Kayakalpa: The Elixir of Everlasting Youth

Arandhara

Copyright Page

Published by

Niyogi Books

D-78, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I

New Delhi-110 020, India

Tel: 91-11-26816301, 49327000

Fax: 91-11-26810483, 26813830

email: niyogibooks@gmail.com

website: www.niyogibooks.com

Text copyright© Lakshmi Nandan Bora

Translation copyright© niyogibooks

Cover Design: Nabanita Das Editor: Sucharita Ghosh

ISBN: 978-81-89738-67-9

Publication: 2010

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities, is entirely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission and consent of the publisher.

Digitally Converted by:

Konark Publishers International

1507 Western Avenue, #605,

Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: (415) 409-9988

e-mail: us@konarkpublishers.com

To wife Madhuri Bora for her dedication

to sustain me as a writer.

1

Dr Anuj Kripalani, the head of the molecular biology department of the renowned multinational company Vivian International, received three successive e-mails. Putting aside their printouts, he clicked the icon on the desktop for some information on the Internet. Immediately, the following words appeared on the screen:

The Central Laboratory located at Sand Hutton in England was the creator of the Accelerator Mass Spectograph (AMS). This tiny machine could make a very minute analysis of a molecule and tell how medicine functioned inside the human body.

Anuj then looked on intently at the spot showing the diagram and description of the AMS. Just then, the intercom buzzed. Anuj heard the voice of the server. Not a human voice, an electronic one. A server meant a ‘man’ always ready to offer service. Its work was similar to that of personal assistants in India. However, this one too was the creation of electronic technology and the computer. It was a machine man. It looked and dressed like a human being. Its behaviour too was like that of an amiable person. When asked questions it could give short but proper answers. The e-server did the work of a private secretary too for Anuj. It was very efficient.

There were many such servers at Vivian International. Instead of being identified by numbers, these servers were identified by names. This one’s name was Adonis.

Adonis said on the intercom, ‘Dr Kripalani, Prof. V.P. Richards is here. Can I let him in?’

Anuj felt extremely thrilled upon hearing the name. It was a matter of great honour for him. Prof. Richards was an eminent scientist. He had become famous the world over for analysing in detail a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Moreover, he was the member secretary of the Chemical Society of North America. Every man of chemistry in the world knew about this research centre. Just like the Max Plank Laboratories in Germany.

As soon as Prof. Richards entered, Anuj stood up and shook hands with him. Before taking his seat Prof. Richards said, ‘Hearty congratulations, Dr Kripalani!’ Then, sitting on the magnetocraft chair hanging in the air with the help of a magnet, Dr Richards said, trying to stop himself from swinging, ‘Informing you about such an important and prestigious matter through e-mail would have been my congratulations without the warmth. So I thought it proper to personally come over to inform and congratulate you.’

Anuj smiled at Prof. Richards and said, ‘I am very curious—like getting to see genes inside a double helix. Without going into the details, do tell me the actual fact.’

Prof. Richards said, ‘You have won the Martin Handerson Award of our institution. The news will be sent to the media tonight itself.’

Dr Martin Handerson, an eminent chemical scientist, was the founder president of the Chemical Society of North America. The award was instituted in his name as a mark of respect to him. Only world famous scientists won this award for fundamental research in chemistry. In 1954, Linas Car Paoli had won the Martin Handerson Award for his research on Vitamin C, before going on to win the Nobel Prize. In terms of money, the value of this award would be approximately rupees one crore seventy-five lakhs.

Anuj felt exalted. He was not a devout Hindu who followed the sayings of the Bhagavad Gita to the letter—to be able to accept either victory or loss in the same manner and remain unaffected. Rising from his revolving magnetocraft chair he hugged Prof. Richards and said, ‘Thank you, thank you; I am very grateful to the Chemical Society of North America. You all have glorified my life. Will you tell me one thing, Prof. Richards? For what special research have I been chosen?’

Freeing himself from Anuj’s arms, Prof. Richards said, ‘For your overall research in molecular biology. Gene therapy has benefited immensely from your research. Moreover, gerontology has benefited a lot from the research paper that you had presented on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).’

