A Real ‘Chowkidar’: Ramji Bhar finds 2 gold items & deposit them with Book Fair Committee, writes Sudarshan Gupta

November 24: It was the closing ceremony of Barak Book Fair organised by Barak Upottaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan. A galaxy of who’s who were seated on the dias. The chair of the Chief Guest was adorned by Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of Fishery, Excise, Environment & Forest, Government of Assam. Sichar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy was also present for some time. All spoke about books and its importance mainly along with other relevant issues.

Prizes were also distributed in connection with various competitions organised by the Book Fair Committee. The programme of the closing ceremony was almost over and it was the turn for the organisers to offer the vote of thanks. Suddenly, Taimur Raja Choudhury, President of the Silchar chapter of Barak Upottaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan made such an announcement which surprised all. For some moments, there was pin drop silence in the field and all eyes and ears were directed towards what Mr. Choudhury was announcing.

He announced the name of one Ramji Bhar, which was indeed an uncommon name for the book lovers in the fair. Taimur Raja Choudhury introduced Ramji Bhar as a chowkidar of the Barak Book Fair who also works as a labourer. For a moment, the audience failed to understand why he was called to the dias amidst a galaxy of heavyweights like Minister Sukalabaidya, Municipal Chairman Niharendra Narayan Thakur and others.

It was then that Mr. Choudhury gradually revealed the fact. Infact, it was this poor ‘Chowkidar’ Ramji Bhar who had found two gold items lying on the ground of the Book Fair on 2 separate days and deposited these with the Book Fair Committee. A man who earns less than Rs.5000 per month could have easily sold these two gold items for an amount of more than one lakh rupees and lived happily thereafter. But he preferred not to do so and instead gave them to the organisers of the Fair.

It was for this reason, that Mr. Taimur Raja Choudhury invited Ramji to the dias. He was honoured with a certificate for his honesty. The certificate was handed over to Ramji by Minister Parimal Suklabaidya. A big round of applauds thundered in the field when Ramji took the certificate from the hands of the minister.

Later on speaking with him, Ramji Bhar said, “I sell ice-cream during the summer season. During the book fair, I am engaged as a chowkidar here for the last few years. My family comprises of my wife, 2 boys and a girl.” His elder son, aged 14 has got some mental disorder since his birth. His other two children are studying in Class III and IV respectively.

When asked how was he feeling after being honoured for his honesty, Ramji said, “Sir, honesty is priceless. I did not do anything special. How can I take something which does not belong to me?” His two young kids were standing besides their father. They could hardly understand why their father was called to the dias, but the glaze in their eyes revealed that they felt rejoiced for their father whom they had always seen to sweep and clean the stage was now standing with his head erect along with all who’s who.

Listening to his words, I wondered when many a times people lecture about the intimate relationship between poverty and dishonesty. But Ramji by his deeds have proved it wrong. Probably honest and simple person like Ramji is unaware of the world characterised by the rich people, most of whom, at the same time are dishonest. Standing amidst thousands of books and book lovers, I realised that Ramji by his act of honesty has imparted such a lesson which many books would even fail to preach.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, suddenly I heard two gentleman standing besides me and discussing about the ongoing election of District Sports Association (DSA), Silchar, I just could feel the contrast between Ramji Bhar’s way of life and the issues which predominated in the electoral battle at Silchar DSA.! Ramji Bhar has truly said, “Honesty comes without a price tag.”