Respected Sir/Madam,
I think it was President John F. Kennedy, of America, who once said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, instead ask what you can do for your country.”
Kennedy was a nice man and all but what nonsense quotation is this? What does it mean? That instead of expecting government to do something useful I should just vote in every election?
And then once every two or three months I should call Mr. Modi or whoever is the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and say: “Hello, this is Mr. Mathrubootham. Yes, very same. I am calling to check if there is anything I can do for the country. Any national highway construction? Any new dam? Maybe one steel plant? At least two or three RTI application I can reject? No. It is ok. Not at all. It is my duty. I will call again in July.”
You see my point sir/madam? It makes no sense. But just because one American president said something, people will keep on repeating it like Titanic on Star Movies. But okay. I see his point. Don’t constantly keep complaining about this and that. Once in a while say happy things also.
That is why, sir/madam, today I have decided to put not even a single complaint in my letter to your esteemed newspaper. Already you people must be thinking “Oh my god this old man is complaining every week about this and that. What miserable life he is living.”
Excuse me, mind your language. Instead I will put here in this letter a list of all the things in life that I find nice and enjoyable.
Loads of good things
Sometimes I wake up at 4:30 or 5 o’clock in the morning and then cannot go back to sleep for some reason. So I go to the balcony and sit in my chair and wait for Mrs. Mathrubootham to wake up. Sometimes I can hear the sound of a train or plane or something faraway. It is most enjoyable.
Sometimes Mrs. Mathrubootham and I will arrive late for some wedding dinner and the host will say: “Oh no, Mr. Mathrubootham only pudding items are left. Why don’t you have three or four times?” This is very delightful. Once in a while I will suddenly run into some young man or woman who is new in our building. And I will introduce myself and then they will say, you don’t remember me? I am so and so’s daughter, I am now studying in IIT, uncle you once took me on your scooter. I act as if I remember. But how can you remember such things? I feel very happy when I see children growing up and becoming successful.
Sir/madam, bread pakoda is excellent. With one glass of rosemilk it becomes wonderful.
I think it was last year. I was travelling with Mrs. Mathrubootham on a flight to Delhi. And both the pilot and co-pilot were ladies. And both Mrs. Mathrubootham and I agreed that this is good. This is 21st century. Best people should do each job.
Sometimes I get very agitated when I go to government office for some work. Maybe electricity bill or gas cylinder. And then someone will help me and say uncle we are here to serve you only. It is our duty. Maybe they are saying this to avoid a scene, or get tips. But I like it. I feel ok, this country is not totally useless.
So you see, there are many happy things in my life also. But if I only write letters about good things then will things improve? Never.
Sir/madam, next time I will once again do my level best to point out problems in our society.
Yours with expectations,
J. Mathrubootham