House of Cards (13 page)

‘Oh! So, are you Chief Secretary Balasubramaniam’s daughter?’

‘Yes, sir.’

Suddenly, the baby started crying and Lata took him inside. Sanjay was not back yet. He was still changing out of the
doctors’ hospital uniform. Sushma was under the influence of anaesthesia. Lata was excited that she had hit the iron while it was hot.

Soon, it was the naming ceremony of Minister Nagalingegowda’s grandchild. It was a joyous event. The minister had also won the by-election and he wanted to thank everyone who had helped. So a big party was planned to celebrate both the occasions. The minister sent invitation cards to Dr Lata and told her to invite everyone who helped during Sushma’s operation. Lata gave the nurses and ayahs the invitation but did not give a card to Sanjay. She was worried that if the minister came to know that it was Sanjay who had performed the operation, then she would not look good.

The day of the function came and went and Sanjay remained unaware that he had also been invited to the party.

A few days later, Sanjay was sitting in his room preparing for a conference. He was feeling low and wondered how his paper would matter in the long run. He loved his work but appreciation was important because it brought a lot of enthusiasm. Dr Kamala entered his room. She was on the verge of retirement and had seen many ups and downs in her life. In her long career, she had helped many people and was happy about it. Seeing Dr Kamala, Sanjay stopped what he was doing and stood up to show his respect. Dr Kamala smiled and said, ‘Please, Sanjay, sit down. When do you think you’ll complete your paper?’

Dr Kamala was interested in academics. She encouraged hard-working youngsters like Sanjay because there were few people working in government hospitals who wanted to achieve academic excellence. She knew that Lata’s knowledge was hollow—she was more interested in publicity than in being a good doctor. The reason Lata was here was because of her father’s influence. Otherwise, she would not have been hired by the hospital. Dr Kamala was aware of who had performed the operation and why Sanjay had not got an invite.

‘How was the function, madam?’ Sanjay asked.

‘It was an obligation and a formality. Simple people like you and me can’t understand all the reasons behind such parties.’

Sanjay kept quiet. Kamala showed him the sari the minister’s family had given her and said, ‘You know that I didn’t perform the operation, Sanjay. Maybe they gave it to me because I had examined Sushma during her pregnancy. But I was surprised at one thing …’

‘What’s that, madam?’

‘I was surprised at the way everyone was praising Lata and the way she was lying through her teeth. She was saying that she has handled many such cases in London. I know it is a lie. But who will take the effort to actually find out the truth? Lata must have got a better gift than me. Sanjay, one thing is true—in government hospitals, it is not only important that you do a good job but also that you showcase it to others.’

Sanjay started thinking about Dr Kamala’s wise words and did not reply.

13

The Fall of Idealism

After Sishir’s birth, Mridula’s life changed completely. She wanted someone to look after the child during the day so that she could return to work. Rukuma and Bheemanna told her, ‘You can leave the child with us at Aladahalli. We’ll take care of him.’

But Mridula did not agree. Though she herself had been born and brought up in Aladahalli and loved the village, leaving her
child there was difficult for her. Sanjay also agreed. Bheemanna or Rukuma could not leave the village and come to stay with Mridula for a long period either.

By now, Mridula knew very well that her mother-in-law wouldn’t help her. Sanjay had indirectly told his mother, ‘Amma, Mridula is worried about where she’ll leave the baby when she returns to work.’

Ratnamma had kept quiet. She was not willing to come and take care of the baby. Still, Mridula was grateful to her mother-in-law. At least, she did not trouble her like other mothers-in-law. She did not taunt her with sarcastic comments or take her daughter’s side or discriminate against Mridula. Ratnamma lived in a completely different world.

Mridula could leave her job and stay at home, but that would not work. Sanjay and Mridula had taken a loan for their flat. Unless both of them worked, they would not be able to repay the loan. Mridula was saving every paisa. She did not take an autorickshaw or spend money on stitching blouse pieces to match with her saris. She wanted the loan to be repaid at the earliest. But Lakshmi made fun of her. Behind her back, she said, ‘What’s the use of all the salary and education when Mridula can’t even dress properly?’

Mridula tried to get somebody from Aladahalli to stay and work in her house but after they stayed in her Vijayanagar apartment, they quickly got bored. They left within three months because they missed the village.

One day, Mridula was thinking about this problem while she was buying some vegetables when she ran into Muniyappa and Kantamma. She was happy to see them. Kantamma told her, ‘Mridula, we didn’t go back to Kolar. We’re staying in a rented house in Vijayanagar too.’

They gave her the address and told her to visit them soon. Since Mridula was attached to them, she took Sishir and went to their house the next Sunday. She told them about her
difficulties in getting a good daytime babysitter and said, ‘I don’t think that I can continue to work if I don’t find someone reliable.’

The husband and wife looked at each other and excused themselves. They went inside their bedroom and came back in five minutes. Kantamma told Mridula affectionately, ‘Look, if you and your husband agree, you can leave your child with us. I’ll look after him like my own grandson. Please don’t leave him alone with some unknown help.’

Mridula could not contain her joy. Tears flowed down her cheeks in gratitude. Later, she talked to Sanjay and he did not have any objection either.

Despite the baby and the lecturer’s job, Sanjay spent most of his time in the library. One day, the hospital informed the doctors about a three-week AIDS training programme in the USA arranged by the World Health Organization (WHO). All doctors working in government hospitals were eligible for this training but preference was to be given to the gynaecologists who were also teaching there. Sanjay thought that it was a good opportunity for him since he did not have the kind of money to personally go and attend the training on his own. So he filled out the application and went to Dr Kamala’s room.

