By Naba Bhattacharjee
I failed to recognize him initially, as he alighted from a swanky SUV, in coal black sun glasses and limestone white shoes. He was familiar once the shades were off. Our conversation was pure potpourri and on translation went thus. “So, how are you?” he enquired and before I could respond, continued pompously “I went, there” pointing to the school located across the road. “Is your son, studying here?” I enquired. “Arrey, no, no; he is in Mumbai; costliest school – next year going London”. As I was preparing to leave, he drew me aside, “I came to collect certificate,” he confided in a relatively supple tone. “Actually, a ninth class pass certificate, but this (……..) Principal”. …..I became guarded but enquired, “If you have studied in this school, they must give a certificate”. “No.. I studied in village school for one year only,” he said with a sheepish smile. Then came the disclosure. “I am contesting in 2013 … you may be aware; to-day I am also no 13 … cash rich in Meghalaya”. I smiled, seriously trying to recollect whether coming across any such survey result or bulletin. He continued, after attending to a call in one of his 3 cell phones, – “Ha, you see the 10th richest is my main opponent and he has a class 9 certificate”. I realized the contest is on who studied more in paper, although both may have never entered a school. “So only the two of you are contesting?” I asked curiously. “No there is another MA pass” he shot back irritated, “but no money like both of us”, disdain in his voice as if the other is a social pariah by being a post graduate and living honestly within his means. “But there is no minimum education limit to contest”, I quipped. “You see, I came to know that many NGO’s are planning to campaign during election asking people to vote for only BA and MA candidates”. “Then that certificate does not serve your purpose?” was my response, which educed the final bombshell. He extricated a sheet of paper from his pocket and displayed proudly, “See my BA certificate is ready”. It was indeed from a university outside the region. “But it is unsigned and without any seal etc”, I exclaimed. “One has to follow rules … class 9 and Matric which I must arrange and then this certificate will be signed”, he explained like a teacher. He let me off with a parting shot, “If I win and we form government, I shall “fight” for education minister and teach this Principal a lesson”. And his prediction may well become a reality.