Dharmatma

            During our college days, it was examination time. We had preparation leave, when I and my friend decided to catch the night show - rerun of the Feroz Khan classic movie ‘Dharmatma’. We reached Geetanjali theater on the central avenue, Nagpur, well within time. I had driven the motorbike while my friend occupied the back seat. I stopped in front of the booking window where my friend alighted and I proceeded forward to park the two-wheeler appropriately. We did not see any cause of worry since there did not seem too much rush. As I was negotiating the parking lot I heard my friend calling me back. Upon inquiry it transpired that his pocket had been picked! Left with no other alternative we decided to return. As we walked back and were about to restart the bike my friend casually inquired with a seeming black marketer who was loitering around, whether he happened to spot any wallet lying around by any chance since he seemed to have lost the same? This nonchalant question triggered quiet a fantastic reaction from the guy it was addressed to.

            “It seems as if your pocket has been picked!” he said. “Please go and park your vehicle and start watching the movie while I will see about what can be done.” When we pointed out to him our helplessness since that wallet contained all the money which we were together carrying upon us, he simply indicated to the gate keeper to allow us to enter and ensured proper seats for us in the balcony! We started watching the movie not without some degree of confusion and wonder. There was nothing more to lose we reckoned.

            During interval our benefactor was there to treat us snacks and cold drinks! We could somewhat begin to decipher his trend of thought when he told us that he despised pickpockets and that he had noticed one operating in spite of his instructions otherwise. He hadn’t located the fellow but he will do so before the end of the movie. So we should go ahead and take our seats while he will take care of the rest.

            Post interval we were quiet distracted by the “Dharmatma” happening to us in real life! Sure enough, after some time, “Dharmatma” beckoned us outside and asked us to pick our wallet from the 4-5 others that he displayed. We did so dutifully and nodded vehemently upon being asked to check the contents and indicate whether everything was all right! Later he restored the rest of the stolen wallets to there rightful owners! One of them even happened to be a cop!

             We had made quiet an extraordinary friend that day. We met him many times during those days but never once did he allow us to repay even an iota of his magnanimous hospitality! “Whenever I am short of money I rob it over knife point,” he told us, “but picking pockets is an activity which I hate” he said. He was proud about the fact that it was he who was the first person to be apprehended by the police for any 92 (IPC for armed robbery) occurring any where on the central avenue. But pick pocketing was an activity which he abhorred and did not allow under his area of influence!

            This unique experience remains permanently etched in our memories and serves to remind us about life's infinite ability to surprise, when we are least expecting it and as our baptism in the concept of honour among thieves!