The Changra Chick 5: The Bharat Bandh versus the Bhillage Bandh.

I live in Gurgaon. A slightly odd set up. With swanky MNC offices , malls and branded beings… but lacking public transport, drainage, electricity and water supply. ( no, the much talked about metro is just much ado.)

I am aware of public holidays and what not ONLY when my office declares it to be so in a pre - planned holiday_list.xlsx . Thus, I was naturally NOT aware of the bharat bandh.

Navigating through the traffic , rains and flooded stretches, and winding my way thru the gazillion cars, I noticed no disruption. All the cars were heading towards a pre determined and targeted glass and steel structures. Just another regular day. Actually not…. Monday. The weekend was super, and the week looked bleak.

Till I got to office. Till the Mumbai office called in to say they weren’t working . Till everyone said they weren’t aware of the bandh.(overheard...." Bharat Bandh?!?… where in Mumbai??" Im really NOT joking) .Till my CEO ( a complete Delhi-ite, FYI) got irritated.

And thus we were treated. To piping hot jalebis and samosas. In the middle of the day. Why??…. Because we collectively defied the bandh that we were not aware of.

I don’t know if there is a moral to the story. I don’t know if Gurgaon is more far removed from the rest of the country than I thought. I cant figure if a bandh is really worth it, right or uncalled for. I cant decide which of the above is a more serious issue or a sadder plight. Im not sure if I should just be pure amazed or pure shocked with the pure mad CEO. “Delhi-ite, man”… is all I can tell myself , in 18 tones and expressions so far. I don’t know if I should pity, laugh, scorn or be completely baffled by this entire situation, the people, the re actions etc. Allow me to digest it.

No, the story didn’t end there.

JivanlalJi and PawanJi ( the cafeteria folks) who were taking the stuff around to each individual desk, gave me DOUBLE the allotted quota. I had TWO samosas and EIGHT ( !!!!) jalebis looking at me.

My expression said it all.

They replied…. “Aaj bandh ke din hai, isilye. Aur aap Bangaal se hote huye bhi office mein ayo ho….!!! Isilye double. Waisebhi….. Brazil bhi nahi hai, Argentina bhi nikal gaye…. Ab aap kisko support karte ho??”

I said “ Argentina !!”

Jivanlalji: “ Aap aur ek samosa le li jiye. Bangaali ho , na !!”