words like "baksiyos, khaisyos laisyos," and "hajur or raja", etc., to certain castes not out of respect from the heart but more out of age old caste consciousness and perhaps flattering. And, there are the so called educated or elite people who profess the democracy but at heart, again, "jaat paat" seems to be the prime driving factor even in their public decision making affecting others.

The rampant practice of "jaatpaat" is number one social enemy in Nepal that is now fully infected to politics and administration. If Nepal is to be a fulbari of all castes, and continue to maintain the harmony of the multi-ethnic fiber in its true sense, why only three to four castes or groups in Nepal continue to dominate the mainstream of the Nepali politics and administration and grow even further? The same group ruled before democracy and the same group is ruling now. If you look at statistically, even during the last 15 years of so called democracy, mostly the same select groups or castes have prospered. Why hasn?t the successive administration paid much needed attention to include more from other castes into the mainstream? The answer to this question is perpetuation of the "jaatpaat" based politics and administration. Almost every major action in Nepal is taken with prejudiced view of caste in mind, obviously to benefit those select groups.

Every time there is a list of appointments in Nepal or when you see a list of who is where in a government post, and when I see the make up of the administration, a question pops up in my mind. Are there only a few select castes in Nepal who continue to get the ghee to the extent of choking their own health and also to the detriment of the country?s health? The diaspora suffers from the same ill and their views are reflected in Sajha discussion.

The country is pushed to near hell situation due to continuing practice of "jaat paat" politics and jaat paat prejudiced administration, which seems to be the number one ill that we need to remedy. IF there was really peace, prosperity and good governance in the country, and a great majority of the countrymen, not just a few select groups or castes, were being benefited, then the credit would have automatically gone to the make up of those who are and were at the helm of power. Unfortunately, it is NOT so when you look at the events of the last few decades. This select group, based on caste bias is in majority in running the country, has hopelessly failed.

In view of the aforementioned rambling thoughts, I find Peter Karthak?s above referenced article very timely and interesting. If you live and Kathmandu, one has to be either on the receiving end or fully blind not to notice the "jaat paat" bias prevalent in every sphere of the administration. "Jaat paat" is everything as it appears. The caste group mentioned absence from environmental friendly Badamatam Company is interesting. If you have a termite, an immediate treatment is needed before it eats up your whole house.

With my apology to Peter, as he may not have meant it the way I put it here. I, as his ardent admirer and reader, take the liberty to draw my own inference in light of aforementioned situation, that Badamtam Company offers a management good model to try it out or at least there is a hint in it that we ought to pay attention to.

Thanks to all the discussants here; I have learned a lot from your postings. Also, I am thankful to Peter Karthak whose article led me to participate in the discussion on this important topic.

As the originator, a big thank to you for getting the ball rolling. A couple of quick comments on the subject:

- I feel caste sensitivity and outlook is affected by several things like age, class, education level etc. I certainly think caste is not as big a deal amongst *most* (not all) younger people as it might be amongst, lets say, their grand parents. Casteism will die out with time. But pro-active measures need to be take to ensure that it indeed does.

- My own thought processes these days are focused more on the solutions to the problem. The issue needs to be tackled at different levels - intellectual, political, legal and social amongst others . I feel a controlled form of affirmative action or reservations will help in this process. An example of such affirmative action could be putting aside a quarter of government jobs for underrespresented ethnic groups and leaving the rest open to merit based competition. There are countless other combinations and permutations of reservation that we can talk about. I would also advocate building in measures to avoid abuse of the system - for example if a father was the beneficiary of a reservation, the children will not qaulify for it etc.

On a social and more personal level, I hope with more and more Nepalese becoming educated and leaving the confines of their sheltered lives for jobs elsewhere, people will learn, over time, to appreciate and respect other castes and cultures. With awareness and mutual respect it becomes easier for people to engage in dialogue and discussion and develop objective viewpoints about caste, ethnicity and culture.

Hi all,
Peter J Karthak's new article is out. The read is enjoyable, as always. And the write-up superb. Just a couple of comments though on the stroy that Mr. Karthak mentions, by Somerset Maugham. I read the story a long time ago, and may be mistaken, but I do remember some details. Please correct me if I got it wrong, please correct me.

