In Search of Saffron

Sushmita Dutta

(This short story is based on a professional discrimination case which was unjustly closed without rendering any judgment. In civilized judicial systems all over the world, there are several such shelved cases that have ruined human lives. However, some humans are determined and the search for saffron - truth, purity and honesty is still on.)

This year, the summer is unusually humid. Sunanda Padukone with a cup of tea in her hand pulls a garden chair and sits facing the sky in the west. The sun had just set leaving a clear patch of saffron color. In the east, Sunanda recalls, its sun-rise time and the sky is probably equally saffron in color. In her small town, the chirping birds are just about to break the prolonged silence of the night. The river running behind her house is probably witnessing the age old ritual of "Surya Pranam"- worshipping the Sun God for all's good and prosperity. Sunanda takes a deep breadth and murmurs, “Father, I know you are at the river side this moment, probably praying for my well-being. Please bless me father. I still believe in your principle that there is a saffron shade in all humans. Father, that little girl of yours, who sat several nights beside the oil lamp listening to your stories on human virtues, is now on the threshold of doubting her own beliefs and up-bringing. Father, I think I have traveled too far into an unknown region where I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Father, can you hear me?”

Interrupting Sunanda's thoughts, the telephone rings brutally. “Oh, this must be Bharati.” Sunanda rushes into the house to receive the call. "Hello, Bharati...” She says jovially. And then, over a pause, she gets serious and says - “Oh! Hi Bill? I am sorry; I was expecting a call from Bharati." A very gentle voice on the other side says -"Never mind. I just wanted to check on you. I hope you are all set for tomorrow?" "Yes, Bill" Sunanda replies, "In fact, I spend this entire week-end reviewing my case materials and I am pretty confident that our attorney, Jennifer Capone will agree to accept my case on contingency basis.” After a moment of silence Sunanda continues gathering re-assurance in her voice – “Well, our attorney Capone will make lots of money when I win the case, right? And, Bharati assured me that all documents are in my favor. There is absolutely no reason on earth why I should not win my case. Are you listening Bill?" “Yes,” Bill replies, "Let's hope Capone accepts the case on contingency basis. So, I will see you at the campus tomorrow and then we will drive together to Capone’s office." "Thanks Bill. I really need your support." "You got it." Bill replies. Sunanda continues in the same breath - “You know, I really hope Bharati also accompanies us to the attorney’s office. Her presence as my departmental colleague will add value to my case. Don’t you think so?” “Yes, I do” Bill says, “But by now you should know that human commitments are unpredictable. So, hope for the best and get a good sleep tonight. See you tomorrow morning. Bye now.” "Bye Bill." Sunanda puts the receiver down with a deep sigh in apprehension.

By now the saffron sky in the west had turned grey. Sunanda turns the lights on. Some light is needed at this moment to read the calling card numbers and dial-into her father's home in India. The international line repeatedly signals busy tone. Sunanda pauses for a while and looks at the photograph of her father on the cabinet shelve. That serene face of her father, Vitthal Padukone, with that perpetual smile on his face, has been the pillar of her life. It isn’t too far ago, fifteen years may be, when Sunanda used to walk back home from the town college in similar hot summer evenings and her father used to greet her with a bowl of flat rice soaked in water and molasses. He would insist that she had the bowl of flat rice to get her fatigue away. That one bowl of flat rice had so much love and affection that Sunanda used to feel a complete home in her father's love for her. She rarely missed her mother Suparna who died of illness when Sunanda was five years old. Vitthal says, before breathing her last, Suparna wrapped Sunanda in her saffron shawl and handed her baby to Vitthal saying -"I have delivered a saffron human to you, please help her live a saffron life."

All through her growing years, when Sunanda’s mind was completely un-tainted with any color, she often asked her father - "Why the color saffron is considered so auspicious?" Vitthal in his usual loving voice said - "Saffron for us, priests, means renunciation of selfish thoughts in nurturing love for all humans. The color of my saffron garment is the color of my mind that drives my physical actions in service to humanity. Your mother wanted me to fill your mind and spirit with the essence of this color, and, I have done that Sunanda. Please remember, ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ - this entire universe is your family and you should look for saffron virtues in all humans despite cast, creed and color.” “Yes, father,” Sunanda murmurs looking at her father’s picture. “Father that has been my belief all through my growing years. I distinctly remember that day when I left home, at the airport, you put your hand on my head and said “Have faith in yourself and have faith in all humans. You will always be a winner.” “But, father, something went wrong somewhere, where did I go wrong, I do not know. My search for saffron in every human is still on. Hopefully I will win father.” The clock chimes 10. Sunanda dials the international number once again. The line is continually busy. “Looks like some technical error.” She grumbles. “Talk to you tomorrow father. Now, I must catch some sleep.” Sunanda turns the lights off and goes to bed. She looks out the window for a glimpse of the sky. The sky in the west by then had turned completely dark. One or two of the sparkling stars comforts Sunanda with some unknown assurance. She sleeps pretty well through the night.

