Planchet

Samaranand was taking his usual round of lake, the previous day it had rained heavily, the broad road in the lake perimeter was still submerged, a very few morning walkers. He took his usual seat by the side of that historic cannon, he could see a sadhu like guy in beards,dhoti, kurta was in meditation  in another concrete bench. He also got in the mood of meditation when he felt someone came and sat by the side of him, from the fragrance of the deodorant he could know that his side kick Babulal had arrived. With his eyes closed Samaranand  said, “ Hope everything is fine? “

“Yes, I have been busy with Soumaya in preparing guess papers for schools, now we are preparing guess papers for 4 schools out of which 2 are English medium.”

“What is the striking rate of Soumaya?”

“He has honed his computer programme and getting about 80% success.”

“It means you are now earning a neat sum!”

Babulal shyly nodded his head.

Here the reader those who are reading this for the first time should know that Babulal who had been with a street magician in Delhi as assistant, later he was helping a fraud sadhu near Delhi and finally he ran away from Delhi and met Samaranand at the lake, became his assistant. Samaranand was supporting him by paying a monthly sum but now he does not require that as he had started his own side business of preparing guess papers for various classes of different schools with the help of Soumaya ,a computer geek who has created an algorithms for creating guess paper.

Babulal said, “While talking to a school student I came to know that his father attends planchet regularly to get in touch with his dead  elder brother Bishu who died in a motor bike accident 2 months back. He too was studying in the school but was in final year. I smell something fishy and Subimal also is worried!”

Samaranand himself a man of science does not believe in this type of supernatural things.

“There must be money involved, the medium must be taking a hefty sum!” Samaranand said smilingly.

“Yes, each sitting he charges 10,000! His father has a jewelry shop and makes good money.”

“Who took his father to this fellow?” Samaranad asked.

“Curiously it was this boy’s cousin brother! After every visit his father comes back pleased as he could talk to his dead son.”

Samaranand was curious about this case so asked Babulal to facilitate a meeting with that Subimal’sfather.

Next day Subimal took Babula and Samaranad to his father’s shop in Gariahat. Nirmal Babu was free as it was around lunch time, he was nearly 50 years old, there were pictures of god displayed in the shop.

As Subimal had already told his father about Samaranand who he introduced as uncle of Babulal.

After some small introductory talks Samaranand expressed his desire to go with Nirmalbabu in his next session with the medium. First Nirmalbabu was reluctant but on his son’s insistence he agreed to take Samaranand which was on next Friday.

The appointment was in the evening in a house in Elgin Road, it was one of those dilapidated houses. Samaranand and Nirmal babu went by Nirmal Babu’s car. They entered the old style drawing room with lot of antique furnitures and almirah full of books. A smart looking  young man in jeans and T shirt was waiting for them, as Nirmalbabu had already informed them that he would bring a close friend so that man was not surprised to see Samaranand. The light in the drawing room was dim, a round table with a few chairs was in a corner, a frayed sofa set was in the center. It had two doors, the door connected with outside verandah and the second door connected with the house. He invited them to sit on sofa and informed Nirmalbabu the medium would be coming soon. After about 5 minutes a frail looking mid age man of medium height ,disheveled hair in kurta pajama entered the drawing room from the inner door. Looking at him Samaranand thought that the man looked as though he was drugged. That youngman Sunny introduced the medium as Nishikant to Samaranand. After formalities Sunny said, “’Let us go and sit around that round table.It is good that Mr.Samaranand is there so I don’t have to organize a fourth person to complete the circle.”

Samaranand realized that Sunny was the key person in that event.

They all sat around the table.

Sunny said, “We will all hold next man’s hand and concentrate on the picture  of Bishu. I will put off the light. Mr.Samaranand if you have cell phone then mute that.”

Samaranand took out his Note 4, drew the pattern to unlock and dragged down the setting bar. He put his Bluetooth on and noticed that his mobile was catching a signal in the room, he put the volume in ‘mute” and kept the mobile on the table.

Sunny put off the light, the diffused light from the street light through the window was creating a mesmerizing ambience.They held each other hand, after a few minutes there was a faint coughing sound and aroma of a scent was wafting in.

Nirmalbabu whispered ,”Bishu is here, I can smell his scent.”

“Bishu how are you my son.”

The lips of Nishikanta was moving, his eyes were closed and looked as though he was in trance.

“Yes,Baba! I am fine.” The voice was appearing to come from Nishikanta but was sounding as though coming from a distance.

“Bishu, last time when I spoke to you then you wanted me to do something, what is that?”

“No,no I don’t want to burden you!” the faint voice floated in.

“Please don’t hesitate to ask, I insist!” Nirmalbabu sounded adamant.

“Ok, if you insist, please give Rs 10 lacs to these people so that they can perform some rituals to keep my soul happy.”

