Haryana State Board HBSE 8th Class English Solutions Honeydew Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
Haryana Board HBSE 8th Class English Solutions Honeydew Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory
HBSE 8th Class English Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Textbook Questions and Answers
Comprehension Check – I
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Word Meaning HBSE 8th Class Question 1.
Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?
व्यक्ति ने बिपिन बाबू को अविश्वास भरी निगाहों से क्यों घूरा?
Answer:
The man was constantly reminding him of his trip to Ranchi. But Bepin Babu was as unaware of his trip as he had never been there. He recalled him certain incidents but Bepin Babu rejected all things. So the man stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief.
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Translation In Hindi HBSE 8th Class Question 2.
Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October ‘58?
“बिपिन बाबू ने कहाँ बताया कि अक्टूबर ’58 में गये थे?
Answer:
Bepin Babu said that he had gone to Kanpur in Puja with a friend.
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Hindi Summary HBSE 8th Class Question 3.
Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
किन्हीं तीन (या ज्यादा) चीजों का उल्लेख करो जो परिमल घोष बिपिन बाबू के विषय में जानता था।
Answer:
Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu’s family details like his wife’s death, his brother’s mental illness, his cut in the right knee, his dislike for hotel’s food and argument about the moon landing etc.
Comprehension Check – II
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Summary In Hindi HBSE 8th Class Question 1.
Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?
परिमल घोष ने जो कहा, उसके बारे में बिपिन बाबू चिन्तित क्यों थे?
Answer:
Bepin was worried that how could that person knew so much about him. Parimal said that he was in Ranchi, moreover he gave some intimate details about Bepin’s family but Bepin Babu was sure that he had never been to Ranchi.
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Summary HBSE 8th Class Question 2.
How did he try to decide who was right-his memory, or Parimal Ghose?
उसने कैसे तय करने का प्रयत्न किया कि कौन सही था-उसकी याददाश्त या परिमल घोष?
Answer:
Bepin Babu, decided to ring Dinesh Ivlukerji who was there with him at that time to know who was right. ;
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory In Hindi HBSE 8th Class Question 3.
Why did Bepin Babu first hesitate to ring up Mr. Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to do so?
पहले, श्रीमान् मुकर्जी को फोन करने में बिपिन बाबू को हिचकिचाहट क्यों हुई? अंत में उसने ऐसा करने का निश्चय क्यों
Answer:
Mr. Mukerji could conclude Bepin Babu was going nuts. Bepin didn’t want to fall in a ridiculous situation due to Dinesh’s ruthless sarcasm. He finally decided to do so because the thought was occupying his mind to a great extent and he was very upset with this.
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse Of Memory Question Answer HBSE 8th Class Question 4.
What did Mr. Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?
मि. मुकर्जी ने क्या कहा? क्या इससे बिपिन बाबू को आराम मिला या उनकी चिन्ताओं में बढ़ोत्तरी हुई?
Answer:
Mr. Mukerji made it confirm that he was there in Ranchi in ’58. It makes him more . worried. He even lost his appetite.
Comprehension Check – III
Bepin Choudhury Lapse Of Memory Summary In English HBSE 8th Class Question 1.
Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?
चुन्नीलाल कौन था? वह बिपिन बाबू से क्या चाहता था?
Answer:
Chunilal was Bepin Babu’s old friend of school. He wanted some help about a job from Bepin Babu as he was going through a rough ,v time.
Bepin Babu Lapse Of Memory Question Answer HBSE 8th Class Question 2.
Why was Dr. Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s lost of memory?
डॉ. चंदा हैरान क्यों था? बिपिन बाबू की याददाश्त खोन के बारे में क्या था?
Answer:
Dr. Chanda was puzzled to know the symptoms of Bepin’s illness. The unusual thing was that Bepin Babu had forgotton only about his trip to Ranchi, other things were as it is in his mind. If he had lost his memory, he should have forgotton all the other things also.
Comprehension Check – IV
Question 1.
Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotton all about a trip to Ranchi?
क्या बिपिन बाबू अपनी याददाश्त खो चुके थे और रांची यात्रा के बारे में सब कुछ भूल गए थे?
Answer:
No, Bepin Babu hadn’t lost his memory but actually it was a prank played on him by his school friend Chunilal. He’d never been to Ranchi as he was quite sure from the beginning. But Chunilal made an atmosphere like that he got afflueted by it. The condition became so horrible that he had to consult a physician.
Question 2.
Why do think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he was no money; what is it that he does have?
आप क्या सोचते हैं कि चुन्नीलाल ने जो किया वह क्यों किया? चुन्नीलाल कहता है, “मेरे पास धन नहीं है।” वह क्या है जो उसके पास है?
Answer:
Chunilal did so to teach a lesson to Bepin Babu as he had not helped him in getting a job in his rough times. Chunilal has no money but he possess a good memory.
Working with The Text
Question 1.
The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?
लेखक बिपिन बाबू को एक गंभीर और मेहनती व्यक्ति बताते हैं। इसका समर्थन करने के लिए आपको कहानी में कौन से प्रमाण मिलते हैं?
Answer:
He was doing a responsible job in a big firm. He never get anything wrong in the twenty five years of his service. But now he was unable to work. He had a reputation for being a tireless and conscientious worker. These words support him as a serious and hardworking man.
Question 2.
Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting?
बिपिन बाबू ने चुन्नीलाल से मिलने के बारे में अपना मन क्यों बदला? इस मीटिंग का क्या परिणाम निकला?
Answer:
Bepin Babu changed his mind as he thinks that Chuni could tell him something about the Ranchi trip. The meeting made him more miserable because Chuni said that he was the one who had done booking for his Ranchi trip.
Question 3.
Bepin BtJbu lost consciousness at Hudrop Alls. What do you think was the reason for This?
बिपिन बाबू हुडरू प्रपात पर अपना होश खो बैठे। तुम इसका क्या कारण सोचते हो?
Answer:
The reason was that he was overburdened with the thought of loss of his memory. And unability to understand what was happening with him. It leads him to a serious stage of stress and anxiety.
Question 4.
How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?
तुम क्या सोचते हो कि बिपिन बाबू ने कैसे प्रतिक्रिया की होगी जब उन्हें पता चला होगा कि चुनीलाल ने उसके साथ चाल खेली थी?
Answer:
I think that Bepin Babu must have regretted for not doing anything for his school- friend Chunilal.
Working with Language
Question 1.
Look at these two sentences:
He had to buy at least five books to last him through the week.
Bepin had to ask Chuni to leave.
Had to is used to. show that it was very important or necessary’for Bepin Babu to do something. He had to choice. We can also use “have to’ / “has to’ in the same way.
Fill in the blanks below using had to/ have to / has to:
(i) I ……….. cut my hair every month.
(ii) We ……….. go for swimming lessons last year.
(iii) She ……….. tell the principal the truth.
(iv) They ……….. take the baby to the doctor.
(v) We ……….. complain to the police about the noise.
(vi) Romit ……….. finish his homework before he could come out to play.
(vii) I ……….. repair my cycle yesterday.
Ans.
(i) have to
(ii) had to
(iii) had to
(iv) had to
(v) had to
(vi) has to
(vii) had to.
Question 2.
Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary, in the following way:
First, arrange “them in the order in which you would find them in dictionary.
(Glue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom.
To help you, we have put in bold the word Under which you must look for the idiom in the dictionary.)
Answer:
(i) At/from close quarters: to stand near someone to observe something about him.
(ii) Break into a smile: to pass an instant smile to a person.
(iii) Carry on: To continue.
(iv) Have a clean record: To keep something for reference clearly.
