Menoculayshunal; People Peeks 1

First, let me announce that a new "page" has been entered on the tabs bar, in case you haven't observed it. MEMOIR INDEX. Having wanted to point a latecomer to this series, I recognised that Blogger labels are not a good way of sharing what is quite a convoluted set of posts. I also needed to get a handle on what exactly it is I'm doing here! Hence the new listing.

I confess, had it not been for Tomichan's encouragement (see comments there), it might have taken a bit longer to get organised. However, I spent all Saturday at it. Not because it needed that long, but because I ended up re-reading and realising that there was actually more of a flow to the series than I thought - or planned! For, truth is, there was no actual planning here!!! There is also quite a bit of existential thought going on. It is - for want of better phraseology - an occupational hazard for the philosopher. Thinking, assessing the process of thinking, determining the nature of thoughts is a significant part of the philosophical purpose. This expands into studying why the human being has so much of this process going on and, therefore, an exploration into the meaning of it all... (see last week's post).

Thus, I have as yet only brushed the surface. I thank all those of you who have stuck it out reading these posts and for engaging in some wonderful comment exchanges! You are all my mirrors. We all of us need those reflections - how else to spot the wrinkles and blemishes? It is also helping me get sharper and deeper into my writing discipline. Much needed.

That all said, where to next in this particular thread? Well, having tidied up that index and seeing how it has developed, it might now be good to share with you some of the many people with whom I spent time. Let us first meet a few of the staff. 

Amit hails from a village where the Maharashtra/Gujurat/ Madhya Pradesh borders intersect. Like many migrant workers coming to Mumbai for work, he lived with half a dozen others in a shanty. He loved when I saved my plastic shopping bags for him. They helped to seal the walls and roof against draughts and rain. He was very proud of his progress. The work at CCMT had proven stable and long-term, and he was earning a good wage for his work. Mostly he is in charge of the gate-keeping at the main entrance. Still, having proven a good and trusty fellow, he is also occasionally entrusted with minor administrative duties (post office run, deliveries and such). He was still there when I returned for a visit three years back.

There were several gate guards, but Amit was certainly the most personable and helpful.

Once in my time there, Amit got to take leave of two weeks to return to his village. He has a small-holding farm there, growing corn and keeping goats. His wife and elder son run it in his absence. He is doing well and is a cheerful personality. Willing, able - and always happy to pose for the camera!

"Subi-bhai" (Pallav Subramanian) is a long-term sevak of CCMT. He first came to Sandeepany when Gurudev was still alive. He volunteers his help during festival times and occasions that require extra hands in return for being able to sit in on classes. He is a great devotee of Advaita and of Gurudev in particular. Now he offers his service to Guruji Tejomayananda and Pujya Swami Swaroopananda and to whichever swami is taking the course when students are in.

Subi-bhai is also a migrant worker but of slightly higher status. He held an official position until retirement and has a brick and mortar home. He was one of several devotees who might be termed as ashram "hangers-on." Not necessarily invited, certainly not official, but who can still offer benefit to the community.

During the time of our batch, he mostly assisted Pai-ji with administrative tasks and helping to rally the brahmacharis; the younger lads needed some 'fatherly' discipline at times! It was useful for any correction or general discipline to come from someone other than the acharya.

L-R: Arti, Lakshmi and Pushpa. These ladies were the stalwart housekeepers of the ashram. There were one or two cleaners specific to the administrative building, and the mandir staff were different again, but all residences and general ashram buildings came under the purview of these dears. They were all mothers and helping to put their children through schooling to improve their lot. Arti's husband was also the ashram's head gardener. 

Each would earn a little extra from the students by assisting with in-room cleaning and laundry. Pushpa became a good friend to me during the times that I was bed-ridden, ensuring my cleanliness was maintained. 

Their boss was Rao-ji. Under leadership from the main office, he had his own little domain down in the quadrant area. He supervised the domestic ladies, the gardeners and all the kitchen hands. 

He was responsible for ordering supplies required for the daily running of the ashram. He was also the king of prevarication! His ability to deflect and say yes while meaning no was something that had to be experienced to be believed! Never wicked. No, one could never say that - but his was a position of small power, and he enjoyed it. Rao-ji is one of those characters in life for whom the phrase "he's in with the bricks" was created. Fully cemented and immovable. Networker extraordinaire and maker of himself, indispensable.

Thus you have an introduction to some of the population of Sandeepany, most of whom remain as residents or employed there. For the most part, the ashram workers were paid by the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, responsible for the overall workings and sub-sections of the mission. Rao-ji and the mandir (temple) staff came under Tara Cultural Trust, that being specific to the teaching aspects of the mission and the ashram compound itself. Named for Mrs Tara Sarup, a devotee of His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, who donated seven acres to build the ashram.

Next week, some of my fellow students... all the best stories are character-driven, right?