After Prof. Richards left, Anuj was beside himself with joy. He felt ecstatic, as if he was floating in space without any gravitational pull. Now, whom should he relate the good news to? To the chairman of Vivian International, Dr John Harrison? No, now he could not inform anyone. The Chemical Society of North America would be sending the news to the media only at night. He looked down from his room. No. twenty seven on the thirty eighth floor. In the distance, the one hundred and eleventh-storey World Trade Center seemed to keep watch over New York City. The speeding vehicles on the road looked like columns of colourful ants. His eyes fell on the horizon of the concrete jungle; the expanse of the cloudless sky made his mind restless. His mind was now in New Delhi, on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University many years ago. He had gone there from the US as a visiting professor of chemistry. There he had met Nayana as a student. She was a resident of Delhi. There was the magic of youth in her body, the delight of a butterfly in her mind and sculptured beauty on her face. On the first day itself, when he was introduced to her, he had wondered: why did this girl, who was obviously stunningly beautiful, remain confined in a lightless, airless room in the laboratory? She could have easily become a famous model or a film or TV actor. She was instead a post-graduate final year student of chemistry. Yet, she could not be blamed for her choice of career. She must have been more interested in chemistry. Of course, had she not been a student of chemistry at Jawaharlal Nehru University, they would not have met.

The sight of Nayana had made Anuj’s mind soft like a flower. The analytical mind of a chemist had been overshadowed. He had felt more inspired to take classes because of her presence. The lingering impression of the girl used to disturb him during the lonely nights. Her thoughts filled up the loneliness of his bachelor life.

Nayana began to visit him in his separate room in the Department of Chemistry at Jawaharlal Nehru University, with one or the other problem related to research. Anuj had no difficulty in understanding that it was all an excuse for her to come to him. So the thirty-seven- year-old Anuj could attract the twenty-two-year-old girl? How was it possible? One day he asked her, ‘Nayana, what is it that you find in me? We now ought to proceed with reasoning. If my knowledge of chemistry, my ability to teach well or my being a professor in the US have caught your fancy, then these are just temporary attachments, not love. Maybe it is harsh reality that is working on your young mind.’

She replied, ‘I am not thinking on those lines. When I come to you, I forget that you are a professor and a great scientist. To me you are a young man with a beautiful mind. Your eyes can penetrate my heart.’

Anuj was still not quite convinced. He asked again, ‘Is this the only reason? You are exeedingly pretty, a possessor of rare beauty. A young man far more handsome than me could be waiting for you.’

She said, ‘Finding someone handsome is all in the mind. I don’t find anyone else more handsome than you. Your baritone voice could create ripples in every woman’s heart.’

Nayana could speak and write English fluently. Pouring out her emotions, she could express herself very eloquently in English. She felt embarrassed to say it in Hindi. She was also embarrassed when her thoughts got exposed so clearly. Seeing her blush Anuj grew more fond of her. Her words caused a flutter in his heart. Anuj in America was used to a more direct expression of love. When he drew closer to her, without hesitation she surrendered herself in his arms. Warm kisses and a reassuring embrace, formed the symbolic language of their love.

Soon began Nayana’s frequent visits to Anuj’s quarters. Together they had dinner at various upmarket restaurants of New Delhi. They visited famous places in the city. Finally, they could no longer stay away from each other. For their love for each other could no longer be denied.

Gradually Anuj’s term as a visiting professor was coming to an end. Just two months remained. One day he said, ‘Nayana, we have come so close to each other, yet you know nothing about me. Where I hail from; what are my educational qualifications, etc.’

She said, ‘Everyone here knows about you. Because you are famous at such a young age; a professor at a renowned university like Stanford.’

‘What else do you know?’

‘Your ancestral home was in present-day Pakistan. Your family had fled from the Sindh province at the time of the Partition. Of course, you were born in Bombay. Your father Manoj Kripalani worked very hard in the new India and became a successful man. You had gone to America after obtaining a degree in chemical engineering from Bombay IIT. Instead of chemical engineering a few aspects of chemistry drew your attention in the US. You passed your M.S. from Rutzers University and completed your Ph.D from Stanford University. Presently you are a famous molecular biologist.’

