From the fifth of January, the college started. I, along with Bhanumati, boarded the College bus at M.G. Circle. Aisha had changed her regular classes' option to online tutorials. However, it was our first day at the college, the professors made us feel like the part of an ongoing college session.
When I entered the classroom, my eyes met with the same young guy at the temple. During the interval time, he came to me to thank me again. He was happy to see me there. He introduced himself as a resident of the Dugdhu village and his name was Jaidev Bhil. He was admitted there on the grounds of EWS section. Jagriti had not arrived on the first day of college. Over the January period, I was introduced to almost the whole of my classmates and the other senior students at the college. Jagriti, however a serious and dedicated girl, flaunted her own style in attitude. One day, during the economics class, the professor asked Mukul about the macroeconomics and its scope. But he was not prepared to answer over which the professor shouted at him. The professor further asked Jagriti to answer which she fluently responded. Mukul was intimidated by her laugh at him in the class. During the interval, he came to shout at Jagriti.
Mukul: (coercion) You don't know me Jagriti. My uncle is Minister of Mines for state affairs in this state. How dare you laugh at me?
But she was fearless to respond.
Jagriti: That's why I laugh at you. Apart from enjoying the amenities of your uncle, you are nothing. Get away.
He tried to hit but I objected him to be silent. He refused and thus to defend myself and her, I hit the board that broke down into two pieces. Meanwhile, Mr. Shaunak called us to the principal's office.
Gurudev: Who is responsible for the havoc in the class? TELL ME! (He was hot under the collar on our silence.)
Me: Gurudev, I am responsible for the loss and the dispute too. I bear the pride of my class so, I am expected to take the onus of its performance, be it good or bad. They both are silent in their respect for you and me. They are innocent and I am subjected to be punished at just.
Gurudev: (to Jagriti and Mukul) So, you both accept what he said right now?
They shook their heads in their assent.
Gurudev: Agastya, you have broken the white board. You created dispute in the class. You accept to hurt my trust. You are punished to serve the students at canteen for one day.
Gurudev ordered me to spend the next day at the canteen and serve the students like a waiter. When we came out of the office, Mukul and Jagriti apologized for their behaviour in the class and the office. The next day I spent my whole day at the canteen. I got chance to meet the pupils from other faculties at the college. An elder guy had a grave situation in his family. He was the eldest of his siblings. After his father's retirement, he was expected to get a nice job that feeds the family. He was an irregular final year student of the B.HM faculty. When I heard him talking with his friend, he was not in dire need of money but he didn't know how to govern his family. His friend advised him to leave his family and stay with his wife alone.
I was irked on listening him.
Me: Are you his friend or an enemy? What kind of suggestion are you giving to your friend? What will this solve?
He asked me what else could be done to ease his life. He further emphasized on being practical over getting emotional. I urged him to answer my questions in yes or no to let me help him govern his family happily. He replied in consent.
Me: Did your father and do you expend the wealth in revering the lord, giving condolences to the ancestors, respect of the wise, welcoming the guests and helping the friends?
He answered that they did it all on their capacity.
Me: Do you take care of the health of your family members?
He answered that he seldom did it. He forgot to ask the other members about their day and their mental health.
Me: Do you listen to all the members in your family on subjects of discussion?
He answered that he heard only his parents.
Me: Do you consult to your wife, your mom and your dad on particular subjects in solitude?
He answered that he didn't do it with his parents, but he seldom did with his wife.
Me: Do you or did your father ever assign responsibilities on each member as per their capacity? And are they hailed for their achievements?
He said that it never happened in his family.
Me: Do you take updates on the necessary preparations for upcoming occasions at your home?
He said that he often did it.
Me: In any argument, do you win over others on the grounds of your rights or do you peacefully work on drawing consent in the family?
He noted that neither of his parents did so and his wife always instigated him to enjoy the benefits of power.
Me: Are women and brahmins respected in your family? They both have attachment to wealth but they can't tolerate disrespect over wealth.
He said that he couldn't figure out what dashed them despite providing them apt wealth.
Me: Do your younger siblings have trust on your guidance?
He said that he was never an ideal to be followed.
