A PINCH OF SMUFF
1. Mother’s announcement shook me. “Nanukaka is coming,” she said.( माँ की घोषणा ने मुझे झकझोर कर रख दिया। "नानुकाका आ रहा है," उसने कहा। )
2. “Oh, my God!” I said. “Couldn’t we send him a wire saying we are leaving – that I am transferred or something?”( "अरे बाप रे!" मैंने कहा था। "क्या हम उसे यह कहते हुए तार नहीं भेज सकते थे कि हम जा रहे हैं - कि मेरा तबादला हो गया है या कुछ और?")
3. “No, dear,” Mother said. “He must be already on the train. Besides,” she added reassuringly, “he says he cannot stay here for more than two or three days. ("नहीं, प्रिय," माँ ने कहा। “वह पहले से ही ट्रेन में होगा। इसके अलावा,'' उसने आश्वस्त करते हुए कहा, ''वह कहता है कि वह यहां दो या तीन दिनों से अधिक नहीं रह सकता।)
4. ‘What is he coming to Delhi for — in this heat?”( 'वह इतनी गर्मी में दिल्ली किस लिए आ रहे हैं?')
5. “He wants to see some Minister.” ("वह किसी मंत्री से मिलना चाहता है।")
6. “What! That means he will be here for weeks! Ministers don’t see people for weeks…months! Oh, my God!” ("क्या! इसका मतलब है कि वह कई हफ्तों तक यहीं रहेगा! मंत्री हफ़्तों...महीनों तक लोगों से नहीं मिलते! अरे बाप रे)
7. “If your Nanukaka wants to see a Minister, I am sure he will manage to see him,” Mother said, “any time of the day or night.”( "यदि आपका नानूकाका किसी मंत्री से मिलना चाहता है, तो मुझे यकीन है कि वह उसे देखने का प्रबंधन करेगा," माँ ने कहा, "दिन या रात के किसी भी समय।")
8. Mother has always been very loyal to her side of the family, and, after all, Nanukaka is her brother. I, on the other hand, may have something of a complex about Ministers. I am an Under-Secretary, on probation, and as such trained to regard Ministers as being two steps higher than God; the Secretaries being just one step higher. (माँ हमेशा अपने परिवार के प्रति बहुत वफादार रही हैं, और आख़िरकार, नानुकाका उनका भाई है। दूसरी ओर, मेरे मन में मंत्रियों के बारे में कुछ उलझन हो सकती है। मैं एक अवर सचिव हूं, परिवीक्षा पर हूं और मंत्रियों को भगवान से दो कदम ऊपर मानने के लिए प्रशिक्षित हूं; सचिव केवल एक कदम ऊपर हैं।)
9. I was waiting on the platform when the train came in. Nanukaka stood in the doorway of a second class carriage; a striking figure, white haired, with an impressive moustache. He still wears the old-fashioned knee-length black coat and the red silk pugree of the Deccani brahmin, and drapes a white angocha round his shoulders. (जब ट्रेन आई तो मैं प्लेटफार्म पर इंतजार कर रहा था। नानूकाका दूसरी श्रेणी की गाड़ी के दरवाजे पर खड़ा था; आकर्षक आकृति, सफ़ेद बाल, प्रभावशाली मूंछों वाला। वह अभी भी पुराने ज़माने का घुटनों तक लंबा काला कोट और दक्कनी ब्राह्मण का लाल रेशम पगरी पहनते हैं, और अपने कंधों पर एक सफेद अंगोछा लपेटते हैं।)
10. As I went up, he handed me a basket. “Take this out, quick,” he whispered. “I’ll join you outside the station.”( जैसे ही मैं ऊपर गया, उसने मुझे एक टोकरी दी। "इसे बाहर निकालो, जल्दी," वह फुसफुसाया। "मैं स्टेशन के बाहर आपके साथ मिलूंगा।")
11. I asked no questions. I tucked the basket under my arm and turned, only to bump into an enormous Marwari woman who had her head covered in a burka. But my apologies were drowned by the strange sounds emanating from the basket: the protests of an outraged kitten. “Spitts…strupst …meow …meooow…meooow!”( मैंने कोई सवाल नहीं पूछा. मैंने टोकरी को अपनी बांह के नीचे दबाया और मुड़ा, तभी एक भारी-भरकम मारवाड़ी महिला से टकराया, जिसने अपना सिर बुर्के से ढका हुआ था। लेकिन मेरी क्षमायाचना टोकरी से निकलने वाली अजीब आवाज़ों में दब गई: एक क्रोधित बिल्ली के बच्चे का विरोध। “स्पिट्स…स्ट्रपस्ट…म्याऊं…म्याऊं…म्याऊं!”)
12. I ducked and ran, and mingled with the crowd and squeezed through the gate in the wake of a Sikh marriage party.( मैं झुक गया और भाग गया, और भीड़ में शामिल हो गया और एक सिख विवाह पार्टी के मद्देनजर गेट से अंदर घुस गया।)
13. Nanukaka was long time coming. The station yard was nearly empty and the last tonga had gone when he emerged, escorted by a fawning ticket inspector.( नानूकाका को आने में बहुत समय हो गया था। स्टेशन यार्ड लगभग खाली था और जब वह बाहर निकला तो आखिरी तांगा जा चुका था, एक प्रसन्नचित्त टिकट निरीक्षक के साथ।)
14. “No room in the third class, and they wouldn’t issue second class tickets without reservation,” Nanukaka explained as he came up to me. “Had to travel second on a third class ticket! But it was all arranged quite amicably. Such a nice young man, the TC. You saw how he even came right out with me, so that there should be no trouble. The kitten, of course, travelled free. How is it?”( "तीसरी श्रेणी में कोई जगह नहीं है, और वे आरक्षण के बिना दूसरी श्रेणी के टिकट जारी नहीं करेंगे," नानूकाका ने मेरे पास आकर समझाया। “तीसरे दर्जे के टिकट पर दूसरी यात्रा करनी पड़ी! लेकिन यह सब काफी सौहार्दपूर्ण ढंग से व्यवस्थित किया गया था। इतना अच्छा युवक, टीसी। तुमने देखा कि कैसे वह मेरे साथ ही बाहर आ गया, ताकि कोई परेशानी न हो। बेशक, बिल्ली का बच्चा मुफ़्त में यात्रा करता था। कैसा है?")
