When a Freedom Struggler meets a Freedom Fighter

Background :- I was walking down the scenic route from the place, where the bus dropped me, to right up to the high mountains. I didn't know where I was heading to. I was middle of nowhere. I was dying of hunger and thirst.  It seemed that some powerful energy was dragging me to a definite destination. The mountains already hid themselves with snow blanket. They seemed denying to help. The reflection of the solar rays at the snow cover made my eyes twitching. I completely lost my energy to move further but a spiritual sound caught my attention and poured the energy in my body to reach the cave, which originated the vibrations of the sound 'OM'. As I reached the cave, the sound got stopped and a very old person held my hand to pull me into the cave.

"Namaskaar, Please drink some water. Wait ! I bring something you could eat." 

The looked-like Monk offered his help. I swallowed the food. The charm and the help of the Monk rejuvenated me. 

Once I settled down, he asked me ' Dear, I am Subhash. Who are you ? What are you searching for ?'

'Subhashji, I am Utkarsh Mishra. I am from Faridabad. I was an IAS officer. I have left my job, family and friends to find peace. I have heard that Himalaya is the best place to get peace, isn't it ?' briefed him.

He laughed ' Indeed ! Why did you leave your job ? IAS is the prestigious job position to serve the nation.'

I frustratedly responded 'What do you know about IAS ? Its the worst job position created in Government of India. It sucks ! '

He spoke softly ' Calm down, my friend. Could you really share what really happened to you. I try to help you.'

   I agreed to share. "I was a meritorious student throughout my academics. I graduated from IIT Mumbai then went to IIM Ahmedabad to pursue Masters in Management. After working for few years in Europe, US and Middle East, I thought to return back to India and take Civil Service Examinations. As I was married, it was a hard decision to leave the job. The society made it even harder because the majority of the people around us estimate your success in terms of money one earns. The nature of the work is not at all considered. For example, a scientist who does great things for the nation but earns 40,000 Rs every month is considered to be worse than a Real Estate Agent who sells property and earns millions of bucks. I meant I couldn't choose a career just because of the money it brings for me but the nature of the work that personally satisfies me. I convinced my parents and started preparing for the exams. I couldn't clear UPSC in my first attempt but got 45 Rank next year." 

He clapped with joy " Oh ! That's simply superb. You studied hard. Please carry on."

    I continued "I joined the IAS cadre and was appointed as the District Magistrate and Collector in UP. I got numerous wishes from the family, friends, media houses, politicians, unknown ones, almost every strata of people I knew. No one missed to wish me. I was flying. 

But unfortunately, during my service as an IAS officer, the contractors/builders/businessmen offered me hefty amounts of bribes. The politicians forced me. They ordered me to either Accept it, Pass the files/tenders/applications or Get the transfer. I always chose the transfer, this lead me to have 19 transfers in my 3 years of service. I couldn't recall if I had spent some quality time with my family in these 3 years. People always approached me with a reason. A lot just called me to get their train tickets confirmed under VIP quota. I meant I studied 18 hours a day to get the train tickets confirmed ?" 

  "Before returning back to India, I used to travel across the world, earn lot of money, meet outstanding people of the world, read fabulous books. Now I have started drinking alcohol. I am struggling with 8 pending cases just because I raised my voice against the misuse of the government money by the Vice President of the National Political Party. My family got irritated by my behaviour. The people, who wished me, can't be found anywhere now. I have lost control of my life. So I decided to come here and seek the answer. I can't handle it anymore."

     I felt sleepy. My subconscious mind took over and I lost in my thoughts.

Subhashji was listening to me very patiently. I didn't know why I shared my story with him. Somewhere in my heart, I knew that he could direct me on the right path. He could heal my problems. I wanted to ask who is he ? How old is he ? For how long, he has been here all alone ? 

    He shook my body and said ' Utkarsh !! Utkarsh !! I could imagine how hard it was for you to tolerate within the kind of the system we have today. You know, our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to let their country free. I am very disappointed to see the condition of the people like you who would like to serve the nation but still have to struggle for true freedom. A Freedom to Work. But there is a solution to this problem. First of all, stop thinking about how the society perceives your decisions, stands or deeds. Just ignore their perceptions. As you truly said, you should opt the job that personally satisfies you. Its very hard to correct the whole system during your tenure of work. It requires persistent efforts to bring a significant change. It has lots of hurdles and challenges, one has to stand firm. There is another simpler way of serving the nation. Just do your job and opt any of the social cause like Education, Health etc and put all your efforts for the cause. This will bring the change in lives of lots of people, you could see the change and it will satisfy your soul. It will energise you to step further. You could motivate people and create more leaders. In the fight of evil and good, in earlier times, good killed the evils but now the good needs to be increased in numbers to dominate over evils. This may change the evils and our society gets better. "

   I collected my excitement after hearing the idea "Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas to pursue my dreams. I would surely get back to work and frame such questions of the society and put my efforts to find their answers. May I ask you who are you ? Why are you here all alone ? Do you have a family ?"

   He smiled " Its not important, dear. You are an amazing person. It was nice meeting you. I hope you demystify your potential and find the peace inside, not here." 

I insisted a lot to tell at least something about him. I wanted to know about the person who heard me patiently, understood me, helped me in getting back to work and family. It was his energy which motivated me to think positively. It was his charm that I got convinced soon and agreed to return back.

    He then wrote something on the paper and asked me not to read it before I reach home. I promised him. I met my family. They were happy to see me back. I then recalled about the paper, Subhash ji had given to me before I left. 

It was written ' Subhash Chandra Bose. Jai Hind !! '