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Always a spirited girl, she started taking interest in her locality and the needs of thepoor people. She would go to a blind school when she was free and read to them. Shewrote articles about injustices in society, the callousness of citizens and sent them tonewspapers. She was already leading a full life — and quietly studying for her M.A.degree.It was then that Saraswati had another problem on her hands. Lakshman had finishedhis twelfth class exam getting an aggregate of 72%. Both mother and Saraswati werehappy, but where he should go next worried them. The boy, of course, wanted to enter theScience College and study for his B.Sc. Yet, after seeing so many unemployed graduatesaround her, Saraswati fell that she had to find some other avenue which would equip himfor a job. She consulted friends, who advised her to get him admitted to a Polytechnic inthe city. She paid one visit to the place and she knew it was the right thing to do. There,they gave a Diploma after three years but provided a lot of practical training both inmechanical and electrical workshops. It was difficult lo convince Lakshman because, likemany other people, he thought a college degree was ‘superior’ and his friends were goingto college, but Saraswati had a way with her. She was firm with him and yet kind. Shepersuaded him to visit the place and after a visit he agreed that it was worth a try becausehe loved working with machines. Since he had secured good marks, he got admissionwith a merit scholarship. Saraswati was delighted.Within a year he realised that his decision was right, for, in the Polytechnic he learntseveral skills and after the completion of the course he immediately got an apprenticeshipin a firm that was manufacturing machine goods. He was an excellent mechanic and wasmuch in demand. Our country needs mechanics, fitters, turners, electricians. It is good toremember that peopleWorking at a desk are in no way superior to those who work with their hands.Saraswati had even greater dreams. She hoped that in the distant future he might beable to set up his own shop, because the government was giving loans to enterprisingyoung men who wanted to be self-employed, and have their own little business. Shewould set him up, she decided.But, in the meanwhile, she was content with her life as a telephone operator, her widerinterests in society and service, her brother’s apprenticeship and the steady increase in thefamily income. Now they could move to a slightly bigger house. Her mother was frail butotherwise strong of heart. She stopped making papads and pickles for sale but shecontinued to make them for friends and ways enjoyed cooking a simple meal for herchildren. They too loved it and looked forward to having dinner together, for nothingtasted better than food cooked by mother.Is it not true that while at school we all think we must go through college and get adegree and then look for a job? Is it also not true that college degrees do not necessarilyprepare you for any specific job? There is a general feeling it is better to be a clerk in abank than a carpenter in a shop or a repair worker.16. Questions That Troubled AditiThat it is better to be a clerk in a bank than a salesman of motor parts. But that isabsurd, isn’t it? Every society needs workers of different kinds and if you are good at