The Clerk Who Knew Too Much...

I once used to work for a Singapore based company which had an office in Rotterdam (in The Netherlands or Holland). Somehow, my boss had hired people there who were either incompetent, or pretended to be so, so that they can pass the dirty jobs to others. Result, all problems were in the lap of yours truly. Thank God. It gave me opportunity and experience.

Since I am a qualified and INTERESTED Pharmacist, I could talk and make sense to our MNC clients who wanted hard core chemistry solutions rather than a sales pitch. But it was a tiring and frustrating exercise.

So, I found a way to solve the problems and have some fun along the way, literally….. Since I had to be in Rotterdam or Milan every other month, I decided to land in Zurich on Fridays and travel to Amsterdam on Monday mornings. I would then take a train to Rotterdam or a short flight to Milan and be in time for work (say 10 am) in the office.

This went on for 3 years. Result? Yours truly has had more holidays in Zurich than in India!!!

But that was all for taking a break from my exhausting travel schedule. I never really saw Switzerland. Yes, I have visited many times. But never really arrived…..

My travels were long and very frequent. Once a very dear friend of mine (Dr. George Varghese) asked if I came back home (to Singapore) only to change my boarding pass. That hurt me, so like an idiot….. I replied with something stupid to hurt him back. I regretted the minute I opened my mouth. Like a true friend, he smiled and let it pass… George is a rock that any friend will be proud of. I wish him and his family well, always…..

Anyway, on with the story…

Mae and I went to Switzerland, were there for 10 days and returned last week. We were expecting 5-6 degree centigrade. We were wrong, we got minus 5 to 7. But, for a change, I was not there for a break from my busy schedule as in the past. I was there for a real holiday.

The highlight of the trip for me was a visit to Bern. We visited the home of one Patent Office Clerk. He had a hard time finding a job. He failed his exams and was refused entry to schools and colleges. He could not get a job as an assistant teacher in the local University for years. He managed to at least get an apartment to live in. He tried for 4 more years and finally got a job as an assistant teacher in Physics.

His name was Albert Einstein. The Patent Office Clerk who knew too much.

I stood by the desk on which he wrote his Nobel Prize winning work on Photons. The same desk on which he later formulated the Theory of Relativity. I took photographs in his single bedroom apartment. I admired the fact that in those times, there were 4 kids and two parents in one bed room, and they had to live with about 10 liters of water per person per day which had to be delivered to the 2nd floor (3rd story) from streets below.

We also visited the University of Bern. 21 Nobel prizes have been awarded to people who have worked there. What an achievement!

What would we be without the pioneering work of these people who dared to think out of the obvious? Can you imagine a life without Science? I thank god for all that these pioneers have given us.

Einstein is GOD for every Science student.

I have been to The Vatican, to Mathura etc. But never to Mecca as I am not allowed to enter that city because I am a Hindu.

BUT, I have been to the greatest temple for students of science… I have been to the home of ... Albert Einstein!!!

My homage to all the GREATS who have made our lives so livable and so very enjoyable. May you all be remembered for ever for your contribution to humanity.

To Prof. Albert Eienstien : Sir, Mae and I were honoured to be in your home. We felt your presence. We were amazed that you achieved so much with so little. You have proved that a mind is stronger than any machine.

I bow to you sir.

Sincerely…Humbled…..VK