THAMBAKU PE CHARCHA
Life as a bachelor was carefree and interesting. I was in Naval Aircraft Yard, Goa (NAY’G) in 1996 and it was with great difficulty that we used to make it to the department by 0800 hrs for the
bothwatches as we used to have late nights at the bar everyday.
One day Me and my classmate couldn’t make it in time for the bothwatches. By the time we reached the department, the bothwatches were over and our Chief incharge told us to report to the Master chief incharge of NAY’G.
The Master chief incharge was waiting for a chance to screw our happiness as he was not happy with our DISCIPLINE though we were under the impression that we were highly disciplined sailors.
We went and reported to him and as usual he started his questions…WHY ARE YOU LATE?
I told him: THE RUN WAY WAS CLOSED BECAUSE OF SEA HARRIER FLYING.
His next question: WHY CAN’T YOU START EARLY FROM YOUR MESS.
I told him: I STARTED AT MY USUAL TIME LIKE EVERYDAY.
He asked; BUT THEN WHY YOU ARE LATE?
I told him: THE RUN WAY WAS CLOSED BECAUSE OF SEA HARRIER FLYING.
He then asked: WHY DIDN’T YOU START EARLY?
I replied: : I STARTED AT MY USUAL TIME LIKE EVERYDAY . I NEVER KNEW SEA HARRIER WAS GOING TO FLY. NOBODY INFORMED ME.
This question answer session between me and the Master Chief incharge continued and we were reaching nowhere. I observed that I was only answering to the Master Chief incharge’s queries while my classmate was quiet.
Fedup of my answers, the Master Chief incharge decided to take us to the Regulating Officer. He told us to stand there and went in search of the Regulating Officer.
While the Master Chief incharge went away, I turned to my classmate and told him,”Why don’t you reply to his questions. Why should I alone answer”.
My classmate replied: "You don’t know how to tackle him. He has to be dealt tactfully."
I carefully observed my classmate. He was standing with his hands to the back and he was busy doing something with his hands.
I asked him: What are you doing?
He told: I am making some Thambaku.
I shot back: My God, Here our life is in serious crisis and you are making Thambaaku?
My classmate coolly replied: Don’t worry …nothing will happen. I will handle it.
Meanwhile , the Master Chief incharge returned and said to us: TUM LOG IDHAR HI KADE RAHO. ‘RO’ SAAB AAYA NAHIN HAI ABHI THAK. UNKE AAANE KE BAAD MAI TUM LOGON KO UNKE PAAS LE JAOONGA.
He went and sat on his chair and started doing his work. He was looking a bit irritated.
After some time, My classmate went near him stretched his hands and said,”Masaab, Thoda Thambaaku leejiye. Fresh ho jaaoge."
The Master Chief looked at him and gave a 440 volts smile glowing on his irritation filled face.Without any hesitation he took the thambaaku offered by my classmate and started chewing it.
After a while he looked at both of us and said, “Chief saab logon …Time par aaya karo. Please Carry on now. Don’t repeat it ”.
I along with my classmate turned back and started walking towards our department.
My classmate smiled at me with a twinkle in his eyes and said, " This Master chief has a weakness for Thambaaku. I know that.That's why I was quietly making Thambaku while you were busy arguing with him."
Quietly Listening to him I was wondering all the while the tremendous effect THAMBAAKU has got on Inter personal relations.
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