The Retired Executive with a Torn Briefcase

In these days of plethora of gurus in every field of human activity we also witness human beings spending their post retirement era in the company of a torn brief case. They claim to have spent years as executives of organizations which in reality are only a collection of ineffectuals. These gentlemen parade their obsolete knowledge which they consider as experience, calling themselves as consultants. If you ask what is their field of specialization the answer will not be easily forthcoming. Most of them will take shelter on some pretext or other. Some will express an urgent pressure to visit the rest rooms, some others to catch a train or bus and many others pretend to be very busy. The expression consultant, to them, is a cover for their shallow, superficial knowledge which is not of use except as a means of engaging others in bluff loaded conversation.

The victim of such consultants will be called upon to book passages and hotel accommodation at the client's expense and provide them with all information which they may even use by making a thundering presentation. The innocent among them die a natural death for they speak the truth about their limitations to do anything professional except typing a few letters or talking to some one for favors. The enterprising among them make a thundering speech and impression which will make the listener daze and faint. In fact they play the role as fixers for getting things done. This ranges from services for obtaining big contracts to get licenses and permits which normally is difficult for ordinary straight thinking men. They master the special round about maze of routes through which the papers travel and the bottlenecks manifest.

They do overcome the bottlenecks by the strength and weight of the briefcase which often takes the size of a suitcase, and which has witnessed many a cash transaction. The frequency and intensity of use of this has caused wear and tear giving it the appearance of a torn brief case. They are in great demand and against them, professionals with mere skill and knowledge are total failures. They live lavishly and acquire assets and parade them. Some of them have several vehicles at their command, with fancy numbers and they manage to see that no questions are asked by revenue authorities or any one worth the name in the official hierarchy, about the source of their income. They are result oriented and these achievers always talk in terms of millions of currency units .These currency consultants are much sought after for pushing projects from the underground to the foreground. All that they have is the torn brief case which serves as a good carrier of currency bundles. May they be blessed for they bring blessings to many?