Another time, another George
If there is a Mumbai-walla who is in the news come rain or shine, Coke or Pepsi, it is George the dragon-slayer as he was once known.
Today, George Fernandes is not just a fallen Defence minister. He is and will always be a soldier to the very core of his being, a courageous nationalist willing to lay down his life for his country.
More soldier than many I have served under. More nationalist than the self appointed custodians of recent “nationalism” whose practice defies the comprehension of ordinary Indians like me.
I remember the times, years ago, in the early 60’s, when George the diehard socialist lived in the house of Himmat Jhaveri, a brother socialist. They were close friends of my sister and her husband who lived next door.
Very often they had pot luck at my sister’s place whose doors were, and still are, specially open to desperate and impoverished characters, including socialists, who live with friends when they were not living on the streets or the platforms of the Victoria Terminus.
I once slept on a bench of a Railway station. Mahim Railway station to be precise. I was courting a Mahim girl who later married me for reasons best known to her. I wouldn’t have done it, if I were in her place.
I had dropped her home after some festivity and had missed the last train home, I had slept in my sharkskin suit and woken up without a crease or a crumple. Which I later discovered was the big difference between the other George and me. Which is also the difference between becoming Squadron Leader and becoming a Defence Minister.
Contrary to popular belief, George had, at least in those days, more than one pair of kurta-pyjama. When he visited my sister with Himmat Jhaveri he wore them on alternate days. He was an eloquent and elegant speaker and truly believed that socialism would soon change the face of India as well as the world. And we believed him and every time he won an election we cheered him.
We knew then, in the heart of our hearts, who this really admirable man would one day become. We had not calculated that the “equality, fraternity and liberty” he spoke about would one day, through the irresponsible use of liberty by his fraternity, become his “unbecoming”.
When I look back at him in my sister’s house quietly singing “Que sera sera” and putting my little nephew to sleep, I can understand both the crumpled pyjamas and the tragic and undeserved consequences of the song.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Mr. Menezes,
How lovely to read so much of your work. Yes, I’ll keep visiting this site… May you wield your pen more and more and more.
Love and regards
June 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Thanks
How is your writing going?
Must chat
George
June 18th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Hi George,
It was great leafing through your site. You are one of the few I know who write just as they speak and speak just as they write.
It was fun meeting you online.
Hansel
June 18th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Thanks
Hope you know that what you have said about me often lands me in deep trouble
Worth it all the same
George
June 18th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Dear George,
It was nice to read your satire article once again, which you are famous for. I look forward to read and enjoy many more.
Let your pen keep on writing and your articles keep us smiling.
Thanks,
Regards.
Dominic D’Souza
Colorado, USA
June 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Dear Dominic
Years and years and we never forget !
Friendship is the final bastion for people of my age
Is Colardo affected by the recent floods?
Take care
George
June 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Squadron Leader,
I’m thrilled to get into your website for the first time. I hope to visit this Oracle for dharshan often. Happy launching and anchors aweigh!!!
Fondest regards
Arnold
June 21st, 2008 at 7:03 am
What would writers like me do without the the adulatory messages I get from you these last few years ?
Look forward to your tearing some writing of mine to pieces and posting it on the web site
Being criticized “is like mother’s milk to me” as Eliza Doolittle said in “My fair Lady”
George
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Dear George,
Its good to see that age has not Blunted your sense of humour, or satire, or your choice of words. It is sad but socialism will never come to India. It has now become a capitalist paradise.
Keep on writing as the Pen is always mightier than the sword.
Best Regards
Abani Dutt
October 24th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hi George
Thought this link of a write-up of mine on GF might interest you.
http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/achievers_view.asp?a_id=24
Richie
October 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Thank you Richie
That was a nice very elaborate piece on George Fernandes
He is to come for sheet-kodi to my ouse
I loved and admired him
We let each other down. I in small ways because I am a small man. He in big ways because he was India’s moderate future. Alas now not vocal at critical times
George