(v) Beat about the bush: Not to say something exactly.
Question 3.
Study the sentences in the columns below:
A | B |
1. I saw this movie yesterday. | 1. I have seen this movie already. |
2. Bepin Babu worked here for a week last year. | 2. Bepin Babu has worked here since 2003. |
3. Chunilal wrote to a publisher last week. | 3. Chunilal has written to a publisher. |
4. I visited Ranchi once, long ago. | 4. I have visited Ranchi once before. |
Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms (see-have seen, and so on). Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences.
(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place?
(ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?
(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw?
(iv) Which column suggests that the – experience of visi(ahg Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?
Answer:
(i) Column B tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place.
(ii) Colunm A suggests so.
(iii) Colunm B suggests so.
(iv) Column B suggests so.
Question 4.
Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences:
You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then use your dictionary to check the meaning.
One sentence has been worked out for you as an example.
Jumbled sentence: vanished / The car / seemed to / into / thin / have / air.
Answer:
The car seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Idiom: vanished into thin air. disappeared or vanished in a mysterious way.
(i) Stop / and tell me / beating about / what you want / the bush
Answer:Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
Idiom: Beating about the bush-Not to’ say something exactly.
(ii) don’t pay / If / you attention / you might / the wrong train 0 to the announcement/board.
Answer:If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong tram.
Idiom: Pay attention: to be attentive or careful towards something that is being done or spoken.
(iii) The villagers / tried / the crime / on the young woman / to pin
Answer:The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.
Idiom: To pin the crime: to accuse someone for the crime.
(iv) Bepin Babu / orders to / telling people / under / loved / doctor’s / eat early / that / he was
Answer:Bepin Babu loved telling people that x he has under doctor’s orders to eat early.
Idiom: To eat early – to eat something frequently or at quick intervals.
(v) The students / the teacher / his eyebrows / when/ said that / all their lemons / raised / they had visited
Answer:The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had visited all their lemons.
Idiom: raised his eyebrows: to look at someone in surprise or anger.
Speaking and Writing
Question 1.
What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?
Answer:
I think Bepin Babu must have regretted his selfish attitude, after he came to know the truth. He was not angry with his friend for a playing such a trick on him. He had learnt a lesson from the situation that he could have helped a friend in need.
Question 2.
Imagine you are Bepin Chaudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something fer him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.
Answer:
Kolkata
Feb. 9, 200….
Dear Chunilal,
I received your letter. Through! it^I came to know that you had played a prank on me. I am not angry with you but I feel ashamed of my attitude. I am extremely sorry for I didn’t bother to help you. You told me that you were down on your luck. Even then, I didn’t help you in getting a job. But now when I have realised my mistake, I want to do something for you. Please tell me how can I help you.> It will be great pleasure to me if I could do something for ydu.
Yours
Bepin Chaudhury
Glimpses of the Past Important Comprehension Passages
Read the passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Passage – 1
“What are you saying, Mr Choudhury? You had a fall in Hudroo and cut your right knee. I brought you iodine. I had fixed up a car for you to go to Netarhat the next day but you couldn’t because of the pain in the knee. Can’t you recall anything? Someone else you know was also in
Ranchi at that time. Mr Dinesh Mukerji. You stayed in a bungalow. You said you didn’t like hotel food and would prefer to have our meals cooked by a bawarchi. Mr Mukerji stayed with his sister. You had a big argument about the moon landing, remember? I’ll tell you more: you always carried a bag with your books in it on your sight¬seeing trips. Am I right or not?”
Questions:
(i) Who is the speaker in these lines?
(ii) Who had a cut and where?
(iii) Where did Bepin Babu stay?
(iv) Who always carried books with him?
(v) What he is trying to do?
(vi) Which word in the passage means the opposite of ‘forget’?
Answers:
(i) Parimal Ghose is the speaker in these lines.
(ii) Bepin Babu had a cut in his right knee.
(iii) Bepin Babu stayed bra bungalow.
(iv) Bepin Babu always carried books with him.
(v) He is trying to recall about the trip to Ranchi.
(vi) Forget – remember.
Passage – 2
Was he losing his mind? But how could that be? He was working daily in his office. It was a big firm, and he was doing a responsible job. He wasn’t aware of anything ever going seriously wrong. Only today he spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. And yet…
And yet the man knew a great deal about him. How? He even seemed to know, some intimate details. The bag of books, wiffe’s death, brother’s insanity… The only mistake was about his having gone to Ranchi. Not a mistake; a deliberate lie. In ’58, during the Pujas, he was in Kanpur at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place. All Bepin Babu had to do was write to no, there was1 no way of writing to Haridas. Bepin Babu suddenly remembered that Haridas had left with his wife for |japan some weeks ago, and he didn’t have his address.
Questions:
(i) Who was losing his mind?
(ii) Who knew a great deal about him?
(Hi) What are the intimate details described here?
(iv) What do you think it was a mistake or alvei
(v) What was he doing in Kanpur?
(vi) Write a sentence Using “losing his mind”.
Answers:
(i) Bepin Babu was losing his mind.
(ii) Parimal Ghose knew a great deal about him.
(iii) The bag of books, wife’s death, brother’s insanity are mentioned here.
(iv) It was a lie.
(v) He was at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place attending a Puja.
(vi) Ramesh is losing his mind due to overburden of responsibilities.
Passage – 3
Then Bepin Babu suddenly thought of Dinesh Mukeiji. The man had said that Dinesh was in Ranchi at the same time. The best thing surely would be to ask him. He lived quite near in Beninandan Street. What about going right now? But then, if he had really never been to Ranchi, what would Dinesh think if Bepin Babu asked for a confirmation? He would probably conclude Bepin Babu was going nuts. No; it would be ridiculous to ask him.
And he knew how ruthless Dinesh’s sarcasm could be.
Questions:
(i) Why did Bepin Babu thought of Dinesh Mukerji?
(ii) Where did Dinesh lived?
(iii) Who said that Dinesh was in Ranchi?
(iv) Why it was ridiculous to ask Dinesh?
(v) Which word iru the passage rrieahs the opposite of’doubtfull’?
Answers:
(i) Bepin Babu wanted to ask him about Ranchi trip because he was also there at the same time.
(ii) Dinesh lived in Beninandan Street.
(iii) Parimal said that Dinesh was in Ranchi.
(iv) It was ridiculous because he could make sarcasm of the matter saying that Bepin Babu was going nuts.
(v) Doubtful-confirmation.
Passage – 4
At seven thirty, Bepin Babu’s servant came and announced, “Chuni Babu, sir. Says it’s very important.”
Bepin Babu knew what Chuni had come for. Chunilal had been at school with him. He’d been having a rough time lately and had been coming to see him about a job. Bepin Babu knew it was not possible to do anything for him and, in fact, told him so. But Chuni kept turning up like a bad penny.
Bepin Babu sent word that not only was it not possible for him to see Chuni now, but not in several weeks.
But as soon as the servant stepped out of the room, it struck Bepin Babu that Chuni might remember something about the ’58 trip. There was no harm in asking him.
Bepin Babu hurried down the stairs and into the living room. Chuni was about to leave, but seeing Bepin Babu appear, he turned round hopefully.
Bepin Babu didn’t beat about the bush.
Questions:
(i) Who had came?
(ii) What was reason for Chuni’s arrival?
(iii) Had Bepin helped Chuni Babu?
(iv) Why did he decide to meet Chuni Babu?
(v) Where was Chuni waiting?
(vi) What is the meaning of‘beat about the bush’?
Answers:
(i) Chuni had came.
(ii) Chuni arrived there to see him about a job.
