I can vividly remember the day when Inspector MC Sharma fell to bullets in the Batla House encounter case. A special was being planned for the martyr by every channel.And the same was being done at Voice of India too. I assisting the Show Producer was rushing up getting the packaging work done. Shots…bytes…music selection, etc all had been finalized. But my producer was waiting for the Voice Over (VO )artist. Time was passing by…with just two hours left for the show to be aired, I was in panic since my producer was in no mood to take another VO artist for the special 4 min story recalling the incident.
“Why are we waiting for a person who is late? And who is he by the way? I asked my producer. Rather than frowning at me, he gave me a calm smile and said…”You get the VO done when he arrives and be there while he records it. And then you will know why I am waiting for him,”
5 minutes later he introduced me to Ashok Upadhyay Sir saying this little one is in panic, but we can’t do without your voice. Ashok Sir gave a warm smile, looked at me and said, “Come Mahima, let’s do it and I promise you I will do it fast for you.”
2 minutes later when he was recording the VO…tears were rolling down my cheeks. Such was the impact of his voice without even the visuals of the tragic death of inspector Sharma, that I realized why my producer waited for him for two long hours.
My stint at VOI was merely for 3 months, but during those 90 days I got a chance to talk to Ashokji about 6-7 times. And those short but warm encounters would will a zeal to excel even in the days when the VOI ship was sinking. And one of these meets still afresh in my memory was the day when I being the sole bread-earner of my family was in tears to know that our salary for two months was not in yet. The next day being Diwali..and a non-paid house rent looming large on my mind had left me hapless. With head bowed down and tears rolling down silently, I was sitting at one remote corner of the office. Just when I felt like calling it quits, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was Ashok Sir.
He did not ask me anything. Infact said nothing. Indicated me to follow him and took me out for “tea and Chhole-kulche” nearby. When he did not ask me anything even after the snack he paid for, I had many a questions in my eyes which he could vividly read through. He smiled, “Need I ask you anything? Everyone here is fighting the same battle of life…some with support, some without…like me and you. But what awaits to be seen is who turns the tears into fire to excel. I worked with you on just one show, but I assure you that recession and unemployment is not your destiny. Mark my words, thanks God for being the chosen one to help your family….and make a new start today. I do not want any more tears in your eyes ever. And if I see, I would never take you out for “Chole Kulche.” I chuckled on his last note. With his hefty yet consoling arms around my shoulder I walked back to the office with a news zeal.
One month later, I walked upto him with the appointment letter of a different news channel. Without uttering a word I extended the envelope to him. “You got another job! Congrats beta!” He chuckled even without opening the envelope. I confused me looked at him. “Your eyes speak volumes about your victory. Now mind it, never show me those tears….else? …..”Else you won’t take me out for Chole Kulche”..I replied. And we laughed all the way to the Chole Kulche Wala for a treat that he asked me to pay for…saying “Rich lady now do me a favour, and I will bless you forever! Yaar yeh to poem ban gayi….Hahaha…”
After joining another media group with bigger responsibilities then ever, I could not meet him (a lameless excuse for not meeting such a great man, an excuse I would regret all my life long, with guilt pangs already sinking in). But this year I had decided to surprise him at home with a Chole Kulche Platter-full treat!
Instead, on Xmas I got the rudest surprise of my life when my best friend who know my short-yet-warm association with Ashok Sir, informed me about his un-timely demise. This came in at a time I was writing out a mail to invite him for the treat. All fell like a pack of cards. The grief is beyond words….and all I can say is “Ashok Sir your zeal to fight the battle of life inspires me at every step. And after each win when I would like to celebrate the moment…Who will take me out for Chole Kuclche Ashok Sir?…….Kash apse milne mein itni der na hoti….May your noble soul rest in peace! Aaameen
–Mahima Sharma
Sr. Producer
English News Desk
FocusTV, Noida
