Courier Service & The Referee

Dilip Kumar Mandal ( `Dilipda') is from Sunderban. His place of work is Santoshpur and Jadavpur. He works for a courier company. My acquaintance with him is through the letters and packets he delivered at my door step. He became friendly with my daughter who usually received letters and packets on my behalf. This way years rolled by. It was after about five years I first met Dilipda. He was placed as manager of a newly opened courier service office. When I went to despatch a letter through the courier office , Dilipda first recognised me. He narrated that he knows me by name and that my daughter knew him well. He said that he too had a daughter who was B.Sc in Food Technology and had just joined a company.

I met Dilipda often on the road. sometimes on foot. At times on his bicycle. He always waived at me. This way it carried on. I went to his courier service office to send my letters and packets. He asked me about my daughter. Wanted to know her progress. He told me about his daughter who had found a Government job. One day I went and booked a letter. Wishing each I left. After two days I learnt that the letter I booked with Dilipda could not be delivered due to some token number issue. To solve the issue. In between I sent my little friend Tapas to Dilipda's office. Tapas came and reported he knew Dilipda well as he is one of the most sought after referees of the area.

Went to Dilipda to see that my problem was sorted out. Dilipda told me his story. His ambition was to become a footballer. He used to play as a goalkeeper. His dream did not become a reality. In his twilight years a referee had given a penalty. The penalty was converted into a goal. His team lost. Dilipda questioned the referee for awarding the penalty but he did not receive any reply.

Finally one day Dilipda became a referee and became a member of the referee association for referees. He started refereeing matches and became popular. Referees have to retire at the age of 45 . He to retired. Dilipda did business to maintain his family. His business lost more than 30 lacs. To survive Dilipa became a delivery man of a Courier organisation. He delivered letters and packets at the door step. His behaviour with people made him popular in the trade. Finally he sat in the office of a courier firm now. At times he delivered letters at addresses whenever there is manpower shortage.

Dilipda told me that tough retired, local clubs hire Dilipda to be the referee in their tournaments. When the match is in his hands, the clubs feel safe. No side has regrets. Dilipda enjoys his job. He is happy with the fee he gets for refereeing. Football is his first love. Dilipda is a senior citizen now but that has not stopped him from refereeing. Had not Tapas told me about the other side of Dilipda, I would not have known it. My respect for the man increased many times. I spent a day thinking how he accepted life as it came. His balance of life has taught me many things. It once again reminded that fingers are not the same in the hand. Each finger has its own utility. They must be utilised accordingly respecting each. Dilipda is a role model. He handles his courier service and football referee status with dignity. Life is all about balance. His head with courier service and his heart is in football.