The protagonist of the story is an englishman who is not originally a "blue blood" arsitrocrat by birth, but acts like one. He does manage a plantation in Malaya or somewhere. He has friends in the high society in London. The setting is in WWII, we know this because newspapers are delivered late because of the war. The englishman however is a strict observer of customs, rituals (social) and acts like an English lord, even in the middle of the jungle. He dines in formal settings with two servants waiting on him and in full formal evening dress-jacket even when he is alone. Not a snide remark - but I bet he would speak with the same old queen's English as Sandhurst L.

Tha antagonist is a recently arrived assistant manager, but not, as Mr. Karthak says, "fresh from an English public school, idealistic and full of modern ideas. He has all sorts of progressive strategies and plans for the rubber plantation and its workers", but an ex-army man rough and tumble who does not have time for social niceties and attachment to English customs, especially in the middle of the jungle. He is ill at ease in the first dinner setting invited by the protagonist, but nevertheless goes with a formal attire. The new guy sooon falls to the ways of the local people, takes in a local woman, dresses like them, gives up his formal attire and so on. He changes into a "native" mode from an Englishman.

The protagonist, of course, does not like this all. The assistant manager is heavy handed with a local person. The manager tries to explain, but in return gets insulted by the assistant manager. The crux of the insult is that the manager is not a true "blue" blood even if he follows a lifestyle of one. And in fact, he is a running joke in the social circles back in London.

And the next mroning, the assistant manager is murdered, by the local whom he had wronged. The manager deftly manages to hush up the matter, lets the local guy escape and buries the whole incident. He then goes back to his old ways of organaization and quiet dinner with two servants waiting on him.

This is from memory, I read that particular more than 10 years ago or so. So I do apologize if I got it wrong.

The second comment that I wanted to make is in a way not related to the article, and is related in a way. A dichotomy, but neverthelss an important comment in my view. This thought struck me last night, after a couple of pegs of Napoleon :) so might be a lame thought after all. But nevertheless here goes.

Nepal was and is primarily known for 1. Mount Everest. 2. Gurkha Soldiers, 3. Sherpas 4. natural beauty etc. When getting into conversations with foreigners, any Nepali will definately bring up these subjects and that's what Nepali's are most proud of. Natural beauty and Everest (should have a formal name change on that, I think), Nepalis have nothing to do with, that's a gift from nature. Now Gurkha soldiers and Sherpas, mostly come from the most marginalized segments of our society, yet they are the ones who give an identity to Nepal in international arena. They are so famous, brave and appreciated outside of Nepal and marginalized inside. The world sure is a strange place, ain't it???

Kundale - Can you please post the link to the article. I tried TKP archives and google to no avail :) And the search functionality on Kantipuronline really sucks .. he he

I agree that TKP archives is not so user friendly. I found the article though it's buried under a ton of new. The link is http://www.kantipuronline.com/nwcollection.php?id=2&pubdate=2005-11-20. I am also posting the whole article, I hope Mr. Karthak or TKP do not view this as a copyright infringement.

EXPRESSION
---------------------

Darjeeling's tall tea tales - V


By PETER J KARTHAK


- Life was good in Badamtam Tea Estate because by far the most influential and powerful Nepali in Badamtam was its Manshi (Munshi in Hindi) Babu. In those years, the Manshi Babu was a Subba. The much paan-chewing Manshi Babu had more than a dozen sons and daughters and his bustling company house was called the "barrack" where the kitchen was never allowed to remain cold. His fecund wife, the Manshini Babuni, was a roly-poly bundle of Limbu joy who kept the family together.
Among other things in retrospection, the couple were the proud parents of the famous Nepali footballer Benu Kumar Subba who played for the biggest Calcutta clubs and is remembered as a guru to the previous generation of footballers in Bhutan, Sikkim and Kathmandu as well.

