The relentless drip of provocative words by one of the tea pluckers and their union leader had washed over the brains of the mob. The flock was in a frenzy as the entire workforce stood in front of the main gate of Chulsa’s tea processing unit with their demands from the management. The estate was infamous for brewing such kind of trouble in those days. This too was a Gherao in September 1998.
Inside the factory office, a sheet of paper with a map lay across the length of the table. The “kal-saab” with a pencil in hand was deeply engrossed in surveying and planning the strategy. Two of his colleagues were also huddled around the table giving him their best ideas. In walked the Burra-Saab and all eyes turned to him. There was tension in his manners and tightness in his face. Moving his eyes robotically - he asked Anirban, the Kal Saab, “What’s the latest?” After all, the safety of the boys rested on the shoulders of the Manager. Afreen, the LWO, informed their manager, Akhil, that the mob wouldn’t disperse unless their central leader showed up to begin a dialogue. The Manager turned to his garden assistant, “hope you’re hungry for more action Vaneet,” he prodded trying to lighten the situation.
Outside, the sun had almost reached its apex. The mob was undeterred as they were vehement on having their demands met. “Sir, we are all hungry. But for some food,” said Vaneet. They had been up and about since 6.30 a.m. for their kaamjaari but unlike the usual days, breakfast at their respective bungalows was out of the question. “It’s past 11. a.m. and Anirban has come up with a bright idea,” he added. Anirban called up the Burra Bungalow through the intercom and burra memsaab promised that she would rustle up a dozen of chicken and veg mayo sandwiches and also pack some fresh fruits and juice as soon as possible. The basket of breakfast was to reach the factory clerk, Bhupal-Babu's Basha. The memsaab too was now a part of the "secret mission”. “Anirban, how are you going to sneak the food into the factory?” she asked. “We have a plan,” replied Anirban, confident about their strategy.
The main constraint was the topography of the factory compound. But that was exactly where they discovered their opportunity. The gates on both ends were manned by the mob. There was no way for anyone to pass in or out through the gates. The factory was built on the slope of a hillock. Thus on one side, the level difference between the inside and outside of the factory compound was as high as hundred and fifty feet.
The boys put on their thinking hats and Anirban came up with a bright idea. His confidant, Balakram was made a part of this secret mission of delivering the Food Basket to the saabs. Balakram was to climb the oil pipe and reach the Basha adjacent to the factory. After a lot of brainstorming the entire plot was timed. The paper on the office table read as follows:
1. 14 minutes to climb the pipe.
2. 03 minutes to reach the Basha.
3. 07 minutes for the food to reach the basha.
So total time for the drill from the Burra Bungalow to the factory on foot was 17 minutes.
The three bachelors imagined the sumptuous breakfast that they would feast on in a matter of about twenty minutes. Breakfast organized by the burra memsaab herself was a special privilege for the bachelors. Each one involved was as discreet as possible. Bhupal Babu was not a part of this mission as there might have been a risk of him spilling the beans. The idea was that Balakram would reach at the nick of time and quickly grab the basket at the Basha’s entrance.
The Burra bungalow bearer left with the basket for the Basha with strict confidentiality. Meanwhile inside the factory compound, near the oil pipe - stood Anirban, Afreen and Vaneet - bucking up Balakram. Balakram who had expertise in climbing up the tall coconut trees in just 10 minutes failed to climb up the oil pipe in 14 minutes as per the plan. Every time he managed to climb up four feet, he would slip down by three. The light drizzle too was not in his favour. He took a step back and even contemplated taking the long way around the curvaceous winding roads to get there.
“Pagal hai Balakram?” said the Kal Saab angrily. “Don’t you realize how dangerous mob mentality can be? Try rubbing some sand on your palms, or tie your toes with rope,” they suggested. Eventually, the 14-minute climb ended in forty-five minutes. At the basha, there was no sign of the Burra bungalow bearer. Upon enquiring, Bhupal babu handed the basket to Balakram. Working as a team, the basket was smuggled into the factory.
The boys had been fantasizing about delicious chicken sandwiches, juice & fruits on their plates. They ran into the office with the basket hiding from the agitated workers. Upon unpacking the food, they stared at each other in shock. There was just a piece of sandwich, four bananas, and a wee bit of juice. They did not know what to make out of this.
Back at the burra bungalow, Bhupal babu requested to meet the burra memsaab. Presuming that it might be an emergency related to the gherao, she hurried downstairs. To her utter surprise, she got heartfelt thanks from Bhupal Babu and his family for being so kind as to send them an opulent breakfast of chicken-mayo sandwiches and the pepper fish cake which they thoroughly relished.
Glossary:
Gherao: a protest in which workers prevent employers or managers from leaving a place of work until certain demands are met
Kal saab: Factory Assistant
LWO: Labour Welfare Officer
Kaamjaari: Daily Work Supervision
Burra memsaab: Estate Manager's Wife
Burra bungalow: Manager's Bungalow
"Pagal hai kya Balakram?": "Have you lost it, Balakram?"