“Good morning Sunanda” Bill says readily as she walks into her college campus cafeteria. “Good morning to you Bill.” “So, are you ready for attorney Capone’s office? Or you want to grab some coffee first?” “No, I am fine.” Sunanda replies. “Let’s leave. I stopped-by at Bharati’s office. She isn’t there yet. I tried calling her home but didn’t get any answer. So, I guess Bharati will not be joining us.” Bill shrugs his shoulder suggesting he wouldn’t know about Bharati. They left the cafeteria. In the parking lot Bill unlocks his car door. Sunanda sits next to the driver’s seat with two huge files of papers on her lap. Bill starts the car and says with a smile – “Here begins your journey for the battle.” Sunanda brings a forced smile on her face in an attempt to hide the nervousness.

Attorney Judith Capone, Suite 101, B - reads the signboard signaling a left turn. “I hate to turn left” Bill jokes, “When I know pretty well that I am on the right track.” “Are you trying to take my tensions away?” Sunanda replies laughing. “That’s right Miss Padukone.” Bill replies, “You should know by now that you are fighting a system which, in most cases, is a ‘no win’ case. So, just swing along and don’t let this bother you so much. Win? Fine. No win? Look for another job. Okay?” Sunanda tightens her jaws and says – “Bill, it’s not about my winning or losing this case. It’s about my faith in human values. I cannot just ignore this faith; I grew-up with it. It’s in my blood and in my veins. Can you please respect my feelings?” Bill holds Sunanda’s hand and consoles her – “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” The touch of Bill’s hand for a moment reminds Sunanda about the love she felt for Bill two years ago. Bill McCarthy is a businessman. He runs an office-supplies shop outside the college campus. It was almost like love at first sight when Bill and Sunanda met for the first time over a college gathering. Vitthal was extremely concerned when Sunanda shared her feelings about Bill with him. “You cannot marry a non-Hindu.” Vitthal declared firmly. Since then Sunanda never dared to feel loving about Bill. Even with all the saffron preaching she received from her father, Sunanda accepts the fact that there are some social and religious boundaries that are un-breakable. Moreover, she cannot displease her father.

In Capone’s office Bill and Sunanda sit facing Capone. “Your background and qualifications are great, Miss Padukone. Why do you think the college authorities have given you a termination notice and that too without any reason?” asked attorney Capone flipping through the pages of Sunanda’s files. “Well,” Sunanda says, “I am bound by yearly contractual agreement with the college. Based on my performance, after five years of service I am entitled for a tenure-track position. This year I will complete five years. The college doesn’t want to offer me a permanent, tenure-track position, so, I guess, they have decided to end my contract.” “Why?” Capone slams her office desk in anger. “Why Miss Padukone, look at your credentials, they are top-notch, your student’s reports are excellent. Your colleague’s recommendations are in favor of your application for a tenure-track position. Then, why? On what grounds can the college terminate you?” There was a moment of silence in Capone’s office stacked with volumes of law books and legal journals. Through that entire day Capone pulls facts together to prepare Sunanda’s case. “This is a one hundred percent win, win case, Capone says. I am accepting it on contingency basis. You just pay me the court filing fee.” Capone shakes hands with Bill and Sunanda and continues -“I will appeal for a jury trial. Hopefully we will get a hearing from the court within two months.”

The two months of June and July just fly-by. Over endless meetings at Capone’s office, discoveries and documents are grouped in chronological order for presentation in the court house. Sunanda’s colleagues including departmental chair Michael Grandfiled are served with subpoena - a call to the courtroom on August 12th. Sunanda had heard from the grapevine that it is her departmental chair Michael Grandfield who denied her tenure-track position and orchestrated her termination. But why Grandfield would do that Sunanda doesn’t know. Is it her color? Then why was she hired in the first place? Well nothing is known yet as substantial fact.