(iii) No, Bepin hadn’t helped Chuni Babu.
(iv) He-decided to meet Chuni because he might tell him something about the Ranchi trip.
(v) Chuni was waiting in the living room.
(vi) Beat about the bush – not to say something exactly and to the point.
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Para Wise Translation in Hindi
“Do you have a good memory? Has your memory ever played any tricks on you?
Forgetfulness often puts you in a tight spot. But forgetting a part of your life completely may drive you crazy. In this story, Bepin Babu goes nearly crazy because he can’t recollect his stay at Ranchi, He has never been to Ranchi, he insists, though there are many witnesses to the
contrary. What is the suspense all about?
Word Meaning:
Memory: (याददाश्त), Trick: deceive somebody = (चाल, छल),Crazy:wildly excited = (जरूरत से ज्यादा सनकी), To the contrary: (इसके विपरीत, प्रतिकूल)।
- क्या आपके पास एक अच्छी याददाश्त है? क्या आपकी याददाश्त ने आप पर कोई चाल खेली (चली) है?
- भूलने की आदत कभी-कभी आपको कठोर परिस्थिति में रख देती है। इस कहानी में बिपिन बाबू लगभग सनकी हो जाते हैं क्योंकि वे रांची में अपना ठहरना स्मरण नहीं कर पाते हैं। वह जोर डालते हैं कि वे कभी रांची नहीं गये लेकिन इसके अपवाद वहाँ कई गवाह थे। इन सभी का क्या रहस्य है?
I
1. Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bepin Choudhury would drop in at Kalicharan’s in New Market to buy books. Crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time in idle chat. Today, at Kalicharan’s, Bepin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing him from close quarters. He turned round and found himself looking at a round faced, meek looking man who now broke into a smile.
Word Meaning:
Crime: a severe offence = (374TTE), Thriller: novels which affect with a strong emotion = (रहस्य-रोमांच कथाएँ), Idle chat: unnecessary conversation = (गपशप), Meek: quiet humble = (दब्बू)। .. हर सोमवार काम से वापिस लौटते हुए बिपिन चौधरी नये बाजार में कालीचरण पर किताबें खरीदने के लिए उतरते थे। अपराध
कथा, भूतकथा और रहस्य-रोमांच। उसे एक समय में कम से कम पाँच खरीदनी होती थी ताकि पूरे सप्ताह तक रहे। वह अकेला रहता था, मिलनसार नही था, कम दोस्त थे और गपशप में समय बिताना पसंद नहीं था। आज कालीचरण पर, बिपिन बाबू को ऐसा महसूस हुआ कि कोई उसे बहुत करीब से देख रहा था। वह घूमा और अपना गोल चेहरा, दब्बू से दिखने वाले व्यक्ति द्वारा देखते पाया जो अब मुस्कुराने लगा।
2. “I don’t suppose you recognise me.”
“Have we met before?” asked Bepin Babu. i. The man looked greatly surprised. “We met every day for a whole week. I arranged for a car to take you to the Hudroo falls. In 1958. In Ranchi. My name is Parimal Ghose.”
“Ranchi?”
Now Bepin Babu realised that it was not he but this man who was making a mistake. Bepin Babu had never been to Ranchi. He had been at the point of going several times, but never made it. He smiled and said, “Do you know who I am?”
The man raised his eyebrows, bit his tongue and said, “Do I know you? Who doesn’t know Bepin Choudhury?”
often does. I’ve never been to Ranchi.”
The man now laughed aloud.
Word Meaning:
Raised his eyebrows: (भौंहे चढ़ाना)।
“मुझे नहीं लगता कि आपने मुझे पहचान लिया।”
“क्या हम पहले मिले हैं?” बिपिन बाबू ने पूछा।
आदमी ने बहुत हैरानी से देखा “हम एक सप्ताह तक प्रतिदिन मिले हैं। मैंने तुम्हारे हुडरू प्रपात तक जाने के लिए कार का इंतजाम किया था। 1958 में। रांची में। मेरा नाम परिमल घोष है।”
“रांची?”
अब बिपिन बाबू ने अनुभव किया कि यह वे नहीं किन्तु वह व्यक्ति था जो गलती कर रहा था। बिपिन बाबू कभी रांची नहीं गये। वह कई बार जाने वाले थे पर कभी जा नहीं पाये। वह मुस्कराये और कहा “क्या आप जानते हैं मैं कौन हूँ?”
उस आदमी ने अपनी भौंहे चढ़ाई-अपनी जबान काटी और कहा “क्या मैं आपको जानता हूँ? बिपिन चौधरी को कौन नहीं । जानता?”
बिपिन बाबू अब किताओं की अलमारी की तरफ मुड़े और कहा, “आप अभी भी गलती कर रहे हैं। मैं कभी रांची में नहीं था।”
व्यक्ति अब जोर से हंसने लगा।
3. “What are you saying, Mr Choudhury? You had a fall in Hudroo and cut your right knee. I brought you iodine. I had fixed up a car for you to go to Netarhat the next day, but you couldn’t because of the pain in the knee. Can’t you recall anything? Someone else you know was also in Ranchi at that time. Mr Dinesh Mukerji. You stayed in a bungalow. You said you didn’t like hotel food and would prefer to have your meals cooked by a bawarchi. Mr Mukerji stayed with his sister. You had a big argument about the moon landing, remember? I’ll tell you more: you always carried a bag with your books in it on your sight-seeing trips. Am I right or not?”
Word Meaning:
Recall: remember = (याद आना), Prefer: like better = (अधिक पसन्द करना, प्राथमिकता देना), Argument: (वाद-विवाद, बहस)।
“आप क्या कह रहे हैं, श्रीमान् चौधरी? आप हुडरू में गिर गये थे और आपके दाहिने घुटने में चोट थी। मैं आपके लिए आयोडीन लाया। अगले दिन मैंने आपके नेतारहाट जाने के लिए एक कार तय की थी पर आप घुटने में पीड़ा के कारण नहीं जा पाये थे। क्या आप कुछ याद नहीं कर सकते? उस समय कोई और भी रांची में था जिसे आप जानते हैं-श्री दिनेश मुकर्जी। आप एक बंगले में ठहरे थे। आपने कहा कि आप को होटल का खाना पसंद नही है और बावर्ची द्वारा पकाये गये खाने को प्राथमिकता देंगे। श्रीमान् मुकर्जी अपनी बहन के साथ ठहरे थे। याद है मेरी और आपकी चाँद पर जाने पर एक बड़ी बहस हुई थी। मैं आपको और बताता हूँ आप हमेशा एक थैला लेकर चलते हैं अपनी किताबों से भरा हुआ, जब भी आप दर्शनीय-स्थलों की यात्रा पर जाते हैं। क्या मैं सही हूँ या नहीं?
4. Bepin Babu spoke quietly, his eyes still on the books.
“Which month in’58 are you talking about?”
The man said, “October.”.
“No, sir,” said Bepin Babu. “I spent Puja in ’58 with a friend in Kanpur. You’re making a mistake.
Good day.”
But the man didn’t go, nor did he stop talking.
“Very strange. One evening I had tea with you in a veranda of your bungalow. You spoke about your family. You said you had no children, and that you had lost your wife ten years ago. Your only brother had died insane, which is why you didn’t want to visit the mental hospital in Ranchi…”
When Bepin Babu had paid for the books and was leaving the shop, the man was still lookir g at him in utter disbelief.