‘So my curriculum vitae is on your lips. Thanks for that. But how do you propose to spend the day today? It’s Sunday.’

‘Let’s go to a temple. Couples like us frequent those places. Like in the movies, they offer prayers there, take tilak on the forehead; the girls put sindur on their hair partings. Thus they get married or pledge ...’

‘Let’s skip it today. We have nine more Sundays left.’

What Anuj said did not dishearten Nayana. She thought that the famous scientist must have some other important engagement.

At night Anuj thought, was she interested in marrying him just to pursue further studies in the US? Instantly he chided himself for nurturing such thoughts. For Nayana studying abroad was a simple matter. Her father Sandip Narlikar was an Indian Foreign Service officer. Nayana was born in Washington when he was the First Secretary at the Indian Embassy in America. Presently he was Secretary of Foreign Affairs. So he could have easily arranged for his daughter’s higher education in the US or Canada. Moreover, when Anuj went to Nayana’s place her parents had received him cordially. They had agreed to their marriage. It surprised him that they had agreed so easily. He had told Nayana, ‘Had it been in the village your parents would not have agreed to this marriage. Our age difference is almost fifteen years. So why did they agree?’

Nayana had replied, ‘My parents are progressive. They do not interfere in their children’s likes and dislikes. But the real factor is not age, it is health. Do you understand?’

Anuj married Nayana. All his relatives as well as Nayana’s attended the wedding. But after coming to the US, Nayana did not pursue her studies in chemistry. The American way of life got the better of her.

She obtained a post-graduate degree in mass communication from Stanford University and started working with a company named Megavision, which produced documentaries and TV serials. Although they lived together, Anuj lost her as his intellectual partner because she had drifted away from chemistry.

Yet, Anuj got impatient to inform Nayana about his winning the Martin Handerson Award worth several million dollars. Although she was no longer his partner in scientific activities, in matters of material progress both worked together. Hence, as soon as Prof. Richards left, he directed Adonis the server to connect him to his residence. At the other end the voice of Rangaraj, Anuj’s son, could be heard. ‘Ranga, where is your mummy?’ Anuj asked impatiently. He had two sons— Rituraj and Rangaraj. While Rituraj was pursuing a computer course in Detroit, Rangaraj was a sophomore—so he stayed at home.

‘Mummy flew to Italy at ten o’clock by Delta Airways.’ ‘Can you tell me why?’ ‘On some shooting assignment. She went with a team.’ ‘Did she say where to phone or e-mail her?’

‘She said nothing.’

Anuj hung up the phone in disgust and thought: she seems to be getting more unruly with age. She forgets that she is a mother of two sons. In moments, his joy of winning such a big award vanished. Sadly, he thought that the next day when the media around the world would flash the news and his interviews would appear on the TV screen, then Nayana might send him a congratulatory message via e-mail. But such an e-mail would not help him, it would not satisfy him. Because an e-mailed congratulatory message was cold and detached, it did not contain the warmth of the heart.

Anuj dwelt upon himself. He was now fifty-three years old, which already showed. But it was possible for Nayana to keep her youthful restlessness and beauty intact till fifty, because her main job these days was to take special care to maintain her health. All her concerns centered around an attempt at holding back her youth. Perhaps every American woman was like that.

The mechanical voice of Adonis said, ‘Phone call, from the President of the United States.’

‘Congratulations, Dr Kripalani.’ ‘Thank you immensely, Mr President.’ ‘We are so proud of you, Professor.’ Anuj guessed that the news had in the meantime spread to some quarters. Otherwise the President would not have congratulated him. He hung up the phone gently and sank into a world of contemplation. He got angry with Nayana. At least before leaving for Italy she should have informed him over the phone. She had spoilt such a happy day in his life.