15. “Very quiet,” I said. Perhaps it is dead, I thought hopefully. ("बहुत शांत," मैंने कहा। शायद यह मर चुका है, मैंने उम्मीद से सोचा)
16. We got into the car, and even before I had changed into second gear, Nanukaka asked: “When have you arranged for the minister to see me? Can’t stay here for more than two days – three at the most.”( हम कार में बैठे, और इससे पहले कि मैं दूसरे गियर में बदलता, नानुकाका ने पूछा: "आपने मंत्री के लिए मुझसे मिलने की व्यवस्था कब की है?" यहां दो दिन से ज्यादा नहीं रुक सकते - ज्यादा से ज्यादा तीन दिन।')
17. It was a time for frankness. “Look uncle.” I said. “I am merely an Under-Secretary, on probation, and it is more than my job is worth to go asking for interviews with Ministers.” (यह स्पष्टवादिता का समय था। “देखो अंकल।” मैंने कहा था। "मैं परिवीक्षा पर केवल एक अवर सचिव हूं, और मंत्रियों के साथ साक्षात्कार के लिए पूछना मेरे काम से कहीं अधिक मूल्यवान है।")
18. “Oh!” Nanukaka said. “I had rather hoped …oh, I see. Well, never mind.” He took a pinch of snuff, brushed his fingers delicately on his angocha, and sat back, closing his eyes and puckering his eyebrows as through in deep thought. He also clucked his tongue several times in a typically Deccani way, registering pity. ("ओह!" नानूकाका ने कहा. “मुझे तो उम्मीद थी...ओह, मैं समझ गया। खेर छोड़ो।" उसने नसवार की एक चुटकी ली, अपने अंगोछे पर अच्छी तरह से अपनी उंगलियाँ फिराईं, और बैठ गया, अपनी आँखें बंद कर लीं और अपनी भौंहें सिकोड़ लीं जैसे कि वह किसी गहरे विचार में डूबा हुआ हो। उन्होंने दक्कनी तरीके से दया प्रकट करते हुए कई बार अपनी जीभ भी चटकाई।)
19. Mother was waiting on the doorstep, her face wreathed in smiles. She went into squeals of delight over the kitten and made a lot of fuss over Nanukaka. I also found that she had installed him in my bedroom, so that I had to put a charpoy for myself in the back verandah. (माँ दरवाजे पर इंतज़ार कर रही थी, उसके चेहरे पर मुस्कान थी। वह बिल्ली के बच्चे को लेकर ख़ुशी से चिल्लाने लगी और नानूकाका को लेकर बहुत हंगामा करने लगी। मैंने यह भी पाया कि उसने उसे मेरे शयनकक्ष में स्थापित कर दिया था, जिससे मुझे पीछे के बरामदे में अपने लिए चारपाई डालनी पड़ी।)
20. At mother’s insistence, I had taken two days’ leave from the office, and in the afternoon, I drove Nanukaka to the north Block. He went in to see the Minister and I waited in the car park. It was two hours before he returned mumbling colourful Marathi swearwords. I didn’t dare ask him what had happened, and drove without saying a word. He cooled down in a little while, though, and said(माँ के आग्रह पर, मैंने कार्यालय से दो दिन की छुट्टी ले ली थी, और दोपहर में, मैं नानूकाका से नॉर्थ ब्लॉक चला गया। वह मंत्री से मिलने अंदर गये और मैं कार पार्क में इंतजार करता रहा। रंगीन मराठी गालियाँ बुदबुदाते हुए उसे लौटे हुए दो घंटे हो गए थे। मैंने उससे यह पूछने की हिम्मत नहीं की कि क्या हुआ था, और बिना कुछ कहे गाड़ी चला दी। हालाँकि, थोड़ी देर में वह शांत हो गये और बोले )
21. “Two hours, I spent, being transferred from one chaprasi to another, tramping through the corridors, and in the end, succeeded in getting a Deputy-Secretary to give me an appointment – three days from now! Shameful! Shameful! And there was another series of Marathi expletives. In a linguistic emergency my uncle always turned to his mother tongue. (“एक चपरासी से दूसरे चपरासी में स्थानांतरित होते हुए, गलियारों में घूमते हुए, मैंने दो घंटे बिताए, और अंत में, एक उप-सचिव से मुझे मिलने का समय लेने में सफल हुआ - अब से तीन दिन बाद! शर्मनाक! शर्मनाक! और मराठी अपशब्दों की एक और श्रृंखला थी। भाषाई आपातकाल में मेरे चाचा ने हमेशा अपनी मातृभाषा की ओर रुख किया।)
22. A garnish yellow sports car flashed past us, blaring its horn in an uninterrupted blast, and the young man at the wheel waved his hand at me.( एक पीले रंग की स्पोर्ट्स कार बिना किसी रुकावट के हॉर्न बजाती हुई हमारे पास से गुजरी और गाड़ी चला रहे युवक ने मेरी ओर अपना हाथ लहराया।)
23. “What a rude man! Who was that?” Nunukaka asked.( “कितना असभ्य आदमी है! वह कौन था?" नुनुकाका ने पूछा।)
24. “Chap called Ratiram, works in the same Ministry as mine.”( "रतिराम नामक व्यक्ति मेरे मंत्रालय में ही काम करता है।")
25. “I see.”( "अच्छा ऐसा है।")
26. “There was some talk about his going as Trade Commissioner to Hajrat Barkat Ali, you know, the Ambassador, but they say it is all off now,” I said, just to make conservation.( मैंने कहा, "हजरत बरकत अली, आप जानते हैं, राजदूत के पास व्यापार आयुक्त के रूप में उनके जाने के बारे में कुछ चर्चा थी, लेकिन वे कहते हैं कि यह सब अब बंद हो गया है।")
27. “Why don’t you get sent out on one of these foreign assignments?” Nanukaka asked.( "आपको इन विदेशी नियुक्तियों में से किसी एक पर क्यों नहीं भेजा जाता?" नानूकाका ने पूछा.)
28. “To get sent on a foreign assignment is in the same category as getting an interview with a Minister, Uncle,” I said, somewhat unkindly. “It takes pull. Ratiram is the son of Sohanlal Ratiram, you know, the Party Boss in Delhi.”( मैंने कुछ हद तक निर्दयतापूर्वक कहा, "किसी विदेशी नियुक्ति पर भेजा जाना किसी मंत्री के साथ साक्षात्कार पाने के समान ही है।" “यह खींचतान लेता है। रतिराम सोहनलाल रतिराम का बेटा है, आप जानते हैं, दिल्ली में पार्टी बॉस।
29. Nanukaka sat up with a jerk. “What was that?” what did you say? Sohanlal Ratiram’s son! How extraordinary! Well, well!” he leaned back in his seat and stared at me for a long time. “Now let me see. You’ve got a close-collar Jodhpur coat, haven’t you? Good! And can you tie a turban? No? Well, I’ll have to put it on you, although I am no expert. This tie-and-collar business is no good these days. Let’s go home. After you have changed, we will go and see him.”( नानूकाका झटके से उठ बैठे। "वह क्या था?" क्या कहा आपने? सोहनलाल रतिराम का बेटा! कितना असाधारण! अच्छा अच्छा!" वह अपनी सीट पर पीछे झुक गया और बहुत देर तक मुझे घूरता रहा। “अब मुझे देखने दो। आपके पास क्लोज-कॉलर वाला जोधपुर कोट है, है ना? अच्छा! और क्या आप पगड़ी बांध सकते हैं? नहीं? खैर, मुझे इसे आप पर डालना होगा, हालाँकि मैं कोई विशेषज्ञ नहीं हूँ। ये टाई-एंड-कॉलर का धंधा आजकल चलन में नहीं है. चलो घर चलते हैं। आपके बदलने के बाद हम जाकर उसे देखेंगे।”)
30. “See whom?”( “किसे देखें?”)