Word Meaning:
Slowly: steadily = (धीरे से), Insane: mad = (पागल), Mental hospital: (मानसिक चिकित्सालय), Utter disbelief: complete surprise = (पूर्ण अविश्वास)।
बिपिन बाबू धीरे से बोले। उनकी आँखें अभी भी किताबों पर थीं।
“तुम ’58 के किस महीने के विषय में बातें कर रहे हो?”
व्यक्ति ने कहा “अक्टूबर।”
“नहीं, महोदय”, बिपिन बाबू ने कहा। “मैंने कानपुर में एक मित्र के यहाँ पूजा में ’58 व्यतीत किया। आप त्रुटि कर रहे हैं। शुभ दिन।”
लेकिन व्यक्ति नहीं गया, न ही उसने बातें बंद की।
“बहुत आश्चर्य। एक संध्या मैंने आपके बंगले के आंगन में आपके साथ चाय पी थी। आपने अपने परिवार के बारे में बताया। आपने कहा कि आपके बच्चे नहीं हैं और आप दस साल पहले अपनी पत्नी को खो चुके हैं। आपका इकलौता भाई पागल होकर मर गया जिसके कारण आप रांची के मानसिक चिकित्सालय नहीं जाना चाहते थे।”
जब बिपिन बाबू किताबों के पैसे चुकाकर दुकान से जा रहे थे, तब भी वह व्यक्ति उन्हें पूर्ण अविश्वास से देख रहा था।
II
5. Bepin Babu’s car was safely parked in Bertram Street by the Lighthouse Cinema. He told the driver as he got into the car, “Just drive by the Ganga, will you, Sitaram.” Driving up the Strand Road, Bepin Babu regretted having paid so much attention to the intruder. He had never been to Ranchi no question about it. It was inconceivable that he should forget such an incident which took place only six or seven years ago. He had an excellent memory. Unless-Bepin Babu’s head reeled.
Word Meaning:
Strand: shore of river = (नदी का किनारा), Intruder: to thrust without invitation = (बिना बुलाये घुसने वाला), Inconceivable:unimaginable = (कल्पना से परे), Head reeled: shaken by a shock = (सिर चकराना)।
बिपिन बाबू की कार लाइट हाऊस सिनेमा वालों ने बर्तराम गली में सावधानी से खड़ी कर दी। जैसे ही वह कार में घुसा उसने ड्राइवर से कहा, “गंगा की तरफ से चलाना, चालक, क्या तुम चलोगे, सीताराम?” बिपिन बाबू ने उस घुसपैठिए पर इतना अधिक ध्यान देने के लिए अफसोस किया। वह कभी रांची में नहीं थे इस बारे में कोई प्रश्न ही नहीं उठता। यह कल्पना से परे था कि वह ऐसी कोई घटना भूल जाएँ जो सिर्फ छह या सात साल पहले घटित हुई हो। उसके पास एक बहुत अच्छी याददाश्त थी। नहीं तो बिपिन बाबू का सिर चकरा जाता।
6. Was he losing his mind? But how could that be? He was working daily in his office. It was a big firm, and he was doing a responsible job. He wasn’t aware of anything ever going seriously wrong. Only today he spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. And yet…
And yet the man knew a great deal about him. How? He even seemed to know some intimate details. The bag of books, wife’s death, brother’s insanity… The only mistake was about his having gone to Ranchi. Not a mistake; a deliberate lie. In ’58, during the Pujas, he was in Kanpur at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place. All Bepin Babu had to do was write to – no, there was no way of writing to Haridas. Bepin Babu suddenly remembered that Haridas had left with his wife for Japan: some weeks ago, and he didn’t have his address.
Word Meaning:
Losing his mind: becoming mad = (पागल होना, आपा खोना), Intimate: close and familiar = (अंतरंग), Deliberate:intentional = (जानबूझकर किया गया)।
क्या वह अपना आपा खो रहे थे? पर ऐसा कैसे हो सकता था। वह प्रतिदिन अपने ऑफिस में कार्य करते थे। यह एक बड़ा व्यवसाय संघ था और वह एक जिम्मेदार कार्य कर रहे थे। उसे कभी कुछ गंभीर गलत होने का ज्ञान नहीं था। केवल आज वह आधे घंटे के लिए एक महत्त्वपूर्ण सभा में बोले थे। और फिर भी ….
और फिर भी वह व्यक्ति उनके बारे में एक बड़ी जानकारी जानता हुए प्रतीत होता है। कैसे? और तो और वह कुछ अंतरंग विवरण के बारे में भी जानकार दिखता है। पुस्तकों का थैला, पत्नी की मृत्यु, भाई का पागलपन ………..। गलती सिर्फ रांची जाने के बारे में थी। गलती नहीं, जानबूझकर बोला गया झूठ। सन् ’58 में पूजा के दौरान, वह कानपुर में अपने मित्र हरिदास बागची के घर पर था। बिपिन बाबू को बस अब खत लिखना चाहिए-नहीं, हरिदास को लिखने का कोई रास्ता नहीं था। बिपिन बाबू को अचानक याद आया कि हरिदास कुछ सप्ताह पहले अपनी पत्नी के साथ जापान चले गये थे और उसके पास उसका पता नहीं था।
7. But where was the need for proof? He himself was fully aware that he hadn’t been to Ranchi and that was that.
The river breeze was bracing, and yet a slight discomfort lingered in Bepin Babu’s mind. Around Hastings, Bepin Babu decided to roll up his trousers and take a look at his right knee.
There was the mark of an old inch-long cut. It was impossible to tell when the injury had occurred. Had he never had a fall as a boy and cut his knee? He tried to recall such an incident, but couldn’t.
Then Bepin Babu suddenly thought of Dinesh Mukerji. The man had said that Dinesh was in Ranchi at the same time. The best thing surely would be to ask him. He lived quite near in Beninandan Street. What about going right now? But then, if he had really never been to Ranchi, what would Dinesh think if Bepin Babu asked for a confirmation? He would probably conclude Bepin Babu was going nuts. No; it would be ridiculous to ask him.
Word Meaning:
Bracing: cold but stimulating = (ठंडी पर उत्तेजक),Injury:wound = (घाव, चोट), Surely: (निसंदेह), Ridiculous: absurd (हास्यास्पद, मजाक बनाने लायक)।
किन्तु प्रमाण की आवश्यकता कहाँ थी? वह खुद पूरी तरह से जानते थे कि वह कभी रांची में नही थे और यही सत्य था। नदी की हवा शीतल और मदमाती थी। लेकिन फिर भी कुछ तकलीफ बिपिन बाबू के दिमाग, को घेरे हुई थी। हैस्टिंग के पास, बिपिन बाबू ने अपनी पतलून को मोड़कर अपना दाहिना घुटना देखने का फैसला किया।
वहाँ एक पुराना एक इंच लम्बा कट का निशान था। यह बताना नामुमकिन था कि वह चोट कब लगी। क्या कभी वह एक लड़के की तरह नहीं गिरे और घुटने पर चोट खाई? उसने ऐसी कोई घटना याद करने की कोशिश की, पर नहीं कर पाया।
तब अचानक बिपिन बाबू ने दिनेश मुकर्जी के बारे में सोचा। उस व्यक्ति ने कहा था कि उस समय दिनेश रांची में था। निःसंदेह सबसे उत्तम चीज उससे पूछना होगा। वह काफी नजदीक-बेनीनंदन गली में रहता था। अभी जाना कैसा रहेगा? लेकिन फिर अगर वह वाकई कभी रांची नहीं गया तो दिनेश क्या सोचेगा यदि बिपिन बाबू पुष्टि करने के लिए पूछेगे? हो सकता है वह यह निष्कर्ष निकालें कि बिपिन बाबू सठिया गये हैं। नहीं, उससे पूछना हास्यास्पद होगा।
8. And he knew how ruthless Dinesh’s sarcasm could be.
Sipping a cold drink in his air-conditioned living room, Bepin Babu felt at ease again. Such a nuisance! Just because they have nothing else to do, they go about getting into other people’s hair.