2

Anuj became a familiar figure all over the world. Several television channels flashed his photographs and showed his interviews. His life history and scientific contributions were published elaborately in popular newspapers. The New York Times wrote: ‘Anuj Kripalani’s contribution in matters of gene mapping will be remembered forever. We hope that his research in biotechnology will usher in new promises in the fields of agriculture and medical science.’ The Washington Post commented: ‘Anuj Kripalani’s research on the human gene is extremely relevant. His research in other branches of chemistry too is phenomenal. His research into the well-known molecule Sildenafil Citrate can solve a problem that many men face—sexual impotence.’

The Indian newspapers wrote editorials on him. A number of universities in Europe invited him to confer honorary doctorate degrees. Ever since he received the Award, he could not keep himself confined to his place of work. He had to visit different universities around the world to deliver lectures. His earnings too went up. His employers Vivian International also granted him leave to visit different places. As he travelled and delivered lectures around the globe, the company’s respectability and importance grew.

Nayana was proud of her husband’s achievement. Now she realised that she had indeed married a talented man.

Anuj was still an Indian citizen. He had not become an American citizen like Chandrashekhar or Hargovind Khurana despite Nayana’s insistence on it. He would argue that once he surrendered his Indian citizenship, he would lose his roots. He was profoundly attracted to western science and technology; but mentally he did not want to accept the consumer society derived through it. According to him, there ought to be a synthesis between the progress brought about by science and human values. Because reckless luxury could annihilate a civilisation. In this context, he would refer to the fall of the Roman Empire.

The Indian philosophy of sacrifice, detachment and frugality had always given inspiration to Anuj. Hence, never in his life had he felt shattered in distress or elated in success. He had been beside himself with joy just for a certain period on the day he had won the Martin Handerson Award. That day he could not remain unmoved by joy.

He felt very glad upon being invited to India. His alma mater, Mumbai IIT had invited him to confer an honour. After the news appeared in the newspapers he got invitations from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Invitations came from many other places too. So, he would have to spend about a month in India. Of course, he would be glad to do so.

Anuj was given the Martin Handerson Award at a glittering function in the presence of eminent scientists. His fame spread further and he became a lot wealthier.

Nayana congratulated Anuj from Italy. She returned soon after and smothered his face with kisses, hugging him with a profound warmth. From then on she began to spend the evenings with Anuj. But his fame and talent kept her satisfied for a few days only. By surrendering herself totally to Anuj she did not take long to realise that activities in chemistry and biology had so engrossed him that sexual desires and sensuality had long taken leave of him.

Science was his passion. But she was a young woman of flesh and blood. She did not want to become a great soul by sublimating her carnal desires.

Nayana got bored after about a month since the Martin Handerson Award. She understood clearly that she and Anuj did not share similar views about life. Their ways of life were different. She would sometimes speak, as if in soliloquy: ‘Anuj, go ahead as you wish; win the Nobel Prize, I shall be elated even then. But let me too row the boat of my life as I wish. I want a life of my own, whose inherent joys are very dear to me. I do not want to become famous by sacrificing a lot in life. That is why I like Charles, Philip and Stuart. Presently I am growing very fond of Antonio Manfredik ...’

One day suddenly Anuj said, ‘Nayana, let’s go to India together this time. There are lots of invitations for felicitations; we shall have to stay there for almost a month.’

Nayana looked at her husband intently, searching for some warmth in his heart just for her in the midst of his elaborate research works. She found no trace of love in the vague, indifferent face. Still she asked, ‘Where will the first lecture be held?’

Anuj said, ‘Delhi. At three places. Besides Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research too.’

She said, ‘I shall accompany you then. Mother will be delighted to see me. It will be a great pleasure to see my university after such a long time. Moreover, I can visit my friends and relatives too.’

‘Very well then,’ Anuj said and started reading a fax message the server Adonis had placed on the table.

In Delhi, Anuj and Nayana stayed at Lodhi Hotel. Of course, Nayana spent only the first night with Anuj. For the remaining days she stayed with her mother. Her father Sandip Narlikar had in the meantime passed away.

At the time of leaving Delhi, Nayana said to Anuj, ‘I am not going to Mumbai with you. Hope your felicitations in India are a great success. Of what use are they to me? I am leaving for the States; have got a lot of work to do. Three documentaries. Besides, I have to do the video picturisation for two songs. Of course, I had told you about that before.’

