LATHE MACHINE

"Bhai Hamaare engineer to aap hi hain" ( Brother you are our only engineer)

This statement greeted me when I entered the shop - to be more precise the workshop - of Satbeer the lathe machine owner. And this is what a farmer with broken tractor was saying to Satbeer. One could make out Satbeer was not that boastful of his skills as his customers praised him. But yes Satbeer’s lathe machine is the lifeline of Farukhnagar’s farming community. And the customer he is attending to at that moment was somewhat young.
My father even my Grandfather came to Satbeer ji to get their tractor repaired,” young customer told me. And repeated”, “He is our engineer for 2 generations. In fact my grandfather used to come to his father. Satbeer, during this conversation maintained a stoic silence. As if this certification by a customer is a normal thing for him. Later Satbeer opened up.
Well my father established this business. He did not have a lathe machine. He was mostly doing welding works. And that was the time when there were not many tractors. my father used to mend broken plough and rahant. While showing his certificates from Government and Technical Institute, he said with pride that that was the time when government also gave us due importance. There were subsidies on electricity and other benefits from the government.
Then when did you feel that you need a lathe machine,” I asked.
Well…it was to keep pace with the time,” replied back Satbeer, “farmers had been changing fast, they started using tractors instead of plough and bullocks. And with a smile he adds,” “although they used to carry the broken parts of tractor on a bullock cart to Gurgaon city to get them mended.
But that was the time I and my father realized that we also need to change with the demands of our customers,” Satbeer continued, “and then we set up a lathe machine.
While showing his certificates Satbeer off and on resort to talking in English. In a way trying to justify his status as an engineer in Farukhnagar.

What was the purpose of lathe machine,” I asked.
In fact,” Satbeer sipping tea elaborates, “even the parts of the new tractors coming to village were not fitted nicely. Many of those parts had to be put on lathe machine. The grooves were made, the parts were cut to size as per the requirement. Those were the busy days. But now business is not that hectic since parts are well chiseled I have to simply assemble them. Technology is changing fast.
Despite this admission Satbeer was looking quite busy. He had lot of work to finish and live up to his reputation of local engineer. The same customer came to him and requested him to complete his work urgently. I took his leave while brooding that Farukhnagar’s engineer is slowly loosing his confidence but his importance is intact.