The Cauvery Water fiasco needed a multi-prong strategy for resolution. We couldn't afford to put all our eggs in one basket. The scene shifted from the Neighbour- Watchman network and we were back to the Drawing Board. Grandma began by addressing Grandson, " Do you know that the plumber and JCB have gone off without giving us the water connection? That road cutting is not for our connection. We should have checked what was going on. This is what happens when nobody in the house takes an interest in domestic chores. Now how can we persuade him to come back for our work. He may even demand a monetary penalty for our omission for our fault. Instead of standing with him as he worked, we were twiddling our thumbs and now....gloriously left HIGH AND DRY... , she ranted.
Grandson, perhaps realising that the situation was very hot; that it called for diplomacy rather than argument came up with a facetious solution. " Since you accept that it is our fault, let us pay whatever he asks-even if it is Rs. 10,000 or 20,000 whatever. If Rs.20000 is what it takes to bring the plumber back, let us give him that amount. If he wants more, we can always negotiate. AFTER ALL, WE ARE NOT PAYING HIM TO DO HIS JOB, WE ARE PAYING HIM FOR REMEMBERING THAT OUR HOUSE AND CONNECTION EXIST. AND DIDN'T YOU PLY THE ENTIRE CREW WITH YOUR TIPS. SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
"TWENTY THOUSAND RUPEES FOR A WATER CONNECTION WHICH THE WATER BOARD IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE." Grandma was aghast.
Grandson however was not done yet. " Think of it this way, Patti"., he said cheerfully. The first connection lasted fifty years. If this one lasts another fifty years, at just Rs. 400 per year, your outlay of Rs. 20,000 is recovered. That is worth a lot more than worrying about it everyday!" Impeccable logic, of course.
Grandma was aggrieved. Firstly she could never understand the generational shift in economic perspectives. It was ridiculous that we should pay for a public utility service. Tips were different but not such massive handouts. Also the uncertainty of the outcome, the dependence on others and the loss of her independence totally frustrated her. In a sudden burst of practical wisdom, Grandma announced her solution. " Enough of this Plumber and his JCB. Let us forget this connection altogether. We shall simply transfer water manually to our sump from the other connection in the new house. At least, we won't have to pay hefty sums to anyone", she concluded.
Kalpana nearly fainted on hearing this. " Aiyo, Amma", she wailed. " How can I possibly transfer water everyday from the other tank. I already have a bad back". Grandma wasn't impressed with this plea. " What have times come to!" she exclaimed. " It all depends on how efficiently you organise the plumber through your networking". Kalpana nodded, anxious to get going with her networking, intent on fine tuning it under threat of Grandma"s fanciful ideas. " Oh God," she prayed. " Save my back".
The incident unfolded around Dussera time. Came the auspicious day of Ayudha Pooja, when tools, machinery and implements are worshipped for their efficient functioning. Everyone was convinced that the Plumber and his gentle monster would surely put in an appearance to be feted and fed with appropriate Dakshina, flowers and fruits. " Today, surely the SUPREME AYUDHA, the JCB and its mahout, the Plumber will visit", Grandma declared and we waited with flower and Pooja offerings for the great JCB and its Mahout. But no sign of either and we were left, anxious and disappointed.
Our strategy and vigil continued nevertheless with constant enquiries with the Watchman and the Neighbour on tracking the whereabouts and movement of the elusive plumber. The neighbour assured us that she would alert and notify on any intelligence received about the plumber. After all, how could anyone miss the sharp ear-piercing metallic honk of the JCB, which always heralded its arrival,
Now and then, we do hear this metallic clang somewhere in the distance and scurry to the gate to check whether the JCB has graced us with its arrival. However the JCB did arrive one day into our road , proudly displaying its logo - ON BWSSB WORK, leaving nobody in doubt about its official mission. But what the mahout made his Gentle Monster do was anything but official. He was in no hurry to finish the job that he had been engaged for. Instead he seemed quite happily engaged in deploying the JCB to collect and stash away another resident's garbage, that had been lying on the road. This pleasurable diversion for the plumber was apparently the result of a combination of the Watchman's native shrewdness and regional camarederie. No doubt, all stakeholders, namely the Watchman and the Plumber would have benefitted abundantly.
Our once crushed hopes have revived after the Unofficial appearance of the JCB and the Plumber. The wait continues but the vision of the maiden pouring water from a pot sustains us. Nature may decide the course of river Cauvery but of course, but for a home in Bangalore, it is the Plumber who will determine this.
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