With the onset of new year, there is a great demand for calendars and diaries. Diaries ?! My new generation daughter was puzzled and surprised at the word. I asked "Do you know what is a diary?" she replied curtly, "sorry old school of thought" I pondered over the remark. Has the diary lost its relevance in the new technology era? Nowadays we talk more of convergent technology. The telephone, calculator, watch, Calendar, alarm clock, torch, scribbling pad, address book, reminder notes, tape recorder, radio and what not ! All of them have vanished and merged into one phenomena called "Cell Phone" or more conveniently "Mobile Phone" So where is the relevance for diaries?
Like me my father was also (sorry like my father I am also) a banker. I have seen in my younger days, my father secretly tucking away the new diary obtained at the beginning of the year. And Bank is a solid source for getting a diary. It is a privilege of the client to be blessed with a diary by the hands of the Banker. I have also seen my father very studiously scribbling many things in his diary. I was not bold enough to peep and venture into his treasure. After his retirement, I had the experience of accompanying him to the Bank where he was working. (Though many advise us not to visit the office where we have worked earlier after our retirement for the fear of losing attention and care. This may be the case at home also)
But with my father it was altogether different. In his previous office he was treated nicely and royally. The Manager in his beautiful cabin (which is an icon of authority) used to welcome my father, offer him a cup of coffee and Hindu Paper and the seat in front of him. (in modern Management the cabin has given way to cubicle) My father used to nag him for a diary and calendar. And the Manager used to give the usual reply politely "Sir, Diary and Calendar not yet arrived". On the way back home I have heard my father murmur with irritation. "At least before December whether Diary and Candler will arrive?"
My father had a peculiar funny habit. He will keep the current year diary safely for the next year, and for the current year he will use last year's diary. I used to wonder how he will keep track of the dates. But it seldom showed any mistake. Perhaps my father wanted to have year continuity.
When I grew up and had the first taste of Wikipedia I searched the word 'diary'. This is what I got as a search result. "A diary is a record (originally in handwritten format) with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, thoughts, and/or feelings, excluding comments on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone who keeps a diary is known as a diarist. I have wondered many times whether my father's Bank Diary fitted into this definition.
After my retirement it is my turn to take the mantle from my father. I had decided not to visit the Manager at his office for the Calendar and Diary. Instead I use to call the Manager in my mobile and enquire when I should come to collect it. This way I found it more gentlemanly.
Recently my daughter got some prize money and I persuaded her to deposit the same in my Bank. (Habits/Bankers never change). She agreed and we three myself, my daughter and her mother visited the Bank. After the initial exchange of pleasantries, the Manager as usual explained the various schemes and advantages of depositing the money in his Bank (mine also!). After the business meeting when we were about to leave I politely asked the Manager "Sir I did not get the Calendar and Diary !". Oops, I realized I had dropped the brick when I felt my wife's chappal pounding on my foot under the Manage'rs table.
Happily when I was on my return journey (because of the proud possession of my Calendar and Diary), my daughter told me politely, "Appa, I will get you a new Mobile Phone. Please don't use Diary or Calendar hereafter"
How dare she disrespect my Diary! I have never done this to my father. I could sense the New-Gen courage. Can I heed to my daughter's words? I am doubtful. Because this is a priceless habit I have inherited hierarchically.
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