31. “Why, Lala Sohanlal, of course!”( “क्यों, लाला सोहनलाल, बिल्कुल!”)
32. “Do you know him at all?”( "क्या आप उसे बिल्कुल जानते हैं?")
33. “Of course not,” Nanukaka said.( "बिल्कुल नहीं," नानूकाका ने कहा।)
34. I changed into Jodhpur coat and Uncle Nanukaka tied a huge orange turban round my head. “Act as though you were my, er, a sort of A.D.C.,” he cautioned me as we started for Lala Sohanlal’s house.( मैंने जोधपुर कोट पहन लिया और अंकल नानूकाका ने मेरे सिर पर एक बड़ी नारंगी पगड़ी बाँध दी। जब हम लाला सोहनलाल के घर के लिए रवाना हुए तो उन्होंने मुझे चेतावनी देते हुए कहा, "ऐसे व्यवहार करो जैसे कि तुम मेरे हो, एर, एक प्रकार के ए.डी.सी.।")
35. A secretary in spotless white clothes received us and showed us into a cool white room before he asked our business, very politely.( बेदाग सफेद कपड़ों में एक सचिव ने हमारा स्वागत किया और बहुत विनम्रता से हमारे व्यवसाय के बारे में पूछने से पहले हमें एक शांत सफेद कमरे में दिखाया।)
36. “Just dropped in,” Nanukaka said casually. “I had come to Delhi for the Zamindars’ Convention, a rather unofficial gathering you know, since we zamindars are not, not exactly, popular, these days … V.P. has also sent a cable, he wants to see me, but he is not coming from Washington until tomorrow. I thought I might as well see Lalaji and tell him what arrangements we, the zamindars, have made for the agricultural vote…”("अभी-अभी आया," नानूकाका ने लापरवाही से कहा। "मैं जमींदारों के सम्मेलन के लिए दिल्ली आया था, यह एक अनौपचारिक सभा थी, जैसा कि आप जानते हैं, क्योंकि हम जमींदार आजकल लोकप्रिय नहीं हैं... वी.पी. उसने एक केबल भी भेजी है, वह मुझसे मिलना चाहता है, लेकिन वह कल तक वाशिंगटन से नहीं आ रहा है। मैंने सोचा कि मैं लालाजी से मिलूंगा और उन्हें बताऊंगा कि हम जमींदारों ने कृषि वोट के लिए क्या व्यवस्था की है…”)
37. Nanukaka sort of trailed off and I could see that he was not really making an impression on the secretary who was just being polite, and playing it safe. “I’ll have to see whether Lalaji is free,” the secretary said. “He seldom sees, er, visitors without a previous appointment.”( नानूकाका एक तरह से पिछड़ गया और मैं देख सकता था कि वह वास्तव में सचिव पर कोई प्रभाव नहीं डाल रहा था, जो सिर्फ विनम्र था, और इसे सुरक्षित रख रहा था। सचिव ने कहा, ''मुझे देखना होगा कि लालाजी आज़ाद हैं या नहीं।'' "वह बिना पूर्व अपॉइंटमेंट के आगंतुकों को शायद ही कभी देखता है।")
38. Lalaji must have been free, because from the adjoining room we could just hear the unhurried gurgle of the hookah, and then we could hear the haughty secretary talking to him. (लालाजी अवश्य ही मुक्त हो गए होंगे, क्योंकि बगल के कमरे से हमें सिर्फ हुक्के की गड़गड़ाहट सुनाई दे रही थी, और फिर हम घमंडी सचिव को उनसे बात करते हुए सुन सकते थे।)
39. “What day is it, today?” Nanukaka asked me.( "आज कौन सा दिन है?" नानूकाका ने मुझसे पूछा.)
40. I thought he was speaking in an unusually loud voice. “Tuesday,” I told him.( मुझे लगा कि वह असामान्य रूप से ऊंची आवाज में बोल रहा है। "मंगलवार," मैंने उससे कहा।)
41. “Ooh, only Tuesday, and to think that on Sunday I was in Beirut. Amazing, isn’t it?( “ओह, केवल मंगलवार, और यह सोचना कि रविवार को मैं बेरूत में था। अद्भुत, है ना?)
42. I swallowed hard. “Amazing,” I agreed.( मैंने जोर से निगल लिया. "आश्चर्यजनक," मैं सहमत हुआ।)
43. “And if I had listened to Hajrat, I’d still be abroad. Old H.B. was just dying to drag me to the Foreign Minister.”( “और अगर मैंने हज़रत की बात सुनी होती, तो मैं अभी भी विदेश में होता। पुराना एच.बी. बस मुझे विदेश मंत्री के पास खींचने के लिए मरा जा रहा था।”)
44. The steady gurgling of hookah in the next room had suddenly stopped.( बगल के कमरे में हुक्के की गुड़गुड़ाहट अचानक बंद हो गई थी।)
45. “What did you say?” Nanukaka asked, although I hadn’t even opened my mouth. “Why didn’t I stay back? You know how it was with H.B. the last time, when he was in Geneva. Got me involved in the cotton talks. Besides, from Bombay, S.K. had been sending me cable after cable …”("क्या कहा आपने?" नानूकाका ने पूछा, हालाँकि मैंने अपना मुँह भी नहीं खोला था। “मैं रुका क्यों नहीं? आप जानते हैं कि एच.बी. के साथ यह कैसा था? आखिरी बार, जब वह जिनेवा में थे. मुझे कपास की बातों में शामिल कर लिया. इसके अलावा बम्बई से एस.के. वह मुझे एक के बाद एक केबल भेज रहा था…”)
46. That was the moment Lala Sohanlal Ratiram came waddling out of the inner room with the secretary at his heels, and from then on everything was smothered in the saccharine courtesy of the seasoned political campaigner. As soon as the introductions were over, the secretary was sent bustling off to order coffee and sweetmeats and pan.( यही वह क्षण था जब लाला सोहनलाल रतिराम सचिव के साथ अंदर के कमरे से बाहर आए, और तब से सब कुछ अनुभवी राजनीतिक प्रचारक के पवित्र शिष्टाचार में डूब गया। जैसे ही परिचय ख़त्म हुआ, सचिव को कॉफ़ी, मिठाई और पैन का ऑर्डर देने के लिए भेज दिया गया।)
47. They sparred guardedly about zamindars and votes and the weather for a few minutes before coming to brass tacks. “I hear you know Hajrat Barkat Ali, well,” Sohanlal said with an ingratiating grin.( पीतल की दुकानों पर आने से पहले उन्होंने कुछ मिनटों तक जमींदारों, वोटों और मौसम के बारे में सावधानी से बहस की। सोहनलाल ने गहरी मुस्कान के साथ कहा, "मैंने सुना है कि आप हजरत बरकत अली को अच्छी तरह से जानते हैं।")
48. “Oh, old H.B.! how did you know I know H.B.? Actually, we were at school together, always regarded me as a sort of elder brother. Rather touching, really: even today, he seldom takes a big decision without consulting me. When the P.M. offered him the Embassy, who do you think had to make up H.B.’s mind for him?( “ओह, पुराने एच.बी.! तुम्हें कैसे पता चला कि मैं एच.बी. जानता हूँ? दरअसल, हम स्कूल में एक साथ थे, हमेशा मुझे बड़े भाई की तरह मानते थे। बल्कि मार्मिक, सचमुच: आज भी, वह मुझसे सलाह किए बिना शायद ही कभी कोई बड़ा निर्णय लेता है। जब पी.एम. उन्हें दूतावास की पेशकश की, आपको क्या लगता है कि एच.बी. का मन उनके लिए किसने बनाया होगा?)