Typically, the Manshi Babu was the be-all and know-all of the garden. No less than a godfather, he knew the genealogy of all the families in his domain, their birthdays, age, the marriage dates, number of family members, their virtues and vices, education, job descriptions. He was everything to them - their guardian, leader, guide, teacher, philosopher, and arbiter, minister, judge - in fact, the first and the last resort: the alpha, omega and everything in between. He handled the labour force of Badamtam by all the means at his disposal. He explained to them, threatened them, cajoled them, convinced then, reminded them, counselled them, preached to them, praised them and advised them - all in order to get the maximum from them. He amicably settled all types of ethnic disagreements, labour disputes and cultural differences among his wards. By the versatile virtues of his multiple roles, Badamtam never saw a uniformed policeman entering its green world. Internally, I never saw a single case of male drunkenness, wife beating and child abuse nor any woman going around rumouring and gossiping. This was not a mean feat and was an exemplary track record, considering the volatile temperaments of the workers, especially the "raw" Yakha community who entertained no second thoughts in unsheathing their khukuri-s at the slightest provocation or pretext.

The Limbu Manshi Babu also saw to it that his people got all their rightful salaries, benefits and facilities deserved by them exactly when they needed. No different from the Gurkha Major Saheb in the British Brigade of Gurkhas or the Subedar Major Saheb in the Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army, the Manshi Babu was the first and the last word in the labour management of the tea estate. Period! Woe be to the British planter - most of them were, in any case, dubbed "kanchha" or "kachcha" sahibs by the Nepali veterans of the tea garden - who failed to pay heed to the Manshi Babu's wise counsels and timely advice and all-important warnings that would govern in no uncertain term the whitey or Gora manager's own outlooks and official decisions. The two British managers' personal attitudes and professional discretions were shaped and moulded by the Manshi Babu. Stray, deviate and show just a faint waywardness, and the manager concerned would pay the right price at the right time for his wrong actions.

Such was the fate of a particularly autocratic and stubborn senior British manager who promptly earned the sobriquet of "Khapparay" because his khappar or forehead was neatly cleaved by a tea labourer who used his "khurpa" knife for the artistic carving. This happened when the white manager acted arbitrarily and unilaterally against the male worker, and the latter, in a typical local political form, reacted by denting his pink forehead right above the eye. The scar would remain on the brow of the planter for the rest of his life and no length of hair would help cover the dimple.

Ironically, the manager had his second tour of duty in Badamtam, perhaps a sign of disfavour from his bosses in the owning company, and he remained cowed and drunk most of the time in the gulag of his luxurious bungalow. This was a reconfirmation of the spoiled foolhardiness of someone superseding the Manshi Babu's domains, and justly paying for the unprofessional digression. In one sentence, the Manshi Babu was the pivot and pilot of Badamtam Tea Estate, and its workers hinged on him and swivelled around his office which he ran from his crowded and noisy home.

In this, I see a classic parallel to a typical Somerset Maugham-like short story of a rubber plantation in Malacca. The veteran senior planter is happy with his settled life of post-breakfast morning inspection of his labour supervisors and coolies, then his laidback afternoon of gin and tonic, lazy lunch and reading the copies of the last fortnight's The Times that arrive in bulk to his port every fifteen days from London. He repairs to the planters' club in the evening, gets shoddily drunk on scotch and soda, has his sumptuous dinner there and retires to his fanned bedroom with his local concubine and repeats the same schedules the next day.

Not so is his recently arrived assistant manager, fresh from an English public school, idealistic and full of modern ideas. He has all sorts of progressive strategies and plans for the rubber plantation and its workers, quite in contravention of his senior's proven principles of "let the local sleeping dogs lie" and "don't ruffle the endemic feathers, for goodness sake". The older veteran warns and counsels the younger upstart, but to no avail whatsoever. Back to the gin and The Times, then!

As expected, the younger planter is shortly found with his head cleanly chopped off by a Dayak's sharp machete. The Empire's statistics is slightly lessened, by one head, by the untimely demise of one of its own while the experienced planter's status quo ante continues unabated and undisturbed. Ah, but I did say so, didn't I? Back in Badamtam, the Manshi Babu is the wiser one while the Gora manager the fool. But his fate was the worse: He had to make his second appearance in the tea estate, this time with his disfigured skull for all to see. But then, the people had their one and only Manshi Babu who prevented the Bada Sahib from being rendered six inches shorter from a local's khukuri swipe.
pjkarthak@yahoo.com

Kundale - Thanks. Good stuff, Mr Karthak. I think I know the footballer he is refering to - he used to be a football coach at one of the schools in Darjeeling. Anyways, I am eagerly looking forward to getting my copy of the novel - its over a week since I ordered but I guess delivery from India is slow :)