Literary
Committee was present in a room. A poet took entry
for the interview by keeping aside the veil of
the door. One member of the committee asked indicating
him to sit “How many books have you written,
Sir?” “Three books, on diverse aspects
of life”. “Very Good” One member
said whose eyes were showing naughtiness :
That member again asked “How much amount
of literary award would you like to win?”
The poet said “It should be of at least
twenty thousands rupees.”
“Its all right, first, submit rupees fifteen
thousands to the committee. Your wish will be
fulfilled.”
“For what, Sir?” When the poet asked,
the committee members answered. “Its biggest
part will go in the pocket of respectable president
and remaining part we will distribute among ourselves
and you will earn rupees five thousands easily.
Not only this, your fame will speead in the literary
world.” The poet said, “No, no, never
This is utter corruption. Look, I am a poet. I
want to uproot the corruption while you are advising
me to make it four times. I am not going to provide
you a pie. Do your understand?”
The mouth of the member became red in anger like
a bulldog and he cried, “You call it corruption.
We are providing you fame as a poet for free and
you are refusing our share. You can go now. Don’t
waste our time.”
The bell inside again rang. The second person
again took entry. The members welcomed him. The
poet said, “I have written fifteen books
inspite of that I have not got recognition due
to the corruption of literary committee.”
The members gazed the faces of each other for
a moment and then made serious faces. Then one
member said laughingly “We praise for your
courage and straightforwardness. Friend, but you
are on wrong. There is no such thing. How much
amount of award you want?” ”Only of
thirty thousand rupees or more.”
“It is not a big thing to win such splendid
award. But you have to submit first rupees twenty-five
thousands which will be our commission. We will
recommend and you will be awarded desired award
in every condition.” The poet astonishingly
looked towards the members and then answered,
“What a useless thing it is, sheer blemish.
I shall never do this corruption is going on here.”
“Corruption is going on” All the
members cried all to get her. At that time one
member took off his cap. He was bald. He scratched
his head for a moment with his fingers and then
keeping through the thin glasses of his specks—
“We have read your books, these do not
contain anything special, there is not a bit which
can be called praise worthy and so much boast
which has no end. You have written what except
garbage which has no head and no feet. We can
not help you : Please go away from here. Let another
person come in. “The poet came out of the
room and muttered.” “We know that
you provide literary award to your relatives,
friends and familiar persons. Every one of you
will die.” Once again another author took
entry, then he said, “I have written fifty
books of plays, poems, short stories and novels,
my hair have become grey by writing, I have seen
many more things in the world. Please provide
me recongmition.”
“Very good! We have studied your every
book. Indeed, your creations are the best. Which
type of literary award would you like to win in
the form of cash or gold medal?” “Sir,
I want to win a gold medal?”
“No doubt, you are worthy of it, but a
gold medal costs at least fifty thousand rupees.
That will be the fee of our recommendation. You
will win gold medal. Do not worry a bit. Your
name will be published with your photograph in
all the newspapers and you will be praised everywhere
: you will be famous in one night you are indeed
worthy of it.”
The author was surprised every member of the
committee looked to him hypocrite and corrupt
but he answered humbly, “No, Sir, this is
dishonesty, utter dishonesty. That money I cannot
give to you. I used to think that literary award
will be provided after evaluating the books inplace
of greasing the palms of the members of the committee.”
“You can go” This time president
jokingly said, “you are dreaming to win
the gold medal for your useless and rubbish work.
You have written everything against corruption.
Perhaps you are not able to see nothing except
corruption. Your books are worthy to be thrown
inside the dustbin. We are helpless, utter helpless.
We cannot understand bargaining give from one
hand and take from another hand. You looked a
miser. We have never seen such a person of narrow
thinking.”
The another blazed in anger and then he came
out. He started crying full throatedly “We
know everything. You bring the books of your relatives,
friends and familiar persons secretly for literary
awards and after awarding them you spread their
names in the world. This is the reason there is
not any kind of advertisement for literary awards
so that senior able talents will not get a chance
and there will be your monopoly. Now we are able
to know your mean activities.” At that time
a poem came running to the author and spoke weaving
his moustache with pride, “why are you making
noise in this way? After all this is not a market
of fish. This is office you look a well read person.
At least show some etiquette. Spit your anger.
Sir, this is not good for you.”
In the end a woman pricture story writer came
whose beauty attracted every member and every
one welcomed her. She sat on the chair and then
spoke laughingly “Sir, I made so many pictures
which have been displayed and praised in every
corner of the world. All the distinguished critics
of the world have commented whose cuttings I have
attached with my application and I have sent these
to the committee.” Yes, yes, we have seen
your creations and read reviews which are appreciable
which award would you like to win gold medal or
cash?” One member asked with hypocrite laugh.
“I need both, if possible.” She said.
“Yes, yes, why not. You need many more
then that.
Where were you uptill now? After all we have
searched you. This is the thing of worth congratulation.
Thirty thousands rupees for gold medal and twenty
thousands for cash awards. In this way you have
to submit first fifty thousands rupees and you
will get both these awards.”
After hearing all this she was astonished for
a moment. Then she spoke angrily. “What
do you mean? I am not able to understand anything.”
“The meaning is clear. You will be awarded
with both the awards. Your name will be placed
among the top most artists of picture story writers
and in this way every one will know about you.
“One member answered. After that every member
supported him by saying yes.”
“I can not do all this. I do not want this
award, you cunnings. I shall complain about this
to the concerned officer. I shall provide you
all a lesson. Now I am able to know about you
all. I shall not leave you now.”
The president laughed in a loud manner and then
spoke silently “Silence, Silence! Your face
looks more attractive can abuse us as much as
you can. We shall welcome all of your abuses which
will spring from your beautiful lips. You can
go anywhere. To whom you will complain and who
will listen your complain. Our persons are everywhere.
They will remove every complain. Even the newspapers
are not going to publish your complain, after
all where are these papers so free? Those persons
are in our hands where is press fearless and straight
forward and more than that all editors are our
friend. Do not threaten us about these things.
It is not easy for you to play such a dangerous
game last everything will become against you.”
Women picture story writer astonished hearing
all this. She disappointed to hear all these things.
She cried in anger like a wounded tigeress “It
they are all chips of the same block then the
talents of our country will be trampled in this
manner. But remember. One day will certainly come,
when …..
*Translated By DR. RAM SHRMA
Sr. Lecturer in English
C-26, Shradha puri
Phase-II, Kankerkhera
Meerut Cantt-250001
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