After dinner, snuggling in bed with one of the new thrillers, Bepin Babu forgot all about the man in New Market.
Next day, in the office, Bepin Babu noticed that with every passing hour, the previous day’s encounter was occupying more and more of his mind. If the man knew so much about Bepin Babu, how could he make such a mistake about the Ranchi trip?
Just before lunch Bepin Babu decided to ring up Dinesh Mukerji. It was better to settle the question over the phone; at least the embarrassment on his face wouldn’t show.
Word Meaning:
Ruthless: cruel, pitiless = (निर्दयी, क्रूर),Sarcasm: bitter and ironical, remark = (दुखद व्यंग्य, कटाक्ष), Nuisance: anything offensive or troublesome = (कष्टदायक, बाधा), Snuggling: (चिपके हुए), Embarrassment: mental discomfort = (परेशानी)।
और वह जानता था कि दिनेश का व्यंग्य कितना क्रूर होगा।
अपने वातानुकूलित आवासीय कक्ष में शीतल पेय की चुस्कियाँ लेते हुए बिपिन बाबू आराम महसूस कर रहे थे। एक ऐसी बाधा! सिर्फ इसलिए कि उनके पास करने के लिए कुछ और नहीं है वे दूसरों के काम में दखल देते हैं।
रात के खाने के बाद, बिस्तर में नयी रहस्य-रोमांच कथा के साथ चिपके हुए बिपिन बाबू न्यू मार्केट के उस व्यक्ति के बारे में सब भूल गये।
अगले दिन ऑफिस में बिपिन बाबू ने ध्यान दिया कि हर गुजरते घंटे के साथ पिछले दिन की मुठभेड़ उनका दिमाग और ज्यादा घेर रही थी। यदि वह व्यक्ति बिपिन बाबू के बारे में इतना कुछ जानता है तो रांची यात्रा के बारे में गलती कैसे कर सकता है?
लंच से तुरंत पहले बिपिन बाबू ने दिनेश मुकर्जी को फोन करने का फैसला किया। फोन पर प्रश्न का निवारण करना ज्यादा अच्छा था कम से कम उनके चेहरे पर परेशानी तो नहीं दिखेगी।
9. Two-Three-Five-Six-One-Six. Bepin Babu dialled the number.
“Hallo.”
“Is that Dinesh? This is Bepin here.”
“Well, well – what’s the news?”
“I just wanted to find out if you recalled an incident which took place in ’58.”
“58? What incident?”
“Were you in Calcutta right through that year? That’s the first thing I’ve got to know.”
“Wait just a minute… ’58… just let me check in my diary.”
For a minute there was silence. Bepin Babu could feel that his heartbeat had gone up. He was sweating a little.
दो-तीन-पाँच-छह-एक-छह। बिपिन बाबू ने नंबर घुमाया।
“हैलो।”
“क्या यह दिनेश है? मैं यहाँ बिपिना”
“अच्छा, अच्छा-क्या समाचार है?”
“बस मैं तुमसे एक घटना जो ’58 में हुई थी, के बारे में जानना चाहता था, यदि तुम्हें याद हो।”
“58? कौन सी घटना?”
“क्या तुम इस साल के दौरान कलकता में थे? यह पहली चीज जो मैं जानना चाहता हूँ।”
“एक मिनट इंतजार करो……. ’58 …. जब मुझे अपनी डायरी जाँचने दो।”
एक मिनट के लिए वहाँ चुप्पी थी। बिपिन बाबू महसूस कर सकते थे कि उनकी हृदयगति तीव्र हो गई थी। उन्हें थोड़ा पसीना भी आ रहा था।
10. “Hallo.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got it. I’d been out twice.”
“Where?”
“Once in February – nearby – to Krishnanagar to a nephew’s wedding. And then… but you’d know about this one. The trip to Ranchi. You were there too. That’s all. But what’s all this sleuthing about?”
“No. I just wanted to – anyway, thanks.”
Bepin Babu slammed the receiver down and gripped his head with his hands. He felt his head swimming. A chill seemed to spread over his body. There were sandwiches in his tiffin box, but he didn’t eat them. He had lost his appetite.
Word Meaning:
Sleuthing: investigating = (खोजबीन करना), Slammed: with noise = (धमाके के साथ), Appetite: to feel hungryl hunder (भूख)। .
“हैलो।”
“हाँ”
“मुझे मिल गया। मैं दो बार बाहर था।” “कहाँ?”
“एक बार फरवरी में कृष्णा नगर के करीब में भतीजे की शादी में। और फिर-आप इस बारे में जानते हैं-रांची यात्रा। आप भी वहाँ थे। यही सब है। “पर यह सब खोजबीन किसलिए?”
“नहीं। मैं बस यूँ ही चाहता था-कोई बात नहीं, धन्यवाद।”
बिपिन बाबू ने धड़ाम से रिसीवर रखा और अपना सिर हाथों में जकड़ लिया। उसे अपना सिर तैरता हुआ महसूस हुआ। शरीर में कंपकंपी छाने लगी। उसके टिफिन बॉक्स में सैंडविच थे पर उसने उन्हें नहीं खाया। वह अपनी भूख खो चुका था।
III
11. After lunch-time, Bepin Babu realised that he couldn’t possibly carry on sitting at his desk and working. This had never happened in the twenty-five years he had been with the firm. He had a reputation for being a tireless, conscientious worker. But today his head was in a whirl.
Back home at two-thirty, Bepin Babu lay down in bed and tried to gather his wits together. He knew that it was possible to lose one’s memory through an injury in the head, but he didn’t know of a single instance of someone remembering everything except one particular incident – and a fairly recent and significant one at that. He had always wanted to go to Ranchi; to have gone there, done things, and not to remember was something utterly impossible.
Word Meaning:
Carry on: continue = (जारी),Reputation: fame = (ख्याति),Conscientious: (कर्तव्यनिष्ठ), Head was in a whirl: confused and unable to think clearly (सिर में उथल-पुथल मचना), Gather his wits together: make an effort to become calm = (सूझबूझ से अनुभवों को पुनः याद करने की कोशिश करना)।
दोपहर के खाने के बाद बिपिन बाबू ने अनुभव किया कि वे अपने डेस्क पर बैठकर काम करना जारी नहीं रख सकते। यह पच्चीस वर्ष में कभी नहीं हुआ जब से वह इस संगठन के साथ थे। उनकी एक कर्तव्यनिष्ठ, बिना थके हुए कार्यकर्ता के रूप में पहचान थी। किन्तु आज उनका दिमाग एक भंवर में था।
वापिस घर पर दो बजकर तीस मिनट पर, बिपिन बाबू बिस्तर में लेट गये और अपने अनुभवों को मस्तिष्क में पुनः एकत्रित करने में जुट गए। वह जानते थे कि सर पर चोट लगने के कारण कोई अपनी याददाश्त खो सकता है लेकिन उन्हें ऐसा कोई वाकया याद नहीं आया जिसमें किसी को सब कुछ याद हो केवल एक खास घटना को छोड़कर-और लगभग हाल ही में हुई एक महत्त्वपूर्ण घटना। वह हमेशा रांची जाना चाहते थे; और वहाँ पहुँचने के लिए कार्य किए और उसे याद न रखना पूर्ण रूप से नामुमकिन था।
12. At seven thirty, Bepin Babu’s servant came and announced, “Chuni Babu, sir. Says it’s very. important.”
Bepin Babu knew what Chuni had come for. Chunilal had been at school with him. He’d been having a rough time lately and had been coming to see him about a job. Bepin Babu knew it was not possible to do anything for him and, in fact, told him so. But Chuni kept turning up like a bad penny.
