fortune relinquished
Unlucky man
Ramesh Kumar Khanna always envied some of his friends who were running in millions despite their lower qualifications and merit. He considered himself very meritorious and competent. This was no exaggeration. He was an outstanding engineer with MBA from very reputed institute. He was getting five figure salary. Yet he envied some of his ex class mates, who had amassed unaccounted wealth and enjoyed very luxurious life.
He cursed his fate. He belonged to a poor family and had no wealth inherited from forefathers. Unlike others, he did not even hope to inherit fortune from any distant uncle and aunt. At leisure, this would sadden him.
Fortune favors
One day, he came across a news- “ A multi billionaire dies leaving behind no family. Shri Ram Prasad Premi, aged ninety eight left behind not even a single family member. He belongs to relatively less known Premi sect, that has its own peculiar norms of succession and marriage rituals. Nobody knows exactly about origin place of birth of the deceased tycoon. But the police authorities found some papers that suggest that his original name is Ram Lal Khanna. He had come to Pune from Sialkot, now in Pakistan.”
It suddenly flashed to the mind of Ramesh that he had an uncle, who had run away from Sialkot after picking quarrel in family and nobody knew where he had gone. He would often in his childhood hear about his missing uncle. It struck in his mind that the wealthy tycoon may be his uncle. He thought of visiting Pune and try his luck. Who knows he may succeed to the fortune left by late Premi, who in all probability, was his uncle.
Chance availed
Ramesh left for Pune by next available train. Mr. Premi had built his residence at a distance from maim city. He went there. He found that there was a crowd of young men , all claiming to be descendant of the deceased tycoon. Soon, a priest type person came and addressed them:
“I know why you have gathered here. I know that Mr. Premi had no sons and daughters. Nobody ever visited this place. I wonder that thousands have gathered here each claiming that he is the real descendant. However, We have no problem. The mortal remains have already been consigned to flames and ashes immersed in all sacred rivers. The last rites have been performed according to the Premi sect. Our sect does not go solely by blood relations. We accept all who claim to be his descendant without question. So, no problem.
But there is big task before you all. I may tell you that late Ram Prasad was a very wealthy man but he was a great sinner. This is an unpleasant fact that cannot be ignored. He was a womanizer, a drunkard and lecherous . He has to suffer in hell eternally. It is sacred duty of his descendants to save him from the fire of hell. How?. We have designed a simulator that will make you experience the torture and eternal punishment. You will not be physically harmed but even the simulated punishment will give you mental agony and shock that is unbearable. So, I advise the weak hearted and timid to quit. The experience may snatch your speech and hearing power and memory for rest of your life. After successfully going through simulated hell experience, you will have to undergo one hundred cuts of whip. This will be real. I may again stress that the simulated hell suffering and flogging are not for giving you pain. This is for saving the departed soul from eternal hell punishment. I am sure that the true descendant will definitely do everything to save the departed soul from hell and pave way for his entry in paradise- the abode of almighty. Before undergoing the experience, you will be required to sign some legal papers indemnifying the sect against any suit for damages or any other legal action that may follow. We shall hold mass prayer tomorrow. The descendants will sign agreement thereafter for undergoing simulated hell and whip lash. ”
Next day, Ramesh attended the mass prayer for peace of the departed soul. In the afternoon, formalities for undergoing through hell simulator and whip lash were to be completed. Ramesh observed that only fifty young men and two women were left. Ramesh signed the papers along with others. The priest informed that all these fifty two claimants will have to stay for one year in the premises of the sect for undergoing the hell and physical punishment. The priest again told- “The experience that you will undergo and the whip cuts will be very severe. But these are nothing as compared to never ending hell that the departed soul would undergo otherwise. So, it is sacred duty of descendant to go through the pain of hell and whip.
Ramesh sent a telegram to his employer company requesting for leave for one year owing to unforeseen circumstances. He arrived at the designated venue at the pre fixed time. Apart from priest, there was a doctor and simulator operator. All the fifty two persons were again warned of the simulated hell and real whip lashes and told that they could still change decision. Thirty persons including the two women decided to quit. Now only twenty two were left. The operator told that the simulator could accommodate thirty persons at a time. He advised that red button in the simulator could be pressed at any time one wanted to quit.