49. “You?”(तुम ?)
50. “That’s right, me. Good old H.B.”( “यह सही है, मैं। अच्छा पुराना एच.बी.'')
51. “Ha, ha, ha, ha,” laughed Sohanlal, now showing all his pan-stained teeth. “In that case it is a lucky day that you have come to my humble house. Very lucky, because my son — he is in the Balances Ministry here – he was going as Trade Commissioner to Hajrat Barkat Ali. But you know how there are wheels within wheels. Someone seems to have poisoned the Ambassador’s mind about my son; about some transaction concerning evacuee-property. Actually, it was a perfectly legitimate … ?”( "हा, हा, हा, हा," सोहनलाल हँसा, अब अपने सारे दागदार दाँत दिखा रहा था। “ऐसे में यह एक भाग्यशाली दिन है कि आप मेरे साधारण घर में आये हैं। बहुत भाग्यशाली, क्योंकि मेरा बेटा - वह यहां बैलेंस मंत्रालय में है - वह हजरत बरकत अली के व्यापार आयुक्त के रूप में जा रहा था। लेकिन आप जानते हैं कि पहियों के भीतर पहिये कैसे होते हैं। ऐसा लगता है कि किसी ने राजदूत के मन में मेरे बेटे के बारे में ज़हर भर दिया है; निष्क्रांत-संपत्ति से संबंधित कुछ लेन-देन के बारे में। वास्तव में, यह बिल्कुल वैध था...?")
52. Nanukaka waved away any further explanation. ‘That should be quite simple,” he announced. “I’ll write and tell H.B. to do it. No, no. Don’t thank me at all. After all, we, er, we men in the public eye, must do things for one another, ha, ha. One good turn deserves another.”( नानुकाका ने आगे कोई भी स्पष्टीकरण देने से इनकार कर दिया। 'यह काफी सरल होना चाहिए,' उन्होंने घोषणा की। “मैं लिखूंगा और एच.बी. को बताऊंगा।” करने के लिए। नहीं - नहीं। मुझे बिल्कुल भी धन्यवाद न दें. आख़िरकार, हम, एर, हम लोगों की नज़र में, एक दूसरे के लिए काम करना चाहिए, हा, हा। एक अच्छा कार्य करने के बाद एक और करना चाहिए।")
53. Nanukaka opened his silver snuffbox and took a pinch. Then, flicking on his angocha, he casually mentioned the name of the Welfare Minister.( नानूकाका ने अपना चाँदी का नसवार खोला और चुटकी ली। फिर अंगोछा झटकते हुए उन्होंने यूं ही कल्याण मंत्री का नाम बता दिया.)
54. The fixed grin on Sohanlal’s face vanished. “Is he a friend of yours?” Nanukaka admitted. “No, not exactly.”( सोहनलाल के चेहरे की स्थायी मुस्कान गायब हो गई। “क्या वह तुम्हारा दोस्त है?” नानूकाका ने स्वीकार किया। "नहीं, बिल्कुल नहीं।")
55. “I am so glad,” Sohanlal said, relieved. “So glad. That man; such ingratitude! I gave him a ticket, helped him in every way, and what do I get in return?”( सोहनलाल ने राहत महसूस करते हुए कहा, "मैं बहुत खुश हूं।" "बहुत खुशी हुई। वह आदमी; ऐसी कृतघ्नता! मैंने उसे टिकट दिया, उसकी हर तरह से मदद की और बदले में मुझे क्या मिलेगा?”)
56. It turned out that the Minister and Lala Sohanlal, once the best of friends, were now at daggers drawn, since last year, when the Minister had refused to consider a proposal for his daughter to many Lalaji’s son. (यह पता चला कि मंत्री और लाला सोहनलाल, जो एक समय सबसे अच्छे दोस्त थे, अब पिछले साल से एक दूसरे के प्रति तनाव में थे, जब मंत्री ने लालाजी के बेटे के लिए अपनी बेटी के प्रस्ताव पर विचार करने से इनकार कर दिया था।)
57. “He wants a prince!” Sohanlal snorted. “What is a prince, these days! Faugh! Confidential, I can tell you that the Minister has burnt his boats; I’d be surprised if he is given a ticket for the next elections; very surprised. He turns my son down, and wants a prince! Baah! And what is even more funny, I am told that so far they haven’t even exchanged horoscopes; even the astrologers on both sides haven’t come together to decide whether it would be an auspicious match!”( "वह एक राजकुमार चाहता है!" सोहनलाल ने ठहाका लगाया. “आजकल कैसा राजकुमार है! फफु! गोपनीय, मैं आपको बता सकता हूं कि मंत्री ने अपनी नावें जला दी हैं; अगर उन्हें अगले चुनाव के लिए टिकट दिया जाए तो मुझे आश्चर्य होगा; बहुत हैरान। उसने मेरे बेटे को ठुकरा दिया, और एक राजकुमार चाहता है! बाह! और इससे भी अधिक हास्यास्पद बात यह है कि मुझे बताया गया है कि अभी तक उन्होंने कुंडली का आदान-प्रदान भी नहीं किया है; यहाँ तक कि दोनों पक्षों के ज्योतिषी भी यह तय करने के लिए एक साथ नहीं आए हैं कि यह एक शुभ मैच होगा या नहीं!”)
58. “Disgraceful!” Nanukaka snorted. “Disgraceful! What prince did you say?”( "अपमानजनक!" नानुकाका ने खर्राटा लिया। “अपमानजनक! आपने क्या राजकुमार कहा?”)