Me: Do your parents have suspicions on you? Do they fear of getting thrown out of their home? Remember, when there is not trust, a family can't exist. Even if you live alone with your wife, she will never trust you and keep enjoying as much and until she can.
He said that they indirectly warned him often.
Me: Now you know where you are missing to have an appropriate governance of your family. If you work on it, you will simply lead a happy family life. Take care brother!
''What's your name? I never saw you before." His friend was inquisitive of my presence as a new server at the canteen.
Mukul and Jagriti came up from behind to answer his inquisition.
Mukul: He is the one who cracked the CLAT entrance exams and achieved AIR 1 this year. He is Agastya. He is punished to serve everyone in the canteen for this day.
Jagriti: He is punished for our mistake.
''You have a big heart Agastya. I will try to follow your instructions. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ravi Shekhawat. And he is Chandra Dadhich."
After that day, I had formed a group of six viz. I, Bhanu, Achyut, Jagriti, Jaydev and Mukul in the college. I called it 'Utkarsha'. The Utkarsha studied together and spent hours of discussions on various topics. Sometimes, the discussions were short that ended in an hour and sometimes the discussions were at length that concluded in a week. Besides the syllabus, the Utkarsha prepared itself on multiple topics and subjects. The librarian reported about the Utkarsha to Mr. Shaunak and he reported it to the principal.
In the first semester, we studied an introductory portion of sociology, economics, history, law and legal method and the political science. The members of Utkarsha had no exam fear during the first semesters. So, after the examination, I announced it as the first achievement of Utkarsha.
But I still had doubts on the Utkarsha. I awaited the results of the examination.
The day when the results were to be announced, I could see the grim faces of most of the students. I approached to the Utkarsha to ask if it was worried of the results. It said that it was eagerly waiting for the results.
Me: May the Utkarsha sing the glory of its name!
The results were declared. Jaidev pushed himself in the crowd to view the Utkarsha's performance.
Jaidev: Jagriti is third. Achyut is sixth. Mukul and Bhanu both stand at tenth and I am eleventh.
Jagriti's face turned into a grimace. She asked him who the toppers ahead her were. Bhanu was too unhappy with the result. When she and Jagriti moved forward to review the results, they were shocked to know Aisha was the topper and I followed her. Utkarsha returned to critically analyse what they missed in their participation in the exams and what helped Aisha to surpass all of them. I laughed out.
Me: It was pride that Aisha missed out. It was Aisha who dodged arrogance. We did everything to be prepared. Even now, we are much prepared for our upcoming exams but we mustn't be arrogant of our knowledge.
Achyut called Aisha to inform her about the grand achievement. When she picked the call, she thanked everyone for their congratulations and asked him to pass the phone to me. She was grateful to me. Everyone was mesmerized by her.
Aisha: It's Agastya who is the topper. It was he who helped me every night to understand the concepts in detail. I had none other than him who helped me study. If he pours his compassion over anyone, s/he can achieve far they ever conceived in mind. I have not surpassed him while he has lifted me. He could have exceeded me but that wouldn't call me out of depression. I have no words to thank this guy. (And she cut the call)
Bhanu: (nearing to me) How long have you not slept properly Agastya? You wake up at 5 a.m. in the morning and the Utkarsha keeps you busy until 11 p.m. You further helped Aisha in her studies. When did you sleep?
Me: Utkarsha, I did it to make you understand the value of this identity. You can flourish with the principle of integrity and this is what we law students have to familiarize oneself with. Utkarsha is not a name, it's 'Prayash' to reach the highest of its' degree so far human mind has fantasized about. Utkarsha is a pure spirit. Utkarsha is the delight that every individual draws on his/her face. See yourself in the mirror to ask if you can avoid dudgeon. Ask if you can evade from the grimace of life. Ask if you can similarize the notion of individuality and the social integrity. Ask if you can conceive on the plot that can take control on greed and arrogance. Ask if you can be trustworthy and yet question on your self.
