YES MY LORD. IT’S YOU IN THE MIRROR

It’s not mine -इदम न मम

All characters and places in this work of fiction are imaginary and any resemblance with any person, living, or dead, or any place, may be a purely unintended accidental coincidence. Since even imagination too sometimes draws on experiences, tales, folklore or gossip, if any individual or group of persons should feel hurt, the author tenders profound apologies. If despite this apology should anyone be interested in cleaning up any tarnished image, he/she may do so at his/her own risk. In any case, the author has no property to satisfy any claims for image whitewashing charges.

Since this is a work of fiction, persons and events have been painted in darker/ brighter hues than the naturally occurring Grey scales, without any slightest intention to bring any person or institute into disrepute. Readers may accordingly view the events and persons with appropriate filter-lens. Readers are cautioned that they may try any of the hats thrown in the ring at their own risk and peril. Hats of standard sizes fit many heads and the author is not responsible for success in any attempt to try to fit a head into any of these hats.
It is fashionable for retired judges to berate the system after retirement, after maintaining a studied silence, full of expectations, throughout their judicial career. This book is penned only to ensure that Justice Jatku is not last in the line to do so.

Recipe of the book

The difficulties in presenting to the reader diverse material drawn from various sources over decades was solved by my friend, philosopher, guide, the first listener, the first reader and the fiercest critic of my weird ideas. She advised me to watch a few cookery shows with her, particularly those by her favourite chef, Sanjeev Khanna, who had penned and sold a good many cookery books. So, here is the recipe, which I got from the great chef.

Ingredients: Stories, experiences, folklore, gossip in ample quantity Imagination, dreams, nightmares, and fantasies as per taste.

Method: Write down all stories, experiences, folklore, and gossip.

Put them in a mixer and run the mixer till experience is undistinguishable from gossip. Take out the pulp and divide it into five equal parts. Mix blue dreams in one part and stir well. Take the second part and mix chilly red nightmares and stir well. Mix green, i.e. raw, imagination with the third part and again mix it until it has a distinct green colour. In the fourth part, mix pink fantasies. Lay the green layer first. Spread evenly the chilly red layer above it so that the two layers present a beautiful contrast. Now spread the fifth grey part on the top of the red layer. Spread the pink part above it and top the whole thing up with the part turned blue. Then bake the product at about 200 degrees on the heat generated by author’s spouse’s anger on neglecting her while penning this. The blue dreamy layer, symbolising the author’s dream of making money by selling the book, would soon turn into black smoke. For garnishing, use a good wrapper, and serve it hot on plates like the Oxford book store or Amazon. Do not worry about the unconsumed dish. It can be served cold without refrigeration. In fact, reports are that it tastes better after a little fermentation and seasoning and could sell like hot cakes in the book stalls on the footpath and waste-paper marts.

Therefore, the dish is ready. Enjoy it hot or cold, as you like.