Bepin Babu sent word that not only was it not possible for him to co Chuni now, but not in several weeks.
But as soon as the servant stepped out of the room, it struck Bepis. Babu that Chuni might remember something about the ’58 trip. There was no harm in asking him.
Bepin Babu hurried down the stairs and into the living room. Chuni was about to leave, but seeing Bepin Babu appear, he turned round hopefully.
Bepin Babu didn’t beat about the bush.
Word Meaning:
Having a rough time:having a lot of problems = (मुसीबत का समय),Turning up like a bad penny; appearing at a place where one is not welcome = (ऐसे स्थान पर आना जहाँ स्वागत न हो)।
सात बजकर तीस मिनट पर, बिपिन बाबू के नौकर ने आकर घोषणा की, “महाशय चुन्नी बाबू आये हैं। कहते हैं जरूरी काम है।
बिपिन बाबू जानते थे कि चुन्नी बाबू किसलिए आये थे। चुन्नी बाबू उसके साथ स्कूल में थे। उसका काफी बुरा वक्त चल रहा था और वह नौकरी की तलाश में उसके पास आ रहा था। बिपिन बाबू जानते थे उसके लिए कुछ करना मुमकिन नहीं था। और वास्तव में, उसे ऐसा बताया भी था। पर चुन्नी खोटे सिक्के की तरह आता रहा।
बिपिन बाबू ने कहलवा भेजा कि उसके लिए चुन्नी बाबू से मिलना न केवल अभी बल्कि कुछ सप्ताह तक मुमकिन नहीं है।
लेकिन जैसे ही नौकर ने कदम बाहर निकाला बिपिन बाबू को लगा कि चुन्नी बाबू को ’58 की यात्रा के बारे में कुछ याद हो सकता है। उससे पूछने में कोई नुकसान नहीं है।
बिपिन बाबू तीव्रता से सीढ़ियाँ उतरे और आवासीय कक्ष में गये। चुन्नी जाने ही वाला था, पर बिपिन बाबू को देखकर बड़ी आशा के साथ वह घूम गया।
बिपिन बाबू ने इधर-उधर की बातें नहीं की।
13. “Listen, Chuni – I want to ask you something. You have a good memory, and you’ve been seeing me off and on for a long time. Just throw your mind back and tell me – did I go to Ranchi in ’58?”
Chuni said, “ ’58? It must have been ’58. Or was it ’59?” “You’re sure that I did go to Ranchi?” Chuni’s look of amazement was not unmixed with worry. “D’ you mean you have doubts about having gone at all?” “Did I go? Do you remember clearly?”
“सुनो, चुन्नी मैं तुमसे कुछ पूछना चाहता हूँ। तुम्हारे पास एक अच्छी याददाश्त है और तुम मुझे आज और एक लंबे समय से देख रहे हो। अपना दिमाग पीछे दौड़ाओ और मुझे बताओ-क्या मैं ’58 में रांची गया था?”
चुन्नी ने कहा ” ’58? यह 58 ही होना चाहिए। या यह ’59 था?” “क्या तुम्हें विश्वास है कि मैं रांची गया था?” चुन्नी की नजरें चिन्ता और आश्चर्य से भरपूर थीं। “तुम्हारा क्या मतलब है कि तुम्हारा सारा संदेह जाने के विषय में ही है”? “क्या मैं गया था? क्या तुम्हें अच्छी प्रकार से याद है?”
14. Chuni sat down on the sofa, fixed Bepin Babu with a long, hard stare and said, “Bepin, have you taken to drugs or something? As far as I know, you had a clean record where such things were concerned. I know that old friendships don’t mean much to you, but at least you had a good memory. You can’t really mean that you’ve forgotten about the Ranchi trip?”
Bepin Babu had to turn away from Chuni’s incredulous stare “Do you remember what my last job was?” asked Chunilal.
“Of course. You worked in a travel agency.”
“You remember that and you don’t remember that it was I who fixed up your railway booking for Ranchi? I went to the station to see you off; one of the fans in your compartment was not working – I got an electrician to fix it. Have you forgotten everything? Whatever is the matter with you? You don’t look too well, you know.”
Word Meaning:
Incredulous: unbelievable = (अविश्वसनीय), Hard stare: to look constantly = (घूरना), Fixed up: booked = (आरक्षण करवाया)।
चुन्नी सोफे पर बैठ गया, बिपिन बाबू को लम्बी और कड़ी निगाहों से देखा और कहा, “बिपिन क्या तुमने नशा या कोई अन्य चीज ली है? जहाँ तक मैं जानता हूँ, ऐसी चीजों से संबंधित तुम्हारा रिकार्ड साफ-सुथरा रहा है। मैं जानता हूँ पुरानी मित्रता तुम्हारे लिए ज्यादा मायने नहीं रखती किन्तु कम से कम तुम्हारे पास एक अच्छी याददाश्त तो है। तुम्हारा मतलब यह नहीं हो सकता कि तुम रांची यात्रा के विषय में भूल गये हो।”
बिपिन बाबू को चुन्नी की अविश्वसनीय नजरों से मुँह फेरना पड़ा। “क्या तुम जानते हो मेरी अन्तिम नौकरी कहाँ थी?” चुन्नीलाल ने पूछा।
“हाँ जरूर तुमने ट्रैवल एजेंसी में काम किया था।”
“तुम्हें वह याद है और तुम्हें यह याद नहीं कि यह मैं था जिसने रांची के लिए तुम्हारी रेलवे बुकिंग की थी। मैं तुम्हें विदा करने स्टेशन गया था, तुम्हारे डिब्बे का एक पंखा नहीं चल रहा था-मैं ही एक बिजली कर्मचारी को इसे सही करने के लिए लाया था। क्या तुम सब कुछ भूल गये हो? तुम्हारे साथ यह सब क्या हो रहा है? तुम्हारी तबियत ज्यादा सही नहीं लग रही है, तुम जानते हो।
15. Bepin Babu sighed and shook his head.
“I’ve been working too hard,” he said at last. “That must be the reason. Must see about consulting a specialist.”
Doubtless it was Bepin’s condition which made Chunilal leave without mentioning anything about a job.
Paresh Chanda was a young physician with a pair of bright eyes and a sharp nose. He became thoughtful when he heard about Bepin Babu’s symptoms. “Look, Dr Chanda,” said Bepin Babu desperately, “You must cure me of this horrible illness. I can’t tell you how it’s affecting my work.”
Dr Chanda shook his head.
“You know what, Mr Choudhury,” he said. “I’ve never had to deal with a case such as yours. Frankly, this is quite outside my field of experience. But I have one suggestion. I don’t know if it’ll work, but it’s worth a try. It can do no harm.”