We entered the class as the professor stepped closer. He started the introduction to the penal code. He stated the background of the penal codes in the history and how they were implemented. He further gave some notable examples of the penal codes of various kingdoms in the past. It was quite difficult for me to understand the basic formulation of the penal codes that he mentioned about. I noted down the questions on my mind to further study on the economic and political situation of the respective kingdoms of the respective periods.
A month later, Brother Bhargav had prepared to leave the P.G. The P.G. members wished him a successful life ahead when he left. The day when I came to college, Jaidev came to me to inform about the then present situation of the people of Dugdhu.
Jaidev: Roopasthali Co. has surpassed most of the rules and standards of the law these days. It has been exploiting the labour for low wage and unlawfully usurped agricultural fields of the peasants. The families, who are not employed in the company, in the leadership of Acharya Lakshman are protesting against its oligarchy but to no gain. Now, with the permission of the Ministry of Mines for state affairs, the company has started to use the pond area as its wastage dumping site. The pollutants will affect both the surface and ground water which is inextricably important to the villagers. On one side, Durjaya doesn't hear any complaints from the villagers and on the other side, this company in the name of development has created havoc. The infrastructure that the company has built in the village is good but the agriculture, animal husbandry and other occupations are affected that will lead everyone to a poor life. How will the people uplift their life standards when their income is hampered? Most of the people have concluded to quit the village and shift somewhere else. The future is alarming Agastya. Do you get me?
Me: I can understand your feelings Jaidev. But we have to keep patience and act wisely. Keep watching and informing me what is happening in your village.
The sarpanch had come to the town to complain about the Roopasthali Co.'s illegal functions in the village. When he called Jaidev to be with him, Jaidev asked me to accompany him. We met the sarpanch in the evening.
Me: Greetings Acharya!
Acharya Lakshman: If I am not wrong, you are Agastya.
Jaidev: (reintroduction) Yes sarpanch. He is the noble guy who saved me at the temple. He is my classmate here, in the college.
Acharya Lakshman: (with a gloomy face) I came here to get help from the government. I asked them to have surveillance over the activities of the company but none of them heard. I wanted to meet Srinivasa too but I couldn't. Srinivasa seldom visited the village. He is often busy here. Durjaya will ruin the lives of the people. He will ruin the prosperity of the village. The villagers are willing to move away but most of them have a member who is involved in the company. The senior manager at the site, Mr. Basanta, is so cruel that he doesn't let anyone to take resignation from the company. The people can't move away leaving any of their relatives die of hunger in the village. Who will save us?
Me: Bhagwan Das!
Listening the name of Bhagwan Das, the sarpanch had his eyes wide open.
Me: You heard me right sarpanch. Bhagwan das, father of Durjaya, always wished to help the villagers to be independent of the government's support. He popularized the principles of economics in the local language and got support from the commoners. He worked to build the wells and appropriate cowsheds and horsesheds. He worked to build the low-cost irrigation channels. He was working on an effective system of governance in the village but who conspired against him sarpanch? Why does Durjaya have vengeance towards the village? What happened to Bhagwan Das that led him to flee away? Did he successfully flee from the village or was he killed in the way? What have you done for the village until now? Jaidev, recall what has your sarpanch done for the welfare of the village. Ask him if he is here for the village or if he is here for himself.
Jaidev: Sarpanch! Is Agastya true? Your eyes speak of your fear while he is clear and determined on his part.
Acharya Lakshman: What can you both do to me? You have no proofs against me. The villagers are on my side. They respect me high. How will you make them understand that I am their culprit?
The cunning sarpanch adamantly stood up and tried to move out. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he was kicked to his original seat. Jaidev was bewildered of what happened. When he looked at the door, he saw an old man standing affirm with his eyes wide open in fury. The sarpanch was too shaking like a leaf. His shivering tongue recognised the person. "Bh-ag-waan Daas!"
We took him along with us to the village. The aged men and women were happy to see Bhagwan Das after decades. They welcomed him back to the village. An announcement was made in the village to gather at the Shri Ram Mandir that day. The villagers asked Bhagwan Das to narrate what had happened to him, at once, that he fleed away. They wanted to know where and how the affluent man in the village spent his life afterwards.
Before Bhagwaan Das iterated his story, a potent security arrangement was made around him.