This Is Not That Dawn: Jhootha Sach by Yashpal Page A

Jats, even if they have third-division BAs, have no problem finding jobs; a Hindu, even with an MA first division, has no chance.’ Other friends had similar stories of economic hardship for Jaidev.
    Jaidev had always heard his father praise Pran Nath, PhD. Masterji mentioned, always with a certain pride, how he had tutored the young Pran Nath for eight years. Masterji had been a tutor to the family of Seth Gopal Shah for the past twenty-five years. His salary had been eight rupees a month for the first five years; this was increased to ten rupees a month for the next five years. Now there was an increment of one rupee every year. The value of education was counted in rupees in the Seth family, but Pran Nath was not like the rest of the family.
    Nath had returned to India in 1939 with a PhD in economics from Oxford University. Some of his articles had been published in the British
Economist
before his arrival. Eminent British scholars had lauded the brilliance of his work and compared his theories to those of the leading British economists. He had been appointed as a professor in Punjab University. Nath was about seven years older than Jaidev. Jaidev used to attend the doctor’s lectures in preparation for his MA examination. After war broke out, the governor of Punjab appointed Professor Pran Nath as his advisor on economic affairs. He still held that position.
    Doctor Nath had the utmost respect for Masterji. Upon hearing of Jaidev’s arrest and imprisonment, he had come to visit him without caring for his position or that he was the governor’s advisor, and had imploredMasterji to come to him if he needed money for legal expenses.
    With no other recourse, Jaidev went to the doctor’s house. Nath praised Jaidev’s stories in the magazines, and asked him about his time in prison. As they were talking, the Doctor reminded Jaidev, ‘Puri, do you remember; I had said that Germany’s economy would not be able to support their war effort for long…’
    It was well known in the university that the Doctor had little time for the communists and their meetings, but he was influenced by Marxism and believed in radical change. He often criticized communists for being doctrinaire. After some time he asked Jaidev, ‘So, what brings you here? Something I can do for you?’
    ‘Doctor Saheb, I would like to borrow one hundred rupees,’ Jaidev said after some hesitation.
    Nath thought for a moment. Then he took out ten ten-rupee notes from a cupboard and handed them to Jaidev. ‘Hope you’ll put them to good use.’
    His meaning was clear. Jaidev had once come to the doctor in 1942 to ask for help for the underground revolutionary movement. He was not sure of the doctor’s help, but knew he would not be handed over to the police. To remove any trace of doubt from the doctor’s mind, Jaidev explained, ‘This is the fee for my sister’s admission to the BA course. Once I get paid for my writings, I shall return it.’
    ‘Um,’ said Nath, taking out a cigarette from the tin. ‘Your sister Tara is that old?’
    ‘Yes, she passed the Intermediate exam in the first division.’
    ‘Good. She looks bright. I saw her twice at your place. She must be given a chance to study. But why doesn’t she work to support herself? Three-month-long summer vacations have begun. Why doesn’t she work as a tutor? She will also gain some self-respect this way.’
    Without waiting for Jaidev’s answer he continued, ‘Ask her to come here. I have three-and four-year-old nephews and nieces. Tara can tutor them for an hour or so during the vacations. She will have other expenses at the college. If one cannot dress and act like their friends and classmates, it often leads to an inferiority complex. That is not a good thing to happen.’
    Jaidev had faced the same problem, he could not but agree.
    Master Ramlubhaya was being ground between two millstones: his regular job and his tutoring work. Jaidev had not been able to find work to support