Sarma:
I joined as a medical representative in a Multi National Corporate pharma giant, CIBA in 1972. I was just 21 years old. My first posting was in Guntur. About 50-60 pharma companies had their med reps based in Guntur. A few of those had two or more(upto 4) reps based in Guntur, our company too had two. My colleague was 5 years senior to me and was married with 2 children while I had come out of college just a few months before. I was obviously a bachelor. My colleague's name is Sarma. Apart from being colleagues, we vibed well with each other and maintained very cordial relationship. Being a bachelor, I was frequently invited by Sarma for lunch at his home. Mrs.Sarma had an extraordinary culinary talent. Anything she touched turned into very tasty foods. She had a habit of noting the food preferences and the likes of guests visiting them. She always prepared menu based on her knowledge about the guest's likes and dislikes. But she was baffled with me since I was unpredictable. Because, if on one occasion I showed my liking for clustered beans, next time I would probably not touch that and eat a ladies fingers item. On another occasion, a 'no touch' for ladies fingers, and a 'go' for brinjal curry. But she took up the challenge sportingly and ensured that I had some thing to eat by preparing more dishes. I think she believed that with her culinary talent and God given magical touch, she would succeed in making me eat the same dish on two successive lunch visits. I always enjoyed food when I ate at their place.
Rao:
In 1975 Sarma left Guntur on promotion. He became my boss based at Vijayawada. A new youngster, Rao joined me as my field colleague at Guntur. He soon got married in 1976 while I remained a bachelor still. Soon, predictably I was invited by Rao for lunch one day. While at the table, an innocuous question was asked by Rao. He wanted to know if Mrs.Sarma cooked better or his wife? I gave an obvious answer "Mrs.Rao"
(remember I was still eating food prepared by her....at that moment) I must confess that Mrs.Rao was also a good cook. But she was a distant second to Mrs.Sarma who I considered as a great culinary expert of uncomparable talent.
Sometime later during Sarma's visit to Guntur for field work with Rao, the latter invited both Sarma and me for lunch to his house. After completing the lunch, Sarma complimented Rao telling him that food prepared by Mrs.Rao was tasty. At this, Rao declared with a grin on his face to Sarma "yes I know, my wife cooks better than your wife. Madhvamuni (that is me) also told me so" It was a very embarassing moment for me. Words spoken for the sake of nicety can haunt you at a later occasion and put you in a tight spot. Suddenly I did not know where to hide or run away from Sarma! I wished that I didn't exist then.
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