When Sunanda shared this case with her father Vitthal, about a month ago, he was quite for a while and then he said - "Why? Couldn't you resolve the matter via mutual discussions?" Sunanda said -"No, baba, all my efforts in trying to initiate a dialog with the college authorities failed. They have given me a notice to terminate my contract at the end of this year. So, I have no other choice but to file a discrimination case.” Vitthal consoled Sunanda in his usual firm voice -"Sometimes we humans hurt others, Sunanda. Be a warrior at that juncture of life and fight for the right cause but remember the end result be recovery of saffron with no tears shed and harms caused to others.” Over the dawn of August 12th , the court hearing day, Sunanda recalls her father’s advice and whispers with a tinge of tears in her eyes -"Yes, father, I will remember what you said but sometime, these days, I feel very lonely and depressed. A voice inside me tells me that I have to fight for my rights. And, another voice inside me, which is probably your voice, tells me, who am I fighting against? Is it some other humans with whom I have worked for almost five years? Or is it the system?”

Morning of August 12th . “All rise…” the court declares as the judge enters the courtroom. Sunanda sits with Capone and Bill on one side of the room labeled – The Plaintiffs. The college attorney Allan Epstein and Sunanda’s colleagues, some of whom are her good friends, sit on the other side called – The defendants. After brief formalities and introductions of the case from each side’s attorneys, the hearing begins. The judge occasionally looks at both the attorneys while flipping through discoveries and documents presented to him. The court clerk continually types the case transcripts. The entire ambiance is so unknown to Sunanda. Could she possibly find a streak of saffron color in this lifeless, grim environment? Well, who knows? The discoveries are yet to me.

Sunanda is the first one to get called in the witness stand to tell her story as the complainant - the plaintiff of the case. Capone presents all documents and discoveries in support of Sunanda’s appeal for a tenure-track position. The college attorney Epstein’s first question to her – “Miss Padukone, did I pronounce it right?” Sunanda says “Yes.” Epstein continues, “Your academic records are excellent. You have a PhD. degree in Economics and you are very well published. Why did you leave India? I am sure you could find a very decent job in your own country.” For a moment Sunanda was dumb-stuck with the question. She didn’t know what to say. “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” – this entire universe is you family, she remembers her father saying to her. So, she replies – “I wanted to explore other lands and other people, so, I accepted this job and migrated to this country.” “Now, do you regret having done that?” Epstein asks. Sunanda replies, “No. I am just fighting for a cause and nothing else. I guess I would do just that even if I was in my own country.” Epstein immediately replies – “So, you always fight for a cause.” Bill looks upset at this point. He whispers into Capone’s ears saying that these are irrelevant questions to Sunanda’s appeal for a tenure-track position so Capone should raise objection. Capone signals to silence Bill. Epstein continues on his same line of questions and Sunanda succeeds in responding to him. Back to her seat, Sunanda asks Capone, “How was it?” Capone says, “Excellent,” Bill looks concerned. He looks around the courtroom and asks Capone – “Where is the jury?” I thought you said you would ask for a jury trial. Capone’s face turned pale for a moment. But soon she gathered herself and said, “Well, the judge denied a jury trial.” Bill asked overlapping Capone – “What? Why? On what grounds?” Capone raises her eyebrows and says “Well, no reason, I cannot question the judge on his decisions.” The court official ordered – “Silence, silence please.” Bill realizes something is going wrong. But he chooses not to share his concerns with Sunanda quite yet. Through the lunch break all hearings go in favor of Sunanda.

