In the same frame

It was a hot and humid Saturday afternoon. We have been hearing news about rainfall in different parts of the country. But here in Patna  it was all dry and dusty. The day is going to be boring… I speculated. There was nothing exciting to do this afternoon…with lots of uproar on the newly released films Article 15 and Kabir Singh, it was not wise to go to watch any of these. The world cup match between Sri Lanka and India was just an eyewash. Half of the quota of Indian adrenaline rush was over with the two matches….first India –Pakistan where the latter was defeated and second India-England where latter won and had a tangential effect on our neighbour’s chances to remain in the race . So today’s match with Sri Lanka was not allocated with any adrenaline quota nationally. Now the rest half is reserved for semi final and final matches. With this analysis at hand, best option would be to go out for lunch somewhere… but what is the best option for a lone visitor? I decided to go to a small and decent place called Basant Vihar in Maurya Lok. This is one of the very few eateries which serve authentic south indian cuisine.

The place was filled families, office groups out for luncheon, and lone eaters like me. I was ushered towards the only available 4-seater table. The waiters were casually bringing ordered food to the tables, it was a cosy place with decent gentry and delicious mixed flavor of sambhar and coconut chutney . I was about to have a much awaited gastronomical experience. Suddenly the place went black-and-white. Commandoes clad in black were followed by few seemingly-authoritative men clad in starched white kurta pajama. This aura is only when you have a politician around. They requested people who occupied the two long tables at the wall to shift to another one. Everyone present was wondering who would enter next . And there came the most talked-about congress person Mr Rahul Gandhi ! As he passed by me, the followers tried to show him the direction to the table, he requested to go to the wash room. Few minutes later he settled to the corner table with around 20 other party members seated around. 8 commandoes and 10 odd local party juniors were trying to keep back the crowd…lunch to kar lene dijiye, selfie baad mein le lijiye….I somehow managed to take one by the time his food was awaited. He was in the city to appear for a hearing in the Civil court. He had defamation charge for his statement of  sab Modi chor hain during the election campaign.

I heard him order a dosa with diet coke…diet coke nahi hoga to lime soda de dijiye…he requested his party(wo)men. I offered the vacant seats at my table to the party members standing around. Next to me sat a young, fair and handsome chap looking all starry –eyed towards the recently-stepped-down- party president. He happened to be the joint ( or something similar) secretary of the state youth congress. Out of curiosity I asked the young man how and who decided that a person of Rahul Gandhi’s strature (he has one, we accept it or not) goes to such a regular eatery. “ Its his decision. He is a simple person, the janta should understand this. People are at loss by not recognizing this” I was impressed by the commitment he had in his voice. I asked him…may be what you say is right, but people will believe in what you show them. If he is a simple person, let him be a simple person…why everybody is trying to project him as an extraordinary one !  I shared my views on not being a fan of the party, to which he immediately asked …and why so? I dismissed him by saying that its personal perspective and he should not try to convert me into a supporter. He sheepishly smiled and again fixed his admiring gaze on Rahul.

 The whole evening I was thinking about this remote, impersonal acquaintance. He seemed to be very comfortable sitting in that regular eatery surrounded by general public. He had no aura and used the wash room (hello.....I don’t use it ). He may be stepped up on the pedestal where he doesn’t belong or don’t want to be …but once there , you have to rise to the occasion.  In the selfie we were in the same frame…literally and metaphorically…where I have stepped up  while he has not even started trying.