Word Meaning:
Sighed:take a deep breath = (गहरी सांस लेना),Physician:doctor = (चिकित्सक), Desperately: reckless = (निराशापूर्वक), Horrible:unpleasant = (अप्रिय, भयंकर)।
बिपिन बाबू ने गहरी सांस लेते हुए सिर हिलाया। “मैं बहुत मेहनत कर रहा हूँ।” उसने अंत में कहा। “इसका कुछ कारण होना चाहिए। एक विशेषज्ञ की राय लेनी चाहिए।” निसंदेह यह बिपिन बाबू की अवस्था थी जिसने चुन्नीलाल को नौकरी के बारे में बिना पूछे ही जाने दिया।
परेश चन्दा चमकीली आँखों और तीखी नाक वाला एक तरुण चिकित्सक था। जब उसने बिपिन बाबू के लक्षणों के बारे में सुना तब वह ध्यानमग्न हो गया। “देखो, डॉ. चन्दा” बिपिन बाबू ने निराशापूर्वक कहा। “आप मुझे इस भयंकर बीमारी से मुक्ति दिलाओ। मैं तुम्हें बता नहीं सकता कि यह किस तरह मेरे काम को प्रभावित कर रही है।”
डॉ. चन्दा ने अपना सिर हिलाया।
“क्या आप जानते हैं, श्रीमान् चौधरी” उसने कहा। “मुझे कभी आपके जैसे केस (मामले) का सामना नहीं करना पड़ा। स्पष्ट रूप से, यह मेरे अनुभव के क्षेत्र से बाहर है। लेकिन मेरे पास एक सुझाव है। मैं नही जानता कि क्या ये काम करेगा? पर यह एक अच्छी कोशिश होगी। इससे नुकसान नहीं हो सकता।”
लाया।
16. Bepin Babu leaned forward anxiously.
“As far as I can make out,” said Dr. Chanda, “And I think you’re of the same opinion – you must have been to Ranchi, but due to some unknown reason, the entire episode has slipped out of your mind. What I suggest is that you go to Ranchi once again. The sight of the place may remind you of your trip. This is not impossible. More than that I cannot do at the moment. I’m prescribing a nerve tonic and a tranquilizer. Sleep is essential, or the symptoms will get more pronounced.”
Bepin Babu felt somewhat better the next morning…
After breakfast, he rang up his office, gave some instructions and then procured a first class ticket for Ranchi for the same evening… ‘ Word
Meaning:
Anxiously: (उत्सुकता, बेचैनी),Tranquilizer:a medicine to reduce stress and anxiety = (तनाव और बेचैनी कम करने की दवा), Procured: obtain = (हासिल करना)।
बिपिन बाबू उत्सुकता से आगे झुके।
“जहाँ तक मैं समझ सका हूँ।” डॉ. चन्दा ने कहा, “और मैं सोचता हूँ आप भी ऐसी राय रखते हैं-आप रांची में थे पर किन्हीं अज्ञात कारणों की वजह से सारा प्रसंग आपके दिमाग से फिसल गया है। मैं जो सुझाव दे रहा हूँ वह यह है कि आपको एक बार और रांची जाना चाहिए। उस स्थान का दृश्य आपको आपकी यात्रा की याद दिला सकता है। यह नामुमकिन नहीं है। इससे ज्यादा मैं कुछ नहीं कर सकता। मैं एक नसों की ताकत की दवा तथा तनाव कम करने वाली दवा का निर्देश लिख रहा हूँ। नींद आवश्यक है अन्यथा लक्षण और ज्यादा उभरेंगे।”
बिपिन बाबू को अगली प्रात: कुछ अच्छा महसूस हुआ।
सुबह के नाश्ते के बाद, उन्होंने अपने ऑफिस में फोन किया, कुछ निर्देश दिए और फिर उसी शाम रांची के लिए पहले दर्जे की टिकट हासिल करने के लिए चले गए।
IV
17. Getting off the train at Ranchi next morning, he realised at once that he had never been there before..
He came out of the station, took a taxi and drove around the town for a while. He realised that the streets, the buildings, the hotels, the bazaars, the Morabadi Hill with none of these had he the slightest acquaintance. Would a trip to the Hudroo Falls help? He didn’t believe so, but, at the same time, he didn’t wish to leave with the feeling that he hadn’t tried enough. So he arranged for a car and left for Hudroo in the afternoon.
Word Meaning: Slightest: a little = (थोड़ा-सा, सूक्ष्म),Acquaintance:familiar with = (जान-पहचान, परिचित होना)।
अगली सुबह ट्रेन से उतरते हुए उसने एक बार में ही जान लिया कि वह यहाँ पहले कभी नहीं आया।
वह स्टेशन से बाहर आया और एक टैक्सी ली तथा कुछ देर शहर के आसपास घूमा। उसने अनुभव किया कि गलियों, भवनों, होटलों, बाजारों, मुराबादी पहाड़ियों-इनमें से किसी के साथ भी वह जरा भी परिचित नहीं था। क्या हुडरू प्रपात की यात्रा मदद करेगी? उसे ऐसा विश्वास नहीं था, पर उसी समय, वह इस इच्छा के साथ नहीं जाना चाहता था कि उसने भरसक प्रयास नहीं किया। इसलिए उसने एक कार का इंतजाम किया और दोपहर में हुडरू के लिए निकल गया।
18. At five o’clock the same afternoon in Hudroo, two Gujarati gentlemen from a group of picnickers discovered Bepin Babu lying unconscious beside a boulder. When he came round, the first thing Bepin Babu said was, “I’m finished. There’s no hope left.”
Next morning, Bepin Babu was back in Calcutta. He realised that there was truly no hope for him. Soon he would lose everything: his will to work, his confidence, his ability, his balance of mind. Was he going to end up in the asylum at…? Bepin Babu couldn’t think any more.
Word Meaning: Unconscious: (बेहोश),Boulder:large stone = (पत्थर का बड़ा टुकड़ा), Asylam: shelter = (आश्रम)।
हुडरू में उसी दोपहर पाँच बजे, पिकनिक मनाने आये दो गुजराती सज्जनों के समूह ने बिपिन बाबू को पत्थर के एक बड़े टुकड़े के पास बेहोश पड़ा पाया। जब वह पास आये, पहली चीज बिपिन बाबू ने कही थी, “मैं समाप्त हो चुका हूँ। अब कोई उम्मीद नहीं । बची है।”
अगली सुबह, बिपिन बाबू वापिस कलकता में थे। उसने अनुभव किया कि वास्तव में उसके लिए कोई उम्मीद नहीं है। जल्दी ही वह सब कुछ खो बैठेगा, उसकी कार्य करने की इच्छा, उसका आत्मविश्वास, उसकी योग्यता, उसका दिमागी संतुलन। क्या वह एकांतवास में समाप्त होने जा रहे हैं? बिपिन बाबू इससे ज्यादा नहीं सोच सके।
19. Back home, he rang up Dr Chanda and asked him to come over. Then, after a shower, he got into bed with an ice bag clamped on his head. Just then the servant brought him a letter which someone had left in the letter box. A greenish envelope with his name in red ink on it. Above the name it said ‘Urgent and Confidential. In spite of his condition, Bepin Babu had a feeling that he … ought to go through the letter. He tore open the envelope and took out the letter. This is what he read.
Word Meaning:
Clamped: appliance for holding things together tightly = (जकड़ने की वस्तु), Confidential: secret = (गोपनीय)।
वापिस घर आकर, उसने डॉ. चन्दा को फोन कर आने के लिए पूछा। तब नहाने के बाद, वह एक बर्फ की थैली अपने सिर पर लेपकर बिस्तर में चले गए। तभी नौकर एक पत्र लाया जो कोई लेटर बॉक्स में डाल गया था। एक हरा सा लिफाफा, लाल स्याही से उसका नाम इस पर लिखा हुआ था। नाम के ऊपर लिखा था- ‘आवश्यक और गोपनीय’। अपनी हालत के बावजूद बिपिन बाबू ने महसूस किया कि पत्र पढ़ना चाहिए। उसने लिफाफा फाड़ कर पत्र निकाला। उसने यह पढ़ा।
20. Dear Bepin,
I had no idea that affluence would bring about the kind of change in you that it has done. Was it so difficult for you to help out an old friend down on his luck? I have no money, so my resources are limited. What I have is imagination, a part of which I used in retribution of your unfeeling behaviour.