After lunch the session opens with Capone questioning the defendant’s camp. None of Sunanda’s colleagues say anything against her credentials and her eligibility for a tenure-track position. “Judith Wallace,” says Capone, “You have been Sunanda’s closest colleague for sharing some of your classes and publications with her. Right?” Judith says, “Yes. That’s right.” Capone asks - “Why do you think she was denied a tenure-track position? Don’t you think she deserves a permanent position in this college” Judith promptly replies “Oh, yes, most certainly? Sunanda’s credentials are top-notch. But,” And she paused for a while and then continued, “You see like all marriages that do not work, all employees do not get to stay with an institution for ever. Somewhere the relationship breaks and we should move on with our lives.” Capone raises her eyebrows and says “I don’t think I understand what you want to say, can you please be very specific?” Judith continues with a pause -“Sunanda is academically very strong and indeed deserving of a tenure-track position. But there is a compatibility issue. So, I will recommend Sunanda looks for another job.” Capone asked immediately looking straight into Judith’s eyes, “So, in your opinion, Sunanda does not get along with her colleagues?” Judith looks un-prepared for such a point-blank question. She gathers herself and says, “Well, she is probably a threat to some of us, especially those who think she is running ahead of them. Miss-fit or un-compatibility or whatever you may call it.” Judith went long in her deliberation on non-compatibility reasoning. One after the other, all members from the defendant’s box are re-called to testify if non-compatibility is the cause for Sunanda’s termination. A range of mixed responses from “not too sure” to “yes, may be” and”most certainly” baffles the court. The court is adjourned for a day. Capone consoles Sunanda, saying “Don’t worry. Non-compatibility is no clause for the court to rule against you.” “Come on,” Capone re-assures in high pitch, “There are no documents or evidences to support non-compatibility. Did you ever have fight with anyone? No. Did anyone ever complain against you? No. So, this is clearly an eye wash. Relax; we will celebrate tomorrow on our victory.”

One by one all parties involved in the case leave the courtroom. Sunanda remains seated with a blank look at Bill. They both sit in the courtroom for quite sometime without saying a word. Probably there is nothing more to talk about. The system will now speak and render a judgment. Capone packs his bags and gets ready to leave. Bill calls her loudly and asks – “Capone can you please show me any document on the judge’s denial for jury trial?” Capone turns around and sys – “What? Do you doubt my integrity?” Bill yells – “Yes, I know this system. Admit it Capone, you accepted this case because you were asked to damage this case. I can bet you never even asked for a jury trial because that would possibly rule an un-biased judgment in favor of Sunanda,” With an angry look at Bill, Capone walks out. Bill gathers some momentum and cheers Sunanda with hope. As they step out from the courtroom, Sunanda sees her most trusted colleague Judith Wallace driving out laughing with her departmental head Grandfield who she heard is the master-mind behind Sunanda’s termination.

Sunanda looks visibly pale in grief. Never before in her life had she felt so helpless. While driving back she asks Bill – “What is in-compatibility amongst a group of educated people? We are all learned, educated people in our respective fields. I have always believed in “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” – this entire universe is my family and between what I know and what others know there is always a give and take relationship. Where did I go wrong Bill?” Bill does not say anything. There is a prolonged silence against a constant irritating noise of the speeding car representing mechanical civilization.

Next day at the court as usual “All rise..” caution everyone about the presence of the honorable judge in the courtroom. The judge’s declaration is brief. He opens his courtroom book and says – “Based on all evidences and hearings, the court has decided to close this case under a ‘No Opinion’ clause. The plaintiff reserves the right to move the case to higher court within 90 days….” Sunanda can’t hear the judge’s verdict anymore. The sounds of that one singular male voice echoes like thousand voices of a machine, a system where all humans are like lonely travelers surviving for bread and butter alone. There aren’t anything called firm beliefs and convictions. She feels she wants to run away from this system and escape into her childhood stories of saffron qualities.

Six months pass by. Sunanda doesn’t find another teaching position because she is black-listed for being a rebel. Bill continues to support her and insists that Sunanda remains in this country and becomes a winner. One morning he picks her up and says, “I am driving you to a new horizon where there is an institution run by the government for young adults with some learning deficiencies. The institution needs an able teacher like you...” While Bill continues with his briefings about the institution, Sunanda gets completely absorbed by the scenic beauty of the road. They were driving along a river side. The sounds of the water, the chirping birds and the silence of the blue sky all look so similar to the scenes of her little town in India. “Beautiful” Sunanda says to herself. In few minutes, the car stops at the institution’s parking lot. Bill stops at the security gate and says “We have been called by Robert Benges for an interview.” The security guard let’s them in. After a brief discussion, Benges requests Bill and Sunanda to take a trip of the campus and meet the students. At her first visit into a campus classroom Sunanda sees innocent, young adults who look less intelligent but their eyes reflect purity. Sunanda’s face lit-up with joy. She holds Bill’s hand and whispers – “Bill, I have found my saffron humans. Yes, I will accept this job.”

The touch of Bill’s hand brings back the love in her eyes. For a moment Sunanda literally hears her father’s voice - “No, you cannot marry a non-Hindu…” Ignoring all social boundaries created by human intelligent minds, Sunanda tightens her grip and looks at Bill for assurance. Somewhere in the horizon the skies in the east and west share sunrise and sunset over a patch of saffron color.