“Oh, it was simply unbelievable”, he said, “Some of the exhibits were straight out of science fiction and virtual reality. Computers, automation and Information Technology and even robots have taken over in a big way and we have to install advanced computers and IT systems on a war footing setting aside even pressing problems like the worsening economic crisis and Maoist insurgency if India is to catch up with advanced nations and emerge as a super power.”

“Then there was a fully automatic adding machine displayed by an Italian firm and if I had such a system in my machine, it would be valuable in precisely computing the number of times I go out of the office unauthorised and the tea and coffee breaks I take and the time I waste idly chatting with my colleagues and listening to the cricket commentary on my mobile phone and the final printout will appear instantly on a Liquid Crystal Display on the mere click of a button.”

“Did any exhibit catch your fancy?” I asked. “Yes”, said the S.O. “There was a 5 Gigabyte microprocessor exhibited by a Swedish firm and using it I was able to do my Travelling Allowance bills claiming reimbursement for business class air travel when, in fact, I have travelled on my bicycle in less than 10 seconds instead of 3 hours if I had to do them manually.”

“Amazing”, I said. “Then there was a fully automatic adding machine displayed by an Italian firm and if I had such a system in my machine, it would be valuable in precisely computing the number of times I go out of the office unauthorised and the tea and coffee breaks I take and the time I waste idly chatting with my colleagues and listening to the cricket commentary on my mobile phone and the final printout will appear instantly on a Liquid Crystal Display on the mere click of a button.”

“Fantastic”, I said. “I never knew that such machines existed.” “An American firm had put on display a fully computerised and automated office filing system and if I could install it in my office, it would revolutionise my working area because I can file the samosas my wife packs for lunch under ‘S’ and the vegetable stuffing under ‘V’ and the garlic seasoning under ‘G’ and the whole thing can be instantly retrieved whenever I feel peckish after I have had my lunch.”

“Oh!” said the S.O., “I forgot to tell you about a new palmtop exhibited by a Japanese company and the demonstrator asked me to try it and would you believe me, I was able to calculate the exact amount of the 21469th instalment of ex gratia Variable Dearness Allowance due to me in less than a minute.”

“Now that you have been to the exhibition”, I said, “I suppose you cannot wait to install state-of-the-art computers and IT and automation systems in your office.” “Oh no”, said the S.O., “wandering around the exhibition has made me so tired that I have applied for three months casual leave.”

S. Raghunath