59. “Some twopenny state called Ninnore.” ("कोई दो पैसे वाला राज्य निन्नोर कहलाता है।")
60. soon after that, Nanukaka having again promised that he would write to “Old H.B.” that very day. As we drove away, both Lalaji and his superior secretary were bowing to him from the porch. (इसके तुरंत बाद, नानूकाका ने फिर से वादा किया कि वह "ओल्ड एच.बी." को लिखेंगे। उसी दिन. जैसे ही हम आगे बढ़े, लालाजी और उनके वरिष्ठ सचिव दोनों बरामदे से उन्हें प्रणाम कर रहे थे।)
61. Nanukaka was strangely silent that evening and went to bed soon after dinner, but in the morning, he was chirpy again.( उस शाम नानूकाका अजीब तरह से चुप थे और रात के खाने के तुरंत बाद बिस्तर पर चले गए, लेकिन सुबह वह फिर से चहक रहे थे।)
62. “We are going to the Minister’s house, this morning,” he announced.( उन्होंने घोषणा की, "हम आज सुबह मंत्री के घर जा रहे हैं।")
63. “Not me, please, Uncle,” I appealed.( "मैं नहीं, कृपया, अंकल," मैंने अपील की।)
64. He inhaled some snuff before he spoke, and by that time he seemed to have forgotten what I had said. “This car of yours; too old, too small. We’ll need something much more impressive. You noticed how that secretary treated us coldly at first. If we had gone in a bigger car, he would have been quite different.”( बोलने से पहले उसने कुछ सूंघ लिया, और उस समय तक वह भूल गया था कि मैंने क्या कहा था। “आपकी यह कार; बहुत पुराना, बहुत छोटा. हमें कुछ अधिक प्रभावशाली चीज़ की आवश्यकता होगी। आपने देखा कि पहले तो उस सचिव ने हमारे साथ कैसा रुखा व्यवहार किया। अगर हम बड़ी कार में जाते तो वह काफी अलग होता।'')
65. “What about a taxi?”( "टैक्सी के बारे में क्या?")
66. “No; not a taxi. A private car, driven by a liveried chauffeur; the bigger the better.” ("नहीं; टैक्सी नहीं. एक निजी कार, जो पोशाकधारी चालक द्वारा संचालित होती है; जितना बड़ा उतना बेहतर।")
67. I remembered that an acquaintance of mine has been trying to sell for some months an enormous, stately, outlandish car that would have only been built for a court procession. I told Nanukaka about it.( मुझे याद आया कि मेरा एक परिचित कुछ महीनों से एक विशाल, आलीशान, अनोखी कार बेचने की कोशिश कर रहा है जो केवल अदालत के जुलूस के लिए बनाई गई होगी। मैंने नानुकाका को इसके बारे में बताया।)
68. “That’s it! We’ll take it out for a ‘brief’ trial, he suggested breezily.( "इतना ही! उन्होंने सहजता से सुझाव दिया, हम इसे 'संक्षिप्त' परीक्षण के लिए ले जाएंगे।)
69. “I am sure we could,” I said, “if we looked like genuine buyers. But do we? These motor- car touts can smell a rich man a mile off.”( "मुझे यकीन है कि हम ऐसा कर सकते हैं," मैंने कहा, "अगर हम वास्तविक खरीदार की तरह दिखें। लेकिन क्या हम? ये मोटर-कार दलाल एक मील दूर से ही अमीर आदमी को सूंघ सकते हैं।”)
70. “You leave that to me,” Nanukaka said. “You just leave the details to me.” ("आप यह मुझ पर छोड़ दें," नानुकाका ने कहा। "आप विवरण मुझ पर छोड़ दें।")
71. “And what about this liveried chauffeur?” I asked.( "और इस पोशाकधारी चालक के बारे में क्या?" मैंने पूछ लिया।)
72. “You, of course,” Nanukaka said blandly.( "आप, बिल्कुल," नानूकाका ने नरमी से कहा।)
73. He took out his cheque-book and wrote a cheque for a thousand rupees. He folded it neatly and put it into the inner pocket of an old coat of his. “Now call your dhobi,” he told me.( उसने अपनी चेक-बुक निकाली और एक हजार रुपये का चेक लिखा। उसने उसे करीने से मोड़ा और अपने एक पुराने कोट की भीतरी जेब में रख लिया। “अब अपने धोबी को बुलाओ,” उसने मुझसे कहा।)
74. I called the dhobi, and Uncle gave him the coat and took him outside and had a talk with him. Then we drove over to the Sikka Auto Dealers and Nanukaka asked if he could try out the car we had in mind. (मैंने धोबी को बुलाया और अंकल ने उसे कोट दिया और बाहर ले जाकर उससे बातचीत की. फिर हम सिक्का ऑटो डीलर्स के पास गए और नानूकाका ने पूछा कि क्या वह उस कार को आज़मा सकते हैं जो हमारे मन में थी।)
75. We had barely got talking to the manager when the dhobi rushed into shop, holding Nanukaka’s old coat in one hand and brandishing the cheque with the other. “Oh, there you are!” he panted. “Look what you had left in this coat of yours!”( हमने मैनेजर से बात ही की थी कि धोबी एक हाथ में नानूकाका का पुराना कोट पकड़े हुए और दूसरे हाथ से चेक लहराता हुआ दुकान में घुसा। "ओह, वहाँ आप कर रहे हैं!" वह हांफने लगा. "देखो तुमने अपने इस कोट में क्या छोड़ा था!")