“Oh, don’t worry I had kept fixed deposit for that amount in the name of each of you brothers. I will organize that soon.” Nirmalbabu sounded relieved.

‘How is Subi? Is he busy with his computer game?”

“Yes, he is always with his computer. Your room I have kept as it is. The picture of Ronaldo is still there, your laptop is on the table as it was. Your bed is made every day as though you are still there. In the evening after closing my shop I spend sometimes on your bed.”

“Ok,baba ,now I have to go!” The voice slowly died down and Nishikant slumped in his chair.

Sunny quickly got up,switched on the light and escorted Nishikant to the sofa. He sprinkled water on his face, slowly Nishikant opened his eyes and came to his senses.

Nirmalbabu said,” I will try to organize the money as early as possible, I want Bishu to be happy, any way I kept that money for him only.’

Nirmalbabu and Samaranand walked out and started walking towards the car. Samaranand could feel that the whole thing was a scam to take money from Nirmalbabu .How to prove?In his mobile he has seen a Bluetooth speaker signal.

Samaranand said,”If you don’t mind I will advise you to hold on for sometimes. Don’t rush with money. I may come up with something.”

Nirmalbabu being a businessman realized that he should be cautious with money though during the séance he promised to act because of the spell of that moment while talking to dead Bishu,his eldest son.

Samaranand got down near the lake where Babulal and Soumay with Subimal were waiting.

While returning Samaranand had hatched a plan where he required Soumaya’s computer talent.

He asked Subimal,” Is there any chance that your cousin brother Biren has either audio or video recording of your dead brother Bishu's voice?”

“Yes, many recording as I would upload our videos of social events in YouTube which my cousin brother Shibu has watched.”

Samaranand then laid out his plan to Soumaya and Subimal.

“Subimal you put those videos of your brother in a pendrive and give to Babulal or Soumaya.”

To Soumaya he gave elaborate instruction what he should do with those videos. He also told him if he requires any guidance then he can contact his IIT friend Biswanath who is master in computer algorithms. He gave Biswanath’s mobile number to him and promised Soumaya that he would tell Biswanath that he would contact.

Soumaya was to act within a week and be ready with the software.

Samaranand advised Subimal to inform his father that they have found another medium and convince his father to give a try. Babulal would check with Subimal after two days  whether he could convince his father with the plan of alternate medium.

After two days Babulal met Samaranand to finalize the plan.

As usual they were sitting on a bench at the lake. It was cloudy but not raining. The weather was good, Samaranand was in his shorts,Tee and cades. Babulal was in black Tee, blue jeans, sneakers with spikey hair style.

The plan was very simple, there will be Jishu, Samaranand’s friend as medium because he was frail looking middle aged man ,widower who was staying in one of the MIG flats near central park of Golf Green with his servant. Soumaya would edit the recordings with the help of a software which he and Biswanath Chatterjee had developed. It will have only Bishu’s voice which would instruct something or will give short replies. Samaranand had already noticed what kind of questions Nirmalbabu asked.Babulal informed that Subimal has more or less made his father agree to go to another medium. Samaranand asked Babulal to fix  Nirmalbabu with the help of Subimal next Friday for the session at 7 pm with Jishu in Golf Green.

Next Friday in Jishu’s house Babulal and Soumaya had come earlier to fix Bluetooth speaker and digital playback system. They remained unnoticed in the bedroom which they were using as control room. Samaranad entered with Subimal and his father Nirmalbau in Jishu’s flat at 5 minuters to seven. Jishu was an avid reader so the drawing has two almirahs full of books and which impressed Nirmalbabu, he knew that he had not come to a fraud. After introductions they decided to proceed with the séance , Subimal got up and put off the light, it was full moon night, the room was lighted by the moon,it was pretty eerie ambience. All four Samaranand,Nirmalbabu,Subimal and Jishu held each others hand around the center table of the sofa. The smiling picture of dead Bishu was on the center table. They all closed their eyes, a faint music was wafting in from the next room. Soumaya was playing a record player for the effect,Babulal stealthily sprayed Bishu’s favourite essence in the drawing room. Nirmalbabu became alert by the smell and murmured ,” My Bishu has come?”

Jishu’s lips were moving, “Baba good to see that you have come here.”

Nirmalbabu’s body became taught, it was the voice of his dead son.

Nirmalbabu asked, “How you can come in this place, I thought that address of Elgin was known to you, that is what Biren told me.”

A slight laugh was heard in the air, a light cough and then the voice simmered in ,’” I am just a soul now and can be called by any medium but what address you are talking about? I have not gone to any other address.””Nirmalbbu was perplexed, he asked,’ The other day you asked for 10 lacs for those people so that they can do something for you to be happy.”

“No baba, don’t spend any more money for me, how any one can do something for afterlife, it is not possible. You have already performed Shradha which was to make my soul rest in peace.”

Nirmalbabu was totally puzzled and could not think of any more questions to ask.

