WAITING FOR SUNDAY

“‘WAITING FOR SUNDAY.’

Love and passion can be spelled, can’t be explained. One can fall in love with a person, a city, scenic location, an auto mobile, a profession, living style, fashion, property, or even a hobby. Strangely ever, since I gained wisdom, I fell in love with a ‘day’ of the week. The Sunday. During the period (1964 to 1974) when I was in school, Sunday was the most awaited day, as I did not have to open eyes early in the morning and often after sumptuous breakfast, joined friends in the lane to play, till my mother would walk in to disrupt, yelling at me for lunch. Tired of hoarse shouting & running & after a hearty meal, a divine siesta would be a luxury worth sacrificing a kingdom. 

In college (1974 to 1979) at Indian school of mines, Dhanbad, where I was studying Mining Engineering, Sundays were fun days. Careless, carefree, energetic, enjoying the company of friends and full of laughter. Then we felt Sundays were always the shortest of weekdays and would end up in a blink. Never could pack the fun in a single day which would always end up dreaming, waiting and planning for the next Sunday. Always wondered, why didn’t they have two Sundays every week?

Right from the first job, when in the college Sundays were very special. First, no backbreaking and rigourous training. I joined Punjab Mess as all North Indians and Punjabis were in that mess. A heavy breakfast generally of Dosa– Sambar & Sunday special lunch. During evening on alternate Sundays, we would end up finding  rickshaw from College to Dhanbad Railway Station, then One rupees fare taxi from Station to Jharia, then a movie at Bihar or Deshbandhu talkies in Jharia, or Ray, Kumar or Pooja talkies near Rajendra Market or Anil Talkies at Bhaga etc. After the movie a dinner or heavy nashta within 2/3 rupees as the pocket permitted, then back to college by taking Taxi upto Railway Station and by rickshaw upto college. Sundays were even more important and had its own advantages. Once during exams I had a toothache, the medical officer ( Ghoda doctor as all called him) referred me to dentist. The dentist told me, the tooth has to be removed immediately as there is puss formation in it. He advised me he can save the teeth after necessary dental formalities but you have to put a golden cap made of gold over it, I was stunned and asked him whether I will get the money of gold back. He said a big No. So I told him to remove immediately and don’t put anything in its place, as it was already month end, and I was having little money left for the last week for mess. No boss, no time schedule, no presentations and no banging by superiors, teachers and hostel warden. In the last week when no or little money was left we used to eat dosa at Mani shop in the evening or night. 

After joining on 4th October 1979, at Nakoda underground mine of Ghugghus Sub Area of Wardha Valley Area service in Western Coalfields Limited the life changed completely. Attending duties from morning to evening in General Shift.  Our Manager Sri PBPaul was very strict and his wife was just the opposite, mixing with each and everyone in our colony. She was like a mother cum Bhabhiji cum guardian for all the newly appointed executives. I have never felt I am alone. On Sunday afternoon or evening both of them called all officers to their house and we had a nice get together. They had two daughters who used to entertain everyone. Our Assistant Manager Mr Bajaj , Engineer Mr Koturi along with their wife and family were equally good persons. Attending duties from morning to evening in General Shift from 8am to 7pm was a regular affair. 

I got married in 1985, After marriage and having two children life created additional responsibilities for Sundays. Though a bit annoying, but still had its own share of fun time. Picnic, play and preparing dishes by my wife for us and kids would take up most of the day. As kids grew up, each Sunday was unique. Frankly, before the reality of being parents hits you, the kids are toddlers, adolescents, young graduates, and then settled in their routine. Looking back at the events, one feels like being perched on the highest point in life, looking down at the world. We couldn’t ever got to know our own children and enjoy them like we can now enjoy with our grandchildren. After that I was promoted to Manager, SubArea Manager and General Manager and was transferred after every promotion. 

At the fag end of my service I was posted at MCL. Soon time made me also Director Technical in my organisation (Mahanadi Coalfields) and like all i also started carrying important work files at home. Official tour and responsibilities engaged me thoroughly & Sundays were loaded with extra work. 

After retirement in 2019, I picked up a new low profile job and again started working. Now I am having absolutely no regrets, as now myself and  my wife spend 20/25 days with children ( My son, daughter, daughter in law, son in law and granddaughter at Pune) and 20/25 days with our parents at Jalander Punjab. We are now temporarily staying at Nagpur and are still enjoying, without waiting for Sundays as now maximum days of the week are the Sundays for us. We are enjoying latest movies, dinner etc nowadays. Truthfully if at all I miss anything in life, then it’s my own and very special Sunday of College days. Who could have sung better than Kishore da.  ‘Koi lauta do mere beete hue din…’ of movie ‘Door Gagan ki Chaaon mein.’”