76. Nanukaka held out the cheque at the arm’s length, and clucked his tongue several times. “How careless of me!” he said. “I am always doing this sort of thing. Bearer cheque too; anyone could have cashed it. Here, my good man,” he said to the dhobi, “here is a reward for you. There is nothing like honesty,” and he gave him a two- rupee note and a pat on the back. (नानूकाका ने चेक को हाथ की दूरी पर बढ़ाया और कई बार अपनी जीभ चटकाई। “कितना लापरवाह हूँ मैं!” उसने कहा। “मैं हमेशा इस तरह का काम करता रहता हूं। वाहक चेक भी; कोई भी इसे भुना सकता था। यहाँ, मेरे अच्छे आदमी,'' उसने धोबी से कहा, ''यहाँ तुम्हारे लिए एक इनाम है। ईमानदारी जैसा कुछ नहीं है,'' और उसने उसे दो रुपये का नोट दिया और उसकी पीठ थपथपाई।)
77. After this demonstration of wealth, it was quite easy about the car. I drove, wearing my white Jodhpur coat and the orange turban, and Nanukaka sat regally at the back, looking every inch what he was supposed to be: a hereditary pundit from a princely state.( दौलत के इस प्रदर्शन के बाद कार को लेकर काफी आसानी हो गई. मैं अपना सफेद जोधपुर कोट और नारंगी पगड़ी पहने हुए गाड़ी चला रहा था, और नानुकाका पीछे की ओर शाही ढंग से बैठे थे, हर इंच देख रहे थे कि उन्हें क्या होना चाहिए था: एक रियासत से वंशानुगत पंडित।)
78. We drove to the Minister’s house, and the servants and the secretary fussed around Nanukaka who refused to state his business but merely called for the visitors’ book.( हम मंत्री के घर गए, और नौकरों और सचिव ने नानूकाका के चारों ओर हंगामा किया, जिन्होंने अपना व्यवसाय बताने से इनकार कर दिया और केवल आगंतुक पुस्तिका मांगी।)
79. “I have just come to make a formal call,” he announced. “I have no wish to disturb the Minister. It is just a formality that we in the old princely states still observe. His Highness is a great stickler for these courtesies.” They brought the visitors’ book, and I watched Nanukaka in admiration as he wrote his name with flourish and added, “Hereditary Astrologer to the Maharaja of Ninnore.” At the end he gave his Delhi address: my address.( उन्होंने घोषणा की, "मैं सिर्फ एक औपचारिक कॉल करने आया हूं।" “मेरी मंत्री जी को परेशान करने की कोई इच्छा नहीं है। यह महज़ एक औपचारिकता है जिसे हम पुरानी रियासतों में आज भी निभाते हैं। महामहिम इन शिष्टाचारों के बहुत बड़े समर्थक हैं।” वे आगंतुक पुस्तिका लेकर आए, और मैंने नानूकाका को प्रशंसा से देखा, जब उन्होंने अपना नाम बड़े अक्षरों में लिखा और जोड़ा, "निन्नोर के महाराजा के वंशानुगत ज्योतिषी।" अंत में उसने अपना दिल्ली का पता दिया: मेरा पता।)
80. Without another word, and as though he were in a tearing hurry, he got into the car and said loudly (बिना कुछ कहे, और जैसे कि वह बहुत जल्दी में हो, वह कार में चढ़ गया और जोर से बोला )
81. “Take me to the Maharaja Sutkatta’s palace. I have to return all those horoscopes entrusted to me.” As the car turned out of the gate, I glanced backwards and saw a huge dark, khaddar-clad figure peering at us from an upper-story window.( “मुझे महाराजा सुतकट्टा के महल में ले चलो। मुझे वे सभी कुंडलियाँ लौटानी होंगी जो मुझे सौंपी गई थीं।'' जैसे ही कार गेट से बाहर निकली, मैंने पीछे की ओर देखा और एक विशाल काली, खद्दर-पहने आकृति को ऊपरी मंजिल की खिड़की से हमें झाँकते हुए देखा।)
82. We had just finished tea, and we were trying to house-break the new kitten which had just made a puddle on the floor when the car with the white triangle stopped in front of the house, and Nanukaka went out with folded hands to receive the Welfare Minister who had come to see him.( हमने अभी-अभी चाय ख़त्म की थी, और हम नए बिल्ली के बच्चे को घर से बाहर निकालने की कोशिश कर रहे थे, जिसने अभी-अभी फर्श पर एक गड्डा बनाया था, तभी सफेद त्रिकोण वाली कार घर के सामने रुकी, और नानूकाका उसे लेने के लिए हाथ जोड़कर बाहर चला गया। कल्याण मंत्री उनसे मिलने आये थे.)
83. Nanukaka left yesterday, his mission accomplished. I never found out what it was that he wanted to see the Minister about. Also, I wonder what is going to happen when the minister discovers that my uncle has never been within a hundred miles of a place called Ninnore, although I am now convinced that Nanukaka will deal with the situation without allowing a single fold of his angocha to fall of place.( नानूकाका कल चले गए, उनका मिशन पूरा हो गया। मुझे कभी पता नहीं चला कि वह क्या था जिसके बारे में वह मंत्री से मिलना चाहता था। इसके अलावा, मुझे आश्चर्य है कि क्या होगा जब मंत्री को पता चलेगा कि मेरे चाचा कभी भी निन्नोर नामक स्थान से सौ मील के भीतर नहीं गए हैं, हालांकि अब मुझे विश्वास है कि नानूकाका अपने अंगोछा की एक भी परत को अनुमति दिए बिना स्थिति से निपट लेंगे। जगह का गिरना.)
84. Only, when it happens, I want to be somewhere far out of range.( केवल, जब ऐसा होता है, तो मैं सीमा से कहीं दूर होना चाहता हूं।)
Question Answers
A. Answer the following questions orally
1. Do guests visit your house frequently? How do you respond to them?( क्या आपके घर मेहमान बार-बार आते हैं? आप उन्हें कैसे प्रतिक्रिया देते हैं?)
Answer-Yes, guests visit my home quite frequently. We respond to them respectfully and in a very welcoming manner.
2. Do you like all of them equally? How often do you entertain your guests gladly?( क्या आपको ये सभी समान रूप से पसंद हैं? आप कितनी बार अपने मेहमानों का आनंदपूर्वक सत्कार करते हैं?)
Answer-No, I do not like all of the guests equally. However, I still entertain them all gladly and with respect.
3. At times you may have to welcome a guest whom you don’t like much. How do you do this? (कभी-कभी आपको किसी ऐसे मेहमान का स्वागत करना पड़ सकता है जिसे आप ज़्यादा पसंद नहीं करते। आप यह कैसे करते हैं?)
Answer- Indeed, there are times when I have to welcome a guest I don’t like very much. I try not to let my
Answer the following questions briefly :
1) The news that made the mother happy disturbed her son. Why were their responses so different?( माँ को खुश करने वाली खबर ने उसके बेटे को परेशान कर दिया। उनकी प्रतिक्रियाएँ इतनी भिन्न क्यों थीं?)
Answer-The news of Nanukaka visiting made mother really happy as she is very loyal to her side of the family and after all, Nanukaka is her brother. However, on the other hand, for the narrator, it meant being on his toes for Nanukaka during his stay. Hence, it distrubed him a bit.
2) Do you have a similar experience? Has your response to the news of the arrival of any guest ever been different from that of other members of the family?( क्या आपके पास भी ऐसा ही अनुभव है? क्या कभी किसी मेहमान के आने की खबर पर आपकी प्रतिक्रिया परिवार के अन्य सदस्यों से अलग रही है?)
Answer-Yes, I have similar experiences. There are situations when I don’t like the news of a cousin visiting as much as my brother does. This is because they play video games together all day which means I do not get to watch television at all.
3) ‘Had to travel second on a third class ticket? But it was all arranged quite amicably?’ What ‘arrangement’ Nanukaka is referring to? How can such arrangement be ‘amicable’? ('तीसरी श्रेणी के टिकट पर दूसरी यात्रा करनी पड़ी? लेकिन यह सब काफी सौहार्दपूर्ण ढंग से व्यवस्थित किया गया था?' नानूकाका किस 'व्यवस्था' की बात कर रहे हैं? ऐसी व्यवस्था 'सौहार्दपूर्ण' कैसे हो सकती है?)
Answer-Nanukaka ‘had to travel second on a third class ticket’ because there were no seats in the third class coach of the train and the second class coach ticket requires it to be booked prior. ‘It was all arranged amicably’ by the Ticket Collector who even escorted Nanukaka till outside in order to avoid any issues. Not only this, it was because of him that even the kitten’s ticket did not have to be bought. This arrangement by the T.C. can be referred to as ‘amicable’ because the T.C. helped Nanukaka when he was in need and he did it politely without causing Nanukaka any inconvenience.
