The Power to say NO

Friday, 5 September, 2008. After submitting my forms for the mains, I had almost left the window when a fellow aspirant asked for my punching machine. I was more than happy to do him the favour. But then, another fellow, apparently his colleague asked for the same. Not from me, from Him. Okay. Chalta hai. Why should I frown upon that the first person did not bother to have a look at me, seeking my permissions, as a matter of ettiquettes. But then, a third person took the punch (Hope it is clear what I am referring to), did his job, and passed it to a gal, who won some gratitudes from 5-6 people. Now irritation caught me. It was my property, and I was waiting to get it back. And the moustached aspirant, who borrowed it from me, had gone, to submit his form. Within a matter of seconds, there was a crowd of "borrowers" around my punch. Last time I had been a witness to such a crowd was when I saw a wealthy devotee at Sri Hanuman Temple being surrounded by anxious "beggars" to get some prasad.

No, in no way am I comparing these aspirants (some of whom may eventually turn to be in the top level executive) to those "ever-anxious" beggars of the temple. And anyway, that wealthy devotee was receiving "blessings" from the mouths he was feeding.

Here, the best part of the scene came, when on seeking my device back, I heard , " Arey thehro bhaai!! hum pehle se 'line' mein hain." The shock came. The shock went. This was the limit.

I decided to take it back. And I did. Only to say a firm NO for any request thereafter. After all, I had a class in 15 minutes.

This may seem as an act of selfishness. But I used the power that I have acquired recently. The power to say NO. It's always good to say the word, when you don't feel like doing one a favour. And I have learnt that the sooner we say, the better it is. Not long ago, I was too worried about the sentiments of other person. I am not saying that Now I am Not. Oh yes, I am. And that's why, when don't feel like doing someone a favour, I simply say NO. It is better than saying a reluctant 'why not?' and then disapponting the person, for being unable to do it properly. So much (s)he expected of me. And I? A mortal commoner. Could not do such a simple task. And then goes the round of calls and mails seeking her/his apologies.

Coming back to the UPSC Bhawan episode, I came out and headed off for my class. As for those people whom I had opted not to 'help', whom I was no less than an 'axis of evil' at that time, they must have got something else to tie the copies of their certificates to their respective forms. And I made it to the class - in time. Just because I was able to say a firm NO.
:-)

[May be I require some lessons on humanity. But then, I am gradually becoming like others. :-)]