Wastage control as a philosophy of life

Wastage control as a philosophy of life

This event has occurred during the year 1969 in Ajmer , Rajasthan. When I was in Hindustan Machine Tools , two of us had set out to visit a couple of shops to raise funds for an upcoming Shiva Temple in our colony, as the organisers have allotted us, Ramganj in Ajmer. One evening, both of us were at a provision shop. Due to un-anticipated rain, power fluctuations were observed. One of the staff, has lighted the candle but forgot to extinguish the candle, when the electricity was restored. The shop owner shouted at the staff and advised him to save the candle when the electricity is restored. With a humble posture, the staff nodded and said that he will follow. After a couple of minutes, the electricity went off once again. The staff immediately seized a match stick and tried to light it. Again the shop owner shouted at him and said in a loud voice, “Wait for a couple seconds for the electricity to return . If it takes more time, then you can use the match stick. This way you can save one match stick.”  After hearing this conversation , I signaled to my friend that we should move on to the next prospective donor and not waste our time, as the shop owner seems to a miser of the first order. My friend nodded with a smile and told me to have little more patience. A little later, the electricity got stabilised and the shop owner turned to us and acknowledged that as we have come for a good cause to his shop, he will help us. The shop owner asked me how much I am donating. I told him that out of my first salary of Rs 400 , I have reserved Rs 50 for a good cause and kept it separate. I shall donate from that amount. He then turned to my friend and asked him the same question. He also said that he will also give Rs 50. The shop keeper took Rs 50 from my friend and gave us Rs 250/- as a donation and told us to make 2 receipts , one for Rs 50 for my friend and the other Rs 200 from his side as a donation. He further told me that I should pick up my first salary saving of Rs 50 from my house and donate in my name. I admired the elderely Marwadi Shop Owner’s approach in pooling Rs 300 from 3 different sources for the donation. I always remember this event. On those days one Kg of first quality of Paramel rice was sold for Rs 2.25.  I narrated the incidents which happenned during the last couple of minutes to the shop owner and requested him to explain his contribution to the temple donation. The owner kept his hands on my shoulder and then summed up.  “When a Paisa is to be saved , it must be saved. When a Rupee is to be saved, it is to be saved. When hundred rupees is to be spent, it must be spent”.

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Rangarajan Bangalore 18.07.2013 03:00 pm