Life of a middle class person follows broadly a routine course.In the childhood, he is insisted to study hard and secure maximum number of marks in the examination. He virtually runs after marks. In the college life, he aspires to become doctor or engineer. But he has no merit and his father does not afford to give lakhs of rupees as donation for medical or engineering course. He has to complete B.Ed., B.A.M.S., LL.B. or other degrees as a second alternative which he silently regrets deep in his mind throughout his life. He collects and preserves his degrees and other educational certificates as sacred documents. After education, he struggles for a job. Ultimately gets one. But he is not satisfied there and tries to find another job, then some other job. Finally he settles in a job. He always feels and complains that he got the job of lesser status than what he deserved and he is getting a lesser salary than what he deserves. Purchases a two wheeler as a necessity. Marries but late in life, because he has lost much of his time in making his ‘career’. Wife takes a job to augment family income and also to assert her identity. He frequently quarrels with his wife but eventually has to adjust with her. Children are born. As both husband and wife are working, there may be difficulty in rearing the children. So whenever possible grandmother of the children is called and assigned the duty to look after the children. He finds very difficult to get admission to his children in reputed schools. Has to please his boss where he is working. Goes on saving money but finds it very difficult due to increasing family needs. After about 10 years or so in the job, purchases 1BHK or 2BHK Flat with loan, goes on paying installments for about 10 years. Purchasing a house is the greatest achievement in his life! Takes tour with his family to south India and if possible to north India. That is his memorable enjoyment. Purchases refrigerator and now a days Computer also just as a mark of status and to show to the guests. May purchase a low cost or second hand car as a luxury. Saves and then spends few lakhs of rupees for his daughter’s marriage and son’s education. Saves money in nationalized banks and in purchasing gold, never invests in shares. His topics for chatting are confined exclusively to two subjects: current politics and widespread corruption. Occasionally he worships God faithfully. Sincerely does his job for 30-35 years to get at the end of life a pension or a good amount of contributory provident fund and gratuity (that was his only dream!). He hopes, after his retirement, to enjoy life at leisure without doing any work, as he will be getting pension and then there will be no need to please any boss or ask any permission for casual leave. Diseases of old age have already started entering his body by his age of 50 years. After retirement, he goes on visiting his son and daughter who are posted invariably at some other place and gets there a duty to entertain his grandchildren. When he or his wife falls ill, his son or daughter may once or twice visit him. But thereafter, both are often reluctant to visit and spend few days in nursing him. Son’s excuse is he cannot get a leave of absence from his job; job will suffer. Daughter’s excuse is that husband does not allow her to stay away from her family responsibilities like schooling of children. Now, this old middle class man lives because he does not die. One day, he suddenly dies to be mourned by few for a day or two, after which he is lost in oblivion. World did never notice his birth or existence or his death. After three generations even his name is not remembered in his family by his successors!
