From the noted story"Postmaster"by Rabindranath Tagore, being a class 10 student I was very curious to know about the simple, humble lifestyle of a Postmaster as portrayed in that story. After my college, I got that chance cum champ to fulfill that dream. I got an offer letter from India Post to join as a Postmaster in Hemnagar, a village under Sundarban region, West Bengal. When the very first word 'Sundarban' reflected in my mind, the one thing 'Royal Bengal Tiger' instantly came to my mind thinking this time I can see them physically. And after some months finally I reached to Hemnagar village on August month in 2020.
Being an aliens there, everything took me as a new but it was like an" old wine in a new bottle". From childhood I was a travelling lover but count not get that opportunity that time but this time.. Yep..!! For the very first month, I could not manage any day and time to travel here and there and feel that emotions . But who knows so many good things were ready to welcome me.
I took a room in Jogeshganj, near about 5 km from Hemnagar village.Jogeshganj, the village cum town in this island was very beautiful and less populous. But the rent fee was a bit high comparing other places once I lived. Remembering ' don't be sad if u forget to put on the tie but make sure u have a tight fitting belt '😀 I ignored the fees thinking at least a room I could manage for the time being.The Day in August month really an august in attitude and tenderness in attire. I took a Toto( sometimes it is called the mini Auto) to reach Hemnagar from Jogeshganj at 10 am in the morning. It took 15 minutes to reach there. Once I reached Hemnagar More, I asked one women ,where is the post office? She gently replied 'yes' and helped me to track the route to office. The office looks was as usual as the the Govt office to be- a small room with advestor as it's rain consuming roof and the walls were not painted 😀, and two chairs and one bench for customers. That's cool!!
Office-in charge named Tapan kr Mandal welcomed me and started a 30 minutes conversation about me , my family and others. He is some 50+ age, in the first sight he took me as his son and beared me very well. Undoubtedly he is very humble and very conscious about everything and specially the 'red-tapism '.As I was new in office and novice in office work, he very calmly taught me everything in between lines in a nut shell. Some customers were also present there and they were also asking about me. All including office MD Tapan uncle became surprised about my postings and they way I selected the place. 'You have come from Bankura to here!', the distance made them perplexed. And after that a little conversation went on before their job was done.
My office MD laughed out when I told him the funny way 😆. "I choose Hemnagar as it's last five words denotes 'nagar'meaning city as I have no idea about those places enlisted during the form fillup" I told him. Later I understood all the pink and blues😀🥲. I spent nearly two hours there. And I enjoyed a lot. How the time came to an end , I hardly trace it. A nice conversation, a lot of laugh, and some office works made my day and gave me a momentum of a thrilling and vibrant life.
There is a saying" While someone comes across a new perspective, a new positivity gains".I felt the same. Last but not least the experience of the very first day was beyond my expectations and it's really a memorable day to me.
End the series-I
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