I want to become an IAS officer, said Mahesh.
A tall, healthy fellow wearing thick glasses welcomed me as I picked my Uber from the airport. I was returning from an early morning connecting flight from Mumbai.
Mahesh is from western Karnataka and studying a bachelor’s in history from correspondence. He asked me where I am from: I said Bihar, and he spoke about Magadh, Chandragupta, and Buddha. It was my history 101 about Bihar, which I loved. I was happily surprised as, for the first time, someone did not say bad things about Bihar.
Mahesh: Are you married?
Me: No
Mahesh: Why?
Me: Ladki bhag Gaye (Girl, ran away)
We both giggled for a few minutes afterward.
Mahesh came to Bangalore to earn his living and study. In the early days of the cab aggregators gold rush, one of the drivers from his village made a lot of money. The guy owns 30 cabs now and employs all the drivers from his home. He provides them food, shelter, and a salary of 15000 monthly.
Mahesh said he is preparing for his IAS exams. That is why he took arts and particularly history. Another reason is seeing the glorious past of our country. I have never seen anyone as proud as Mahesh. Was our past so glorious or written by the winners?
Our cab crossed Lalbagh, and Mahesh stopped for a tea and lit a cigarette. He has been on 14 hours of duty and was feeling drowsy.
Mahesh asked for my phone number, which I shared. I am waiting for his call to give me the news about clearing the UPSC exam. It has been two years now.