Answer the following questions briefly
1) The Under-Secretary always obeyed Nanukaka, although he was never willing to do so. Why?( अवर सचिव हमेशा नानूकाका की बात मानते थे, हालाँकि वह ऐसा करने के लिए कभी तैयार नहीं थे। क्यों?)
Answer-The Under-Secretary always obeyed Nanukaka even though he was never willing to do so because of his mother’s insistence. It is also the reason why he had taken two days’ leave from the office, to take care of Nanukaka during his stay.
2) “This tie-and-collar business is no good these days.” What did Nanukaka mean to say?( "यह टाई-एंड-कॉलर व्यवसाय आजकल अच्छा नहीं है।" नानुकाका क्या कहना चाहते थे?)
Answer-Nanukaka thinks that closed collar Jodhpuri coats with turban go a long way over the tie and collar that are trending these days. According to him, we should stick to our traditional turbans because ‘this tie-and-collar business is no good these days”.
3) How did the Under-Secretary change his appearance to accompany Nanukaka?( नानूकाका के साथ जाने के लिए अवर सचिव ने अपना रूप कैसे बदला?
Answer-The Under-Secretary changed his appearance to accompany Nanukaka. He changed into a Jodhpuri coat and a huge orange turban that was tied on his head by Uncle Nanukaka.
4) Who is a Zamindar? Do you know any Zamindar in your locality? What do the people in your locality think about him?( जमींदार कौन है? क्या आप अपने इलाके में किसी जमींदार को जानते हैं? आपके मोहल्ले के लोग उसके बारे में क्या सोचते हैं?)
Answer- A Zamindar is a landowner, especially one who leases his land to tenant farmers. Yes, there are a few zamindars near our locality and they are considered to be very rich and powerful by the people around us.
5) How did Nanukaka impress Sohanlal Ratiram?( नानूकाका ने सोहनलाल रतिराम को कैसे प्रभावित किया?)
Answer-Lala Sohanlal Raitram planned on sending his son as Trade Commissioner to Hajrat Barkat Ali, the Ambassador but the plans were called off as someone poisoned H.B.’s mind about Lalaji’s son involved in some transaction concerning evacuee-property. Nanukaka, on the other hand, knew about it which is why he mentioned how close he was with H.B.. This made Sohanlal Ratiram come waddling out of the inner room and from here on, everything was smothered in the saccharine courtesy of the seasoned political campaigner.
6) What important information did he collect at Ratiram’s place?( रतिराम के यहाँ उसने कौन-सी महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी एकत्रित की?)
Answer-During his visit to Ratiram’s place, Nanukaka got to know the reason behind the rivalry between Lala Sohanlal and the Welfare Minister. The Welfare Minister had refused to consider Lalaji’s son for his daughter’s marriage and instead, wanted his daughter to marry the Prince of Ninnore whom they were yet to exchange horoscopes with. It was an important piece of information for Nanukaka as he wanted to see the Minister due to some urgent piece of work.
7) Who is a Prince? Do we have any prince now? If yes, do they enjoy the same privileges which they used to do? (राजकुमार कौन है? क्या अब हमारा कोई राजकुमार है? यदि हाँ, तो क्या उन्हें वही विशेषाधिकार प्राप्त हैं जो वे पहले करते थे?)
Answer-A Prince is the son of a monarch of an Indian princely state. No, we do not have a prince now.
Answer the following questions briefly
1. Who was the second important person Nanukaka had planned to meet?( वह दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति कौन था जिससे नानूकाका ने मिलने की योजना बनाई थी?)
Answer- The second person that Nanukaka had planned to meet was the Welfare Minister.
2. What preparation did he make to meet him?( उनसे मिलने के लिए उन्होंने क्या तैयारी की?)
Answer- In order to meet the Welfare Minister, Nanukaka thought it would be a great idea to go in a private car driven by a liveried chauffeur. Hence, they went to Sikka Auto Dealers to try out the car they had in mind. Moreover, the Under-Secretary dressed up in white Jodhpuri coat with and orange turban while Nanukaka sat regally like the hereditary pandit from a princely state.
3. What new role did Nanukaka give the Under-Secretary to play?( नानूकाका ने अवर सचिव को कौन सी नई भूमिका निभाने के लिए दी?)
Answer-Nanukaka asked the Under-Secretary to dress up in a white Jodhpuri along with an orange turban. Hence, he played the role of a liveried chauffeur that drove Nanukaka to the Welfare Minister.
4. How did he manage to impress the Sikka Auto Dealers?( उन्होंने सिक्का ऑटो डीलर्स को कैसे प्रभावित किया?)
Answer-Since the motor car touts can smell a rich man from a mile away, Nanukaka curated a small plan to impress the Sikka Auto Dealers. He wrote a bearer’s cheque worth a thousand rupees and kept it in an old coat of his’. He handed over the coat to the dhobi who later came running in front of everyone waving that cheque, making it look like Nanukaka had been careless enough to leave a bearer’s cheque of such a huge amount. Nanukaka even rewarded the dhobi with money. This made him look rich and wealthy enough to be able to buy that outlandish car they were eyeing on.
5. What did he do at the minister’s residence?( उन्होंने मंत्री के आवास पर क्या किया?)
Answer- At the minister’s residence, Nanukaka merely called for the visitors’ book as the secretary fussed about not being able to know the state of business he had come for. Nanukaka clarified that he was not there to disturb the minister but was at the location to make a formal call. He mentioned that he was there simply to fulfill a formality they follow in the old princely states. Upon getting the visitors’ book, Nanukaka specified himself as the “Hereditary Astrologer to the Maharaja of Ninnore” and gave his sister’s address of residence in Delhi.
6. How did he impress the minister?( उन्होंने मंत्री को कैसे प्रभावित किया?)
Answer-Nanukaka managed to impress the minister with the entire act that he staged. From being driven to the location in an outlandish car by a liveried chauffeur, dressing up like a hereditary pandit of the princely states and introducing himself as the “Hereditary Astrologer to the Maharaja of Ninnore’, Nanukaka surely made an impression. If this was not enough, he loudly announced to his chauffeur to take him to Maharaja Sutkatta’s palace as he needed to return all the horoscopes entrusted to him, showing that he had contacts with a lot of aristocrats.
7. Is the Under-Secretary impressed with Nanukaka at any point? When and why? Find out the evidence from the story.( क्या अवर सचिव किसी भी समय नानूकाका से प्रभावित हैं? कब और क्यों? कहानी से सबूत ढूंढिए.)
Answer-Nanukaka’s wise use of his wit and intelligence impressed the Under-Secretary in many ways. As per the knowledge of the Under-Secretary, it takes weeks or even months to get an interview with the minister but Nanukaka managed to get a Minister to visit him in two days. The Under-Secretary’s admiration of Nanukaka was quite evident in the end when he thought about what would happen if the Minister got to know that his uncle has never been within a hundred miles of Ninnore. He was convinced that Nanukaka would deal with the situation without allowing a single fold of his angocha to fall of place.
