Remembering Ra'prasad

Ra’prasad, the ever beckoning, mouth-watering (debatable) food joint opposite to Brigade Towers is the protagonist of this monograph. Now, the obvious question arises in the reader's mind, why on Earth write on Ra’prasad? There can be varied answers to this. To me, the most important being our close association to that venerable establishment (as if a government in its own merit!) that prompts me to write. The place is special in some way or the other. With my colleagues, it's popular as 'Rampu' (aka the BPO team) and some other variations of the same name.

Once inside, an unaccomplished and hungry customer is welcomed by a healthy gentleman seated across the counter (in all probability the owner himself) who has a unique way of returning balance and change to the customer, while maintaining a constant vigil on the trepid workers. A slight mistake on the bearer's part and he lashes out at him in a thunderous voice followed by an equally violent action. Being on a busy thoroughfare, there is constant din inside as well as outside the establishment, but the owner in his high pitched, gloomy voice sends across the message for a 'Parcel' to the kitchen with effortless ingenuity. A close observation reveals that 'he' has a typical way of pronouncing few words viz. the word 'Twelve' which sounds 'Twel' with the 've' left to find a place for themselves somewhere in eternity.

Coming to the offerings, there's everything from South Indian to North Indian (which also taste rather Southie) sans one element, hygiene. However, that’s not a big deal when compared to the long list of compromises we all make. Ra'prasad, in a way, highlights and stands tall as an example of monopolistic business model (the management people may disagree to this!) even in this world of fierce competition. With all the unhygiene, dirt, dust and uncleanliness, its business and clientele seem to be soaring and that too with least advertisement and publicity. Indeed a feat to be reckoned with admiration and awe!

A final note with reference to Lord Tennyson, who once wrote in his poem 'The Brook' : "For men may come and men may go, but I go on for ever" thus, illustrating the stream's timeless existence. May be, the quote is equally applicable to Ra'prasad too!