My younger son was very curious to know when I would take him to market to purchase crackers for him. In spite of assurance of buying him crackers in time, he kept on insisting that I should tell him exactly when I would be going to the market and even warned me of the dire consequences, if I did not keep up my promise. He went to the extent of threatening me of launching another non cooperation movement at my home front. I thanked God that it is going to be a non cooperation movement only and I didn’t have to tackle Netaji style massive military operation.

Desperately wanting to enjoy the afternoon nap, I was reluctant to go to the town market situated about 20km away from my place. So, smiling at him I assured that I would go to market this evening and went to sleep. I kept on thinking about Ronny’s threatening that made me retreat to my childhood, and much cherished merry time of Diwali. We use to decorate our houses with Deepak, my grandmother use to prepare lots of sweets. System of assembling at one place during some important occasions still prevailing then my parents, siblings, uncle, aunty and cousins use to join together to celebrate Diwali and Kalipuja. Being the eldest amongst siblings and cousins I used to be the team leader and under my direction we use to fabricate a crow hover kind of thing which we burnt on diwali nights. Thinking about all those happy Diwali moments, I embarked on to the Time Ship to cruise down the memory lane. I was relaxing on the third deck of the Ship sipping chilled beer with fried Pomfret. There were cool breezes and few pretty faces around. Occasionally I could see some seagulls and dolphins escorting our ship to the destination. But where are we heading to? I tried to recollect from my memory, but just then a message popped up saying due to inadequate space in the hard disk the windows is not able to retrieve the required information. God knows what occupied so much of space, is it those pretty faces around or 2 pints of Hayward 5000. Suddenly there was an announcement from the captain of the ship that our ship would be reaching the destination soon and that we would be received by a very special person. As our ship was approaching the jetty we flocked around the starboard rail to have a glimpse of that very special person. I could notice a handsome Bengali babu in typical Bengali attire waiting at the jetty with a band party. As our ship came closer to the jetty I was astonished to identify the Bengali babu, who was none other than my hero, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This was the first time I saw him in person. Earlier to this, I saw his heroic image in military out fit only in a documentary film. As soon as our ship touched the jetty he signaled the band party, the band started playing Kadam Kadam Badaye ja….. I started marching ahead to the tune of the band, halted in front of him and saluted him. He asked me to look back. As I looked back there was none, where did the pretty faces vanish? And where was the ship? I was puzzled, I turned back towards him, only to find that this time the entire band party was not there. I was sweating profusely. He comforted me with a tender coconut. He also scolded me for boozing. Much embarrassed I told him that I quit smoking last year 4th November, this year 4th November I would stop boozing too. He smiled and asked me ‘how is your Thakuma doing?’ I broke down and informed that she is no more. He said ‘who told you so? She is always with you. Yesterday only I spoke to her she told me that you miss her a lot during Diwali, and that is the reason I invited you to celebrate diwali with me this year. Come, let us celebrate a unique Diwali, which I had always dreamed about. A Diwali, which will bring Peace, Prosperity, Happiness and Good Health, for my fellow countrymen.’ He called me by my nick name Jhontu given to me by Thakuma, and asked me to follow him and took me near a boat. Then we went to another island. I could recognize this island, it is Ross Island. Netaji informed me that we will celebrate this diwali here in this island, only you and me. We will not waste any money on crackers, dry fruits, drinks; will not lit thousands of candles to exhibit our wealth. In stead I will lit only one Pradip (lamp) and pray almighty, that each Indian should be able lit a candle in his own house, each Indian should be able to sleep with filled tummy without fear of uncertainty. ‘Dear Jhontu, I need a person like you to build India the way I dreamed. Will you be with me?’ At once I replied, “Yes sir, it’s my honour to be a part of your mission”. I bowed him, to seek his blessing, he blessed me saying, Jhontu, I have to leave now, as I have to celebrate diwali with all 130 crore Indians to build the India as I dreamed. God Bless you!!! Happy Diwali!!!!!!

Suddenly there was a massive explosion near my ears……….. Bringing me back down to earth, it was my dear Ronny screaming “Baba Baba its already 6 o clock in the evening, when will you go to market to bring crackers?” Trying hard to conceal the embarrassment on my face I asked him, didn’t you have afternoon nap? To build a nation you must sleep in the afternoon. Anyway, lets get ready, we will go to market.

Tags: diwali, pradip, netaji, subhash, chandra, bose