As we're on our way to attend a function, the level cross was shut to allow a passing train to go past when a young boy vending lottery tickets, accosted me and tried to persuade me into buying one. I'm weary of buying them and I've not done it till now, though these days, they advertise to the effect that a percentage of the sales proceeds would be used for life saving activities like kidney transplants, cardiology management and other medical assistance for the poor and the needy! A laudable welfare activity initiated by the Oommen Chandy government of Kerala.
Lottery and anything connected with it invokes two distinct memories in me, always and every time.
Firstly, I must confess that Dame Luck has never been on my side whenever I've resorted to testing my chances. I must have played a number of 'tombolas(housies)' but to no avail. The saddest part is that I haven't even won a single line, let alone the full house! And I find it to be so very conspiratorial, in that, I tick almost all the numbers in the first flush only to be left with a lone number - and mind you, this has been the way always, till I gave up playing a couple of years back! And I bet that they're the losers, not me!!
It takes me to my second narrative that encompasses the interview that I'd attended at the services selection board for the NDA. The President and the members had put me through a whole range of questions when I was asked by the lady psychologist as to what I'd do if I were to win a lottery. My answer was that I'd invest it in a small scale enterprise with the twin aims of providing jobs for a few and generating income to venture into further avenues. I was then asked as to whether I'd part with the booty if a needy friend asked for a loan, to which I'd answered in the affirmative.
The situation was further tightened when the President butted in saying that the friend was in no condition to return the money and he wanted to ascertain as to what I'd do in such a scenario. My answer, without any hesitation, was that it was anyways something that had come my way without any effort on my part and therefore, would willingly accept that it was actually not mine in the real sense, after all! And laugh the whole thing off as a dream gone kaput!!
Tailpiece.
I've later on visited this incident, many times over and have asked myself as to whether I'd answered in that manner to impress my interviewers without really meaning it. I must unhesitatingly say - crossing my heart - that my response would have been the same as I'd spoken then!
Probably, that's the reason why I haven't had any success, thus far, on this score!!
Lottery and anything connected with it invokes two distinct memories in me, always and every time.
Firstly, I must confess that Dame Luck has never been on my side whenever I've resorted to testing my chances. I must have played a number of 'tombolas(housies)' but to no avail. The saddest part is that I haven't even won a single line, let alone the full house! And I find it to be so very conspiratorial, in that, I tick almost all the numbers in the first flush only to be left with a lone number - and mind you, this has been the way always, till I gave up playing a couple of years back! And I bet that they're the losers, not me!!
It takes me to my second narrative that encompasses the interview that I'd attended at the services selection board for the NDA. The President and the members had put me through a whole range of questions when I was asked by the lady psychologist as to what I'd do if I were to win a lottery. My answer was that I'd invest it in a small scale enterprise with the twin aims of providing jobs for a few and generating income to venture into further avenues. I was then asked as to whether I'd part with the booty if a needy friend asked for a loan, to which I'd answered in the affirmative.
The situation was further tightened when the President butted in saying that the friend was in no condition to return the money and he wanted to ascertain as to what I'd do in such a scenario. My answer, without any hesitation, was that it was anyways something that had come my way without any effort on my part and therefore, would willingly accept that it was actually not mine in the real sense, after all! And laugh the whole thing off as a dream gone kaput!!
Tailpiece.
I've later on visited this incident, many times over and have asked myself as to whether I'd answered in that manner to impress my interviewers without really meaning it. I must unhesitatingly say - crossing my heart - that my response would have been the same as I'd spoken then!
Probably, that's the reason why I haven't had any success, thus far, on this score!!
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