"Sir, did you hear about the gas leakage incident in Bhopal?" asked B.
"What is so special about it B, gas leakage is so common in gas cylinders. I think it is being used as a murder weapon nowadays by disgruntled mother in laws" said P condescendingly.
"No sir, I am not talking about the cooking gas leakage." Frustration was quite evident in B's voice.
"What else could it be B?" P said nonchalantly, hiding his annoyance.
"Sir, last night there was a gas leakage at Union Carbide limited. The papers say that a deadly gas called methyl isocyanate leaked from the plant and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people in Bhopal".
"I thought gas was used only for cooking purposes".
"No sir this incident,papers say, could be one of the worst industrial disaster."
"Ah, so there is a chance of India getting to number 1, doesn't matter if it is in the name of disasters". P was looking pleased with himself at concluding such a rarity.
Even B was nodding his heading approvingly.
"I am wondering how this incident happened in the first place?". B was asking himself.
"Someone would have left the valve open" P was mocking B. Even after so much education and training B lacks commonsense,P thought.
"During the night of December 2–3, 1984, water entered a tank containing 42 tons of MIC. The resulting exothermic reaction increased the temperature inside the tank to over 200 °C (392 °F) and raised the pressure. The tank vented releasing toxic
gases into the atmosphere. The gases were blown by northwesterly winds over Bhopal," explained B,reading the newspaper, knowing that P would not have understood any word coming out of his mouth.Whether this was due to P's lack of education or mere indifference to the plight of people, B was not sure about it.
"Tragedy of such a scale presents enormous opportunities to help". P said seriously.
"What is your plan sir?" asked B slyly.
"I suppose there would be a relief fund setup for the people affected by this tragic incident". P said slowly.
P continued:"You will be responsible for managing the fund, if you know what I mean".
Of course I know what you mean thought B.
"Sir, I heard that government is going to import various sophisticated devices to investigate this matter, would you be kind enough to grant this opportunity to one of my relatives," asked B pleadingly.
"I will think about it,". This was another way of saying Yes and B knew that.
"B, I heard that nowadays you are sleeping on mattress made of notes".
"Sir, there is so much cash that I cannot find any other place to stash it", said B sheepishly.
"Sir, can you please arrange a Swiss account for me, it is much easier to manage money this way".
"No B, swiss accounts are not meant for you people, moreover what are you afraid of?"
"Sir, Mr J seems to be a stickler when it comes to breaking law", said B with a worried voice.
"J won't harm you B" said P confidently.
"Why sir?"
"Don't you see, J is blind."
B and P roared with laughter.
Cast(in the order of appearance):
B - Bureaucrat
P - Politician
J- Judiciary
Saturday, 22 January 2011
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