Dr Kamala was busy reading a medical journal. When Sanjay came and sat in front of her, she asked him, ‘What’s the matter, Sanjay?’

‘Madam, I need a favour. I’m applying for the training programme in New York. Will you recommend me?’ Sanjay asked hesitantly. He found it hard to ask for favours.

‘Sanjay, I attended the training last year. You’ll meet many people there. The library may help you acquire knowledge, but attending a seminar or training is much more useful. This is a good idea.’

‘Madam, do you think I have a good chance of being chosen? You know my work style and my nature.’

Dr Kamala was quiet for a minute and then replied, ‘I’m aware of the situation. I’ve worked with you for years now, but I don’t know whether you’ll be able to go.’

‘Why not, madam?’

‘Even after so long, I don’t understand the basis on which the hospital panel selects a person. Every year, the criteria are different. They modify the selection process based on the candidate they want to send. I really don’t know the rules for this year.’

Sanjay turned pale. Dr Kamala consoled him, ‘Sanjay, I’m not discouraging you. The truth is that I don’t want to give you false hope. A best friend is one who tells you the bitter truth. It is not necessary that you go through the government. There are some medical companies which can also sponsor this training.’

Sanjay smiled gently and said, ‘I heard that Dr Lata went on such a drug company sponsorship to Malaysia. Is there any way that I can also get that sponsorship?’

Dr Kamala kept quiet. Sanjay could not get that sponsorship. Lata worked part-time for a private nursing home. The drug company sponsored private-hospital doctors and not government ones. Lata had another advantage. Her husband was in the Income Tax department. She ensured that people who didn’t help her had their income tax audited and their house raided. Everybody was scared of her. Dr Kamala remembered that a few years ago, Lata had wanted to go to Singapore and asked for a six-week vacation. Dr Kamala had refused because the department was short-staffed. The next week, the income tax department had audited her. There was nothing wrong with her income tax filing, but the multiple visits, verifications and waiting had caused a lot of irritation.

When Dr Kamala had gone to the income tax office, the inspecting officer Louis had felt awkward. His daughter Mary had been Dr Kamala’s student and had great regard for her. Softly, he had told Dr Kamala, ‘Madam, your reputation precedes you. My daughter was your student.’

Then he had got some coffee for her. After the verification, Louis had said, ‘Madam, please know that we’re only junior officers.’

Dr Kamala had asked him, ‘Can you please tell me who sent you instructions to audit me?’

‘Madam, please don’t ask me that. Here, even the walls have ears. I hope you understand.’

When she had returned to the hospital, she had met Lata who had smiled and innocently asked her, ‘Madam, you’re looking exhausted. Have you come to work just now? Are you unwell? Do you want to go home?’

Dr Kamala had replied, ‘I don’t harass others just because I have power.’

Lata could not face Dr Kamala after that. She had looked at the floor and walked away. Afterwards, she had behaved as if nothing had happened.

Though Dr Kamala had given her only a week’s vacation, Lata had sent a medical certificate of ill health through her father and stayed six weeks in Singapore for a family holiday. She had brought gifts from Singapore and given them to the people who would be of use to her in the hospital. That included the lower staff such as clerks and the cleaning ladies. She wanted to keep them happy so they would not complain about her long vacation or her laziness. Dr Kamala knew all this but had been forced to keep quiet because she had no support from the hospital.

She thought, ‘How can Sanjay understand all this? It’s difficult to explain. Twenty-five years ago, I was just like Sanjay—contented with work and believing in idealism. Life has taught me big lessons. If a person is intelligent and an idealist, then he will be a good teacher. And if a man is intelligent and selfish, then he can go to any extent to get money. In the end, it is a personal choice about how closely we follow our own principles.’

Sanjay was unaware of what was going on in Dr Kamala’s mind. He was thinking about the sponsorship and how he could get it. He wanted Dr Kamala to recommend him to any drug company. Dr Kamala knew what he was thinking. She also knew that no drug company would sponsor Sanjay because now, nobody would listen to her. All the company medical representatives were aware of her impending retirement and were concentrating on pleasing the next head of the department, Dr Saroja.

Instead of talking about sponsorship through drug companies, Dr Kamala said, ‘Our Health minister is the chairman of the WHO fund in our state. Why don’t you go and meet him? I can put in a word for you.’

Sanjay nodded. He thought he should try that route too.

A few days after Dr Kamala’s suggestion, Sanjay decided to go to the Health Secretariat. He entered the building. It was a sultry afternoon and Sanjay was sweating despite the numerous fans around. There were people standing in front of the Health minister’s personal assistant. Others were standing in the hallway, smoking and talking. Everybody seemed to have a problem. Some wanted a transfer while others wanted a promotion. Sanjay felt lost. It was the first time that he had entered a minister’s office asking for help.

Hesitantly, Sanjay went and stood in front of the PA. The PA looked at him but did not say anything. Even though there was an empty chair in front of him, he did not tell Sanjay to sit down. He was talking on his cell phone and completely ignored Sanjay. Finally, the call ended. Still standing, Sanjay greeted the PA with a namaskara. The PA did not reciprocate. ‘What do you want?’ he asked directly.

Sanjay showed his file to the PA. The PA said to himself, ‘People greet me only when they have work—otherwise they don’t even recognize me. Why should I be nice to them?’

He was rude. ‘Give me one reason why the government should sponsor you. You must think that the government is a
bottomless treasury. You should first understand the rules of the sponsorship and then come here. You’re wasting my time.’

‘I’m not asking for funds from the government. I’m asking for help from the WHO funds.’

The PA became even more angry. ‘Who gave you the information about those funds? Bring that person here. Even if I accept that they exist, why should they be spent on you? There are people more senior to you. We must give them an opportunity too.’