Shyam alam

C734 Block 13

Lane No. 47

Workers Colony, Shivaji Link Road, Borivili, Bombay

Dear Daddyji,

God protect you and Mataji and our precious jewel Sitambari. I wish I could give better news, but I am conveying only truth. I have no job yet.

I am going everyday on the suburb train, Main-line local it is called, into Bombay proper, and attending at the offices which have given advertise in the newspapers for job vacations. I am every day mostly sitting on benches for waiting time, with some boss then telling that they have no proper vacations for over-qualified gentlemens like me. Sometime I am thinking not to tell them that I am holding my BA and simply to pretend that I am an illiterate swine worthy of doing their humble job. Mostly I think even that will not help because what is going on is that plenty people, mens and womens, are applying for these jobs and only those which are paying the clerk some bribe are getting name on list.

I tried it with ten rupees, I am ashamed to tell you, but god must have been watching because the clerk returned the money and said people are leaving 'big papers' to get this job. I spoke with him kindly and said I have no big papers to impart just this moment but after I get the job he could be on percentage basis. He laughed too much. He told that lump sum was preferred and ask me to borrow it, then only I would get an employment in Bombay.

Acting on this peon's advice I approached Kakaji for a small loan. Now, just because you have brought me up to believe that people must

convey all truth at all times, I wish to state the following. Please believe, Daddyji, this is not with any disrespect for your younger brother who has allowed me into his home and given me a rubber mattress and regular meals and facilities. I am too much grateful, but I must still tell that Kakaji is drinking from bottle all the time, with red eyes and not going to work.

He is also abusing and forgetting who is who. He tells that he loves me and that he loves you as elder brother, but mostly he is abusing the family, the government, his employers who have kicked him out of job and even the Communist unionwallahs who are obtaining suspensions- pay for him from his firm. They are paying something and with that we are surviving, except most is going in bad habits, of which only alcohol I stoop to mention. Somebody have to explain to Kakaji that this is not the way and I am too small a nephew for doing this task. Please you consider a trip this way. I shall most certainly obtain a job, hoping sooner but maybe later. I have never forgotten the mission. Please beg those people, the boy's family to wait just a few week more and then the wage packet will come into their hands for the dowry and they can start having confidence that we are not a pauper family but can marry our jewel, Sitambari, with honour to their boy.

Please convey to Sitambari that I never cease to remember my little sister and will exert all sinews in her favour.

Bombay is a no good city. I went to the temple to pray that rains don't fail, for our fields that God has given and for you.

Mission will be accomplished, boss. I am Optimister!

Your loving son

Shyamalam