Anuj kept quiet for some time. He then asked very solemnly, ‘Are you seeking my permission or is your air ticket ready?’

She decided to keep quiet. She understood that to add to his glamour the presence of his beautiful and youthful wife was essential at the time of his felicitation. But it was only in the laboratory or at the scientists’ meetings that this eminent scientist was an attractive, lively person; as a woman’s companion he was dull and lifeless; in bed he was pathetic. Was age to blame for that? Or full-time devotion to science? True, a woman with simple hopes and aspirations should never marry such a great man. Nayana heaved a sigh. Hiding her thoughts she said, ‘I am thinking of leaving tomorrow.’

Anuj considered every word and said, ‘I see that you have become a completely Indian woman here, clad in sari and blouse. As an Indian woman you now need your husband’s permission, right? Well, you may leave right now. Why wait till tomorrow? Did you seek my permission while going to Italy?’

Anuj’s remark implied that he wanted Nayana to stay. She said, ‘Don’t be annoyed, I too have a professional life.’

Anuj said, ‘I am saying this without any rancour Nayana. You go ahead. I don’t want to be a hindrance to your activities.’

The next day at midnight Nayana flew back to the US. On the other hand, after every felicitation programme Anuj had to face a barrage of questions from journalists under the flashlight cameras. But he had never faced so many questions in Europe or North America.

At the guest-of-the-month programme organised in New Delhi the question–answer session was of the following pattern:

‘What kind of progress will biotechnology make in the future?’

‘All human maladies can be got rid of through analysis of the RNA and DNA of every person and infusion of gene into the body. But this mode of treatment will be extremely expensive. In the present twenty- first century too the main cause of deaths is contagious diseases.’

‘What will be the role of biotechnology in agricultural production?’

‘Without the application of biotechnology, it will not be possible to feed the burgeoning population. So, through rejuvenation of gene, highly productive crops can be developed. Moreover, in the future, crops can be developed which even pests and diseases will not be able to destroy. Presently, it is also possible to produce crops that will require very little fertilisers. Farmers are already producing crops that can survive in floods as well as in extremely dry conditions. So, crops developed through biotechnology will not require much manure and chemical fertilisers; the irrigation required too will be nominal and some crops will be able to survive even in floods.’

‘Isn’t this work being done through plant breeding?’

‘Yes indeed. But evolving crops through this process requires a lot of time and experimentation. But biotechnology or Recombinant DNA method in genetic engineering is a fool-proof method. It is faster and a lot more result-oriented. The beneficial effects of crops developed through plant breeding undergo degeneration after one or two generations.’

‘What, according to you, is the role of biotechnology in tackling environmental pollution?’

‘Biotechnology is developing a bacteria that can get rid of the pollutants by devouring them. Besides, when there is no need to produce chemical fertilisers and pesticides, land, air and water will be rid of much pollution. I have developed a bacterium. It has been named after me—Bacterium Anujium. It destroys the poisonous ingredients of crude oil and rids the water, that flows into fields and drains, of pollutants.’

‘Isn’t there any negative effect of biotechnology?’ ‘Only time can tell that.’ ‘New bacteria, crops and animals are being developed through cloning. We are benefiting from it. But can humans also be cloned?’ ‘There is no end to the scientist’s curiosity. By cloning the human gene far superior humans can be created through Recombinant DNA.’ ‘But, Dr Kripalani, what will happen if the churning of the ocean produces scum and not nectar?’ ‘I don’t clearly understand your question.’ ‘What I mean is, what will you do if in the process of cloning humans some strange creatures, that is some demons are created who may devour everything?’

‘I don’t see any possibility of that happening. Biotechnology is progressing very cautiously. When man created electricity through nuclear energy controlled by atomic reactors, everybody had feared that radioactive rays would lead to pollution and spell everybody’s doom. But that did not happen. Now the main source of Europe’s electrical energy is nuclear energy.’

‘Fine. Finally, a personal question. As a scientist where is your