Madhusudan_Das

90 Madhusudan Das :
and raising her hand shouted in the presence of all the ladies "Not
that way, not that way go by the back staircase." We were stupefied
at the exhibition of her uncalled for temper and rudeness. For she
had her private lift and we were within our rights to use this staircase.
However we came down by the back staircase, as directed. As a
consolation we were told that whereas the Governor's wife had insulted
us, the wives of the other high officials were insulted by her Chaprasi.
I did not tell anyone about this unpleasant incident, not even to my
father. But when he heard and asked me about it, I told him the facts
and requested him never to ask me to attend any function at
Government House. As he was a Minister, he would have to go but
as his daughter was not in Government service, she could do what
she liked. He told me I could do what I pleased and he would not
ask me to go to the Government House,
(g) Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council : —
When my father was Minister I used to go with him daily to
the meetings of Legislative Council. Whenever there was any important
item, I used to take Indian ladies to the Council with me. When tired,
we went to my father's Chamber for rest and refreshments. The late
Dr. Sacchidananda Sinha was then the President of the Council when
he said "Order, Order." He was the right man in the right place and
I called him "uncle". He was very kind to me, and so was Sir
Fakiruddin who was the Education Minister and my father's colleague.
These two kind friends spoilt me in Patna as they always compiled
with my request whenever I approached them. When my father
presented the Bihar and Orissa Municipal Bill and held a Conference
of all the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of District Board and
Municipalities of the province I used to entertain them and gave them
tea every afternoon in the compound of the Council Chamber. I also
discussed the bill with them. Through my effort the women got
franchise in the municipality for the first time. Thus I got acquainted
with all sections of the Municipal Commisioner of the Patna
Municipality myself this knowledge helped me a lot. Those were happy
days indeed, alas, never to come back again.
RESIGNATION OF MY FATHER FROM MINISTERSHIP
I used to attend meetings of the Municipality when my father
presided. He explained the duties of the Chairman seriously and clearly
and appealed to them to do their duties better and not to neglect their