WHO LET THE DOGS OUT


Correct me if I am wrong, but inspecions seem to serve a strange purpose (Don’t misquote me, I never said that they don’t serve any purpose). The inspecting officers generally have a liking for all that is good i.e. neat and clean roads, nicely laid out lines and offices, carefully trimmed plants and trees, boys in excellent turn out. And they get to see all that they want to see; the beds laid in the dormitories are a lesson in symmetry with exactly one pair of undergarments hanging to dry and exactly one pair of shoes for display. The toiletries on display would be brand new and you would think for once that all the inmates had finished with their toothpastes together.

And then, there are some inspecting officers with their particular likes and aversions. Someone is accustomed to seeing everything in a straight line and you will find even the trees so aligned that a geometry student can be put to shame. Somebody loves to see the surrounding green and the instances of trees made to grow overnight aren’t a rarity.

The inspecting officer in this particular instance has particular aversion to stray dogs and cattle moving around. When his visit is scheduled, the wheel set rolling, the roads are broomed more than a young damsel’s hair is combed, plants get geru chuna with more regularity than they get watered, everything from trees to stones to furniture is put in line. That cant be put in line is put out of sight. All that is in line gets its share of geru, chuna and paint with the main entrance getting the lion’s share. Here special emphasis is being put on combating dog menace. Sentries have been placed at all possible points of infiltration and have been briefed to sue away any dog as soon as one is seen.

On the fateful day, the whole hierarchy takes its turn to ascertain that the arrangements are foolproof. The point about dogs has been driven home so much so that the sentries are more on the lookout for the dogs than the VIP.

Finally the visit has commenced. The commanding officer conducts the VIP around and as the visit progresses, he feels more and more confident. Even a flicker of smile is seen on his face when the inspecting officer conveys his encouragement. Smile …. such precious smile, it had eluded him the day the news of visit was broken to him. And smile eludes him once more, for he can see a dog on to his right.

Thousand things of interest appear suddenly…all on to the left. He points them all to the VIP hoping all the while that the VIP’s interest remains alive. Gradually he feels safer as the vehicle moves ahead and the dog is slowly left behind. And then suddenly Bhoun…..bhoun…..bhoun.

Sep kuldeep singh is at his wits end. He can’t understand why is he being hauled up. All that was told to him was to keep the dogs away and all that he did was to throw a stone at the dog as soon as he saw one. He had even complimented himself for such an accurate hit.