Letter To a Stupid Son
Grub Street, Narrenhaeuser.
10th January, 1960.
Dearest Teufelsdroeckh
You almost took my breath away by stating in your last letter that you were greatly amused by my previous communication, which contained some observations on India’s unique contribution to world pragmatism.
Obviously, you wanted to belittle what we as the greatest democracy of the world, as the leader of Asia, as the museum of the world’s moral conscience, as the preacher of unexceptionable idealism, as the pioneer research center on the immeasurable loquacious possibilities of the human tongue, have achieved since the year of grace 1947, which, even your cynicism will accept, is a landmark-date in our history.
The newspapers of the world are swamped by delectable utterances by all grades of Indian nationals on all possible subjects under/over/round/inside (strike out the – inapplicable words) the sun. Where on earth could such versatility be found except in the greatest democracy of the world, where we take no chances with e the individual’s liberty of speech and expression?
It is a pity that enough appreciatory notice is not taken of our achievements in the field of loquacity, where we are slowly, but surely, stealing world leadership.
England, it is rumored had a Burke and a Pitt and a Fox, a Sheridan and a Disraeli and a Gladstone. But that is about all. What has Europe or America to show in the field of loquacity/volubility / gibberish / humbug (strike out the words not required) since 1947?
Hitler is said to have mesmerized his audiences, hypnotized a whole nation but his spell ended in 1945. You are certainly on unsound ground when you dispute my thesis, put forward after the deepest thinking, I ever did in my life, that since 1947 we have been the unchallenged masters in a field, in which it now seems by comparison, Burke and Fox, Disraeli and Gladstone, Lloyd George and Hitler were only incompetent apprentices.
No Teufelsdroeckh, I shall tolerate no nonsense from you in disparagement of our oratorical achievements since 1947. You want to belittle an entire national efflorescence. What unpatriotism! What treason! Fie upon you, my seed. Like a democratic father I bid you hold your tongue in this regard. If you persist, disavowal and disinheritance will follow.
You have much disconcerted me by saying in your letter that your failure in the M. A. examination has greatly darkened your chances of progress in the world. Now Teufelsdroeckh, for Satan’s sake take pity on the flimsy nerves of an old man and don’t gall me by young man displaying willful ignorance of things in India and abroad.
Do you dare to do lodge me from a conviction that has behind it the warrant and validity of whole life of experience? You Devil’s Dung (for that is what your name means), altogether unworthy of the great Demogorgon, why on earth should you feel so downcast?
India, my son is just now full of opportunities for any with brain or brawn (preferably the latter), and you possess both, their roughness having been removed by the suave polish of education. Opportunities in modern India, I say, are galore. Every leader, from the village Panch upward, will tell you what a great adventure it is to rebuild this motherland of ours, how we should regard it a mighty privilege for our destiny to have been cast in this time and in this clime. No oracle ever spoke with greater truth and authority. You have only to provide a suitable occasion to a leader to cast about these precious pearls of wisdom.
An opening ceremony of a milk seller’s shop, for instance, will bring out rare suggestions about the vast opportunities, waiting only to be exploited by intelligent young men, in the milk selling business. Milk selling as a national industry has a great future in a land, which has the largest number of cattle in the world, particularly when the cost of maintaining cattle is so low. You need provide no shed or fodder for your cattle. After milking them you can let them loose on the streets to go and feed on your neighbor’s fodder or fields.
If the milk industry can be run on more scientific lines in India, there are still vaster opportunities. If adulteration can be done more scientifically and less crudely than at present, if for the present pondwater we can substitute filtered or distilled water for adulteration, if skimmed milk can be given a more respectable look, the hygienic aspect of the industry will greatly improve.
The inauguration of a sewerage project by a leader will make you aware of the immense opportunities of all sorts lying hidden in the noble work of earth digging and drain laying. Apart from the high and honourable wages that you will get from this work, you can with a little cleverness stand at a vantage point and appear in all those stage-managed photographs which immortalize the leader’s smile in that glorious hour of his destiny. I have given you two casual illustrations to prove that your whole approach to life in modern India is outmoded and unworthy of an Indian living in post 1947 India.
I cannot but end by repeating my exhortation of the last letter. Learn my son, to swim with, not against, the tide. Do not get caught in the stupid net of senseless morality and outmoded honesty. Be pliant, be flexible, adjust your means to your ends. There is no legal, much less moral, bar to your bank balances. If like an honest citizen you can satisfy the enquiries of tax authorities, nobody will touch your earnings got by the sweat of others’ brow. It is sheer incompetence to complain of ‘meagre opportunities’ in modern India.
May Satan bless you with God’s Light! Amen.
Your affectionate father,
— M C Sharma “DEMOGORGON”
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Professor M C Sharma has been a very popular teacher in his times at Government College, Ludhiana ( Now Satish Chander Dhawan Govt. College, Ludhiana ) . The above article has been taken from the college Magazine The Sutlej 1960 Edition with due permission from college librarian to preserve the rich heritage from withering pages and print from archives.
Here is an extract also from a book on Prof M C Sharma from a book titled :
Professor MC Sharma and his Hundred Glorious Years by The author, Mrs Sangeeta Sharma )
” Education, multilinguist, simplicity and saintliness are an ideal combo for a peaceful and contented life in today’s fast paced life. Though it seems so simple and easy on the face of it, getting all these three virtues in one individual is rare though not impossible. Multani Chand Sharma was Godly blessed with all these virtues to lead a happy, healthy and satisfied life for 4 months short of 100 years.
Prof. Sharma started his educational career with initial postings in what is now Pakistan before he moved to Government College, Ludhiana for an eventful innings teaching English and German languages.
A dedicated educationist, widely regarded for his life’s principal of Work is Worship and an epitome of simplicity, honesty and integrity, Multani Chand was an exemplary personality widely regarded and respected in Ludhiana, whole of Punjab and Chandigarh for his contribution to education, initially for English and later on for development of two prominent foreign languages, German and French in the industrial town of Ludhiana.
It was a rare feet to see him walking thru the streets of Ludhiana at times when his students would emerge from nowhere to touch his feet and seek his blessings. He carried enough warmth and had a divinely aura all his life till the time he bid Goodbye to his beloved family for commencement of his final and eternal journey on 26th February 2017.
Such was his love for the great institute, Government College, Ludhiana that he repeatedly used to say that his final journey must be thru this College which we all as his loved descendants ensured before he was consigned to holy flames.
Legends never die and …………….Professor Sharma was one such legend.
About the Author from whose book information has been taken as above besides article for The Sutlej ( 1960 ) : The author, Mrs. Sangeeta Sharma has a long teaching experience of over two decades in reputed Bal Bharati Public School, a Delhi based chain of schools to impart quality education to students. She has done her graduation in Science from Delhi University followed by B.Ed and Post graduation in Sociology.