WHAT A FATE ..III

WHAT A FATE ? .III

SCENE III

(Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and Cariappa lie on the ground gasping after some fast crazy steps singing the INA song. Both are struggling to come to feet. Sam is the first one to slowly get up.)

Sam. Yeah. What a crazy way of doing things. He pulls up Cariappa by hand. Cariappa (sits on bed coughing) His legs are trembling.

Cariappa. I do not know what happens to us when we speak to the great Netaji. We are so inspired.

Sam. True. Look Both of us are so old and weak and half dead and you were unable to stand even. But look we danced to glory to his tune and for some time forgot that we are 90 years plus. Uhhh. My bones are aching.. uh...uh...

Cariappa. That is the greatness of Netaji. He made heroes out of mere moles. But to day the dynastic rulers in India make moles and rats out of heroes. Competent guys are thrown in dust bin, side tracked and thrown into oblivion. See the fate of PV Narsimha Rao. What a fate he had finally! How about Gulzarilal Nanda..... Oh God my entire body has become shambles... eeee... eeee. ugh...ugh... hoi... ohh...mar gaya ( Dead)

Sam. Rather competent guys are castrated now like bulls are castrated

Cariappa. Look. Even now Netaji is so stiff and goose steps so well. I can not even lift my foot by few millimeters, leave aside stamping in IMA style. My leg does not lift even 6 inches.

Sam. Why not? He lived in Germany and you know German army goose steps... Quack...quack.. Heil Hitler...What a treat to watch? Hitler also used to return salute smartly in uniform...How about India? Better talk less... it is better

Cariappa. Yes Rather bitter.I know. ( Gasps for breath). Now what is our next action? I do not know when Netaji would visit us again.

Sam. We can go to him if we decide

Cariappa. Not this week. I am tired

Sam. Rather retired. And dead too But we can not die again. That is good part of death.

Cariappa. True. While living, army officers are dying every day at the hands of babus and seniors too. But once they really die they are I think happy. No more dying. In fact Army officers die the moment they are commissioned. Along with presidents parchment of commission they are also given death warrant. Suddenly I remember some thing Sam.


Sam. Sir What is it?

Cariappa. I gave a speech after India was given freedom by the whites in 1947, and you know my Hindi is rather very poor. In fact atrocious. I said “Aaaj ham Muft ho gaye hain”

Sam. Haa.. Haaa.. Hee. . Heee Hi, That means we have become of no value. That is called Phukat in Hindi mostly used in Bombay parlor. Sir You said very right thing although inadvertently. Don’t feel bad sir.

Cariappa. Although I never meant it, my words became true. Indian army to day became Phukat in the eyes of civilians and Babus and Topiwallahs.

Sam. Yeah. Truth can not be hidden. After independence once the civilian guys tasted power and knowing that army is limited to back benches in democracy, they got a cue. I am sure they went downgrading it with a fixed plan.

Cariappa. The guys may not like that.

Sam. But it is a fact as many feel true

( In the distance a song is played .. “ Watan ke rahe me.. Want ke naujawan Shaheed ho… Pukar te hai ye zamin aasman shahid Ho… Pukar the hain ye zamin aasman shaheed ho… Oh.. ohohooh…) Sam goes to window and peeps)

Cariappa. What is there?

Sam. Some Topewallahs are singing the song and going around on the street

Cariappa. What does the song mean. Tell me I am very weak in Hindi

Sam. I am also not that good. I wish Kavi Pradeep is here

( Suddenly Kavi Pradeep appears in front of Sam)

Pradeep. Good morning Marshals. Why you thought of my name suddenly? I am in heavens since long. Till today no one remembered me

Sam. That is very nice of you sir. We wanted to know the meaning of the song being played by the guys on the street

Pradeep .( Listens and wipes tears) They are giving a call to the youth to sacrifice themselves and become martyrs in the cause of nation

Sam. Good that is really good

Cariappa. What an inspiring song

Sam. True. But not for todays youth infact

Pradeep. Sir I penned thousands of patriotic songs and sang too. All were hits. Some were banned also for telling truth.

Cariappa. Look Pradeep truth is always disliked

Sam. I remember your famous song, “” Dekh tere sansar ki haalat kya ho gayi Bhagwan.. Kitna badal gaya insane…Oh kitna badal gaya insane.. Suraj na badla chand na badla

Cariappa. You guys know that I am bad at Hindi. Plesae tell me what you sang

Sam. It means, “ Oh God look at your creation and its state. Look How much the man has changed… The sun has not changed and the moon has not changed

Pradeep…. Naa badla re aasman .. Oh Kitna badal gayaa insaan

Cariappa.. Really a nice song. I know immediately after gaining independence and having gained power the politicians have ruined the nation within few years. Cuhurchill predicted long ago that India would be doomed by misrule by corrupt and self centered men. What is happening there is a clear reflection now.

Sam. Sir , But India is becoming a super power. That is what people say. We won wars and in IT sector we made name. We have sent a moon rocket and also have nuclear weapons.

Cariappa. Do you call it is all progress

Sam. Then what?

Cariappa. But human shave become heartless, corrupt and misrule goes on. All this will end finally by break up of this great country. Writing on the wall is there. Can’t you read them

Sam. Probably you are true sir..

Pradeep. ( sings) Aaya samay bada be danga… aaj aadmi bana laphanga ( To day the times have changed and men have become scoundrels…) Kahi pe jhagda kahi pe danga… Nach raha nar hokar nanaga… ( Fights here and fights there and man is dancing naked …)

Cariappa. Please go ahead Mr Pradeep. I enjoy it

Pradeep.. ( Sings) In heenki kaali kartootose hua ye mulk mashan.. Kitna.. ( the country has become a burial ground with the evil doings of these people…. How man has changed ?.) badal gaya insan

Cariappa. ( Cries loud…. Mera Bharath.. Mera Bharat and then wipes tears)

Sam(Goes to Cariappa ) Sir do not feel bad. That is the fate of India. Why have sentiments for such guys?

( In the meantime Raj kapoor comes in through a window in his usual comic style )

Rajkapoor. Goo morning every one here. Am here. I heard Pradeep ji singing and came in

Sam. Hoi Raj . How are you.

Raj.. Fine sir

Cariappa. Hello raj. Give us something from your side. You are greatly talented.

Raj. ( Dances some Bhangra steps smartly… shouts Oh Balle balle balle).. Sings.. Oh sachhte Phansi Chadde witche.. Hoo.. hoo.. hooo…..Oh sachhe phansi chadde witche aur jhoote mauj udave…aur jhoote mauj udave
Kya mai Jhoot Boliya.. Koina…. Hai koina…..

Cariappa. What does this mean Pradeep

Pradeep. Sir it means.. “ All truthful people shall climb gallows while cheats would enjoy. Did I say lies… No.. No …..)

Cariappa, Sam and raj dance Bhangra shouting Aaan huhu.. uh.. uh.. aaanhuhu….. while Pradeep claps

CURTAIN FALLS
Dr K Prabhakar Rao