Uthappa and bellyappa.

This episode, which happened years back illustrates the fact that human element will always play a role in any activity.

In a work place there is no dearth for earthly humor ,as this episode illustrates.Persons coming in round the clock duty rely on the catering services for breakfast and dinner.

A typical conversation, over phone, goes as described below:
“ I want to book 4 packets of breakfast. What is the menu today?” asks a caller.
“Uthappa” the caterer replies.
“Oh! Gaskets for breakfast today” exclaims the caller.

On another day…
“Book 2 packets of breakfast for me. What is the menu?” enquires the caller.
“Uppuma with vadaa” replies the caterer.
“Oh ..  no, today bellyappa , Ayethay naakku vadhu” caller disconnects.
[Ayethey naakku vadhu means 'Then I don't want, in Telugu]

For those of you wondering what all this means, some explanation will clear the air.

“Uthappa” has been Nick named as gasket as it has a striking resemblance and taste of a rubber gasket.

“Uppuma and vadaa” combination ooze with cooking oil. A diet conscious cricket buff has named it as “bellyappa” in mockery of the former cricketer P K Bellyippa who was lean and lithe.

[The narrative though set in a specific environment, could have taken place in a Private or Public sector unit. This setting helps the reader spin their own yarn :) ]

It is not in the label.

Certain facilities are permitted to keep dry-cell torch lights for inspection and emergency purposes. Periodical changing of batteries is usually entrusted to a person who has flair for such works. A ritual is carried out by him on once in 15 days to check whether the torch light is in good working condition. Those were the days when EVEREADY batteries were generally being stocked & issued from Stores.

On one fine day a critical inspection had to be hurriedly carried out. Few people gathered around the item to be inspected and called out to the torch-keeper (it is always kept under lock & key to prevent its’ somnambulist tendencies). The torch was brought after a considerable delay (locating the key-bunch, selecting the right key and rummaging for the torch).

When pressed ON nothing happened. The serious-faced in-charge last his cool and shouted “why have you not checked it”.

The torch-keeper tried some tricks and failed. He then removed the dry batteries and inspected them as though he was looking for a bacteria . After considerable delay he said “I thought the batteries will be ever ready but they are dead and leaked”.

The inspection effort was called off for want of fresh EVEREADY batteries.

[The narrative though set in a specific environment , could have taken place in a metallurgical lab. This setting helps the reader spin their own yarn :) ]