Going Astray

Aug 13

Anand was a Probationary Officer, six years my senior, but looking to his qualifications in Engineering and Computers, he was placed in Computer Department, but somehow he was drawn to share market. He studied the relevant literature and periodicals before taking a plunge.

He started investing diligently and earning handsome income within two years. He was an eyesore for his colleagues, as he started leading a lavish lifestyle and using air for his private trips too. Finally, Anand left the job and started his own consultancy firm.

But one of his colleagues, Suresh was ruined, as he started imitating him without equipping himself properly. He lost whatever he had and was heavily indebted. It was like a camel going to seek horns, but lost his ears. But kudos to him, he realised his folly and remained calm, cool and collected.

Ashok was another Probationary Officer in my Bank, who was from a middle class family, but his family arranged his marriage with a girl from an affluent family. Her hobbies were quite expensive and Ashok's salary was not enough to meet her demands. He then started resorting to frauds. He lost his job and respect and landed himself in a jail.

Amit was an Assistant in the Bank, but his family boasted that he was an officer in the Bank. He got married to a family that was obviously superior to his in all respects. Every day he was being taunted by his wife and in-laws for committing frauds on the family and for being so low in status. One day his wife had gone to her house. Amit came from the bank, opened the door and hanged himself.

These are the three real stories that I have stated in brief, without adding any spice, just to drive the point home that misery comes from outside. If you don't accept the external facts as your own fate, and rely on your own inner strength and will, nothing untoward will happen.

The most distressing case was of Amit. He saw the door locked and immediately decided to end his life. It is observed that people use fans more for committing suicides rather than jumping in a river.

The simple reason is that while walking to river, one finds time for himself to think and introspect or can meet someone who can stop or save him or her. That's why, there is a saying in Hindi that one should count up to one hundred before taking a drastic step, as it gives sufficient time to think and rethink.

So long the life is there, miseries and sufferings will continue to come and go, but it's all over much too soon. But the miseries as the result of thinking and comparing with others can end with rethinking only.

Remember, there are many ways to go astray, but one resolution is enough to reach the destination.