Jishu’s lips moved,”Baba this may be my last conversation with you. My request to you is that don’t fall in that trap. Biren is using your weakness for me to extract money which they would share.”

Nirmalbabu as such knew Biren, his sister’s son was a good for nothing character but his son’s death had confused him.

Then Nirmalbabu asked, “I heard your voice there , how is it possible?”’

“”Here also you are hearing my voice.”

“Yes, then how is that possible?”’

“Ask Subi, he will explain.Now I have to go.”

Subimal got up and put on the light, Jishu was looking at Nirmalbabu who was looking confused. Samaranand then explained how voices can be doctored by using softwares and then took him to the bedroom where Babulal with a big smile was standing and Soumaya was operating the system. Samaranand told him, “Those rascals have used the same technique as Biren has downloaded the videos of Bishu and doctored those.”

It did not take much time for Nirmalbabu to understand the scam which was played on his sentiments for his dead son. He thanked Samaranand for exposing the reality by showing him the technology which was used. Samaranand told him, “’ It is a kind of phishing, which means by disguising as someone else to extract information, money etc from another person.”

Next day Samaranand met Babulal and Soumaya at the lake. Samaranand told them,’” Nirmalbabu wanted to give me one lac rupees as reward but I told him to give that to both of you. Babulal you better collect that.”

“’Yes I got a call from Subimal to collect the money from him.”

Samaranand patted him affectionately, winked at him and said,” I have a plan which I will tell you afterwards.””

Education in crossshair

India produces 17 lacs graduate engineers every year for an economy of 5 trillion dollar or so whereas US with 45 trillion-dollar economy produces less than 2 lacs engineer. The surveys show that out of 17 lacs engineer hardly 5 lacs get job related with engineering. Basically graduation is the minimum criteria for getting a job.

During my student days in Delhi we knew that one becomes graduate to get a job as clerk, for chaprasi class 8 pass was enough, which later on became matriculation. The career option were offered in form of UPSC examination for Clerical, Assistant grade and IAS. Then of course there were engineering, architecture, medical study were other options. Those who were not getting job would go on studying till master, Phd level which would lead to teaching job in school and colleges. It was pretty cut out, private jobs meant sales person in stores or in construction sector. My father used to tell my friends who were not good in studies to learn typing and shorthand, as per him be it private or government these two skills are must for office job. Those days every locality had typing and shorthand learning schools.

Now becoming graduate engineer is not targeted to become practicing engineer but a step to something entirely different which has nothing to do with engineering.

So my premise is that the graduation is the basic requirement for getting job but the subject of graduation has hardly any relevance with the job. The graduation does the screening so that the recruiter need not sieve through infinite number of applicants. The postulation is that whatever taught is hardly has use in real world. While selecting the recruiter looks at the capabilities like team player, leadership quality, initiative, sincerity, positive thinking etc which one does not acquire through formal education but from family and the environment where he grows up. Even mental mathematics is not acquired through education it is more or less in born quality. Our stress is more on rote system; we keep on testing general knowledge which one rarely uses in work place. The work place requires one to be disciplined, obedient, sincere towards the routine job given and which one learns within a few days. After the penetration of internet, when one has Google in his smart phone then all those unknowns are only a tap away on the screen. Recently in UK it was found that students are not aware about various towns in UK, when asked they said knowing about those is of no use to them, if required they can always Google that out. So Google has made life easier for students and they don’t have to mug, a smart phone has replaced that traditional knowledge based education. It is common knowledge that computer geeks are not gold medalists, often they are school dropouts. The other plethora of profession look for talent in a particular discipline, its tunneled completely. I came across an innovator of windmill in Australia who has done law and not engineering. Our jobs are so much mundane that most of those can be replaced by Artificial Intelligence, algorithms are the driver, machine learning is the threat.

I personally have come across many individuals during my working life those who are less educated but have more common sense. Yes common sense is the main requirement in engineering industry which comes through keen observation and absorption, unfortunately this cannot be taught. It’s either you have or you don’t. That is why lightly it is said that common sense is the most uncommon among individuals.

I know I am painting a very disturbing picture about our education system but to me it is only acting as a first level of screening but in real terms not making job ready. Every organization take the fresher through their own system, purge out the things learnt and coach them as per the requirement of the organization.  

Come to think of it all knowing Google is the disrupter, it has entered our daily life. Now I hardly devote any time to newspaper because of Google updates me in my device continuously, thus I have more time for doing my paintings which is my latest fad. I don’t give ring to my relatives or friends to find out about something which I don’t know because my Google Home is sitting there with all my answers.

It is time that in schools Google becomes a part of curriculum and thus the size of school bags will come down. The artificial intelligence has to be factored in our day to day functions. Friends this is my view and I am sure most of you will not agree with me.
I have not included specialization like medical, lawyers and some high skill jobs.