Long Answer Questions
1. Nanukaka tells lots of lies. Why does he do so? Does he succeed in his pursuit?( नानुकाका बहुत झूठ बोलते हैं। वह ऐसा क्यों करता है? क्या वह अपने लक्ष्य में सफल होता है?)
Answer-It is true that Nanukaka told a lot of lies. However, all of them were said in order to get things done in his favor. It is believed that it takes weeks or even months to get an interview with the Minister but the act that he displayed got the Minister to come see Nanukaka himself within two days. It would never have been possible if Nanukaka hadn’t gone in an outlandish car with a liveried chauffeur, introduced himself as the “Hereditary Astrologer to the Maharaja of Ninnore” or showed off his contacts with many aristocrats. Thus, his lies helped him succeed in his pursuit.
2. What impression does Nanukaka make on you? Do you like him? Attempt a character sketch of Nanukaka.( नानूकाका आप पर क्या प्रभाव डालता है? क्या आप उसे पसंद करते हैं? नानूकाका के चरित्र चित्रण का प्रयास करें।)
Answer- Nanukaka seems to have quite an impressive personality. He looks like a loving brother from the way the narrator’s mother got all excited to see him that she even asked her son, the Under-Secretary to take two days’ leave. He has a friendly nature which is evident with the way he got the Ticket Collector to help him. He is a man who likes to stick to traditions rather than following western trends which can be seen from his fondness of a closed collar Jodhpuri coat and turban. He managed to portray himself as a wealthy man in order to get the lavish car which makes him spontaneous. He succeeded in his pursuit of seeing the minister by displaying an act which shows that he is clever and witty. On the other hand, it can also be seen as a trait that can be used to deceive people as not even once, did he hesitate to tell lies to get things done in his favor. Yes, I like Nanukaka as he seems to be a man who can handle any situation that he faces and can make lemonade with the lemons that life throws at him. He has quite an impressionable persona.
3. Suppose you have Nanukaka as your uncle. How would you behave with him? Explain in detail.( मान लीजिए कि नानुकाका आपके चाचा हैं। आप उसके साथ कैसा व्यवहार करेंगे? विस्तार से व्याख्या।)
Answer-If I had an uncle like Nanukaka, I would surely fuss around at first on the news of him visiting, just like the narrator because of all the hassle I would have to go through for him. This does not mean that I would act with hateful intent with him. I will display complete respect and fulfill all my duties whole-heartedly. I would try to learn from him as much as possible. His powers of persuasion would impress me the most. I would obey all his orders and fulfill all his wishes. I would make sure that his stay is comfortable and memorable.
4. Nanukaka made a big promise to Sohanlal Ratiram. Did he ever fulfil his promise?( नानूकाका ने सोहनलाल रतिराम से एक बड़ा वादा किया। क्या उन्होंने कभी अपना वादा पूरा किया?)
Answer-Nanukaka made a big promise to Sohanlal Ratiram to convince Hajrat Barkat Ali to take Lalaji’s son as Trade Commissioner on a foreign assignment after someone had poisoned his mind against it. Nanukaka told Lala Sohnalal that he went to school together with H.B.. and displayed that H.B. regarded him so highly. However, he did not fulfill the promise because the whole story was fabricated. Nanukaka did not know the Ambassador at all.
5. Can a person like Nanukaka be more successful in the present society? Give reasons.( क्या नानूकाका जैसा व्यक्ति वर्तमान समाज में अधिक सफल हो सकता है? कारण दे।)
Answer-Nanukaka is polite, outspoken and confident. He never hesitated to use his wit to turn the circumstances in his own favor even if it meant making up lies. He knew how to get others to do things for his own benefit. In the present society, where everyone is selfish, a person like Nanukaka would be more successful who wouldn’t think twice before deceiving someone. He managed to get the Minister to come to his location of choice for an interview in two or three days whereas it takes many weeks or even months to get an appointment. Thus, he would be more successful in today’s world.
6. ‘I wonder what is going to happen when the Minister discovers that my uncle has never been within hundred miles of a place called Ninnore… Only, when it happens, I want to be somewhere far out of range.’ What light does it throw on the motive of • the writer in the story? – Does he want to glorify manipulation? Warn us of the consequences which its discovery leads to? Expose the reality we are living in?( 'मुझे आश्चर्य है कि क्या होगा जब मंत्री को पता चलेगा कि मेरे चाचा कभी भी निन्नोर नामक स्थान के सौ मील के भीतर नहीं गए हैं... केवल, जब ऐसा होता है, तो मैं सीमा से कहीं दूर जाना चाहता हूं।' कहानी में लेखक का उद्देश्य? – क्या वह हेरफेर का महिमामंडन करना चाहता है? हमें इसकी खोज से होने वाले परिणामों के प्रति आगाह करें? उस वास्तविकता को उजागर करें जिसमें हम जी रहे हैं?)
Answer- After the first incident of manipulation at Lala Sohanlal’s house, the narrator was quite reluctant on being involved the next day to go to visit the Minister. This shows that the narrator was somehow uninterested in being involved in deceitful activities. It was all new for him. One thing he learnt after spending two days with his Uncle was that Nanukaka knew his way of making things work and turn circumstances in his favor. So when Nanukaka portrayed himself as the Hereditary pandit to the Maharaja of Ninnore, the narrator wondered what would happen if the Minister discovers that Nanukaka has never even been near a place called Ninnore. But he was confident that whatever may be the case, Nanukaka would handle the circumstances. He is not trying to glorify manipulation but he sure did see the power of it . He has very subtly attempted to warn the readers to think about the consequences of their actions.
7. What is ‘linguistic emergency’? Do we all face it? How does it affect our speech?( 'भाषाई आपातकाल' क्या है? क्या हम सभी इसका सामना करते हैं? इसका हमारी वाणी पर क्या प्रभाव पड़ता है?)
Answer- Linguistic emergency refers to situations where one is hyper and overwhelmed with the emotions of anger, happiness, sadness or excitement and tries to express it using words. We all face it during a lot of situations. It also happens when a lot is going on in our minds and we try to articulate it. It makes our speech very fast, hurried and also at times, loud.
8. Discuss the significance of the title? How is it related to the theme of the story? (शीर्षक के महत्व पर चर्चा करें? यह कहानी के विषय से किस प्रकार संबंधित है?)
Answer-The title “A Pinch of Snuff” is symbolic. Snuff is an addictive stuff just like tobacco. It is quite a thing among aristocrats to keep their snuff in silver boxes and keep sniffing a small quantity of it every once in a while. Nanukaka, a man who knew that “the bigger, the better”, understood that a person’s way of living and habits make a huge impression on others. He knew that snuff made him look like one of the aristocrats of the princely states. Hence, to give a dramatic pause, he used to snort a pinch of it. Since everything in Nanukaka’s personality is designed to make impressions on powerful people, this pinch of snuff is also calculated to make others understand his superior status. Hence, the title is apt.
If you have any doubts, Please let me know.