Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’
Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.
As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire Ram Lal’s Dilemma: A Holiday Hustle….
☆ Witful Warmth# 35 ☆
☆ Satire ☆ Ram Lal’s Dilemma: A Holiday Hustle… ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆
Once upon a time, in a quaint little town in India, there lived a diligent fellow named Ram Lal, a government clerk who spent his days shuffling papers and dreaming of holidays. The grand festivities of the year brought him immeasurable joy; he waited for them with the eagerness of a child anticipating a long-desired toy. For Ram Lal, the holidays were not mere breaks from work; they were like the sweet nectar of life, a divine blessing bestowed upon him.
One fateful day, as Ram Lal sat in his office, savoring a cup of tea and daydreaming about the upcoming festivals, his colleague Shyamu ambled over with a grin that could split a watermelon. “Ram Lal, my friend! Have you heard? This year, several festivals fall on Sundays!”
Ram Lal nearly dropped his cup in shock. “What? Which ones?” he gasped, his heart racing as if he’d just run a marathon.
Shyamu, barely containing his laughter, replied, “Republic Day, Gudi Padwa, Ram Navami… and many more!”
Ram Lal’s face fell as if someone had snatched away his beloved sweets. “This is an absolute travesty! Holidays are meant to grant us extra time off, and here they are, encroaching upon our precious Sundays!”
That evening, Ram Lal returned home, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts. With a determined spirit, he pulled out a calendar and noted the festivals that were cruelly scheduled on Sundays. “It’s just like having the rug pulled out from under you,” he muttered, filled with indignation.
The next day at work, Ram Lal rallied his coworkers to discuss this “grave injustice.” They gathered around, their faces set in determination. Together, they decided to march to their boss and demand extra holidays. After all, if one could not control the calendar, perhaps one could at least appeal to the benevolence of their superior.
Their boss, a holiday enthusiast himself, listened intently to their plight. “Listen, my friends,” he said, stroking his chin. “We cannot alter the dates of the festivals. However, I can propose to the government that when a festival falls on a Sunday, we should get Monday off instead.”
A glimmer of hope sparked in Ram Lal’s eyes. They hastily drafted a letter and sent it off to the higher-ups, dreaming of the extra days of merriment that awaited them.
Weeks passed, and at last, a response arrived from the government. The letter proclaimed, “Your proposal has been received with utmost seriousness. The government has decided that in the future, no festival shall ever fall on a Sunday! A special committee will be established to ensure that festivals always occur on weekdays!”
Ram Lal and his colleagues cheered with jubilation, their hard work seemingly paying off. Little did they know, the wheels of bureaucracy were about to spin in ways they could hardly imagine.
The special committee, comprised of scholars and astrologers, went to work. They consulted lunar calendars, mathematical equations, and even the positions of the stars to determine the new dates for each festival. Months later, the new calendar was released, and lo and behold, Diwali was now on Wednesday, Holi on Thursday, and Eid on Friday.
Ram Lal and his friends were ecstatic! Finally, they would have holidays aplenty! But as the excitement settled, a new edict emerged from the government: “Since festival dates have been rescheduled, employees will only receive leave for festivals relevant to their personal faith. For all other days, work is mandatory!”
Ram Lal felt the ground shift beneath him. “So this is what it feels like to fall from grace,” he lamented, scratching his head in disbelief.
His elation evaporated like mist in the morning sun, replaced by the harsh reality of a restricted holiday schedule. Instead of enjoying days of revelry, Ram Lal and his companions found themselves shackled to their desks, working through the festivals they once cherished.
Through this ironic twist of fate, Ram Lal learned a valuable lesson: the true essence of a festival lies not in the number of days off it grants but in the spirit of celebration itself. He and his colleagues decided that, regardless of when a festival occurred, they would embrace it with open hearts and exuberant enthusiasm.
Thus, they transformed their mundane workdays into festive occasions. They brought sweets to the office, decorated their desks, and shared laughter and joy despite the looming deadlines. They discovered that even if they couldn’t take the day off, they could still celebrate the spirit of the festival in their own little ways.
Ram Lal concluded that life was too short to fret over such trivial matters as holiday schedules. With a newfound perspective, he smiled at the thought of the next festival, no longer caring whether it fell on a weekend or a weekday. Instead, he would proclaim, “No matter the day, it’s the heart that celebrates!”
And so, the tale of Ram Lal’s holiday hustle became a legend in the town, a reminder that in the grand tapestry of life, it’s not the days off that matter most, but how one chooses to live and celebrate each moment.
As the years rolled on, Ram Lal continued to navigate the unpredictable waters of government regulations, but he did so with a light heart, knowing that true happiness comes from within, regardless of what the calendar may dictate.
In the end, when any festival approached, Ram Lal would chuckle and say, “No worries, my friends! Whether it’s Sunday or Monday, let’s make it a day to remember!” And with that spirit, the festivities rolled on, filling the office with laughter, joy, and the sweet taste of togetherness.
And so, dear readers, let us learn from Ram Lal’s merry misadventures—because in the great carnival of life, it’s the love we share and the joy we spread that truly makes the day a celebration, no matter the date!
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© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’
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≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈
Unique idea indeed…but goes to prove that life is best lived in its little moments of joys !