Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Bishma was born to a middle class family in a small town called Rampur in Indraprasta. His father Rajneesh was a junior officer in the government. Rajneesh worked for government in a department that dealt with pollution control. Pollution clearance is needed for anybody to set up a new factory. Existing factories also had to get their certificate renewed every year as a part of compliance requirement. This offered him ample opportunity to make quite a bit of money if he chose to. The money he could demand from those business men who came to get the certificate; the money they were happy to give to expedite the paperwork; the money they would have been happier to part with if he was willing to close his eyes to some exceptions and deviations.

The salary as a junior government servant was not much. Moreover Rajneesh did not have any ancestral assets. His mother had worked as a farm labourer to educate him. There was many an occasion when he was really short of cash. When his mother was in the hospital with a serious heart problem, Rajneesh was hard pressed for money for an operation. He had to borrow a big sum from a local money lender. Repaying this had taken a toll on their meagre income. They had to move to a very small house and cut down many expenses. Even this financial pressure did not entice him to take any ‘favour’ from those who came for the clearance certificates.

Rajneesh was also a man of faith, well-read and was knowledgeable about philosophy and various epics of Indraprasta. When Bhishma was a young child, Rajneesh used to read to him stories from the epics. These stories that he read and the integrity that he demonstrated influenced the young mind of Bhishma. So he grew up with these values imprinted in his heart and in his head.

Bhishma was a brilliant child. He did very well in studies and was a school topper and came out of his high school as state rank-holder. He went on to take a post graduation in Physics and later appeared for the Indraprasta Civil Service examination and qualified with flying colours.

He took up his assignment as an ICS officer in right earnest. He was true to the values he had learned as a young child. Power did not corrupt him. He always tried to do what he believed was the right thing.

He was a good athlete. He kept his body in perfect shape. Standing tall at 6’2’’, with a charming demeanour he had the look and stature of a perfect officer and a gentleman.

He did not try to curry favour from his political or bureaucratic bosses. He believed that what matters was result and never tried to work for credit. As an administrator he believed in preventing problems instead of solving them after it has become an emergency. There were many of his colleagues who were adept in solving sensational problems (which in the first instance could have been prevented) and taking credit for the same.

There were many incidences when he stood to his ground though his political bosses wanted exceptions as a favour to their favourites. But he handled these with tact and diplomacy, instead of making a big show about it.

His handling of delicate situation when has was in the central ministry for education is a typical example of his style; his firmness, uncompromising values and respect for systems and propriety. This happened when he was a middle level officer in the department. He had initiated an enquiry proceeding against the owner of a local college. He had initiated this enquiry because he had reason to believe that there were quite a lot of malpractices in this college.  There was no evidence or complaints to order a special enquiry. Therefore, in the normal course he would not have been able to dig deep into the affairs of the college.

Then he came across an opportunity. When he was scrutinising the latest compliance report submitted by the college, he realised that there is a technical fault. The college had a shortage of two teachers as against the prescribed number of teachers. This was not a major issue. In many colleges, for a short period of time such exceptions do happen. But he decided to use this as a pretext to initiate an enquiry. He knew that once he started digging, he could be able to unearth some real scams.

This owner was a rich man. He had significant political clout with the party then in power in his state. He was always willing to satisfy any wish from people in power; whether it was money wine or woman. He also had significant influence among the local people through muscle and money power.

Within few days after he commenced the disciplinary proceeding, Bhishma got a call from  Vivek, Private Secretary of the chief minister of state.

" Sir, The CM wants to meet you"

"It will be my pleasure to meet up with the CM" Bhishma Replied

" He wants you to meet him with the file relating to the investigation relating to Ramanujam" the Special secretary continued with his instructions

" Let me know when I should meet the CM, I will take care of what he wants" Bhishma replied

"But Sir" Vivek wanted to make sure that Bhishma came with the file

" Vivek, Dont  Worry I will be there for the meeting" Bhishma interjected. But his tone was reassuring.

Vivek was apprehensive. But Bhishma being his senior he did not want to push him.

Bhishma realised what was happening. He also was aware that, as the officer in the central government ministry he was not required to report to the Chief Ministers of the states nor was it right to discuss the matter of the enquiry proceeding with the CM. He walked into the CMs office empty handed.

To be continued