MY JOURNEY ON THE CHARIOT OF TIME
“One little book, for instance, may preserve to all generations the soul and essence of the thoughts of a most gifted mind, and of the graces of a noble heart.”-A.B.BRUCE
My Journey on the Chariot of Time is an Autobiography of a retired SSPOs who had started his career in the postal department in the year 1960. His eventful life as well as service has been a continuous struggle successfully waged against the evil forces obstructing his forward going and therefore it has the potential to inspire the new generation in all walks of life especially those who are now serving in the Department. The reader will come to know about him and his amazing book from the following lines. What the author has to say about his story?
“My story is not different from that of my contemporaries in the Department who had migrated like me, from the rustic villages but my story being my own reactions and reflections against adverse situations, has its own unique traits and hues. Here is the story of a man with humble origin, simple life, prudent actions, a string of tragedies, action stations and battles for justice and triumphant victory over the crooked- all ingredients of a melodrama in real life.”…It is not the obsessive rumination of a septuagenarian who believes that life is wheel-spin but it is a transmission of life experiences of one who believes that life is the wheel in eternity with the hope that it will make others lead a meaningful life with the wealth of truth, beauty and love planted in our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit”…. “ It is a compendium of experiences, thoughts, ideas, faith, actions and hopes in life.”
What the book says on different topics?
“In India, majority of employees, say, 9 millions out of the 10 millions in the Central and State governments, leave the home to their work places daily to loot the public whom they have vowed to serve, in varied forms, and return with the spoils to make their family life a heaven of bliss and happiness.”… “Christianity is not an imported religion of the marauding imperialists of the west who in the beginning nestled in India in the sixteenth century and spread their tentacles thereafter over the princely states, rather, it is a faith wholeheartedly accepted first by the upper caste Hindus followed by other castes for the transformation of life for eternity.”…. “Marriage is surely a sacred temple, the foundation of which is built with love flowing between two hearts, and which is surrounded with a garden of freedom flowering into hope and dream and choice and action.”… “ It (marriage) is a bonding together of two souls to strive on in life sharing the joy and tribulations without monopolizing the credit of achievements by one and without passing the bug on the partner for failure.”… “I learnt the lesson that human behavior is merely an expression of a conditioned mind and friendship is nothing but identical feelings compressed under the pressure of common sufferings. It is an alliance of two minds longing to give a vent to the long suppressed feelings: it is merely a survival instinct for many who have no support system in life.”… “If all the administrative, operative and statutory functions of the Department of Post can be compressed in a human mould and it can be animated, we get INSPECTOR OF POST OFFICES.”…. “(I) climbed up the terrains: trudged through the ravines: traipsed along the stony-thorny paths: and forded the rivulets- all for reaching the inaccessible post offices-near the dreadful Chambal Ghat, infested with the menace of dacoits, where no Inspectors who loved life had visited for the last 25 years.”.…“In government service we have more tacticians and fewer practitioners.” … “ In his time, many a ‘stick in the mud’ with mud in the head was catapulted to hold lucrative posts in the circle and awards were conferred upon such people which earned ridicule from the staff in general.---But the fake performers got themselves palmed off on easy-going men in authority as the counterfeit coins are on unsuspecting customers.”….“If the superiors are weak, arrogant and haughty with the motive of self- aggrandizement, a string of sycophants and an all knowing man Friday come around them and worsen the situation by wielding the real power at the detriment of subordinate officers.”… “The poor are treated poorly and the rich richly! No doubt, the Department of post is educed and erected on the tears and toils of the poor who have no magic wand to brand their names upon the sands of Time.”…. “Conferring Garuda award on such an authority is like making the rooster a deity only because the sun rises after its crowing.”….. “Thoughts about old age and death make us students in the University of Spirituality to gain the knowledge of the Supreme Soul.”
What others have to say about the Book?
“ I found chapters one to five and 39 to 41 the most interesting. They gave the best glimpses of your literary style and intellectual and moral traits. Please keep it up. Let us have more such writings from you”. Vijay Chitale, Rtd. CPMG……”At last we have a long overdue book and the first attempt to its kind from an Officer who rose from the ranks and has dared to question with audacity an unfair system. …I feel this book should be read by all Officers and staff in the department as an eye opener…The book is full of poetic, lyrical expressions which capture the innocence of the times…Samuel highlights the obvious, which is known to all, but never brought to the lips, lest the sensibilities of the perpetrators are disturbed.. For postal staff and officers the book rings a familiar bell and for others not aware of postal working, an opportunity to know about its internal functioning and complexities of hierarchy….The book has set a high standard and anyone venturing to chronicle their life and times in the department will have to try their best to live up to this benchmark in order to sustain attention. Ms Madhuri Dabral, Director O/o the DG, DOP, New Delhi. ‘ My Journey on the Chariot of Time’ is as much an exposition of Mr. Samuel’s philosophy as a biography, smoothly moving backwards and forwards from events in his life to his intellectual and religious beliefs. The result is a complex but rewarding outline of one man’s view of the world…..Mr. Samuel was an upright and no-nonsense postal officer…. For him a compromise was not an acceptable option. He had his dose of hardships and frustrations. My Journey is almost a guide to the travails and tribulations of a conscientious government servant. In it he has produced a superb autobiography. I congratulate him for this splendid effort and wish him all the best”. Shri T.B. Reddy, Retired PMG. “Bhopal Gas Tragedy,----methodology of postal investigation----and a host of other soul-stirring thoughts with relevant quotations from great men make this book a sumptuous feast with variety of delicacies ready on a dining table.” G.S. Asiwal, GS, City Trade Union, Bhopal….. “This book is interesting in many respects. The words and phrases and….used in this book….point towards a profound mind and voracious reader behind them”. Rev. P.T. Koshy… “ Use of quotations of…and a number of uncommon sayings and idioms adorn this book….It is enjoyable to all with different perceptions…are written in masterly literary style displaying sublime moral and intellectual traits of the author…it is really a journey from the physical world to the spiritual realm of eternity”. Review by Vivek Trivedi in The Pioneer dated 7-12-2010. …. “In this book Samuel has written beautifully the emotional bonding of villagers with the post offices, high and low of feelings, and the habit and attitude of villagers. The book also explains the importance of relationships, happy and sad times”. Hindustan Times 05-12-2010…AND MANY MORE!
The price of the book is Rs.200/-.Discount Rs. 50/- is given to postal employees. Those who desire to have a book may remit MO for Rs. 225/- or 175/- as the case may be at the address, E. M. Samuel, 91, Snehanagar, Misrod Po, Bhopal 462047.They may place order by SMS on 9826824981 or by e-mail samuelgeevarughese@ yahoo.in if the MO- communication space is not enough to do so.
