In keeping with the promises made by statesmen of a grander and greater Bangalore with better infrastructure, new water pipes were being laid across the city, generally presenting a messy scnario of dug up roads, heaps of brown mud and gravel piled randomly. However the capacity of Bangaloreans to tolerate Infrastructure turmoil is infinite.. With promises of a better water supply, our hearts filled with hope. Visions of the Bangalore Water Authority's logo of a demure maiden pouring water from a pot coupled with the motto- "'FROM COORG TO THE STARTUP CITY, IN TIME FOR YOUR MORNING BRUSH, CAUVERY GUSHES INTO EVERY TAP" enchanted us. In particular we, the residents of Spencer Road were hoping for a better supply through larger pipelines which meant we could probably get clean, sparkling water directly in our kitchen, without being stored in a dark, damp sump for our drinking and cooking purposes.
The matter was of considerable significance to Grandma, who had been concerned about the declining quality and supply of Cauvery water.The servant added her own bit of masala," Amma, they are laying bigger pipes this time around ". Grandma nodded her head happily.' Now for some clean water directly flowing into the kitchen at last at last", she said, warming to the thought.
Little did we suspect what lay in wait.
The laying of pipes in our locality had begun. In fact, the work in the neighbouring road had been completed and now it was our turn. The JCB , to be used for the road cutting aarived at last. For some strange reason, it reminded me of R. K. Narayan's The Road Engine- a huge but gentle elephant chucking out mud and sand much like the way elephants lift logs of wood. A well trained elephant does its job properly-so would a good JCB. Or so we thought, little knowing how wrong we were.
There was considerable noise and commotion on the road with the arrival of the gentle Monster Machine. We, the household left the JCB and its mahout, the lordly Plumber to their devices. The menfolk declared that they were not to be bothered. So explicit instructions were given to our good, old servant to keep an eye on the action in the road, update and generally act as a Pointsman.
Grandma was, however of the firm opinion that the labour class never do a proper job properly unless constantly prodded and supervised. Accordingly, she sent the servant out at regular intervals to check whether the JCB was still there and that the work was progressing. So the servant flitted in and out of the gate innumerable times, partly to carry out grandma' s instructions and partly for some chit-chatting.
In this manner Kalpana, the servant became the Chief Executive of Project Cauvery, a responsibility she took quite seriously. The JCB's arrival caused a stir in our house particularly because of our Water Paranoia. In India we seem to believe that a little speed money paid even in advance is absolutely essential not only to ensure that the work gets done but even to ensure that the worker stays around to complete it. In accordance with this sound Management Principle, Kalpana in her over-anxiety and immense sense of responsibility scuttled in and out of the house a few times to hand out tips from Grandma to sundry fellows who showed up at the gate. Whether they were were the right people to tip was another matter altogether.Sundry expenses, Grandma bemoaned but the image of sparkling water from the kitchen tap wiped out all misgivings. In short, anything for the sake of water
The workers team finished their work, gathered their tools, JCB et al and departed . Grandma , accompanied by the servant , went out to inspect the day's work. The road had been cut in a straight line just between our neighbour's and our compounds. The two surveyed the scene, nodded their heads in smug satisfaction and returned home. The elephant and its mahout had done their job-or so we believed. Grandma was convinced that the road - cutting had been done in a manner to cover both houses, since the two water connections ran close to each other. She told herself, " Ayudha Pooja is round the corner. Surely the two, namely the JCB and its Mahout will come for Dakshina. I will shower them with juicy pieces of sugarcane and cash gifts even as Cauvery flows into our home ".
Our hopes were short-lived. It was only later when we cross -checked with our neighbour, that the shocking truth emerged. The road cutting had been done exclusively for their connection, not ours. " The plumber came and asked me where our meter and connection was and we pointed out to him," she said. " Accordingly he did the road cutting." " Didn't he do the same for your connection"? The servant open and shut her mouth, in bewilderment," Madam, we gave so much Bakshish. We were sure that our connection would be completed. Amma and I also inspected ". The good lady gave Kalpana some well meaning Gyan, " Never tip these workers in advance. Some fellow also approached me. I told him to complete the job. I haven't seen him since," she concluded smugly. The servant came away, wringing her hands in despair and panic. Now, what could she tell Grandma who would definitely go off into the deep end on hearing this revelation. All that Bakshish distribution had gone in waste...like the waste and rubble lying on the road. The JCB and its Mahout, the plumber had completely disappeared, without a trace, leaving us with empty hopes, and a defunct water connection. But even in this desperate situation, the importance of Community networking was not lost on us.
Grandma's consternation on hearing Kalpana's report was absolute. " What are you saying? Was the road cutting not for our connection? What shall we do now? Now we don't even know where the JCB is operating in this big city, she said in despair. " Its all our fault... people in the family should take more interest in household affairs...now see what happened. I also assumed the Road Cutting was for us...despite my age, I went out to inspect. but all efforts have been useless. I could not stand out all day checking and supervising as I did fifty years ago when the existing pipeline was laid. And look how well the connection lasted...it has celebrated its Golden Jubilee. But now no jubilation ... only calamity....this is what happens when I have to depend on others, she ended her tirade, wheeling around to the servant.
Grandma was not done yet." We could move heaven and earth and cajole the Plumber to come back to our road, if necessary by paying a handsome financial consideration....maybe even Rs 20,000 though this is a public utility. But the fault is ours...we weren't vigilant. Wait a minute...even if he agrees to come back, will he take all the trouble to reverse and bring it back into the small road, Worse where will he park. The neighbours will also object to the nuisance."
Grandma swung into action. Enough of non communication and working in isolation. It wa time to strengthen our intelligence network.The watchman of the opposite apartment was roped in. He was a North Indian like the Plumber. Patti firmly believed that that the Watchman would be able to communicate effectively with the Plumber and coordinate matters efficiently. Whether the Watchman was interested in this forced assignment was another matter. "Go and ask him what the plumber plans to do? Will he return to our road? Has he finished our road entirely? You said that he was very friendly with the plumber", she instructed Kalpana briskly.
Kalpana obediently approached the watchman with the burning question: when was the plumber likely to return since he still had to complete the individual connections. Only the Road cutting had been done so far. " Maybe a week, " he replied offhandedly. " Kya Pata! Woh Log Aisa Hi Hai.Anyway why should he worry? Road cutting for all the connections in our road has been completed.
Kalpana retreated shamefaced. How could she possibly admit our Collective Folly to a mere watchman! After all, the family had given her the Executive Responsibility of Project Cauvery and already the project had suffered a spectacular setback under her watch
What did the Watchman have up his sleeve?. We can't wait to know.
