The Felicitation Letter

‘Sir, do not expect me to deliver this year as well’, said coach Raghu.
 

‘Hey Raghu! Come sit. Have some water’, said Santlal – The Chairman Sports League. The officiating body appointed to promote sports in the country.

‘Do not take me lightly. You will repent it later’, said Raghu.

‘You seem to have some problem. What happened?’ Santlal was concerned.        

‘Sir, the under sixteen team is training fine. Their daily regime, diet and fitness are on track.’ Raghu wanted to clear his position.

‘Oh! I am relieved. You know that I will lose this position if your team doesn't perform well. I am under tremendous pressure from superiors’, said Santlal.

‘Yes Sir’

‘A flat, money and position, I arranged everything for you. Now, what is troubling you?

‘P. L. Uttam!’

‘Uttam! I have heard this name. I can't remember it now.’ Santlal tried hard to recall.

‘Sir..’ Raghu wanted to help him.

‘Hold…hold. Let me try. Oh! The great P. L. Uttam. He represented the country at the International level. He was a gifted player and a noble soul.’ Santlal had a sparkle in his eyes.

‘My bosses traveled with their families to his events. He performed and they enjoyed!’ ‘What happened to him?’ continued Santlal.

‘Sir he is here!’ said Raghu.

‘Uttam Ji is here!’ Santlal got excited and stood up from his chair.

‘Sir, he is here from ages’, told Raghu.

‘What? Does his soul reside here? Why are you taking me for a ride?’ Santlal was anxious. His forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.

‘It’s nothing like that brother-in-law’. Raghu came close to Santlal.

‘How many times shall I repeat? Nobody should know that we are related to each other.’ Santlal got irritated.

‘Alright… Alright… This will not be repeated. Uttam is the same old person who works in our canteen', said nervous Raghu.

‘Oh! What are you talking?’ Santlal could not believe his ears.

‘I was not aware. The boys updated.’ Raghu was frustrated.

‘Are you talking about the same person who serves us tea, picks our plates?’ asked Santlal.

‘Not only that. He sweeps the floor and sometimes even cleans the utensils’, said Raghu.

‘Hmm. I understand.’

‘Sir, my boys are feeling demotivated. They say; “If Uttam is not able to do anything after a glorious career, what can we hope for?” Raghu was cheerless.

‘Hmm’. Santlal was engrossed in his thoughts.

‘Can we recommend him for a job?’ asked Raghu.

‘No. He must be over sixty years. Not possible.’

‘Can he get pension?’

‘He must be getting pension.’ Santlal said confidently.

‘Sir, a paltry sum of few hundred rupees is a joke. Can we offer him some compensation?’ Raghu requested Santlal.

‘I am afraid we can’t. The funds are allocated for sportsperson who are currently playing. Sportsmen, who are lost in memories, have no scope.’ Santlal did not mince any words.

‘Can you talk to some corporate?’ Raghu was worried.

‘He is old, uneducated and physically unfit. Forget it.’ The discussion was getting on Santlal’s nerves.

‘Sir, please do something.’ Raghu pleaded.

‘Alright, let me think… Tell me you want compensation for him or motivation for boys?’ Santlal looked into Raghu’s eyes.

‘I want the work done, Sir’.

‘Good. Come here. Do what I ask you to do.’ Santlal gave inputs to Raghu.

A notice was placed on the information board of the campus. All the sportsperson were asked to assemble in the ceremony hall at 5.00 p.m. for a surprise announcement. The campus became vibrant due to the sudden turn of the event. The surprise element added more attraction. Everybody wanted to know; “what’s on the cards”. Everybody made them seated in the hall by 4.45 p.m. in silence. 

Raghu went to the podium and started speaking;

“Dear Sportspersons!  My colleagues and Chairman Sir!

Our sports league has been working for the upliftment of the sportsperson of the country tirelessly. We have helped our sportspersons get jobs, start business’s and even opportunities to work with the league as a coach. Our efforts have helped the sport, sportspersons and their families.” Raghu was reading the script as desired by Santlal.

‘Only Politicians and Officials have gained. ‘Sportspersons’ are running your show, Raghu.’ Somebody from the crowd shouted. The hall was in an uproar.

Raghu gasped for breath. Words were not coming out. He somehow gathered courage and said;

“Today we have gathered here to felicitate a great sports personality who has represented on the national and international level. He won many silver and gold medals in 1970’s to 1980’s. He has made us proud.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to present our own P. L. Uttam. May I request Mr. Santlal to come up to the stage to present the cash award, felicitation letter and “lifetime achievement trophy” to Uttam Ji.” Raghu somehow managed to deliver what was promised.

‘Your prediction has come true!’ said Uttam to his wife Lata. Lata somehow managed to reach the venue to be with him.

‘Yes. There is a big change in the offing. We can use the cash award money to buy a ‘Red Ruby’ for you’, said Lata to Uttam.

‘Red Ruby?’

‘Yes it has majestic properties. Deeper the Red color better it becomes’, said Lata to him.

‘Alright. Come with me to accept the award’, said Uttam to her.

‘Me?’ ‘No…No…’

‘Come, you have suffered more than me. I wanted to share this moment with you’, said Uttam.