The man in New Market is a neighbour and acquaintance of mine and a capable actor who played the part I wrote for him. Dinesh Mukerji has never been particularly well-disposed towards you; so he was quite willing to help. As for the mark on your knee, you will surely recall that you tripped on a rope in Chandpal Ghat back in 39.
Well, you’ll be all right again now.A novel I’ve written is being considered by a publisher. If he likes it enough, it’ll see me through the next few months.
Yours, Chunilal
Word Meaning:
Affluence: abundance of wealth = (धन की प्रचुरता),Unfeeling:cruel = (निर्दयी), In retribution of: vengeance = (बदला लेने के लिए), well-disposed:friendly with someone = (मित्रवत् होना)।
प्रिय बिपिन,
मुझे अनुमान नहीं था कि धन की अधिकता तुम्हारे अंदर इतना बदलाव ला सकती है जितना ये लाया है। क्या एक पुराने बदनसीब मित्र की मदद करना तुम्हारे लिए इतना कठिन था? मेरे पास धन नहीं था अतः मेरे संसाधन भी सीमित हैं। मेरे पास जो है वह है कल्पनाशक्ति, जिसका एक भाग मैंने तुम्हारे क्रूर व्यवहार का बदला लेने के लिए उपयोग किया।
नये बाजार का व्यक्ति मेरा परिचित और पड़ोसी है और एक काबिल कलाकार जिसने अपना किरदार अदा किया जो मैंने उसके लिए लिखा। दिनेश मुकर्जी की तुमसे कोई खास मित्रता नहीं थी, इसलिए वह मदद करने के लिए एकदम तैयार था। जहाँ तक तुम्हारे घुटने पर निशान है, तुम्हें ’39 में चंद्रपाल घाट में रस्सी की यात्रा याद होगी।
खैर, अब तुम दोबारा ठीक हो जाओगे। मेरे द्वारा लिखा गया एक उपन्यास एक प्रकाशक के द्वारा विचार किया जा रहा है। यदि उसे यह काफी पसंद आया तो यह मुझे अगले कुछ महीनों के अंदर देखेगा।
तुम्हारा, चुन्नीलाल.
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Summary in English
Forgetting is a part of our lives but how it may drive us crazy could be found in this story.
Bepin Babu used to drop in at Kalicharan’s New Market to buy books, on his way back from work. He likes his free time spending in reading thrillers, crime and ghost stories. On one day, he found a man who introduces himself as Parimal Ghose and he gives certain intimate details about him. But very surprisingly Bepin Babu had never met this man before. Neither he has been to Ranchi ever, as the man tries to remind him again and again. Ghose talks about many incidents like the cut of the knee, the death of wife of Bepin Babu, the insanity of his brother. Bepin was familiar with all these incidents but still he was not able to recollect about his trip to Ranchi.
He thought to call Dinesh Mukeiji for confirmation. But stopped to feel that Dinesh would probably make a ruthless sarcasm over the issue.’He was too much upset with the matter so he decided to call Dinesh. He dialled the number and asks Dinesh if he was in Ranchi in ’58. He also said that he was in Ranchi. It made Bepin Babu more miserable. This tortures him to the extent that he was unable to sit and work on his desk in his office.
Afterwards, one of his school-friend Chunilal came. He had been coming there to see about a job. Bepin Babu decided to ask from Chunilal. Chuni looked with amazement and worry. He asked “Bepin, have you taken the drugs or something”? Moreover he said that he had booked a ticket to Ranchi for him.
Then Bepin Babu consulted a physician. He advises him to go to the same place once again because the sights may remind him of the trip.
At reaching Ranchi, he realised at once that he had never been there before1 He was found as being unconscious by two Gujarati gentlemen. Next morning, he came back to Calcutta. He feels that he is finished. Then the servant came with a letter in his hand. The letter said that the whole incident was a prank played by Chunilal to take vengeance of his unpleasant behaviour towards him.
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Summary in Hindi
भूलना हमारी जिंदगी का एक हिस्सा है पर इस कथा में हमें पता चलता है कि यह किस हद तक हमें पागल बना सकता है।
बिपिन बाबू नया बाजार में अपने काम से वापिस आते हुए कालीचरण की दुकान पर किताबें खरीदने के लिए उतरते थे। उसे अपना खाली समय अपराध कथा, भूतकथा और रहस्य-रोमांच कथा पढ़ते हुए बिताना अच्छा लगता था।
एक दिन उसे एक आदमी मिला जिसने अपना परिचय परिमल घोष के रूप में कराया और उसने उसके बारे में कुछ अंतरंग विवरण दिया। लेकिन आश्चर्यजनक, बिपिन बाबू इस आदमी को पहले कभी नहीं मिले थे। न ही वे कभी रांची गये थे जैसा कि वह व्यक्ति उन्हें बार-बार याद दिलाने की कोशिश करता रहा। घोष ने कई घटनाओं के बारे में बात की, जैसे-घुटने की चोट, बिपिन बाबू की पत्नी की मृत्यु, उसके भाई का पागलपन। बिपिन बाबू इन सभी घटनाओं से परिचित थे पर रांची यात्रा के विषय में स्मरण नहीं कर पा रहे थे।
उसने पुष्टि करने के लिए दिनेश मुकर्जी को बुलाने के बारे में सोचा। किन्तु यह सोचकर रुक गया कि संभवतः दिनेश इस मुद्दे को क्रूर व्यंग्य बना देगा। लेकिन वह इस विषय से इतना परेशान था कि उसने दिनेश को फोन करने का फैसला किया। उसने नंबर घुमाया और दिनेश से पूछा कि क्या वह ’58 में रांची में था? उसने भी कहा कि वह रांची में थे। इसने बिपिन बाबू को और दुखी बना दिया। इस सबने बिपिन बाबू को इस हद तक प्रताड़ित किया कि वह अपने आफिस में अपने डैस्क पर बैठकर कार्य नहीं कर पा रहे थे।
तत्पश्चात्, उसके स्कूल का एक मित्र चुन्नीलाल आया। वह उधर नौकरी के विषय में आ रहा था। बिपिन बाबू ने चुन्नीलाल से पूछने का निश्चय किया। चुन्नी ने अचरज और चिन्ता भरी निगाहों से देखा। उसने पूछा “बिपिन बाबू क्या तुमने नशा या अन्य कोई वस्तु ली है?” और तो और उसने यह कहा कि उसने रांची के लिए उसकी टिकट बुक की थी।
तब बिपिन बाबू ने एक चिकित्सक से सलाह ली। उसने उसे उसी जगह पर दोबारा जाने की सलाह दी चूँकि दृश्य उसे यात्रा की याद दिला सकते हैं।
रांची पहुँचने पर, उसे एक बार में ही महसूस हो गया कि वह पहले यहाँ कभी नहीं आया। वह वहाँ दो गुजराती सज्जनों द्वारा बेहोश पाया गया। अगली सुबह वह कलकत्ता वापिस आ गया। उसने महसूस किया कि वह समाप्त हो चुका है। तब नौकर हाथ में एक पत्र लेकर आया। पत्र कहता था कि पूरी घटना, उसके मित्र चुन्नीलाल द्वारा खेला गया एक मजाक था जो उसने उसकी तरफ उसके अप्रिय व्यवहार का प्रतिशोध लेने के लिए किया था।