The Hell simulator
The operator led them all to the machine room. They were asked to wear the clothes specially designed for hell machine. The men changed their and were led to the machine. Ramesh also entered. There were different cabins in the simulator. These resembled railway air condition coupes. A few minutes later, the machine was switched on. Darkness dawned. Ramesh felt that he was in a big river and was being drowned. He cried for help but no use. He saw an alligator approaching him. Death appeared certain. He yelled. Soon, he found out of the river. There were many wild animals- lion, wolves, serpents. Ramesh ran away as fast as he could. He reached end of the forest. He suddenly found himself in flames. He had a very acute burning sensation. He was sure he was dying. But soon, the fire was extinguished. Soon he landed in a mountain area. He felt the sensation of freezing. Now, he lost all hope of life. He closed his eyes. A few minutes later, he found himself among many savage men and women . They tied him to a pole. The head of the tribal said- Today we are celebrating birthday of our prince. You look very fleshy. Your meat will definitely be tasted. Our boys and girls will love to eat your flesh with drinks. “. The men and women began dancing and singing. Ramesh was counting his last minutes. He anticipated that these men would kill him after dance, slaughter him and eat his cooked flesh . He began crying bitterly and fainted. On regaining sense, he felt the sensation of innumerable lizards, insects and other reptiles moving all over his body. He was losing his balance. Agony became unbearable. At this moment, he thought of the red button. But the thought of getting a fortune of millions flashed to him. He said to himself- “ I can die only once. But if I bear this, I shall enjoy wealth all life. “ He picked up courage and did not press the red button. He closed his eyes.
Ramesh was semi conscious when the operator switched off the machine. He was comforted by the priest and others. He was told that he was the sole person who could endure the trauma. Most of the youungmen had pressed the button within a few minutes. One came out dead. The priest congratulated Ramesh saying- “ Certainly, you are the true descendant of Ram Prasad Premi. You rightly recollected that your uncle had left the native place as a young man. Nobody but own descendant could save him from eternal health. You experienced hell. Now the same simulator will take you to paradise. Now your departed uncle’s soul will always be in paradise.”
Ramesh was thrilled at the suggestion that he could experience paradise in the simulator. But he was interrupted by the priest’s words- “You have so far experienced only simulated hell. Still you have to receive the whip lashes. The pain suffered will relieve your uncle’s soul from his sins and he will enter the heaven and live there till eternity.”
The lashing
Two days later, a big gathering of men and women belonging to Premi sect was arranged in a big hall. There were fifty men and women. The priest announced- “Brothers and sisters- we have gathered to mark the occasion of washing away of sins of late ram Prasad Premi, who is now sure to live in heaven till eternity. His nephew Ramesh has experienced the hell successfully. As you know, only true descendant could endure the mental torture simulated by the machine. Today, Ramesh will suffer flogging. I invite all of you to participate. Each man and woman will give two stroke of cane or leather strap on the nude body of Ramesh. Thereafter, the sins of late ram Prasad Premi are fully washed and there is no possibility of his ever coming back to Earth or going to hell.”
Two boys came ahead and removed all clothes of Ramresh. A thin cloth was tied round his waist. Then they tied Ramesh to a pole. A leather strap and a cane were lying on the table. The men and women came one by one and gave two cuts each on the backside of Ramesh. Ramesh felt that his entire backside was simmering. The people gathering there were in no mood to hurry. They slowly left their seats, selected the leather strap or cane. But they were not lenient. Each one gave very hard strokes. Ramesh began crying with pain soon. But all were rejoicing. One young girl said- “why are you weeping?. Just endure a few more cuts on your back and enjoy billions whole life.” Ramesh felt that people were not only lashing but also laughing at him.
Fortune won
Ramesh was semi conscious when the caning session ended. He was given medical treatment. He regained his usual self after a week. Again there was a big meeting. Ramesh was handed over succession certificate and declared heir to all property of late Ram Prasad Premi. Naturally, Ramesh resigned his previous job and began his assignment as head of the giant Industrial and commercial empire. He lost no time in enjoying luxuries.
One night Ramesh dreamed that he was being tortured in hell for his sins committed. The dharm Raja said in his dream- You will remain in eternal fire of hell. You deserve nothing better as you have done nothing worthwhile in life. You simply amassed wealth and used it luxuriously. You simply ate, drank and womanized. Nobody on Earth is going to save you from the hell. So, live in pain and agony for ever.”
Fortune relinquished
Ramesh awoke from the nightmare. He called a press conference. He declared- “I decide to relinquish all wealth acquired by inheritance. I have decided to create a trust that will own and manage the entire wealth of Late Ram Prasad Premi, my uncle. The trust will utilize the profit for advancement of education, Science, medical research and care and other charitable activities.”
Next day newspapers appeared with the headline- Multi billionaire relinquishes fortune.
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