Sportspersons were ecstatic when Uttam accepted the award in Lata’s presence. Everybody present gave a standing ovation to acknowledge his contribution to the game. Uttam was already famous among the sportspersons. They loved him not only for his game but also for being a noble soul. Lata’s eyes got moist seeing the affection of the people.

Raghu requested Uttam to say a few words.

“My Dear Boys….” The sportspersons were jubilant when Uttam spoke. Raghu and Santlal were tensed for obvious reasons.

“…Raghu Ji and Santlal Sir. This is a pleasant surprise. I’m speechless. I gave my whole life to the game. Nobody was better than me in my district, state and then the country. A coach like Raghu persuaded me to come to the city and embrace the game. He promised that my life will change forever. I did not want to come but……..but the promise of living a better life pushed me to this ‘big city of dreams’.” Uttam wiped tears fallen down his cheek.

“Initially, it was good but….later it became worse. My game is not worshiped like ‘Cricket’. We had to sell our household goods for survival and then Lata’s cancer broke my back. Politicians came and went; promises were made but not honored.” Uttam took a deep brseath.

“I believe that the bad days are over. I am overwhelmed with the love showered on me by the sports body. I want to thank coach Raghu and Chairman Santlal for their gesture.

‘Thank You All’ for the love showered on me.” Uttam saluted all the sportspersons.

The excitement among sportspersons was enormous. They carried him on shoulders till his house.

‘You have made me proud’, said Lata while she adored the trophy.

‘Let me open the felicitation letter’, said Uttam.

‘No…No…Wait’, said Lata in a haste.

‘What happened?’

‘I will go early morning tomorrow to buy the ‘Red Ruby’, same as you wore during your playing days. Once we have it in our home then only you open the letter’, said Lata.

‘Arrreee Lata’, Uttam was slightly irritated.

‘Please. Please. These days have come after so long. I want the ‘good omen’ to stay with us’, Lata pleaded.

Early next day she went to buy the ‘Red Ruby’. She rushed back once she made her mind on the ‘right one’.

‘What is this?’ ‘You have opened the letter’. Uttam had the letter in his hand while the envelope was lying on the ground.

Uttam did not speak anything. She thought he was too afraid to respond.

‘This means you do not love me….Why are you quiet? Say something.’ She pushed him.

His neck rolled over. Uttam was No More!

Lata read the ‘felicitation letter’:

“Uttam Ji, 

Thanks for coming.

We respect you and are proud of your achievements. Sportsperson like you who have a ‘noble heart’ is difficult to find. It was unfortunate that you had to face so many hardships. You would not like that same happens to young sportsperson of our league.

We hope that you understand us. Your presence in the league is ‘demotivating’ for the sportspersons as they feel of a ‘bleak future’ like you. We request you to ‘stop’ coming to the league with immediate effect. We are giving you rupees five thousand cash. Please treat the same in lieu of ‘one month notice’ money payable to you.”

Yours Sincerely,

Santlal

Lata was in a state of shock.

She looked at the trophy, ‘Uttam’ and the ‘felicitation letter’.


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What Goes Around Comes Around (True Story)

Amitabh was a well-respected banking professional. His penchant for numbers, foresight and people management was appreciated by his seniors and teammates alike. He was a 'role model' for people working with the organization. His contemporaries were jealous of him and watched his moves closely. His company promoted to the position of “General Manager” to reward him for his achievement. As expected, the business grew further under his stewardship.

Amitabh was not happy. He was bored with the regular routine job of a Corporate. He wanted to make it Big…. Really Big! He left his job as the 'General Manager' of the bank to start his fabrication production house with help from one of his friends. Although the picture was rosy initially but the initial helped remained initial only. His friend made it very clear that if he wants to survive then he must run the business independently. Business was low, whatever orders he hand on hand were not enough to run the show. He must grow or shut down.

Ravi who had joined as the CEO of a Buying House came to know that a team was traveling to Jaipur to have discussion with production houses for supplying a big order for Europe Market. Although he was not required for business meetings but still accompanied with the team to “Jaipur”. The real reason was not a "break from the office" but he wanted to meet Amitabh. 

Amitabh as a banking professional had helped his customer Ravi during a financial disaster. Amitabh walked the “extra mile” to make things comfortable for him at the time of distress.

Ravi left the team and asked the driver to straightway head to Amitabh’s corporate office. He was surprised to learn that Amitabh had left his "cushy job" and had started on his own. The staff was decent enough to share his number and the production house address. He thought it was a better idea to go to Amitabh’s production house rather than making a call.

Ravi was shocked to see the current situation of Amitabh. The production house was in shambles. Amitabh who used to enjoy a corner office in the bank did not have proper chairs to sit in the office. When prodded by Ravi, Amitabh told him about the current situation. Ravi immediately called his team to Amitabh’s office with samples. He showed the samples to Amitabh and asked; whether he was competent enough to produce them and also at what price?  His team resisted as they were at a advance level of discussions with other suppliers. He stuck to his guns and said he had full confidence in Amitabh for quality and value.

Amitabh gave a very competitive quote but did not have enough money to fulfill the order. Ravi told about his relationship to his management and got sanction of advance for Amitabh to process the order. The order was big enough to “Run the Show” for “Over a Year” for Amitabh.

Amitabh never looked back. His organization is a medium export house now. He exports to Asia, Europe and US. He recently bought a company into food retailing.

* Name and Locations have been changed to protect identity. 

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