Introduction:
Khushwant Singh is an Indo-Anglian novelist, short story writer and journalist. He has edited several Indian newspapers, journals, and magazines. His weekly With Malice towards One and All is one of the most widely-read columns in the country. He has authored a large number of books including short stories and novels. His popularity lies in his penmanship for his trenchant secularism and humor.
KARMA
– Khushwant Singh
SUMMARY:
A first-class waiting room at the railway station. Sir Mohan Lal looked at himself in the mirror there. The mirror was worn-out and partly broken. He hated the mirror as he hated everything of India. But he appreciated his own appearance. A sahib- like neat book he wore. The train was yet to reach. He called the bearer and ordered a drink. Outside the waiting room his wife Lachmi was sitting on her grey steel trunk. She was chewing betel leaves. She was a native woman and was commonly dressed. She found a coolie to carry her luggage to the end of the platform. She was going in the inter-class woman compartment. She was not allowed to share the same compartment with her husband. Her husband was vizier, a barrister. He would meet many high officials in the train. Lachmi could not speak English. Nor she knew the ways of the English. Hence, they had their separate compartments. Lachmi hardly enjoyed the company of her husband. He visited her rarely at night, though they lived under the same roof. Even, Sir Mohan’s door was closed to Lachmi’s poor relatives. After all, Sir Mohan belonged to the upper- class. Anyway, Lachmi hastily finished of her meal. The train arrived at the station. Lachmi boarded the train. Here was almost empty compartment. She got her seat and looked idly out of the window.
Also read: Activity Questions and Answers from “THE RIDDLE” | Class – 7 | WBBSE
There was a lot of noise. Passengers were making the noise. Sir Mohan detested them. He was calm and quiet. He went on drinking wine in a leisurely way. He spent five years in Oxford University. He strictly followed the ways of the English. He rarely spoke Hindusthani. He pronounced English with a foreign accent. He could talk on any subject like a refined Englishman. In fact, he always felt at home with the English.
Sir Mohan wondered if he would have to travel alone. It was a cantonment. Sir Mohan expected some sahibs as his co- passengers. He showed no sign of eagerness to talk to the English like most of the Indians. He only waited for the chance. He created a situation which automatically arrested the attention of the Englishmen. He pretended to read The Times. He had already his Balliol tie. Then he ordered whiskey. He also opened the gold cigarette case with full of English cigarettes. All this helped him to start a conversation with the English. Then he recalled his five- year glorious life of England. He loved everything of that country. Even the prostitutes of Piccadilly were more attractive to him than his wife.
SIR Mohan’s thoughts were disturbed. He entered his reserved first class coupe. It was empty. He was sad. He began to read The Times. Just then appeared two English soldiers. They were looking for suitable seats. Sir Mohan was highly excited. He was ready to welcome them. The two soldiers ultimately chose Sir Mohan’s compartment. They ordered him to leave the compartment. Sir Mohan’s English with foreign accent came of no use. The soldiers flung all things of Mohan on to the platform. Finally they pushed him out of the train. Sir Mohan was treated as black native by the English soldiers. Self-lone on the platform Sir Mohan saw the train going away first. That time his wife chewing the betel leaves spat and sent a jet of dribble flying across like dirt.