Science Fiction-The Spectacular Spectacle-Kaushik Chakraborty

The Spectacular Spectacle

Kaushik Chakraborty

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Giridih

“Dear Roma,

It was indeed a great pleasure to go through your research and findings on your “electronic vision”project. I am sure it is a ground breaking invention and can open up a new dimension in the field of science. It will bring hopes to millions of blind people around the world and can potentially end the curse of blindness permanently from mankind in future. I have gone through your findings in great detail and have found it to be almost flawless. But I am appending a few points for you to ponder and if you incorporate them, I think it can improve your invention even further.

Wishing you all the best

Yours truly

Prof. Trilokeshwar Shonku.

Tears of joy ran down Prof. Romashankar Trivedi’s eyes as he read the letter again and again from the legendary scientist Prof. Shonku, whom he has idolized from his childhood, praising for his findings and declaring it as a ground breaking invention. He even gave him some tips to improve upon his findings. The letter literally boosted his energy a thousand times and he started working with new enthusiasm and vigor.

Blindness is one the biggest curse on mankind since time immemorial. When light reaches the retina in the eye and an image is developed, it moves to the remainder of the brain through the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve, and is the connection between the brain and eyes. As soon as the information passes from the optic nerve to the remainder of the brain, it is sent to the occipital lobe, where vision is processed. The occipital lobe is located in the back of the brain, above the cerebellum, and forms the center of the visual perception system. The last part of the brain associated with vision is the visual cortex, where sensory and motor information is incorporated with vision. Damage to the optic nerve avoids any information from being sent from the eyes to the remainder of the brain and this causes blindness to man in major cases.

Prof. Romashankar Trivedi has been studying on this system of vision for a long time. After consulting with leading ophthalmologists he was determined to do something to give back vision to blind persons. It is the result of this determination that for the last seven years Prof. Romashankar Trivedi has been working on the project of what he named as “Electronic vision”. Ultimately his hard work paid off. He has developed a spectacle with a special glass. The glasses have the ability to absorb light as it passes through them. If it is worn by any blind person, he will be able to see just like any normal person. When a blind person wears the spectacle, the images trapped by the glass is transmitted through the side arms of the spectacles to a metallic band worn behind the head

which stimulates the visual cortex of the human brain through some complicated wiring thereby synthesizing a clear picture of the information supplied. Thus the vision is regained bypassing the damaged optic nerves.

Quite understandably Romashankar was thrilled with his invention. He was even thinking of filing a patent for his new invention. But Prof. Shonku’s “few points” as mentioned in his letter has really stumped him over. He has decided to wait for some time before filing his patent. What a genius this man is! His electronic spectacle’s capabilities can be enhanced many folds if he is able to add the new features as per Prof. Shonku’s instruction. But this is a top secret and he has not revealed this feature to anybody. He has to add a small “feature” in his spectacle to enhance its “normal working” even further. He could really feel the excitement in his nerves anticipating the final product which he is going to present the world in a few more days.

The next morning as he was busy in his laboratory with his new spectacles, the doorbell rang. Mahendra, his domestic help, opened the door. There stood a young man in kurta pyjama. As per Romashankar’s instruction he was let in and asked to wait in the drawing room. Shortly afterwards he entered the room. Seeing him the man stood up from the sofa with folded hands to greet him.

Romashankar noticed that he was a man of average height and built, nothing extraordinary to remember. With a neat hairdo and a side bag hanging from his left shoulder he introduced himself as Mr. Pratap Bose, a journalist from a local newspaper.

- Tell me in what way I can help you, said Romashankar.

- Sir, I want to take your interview. I will not take much time. I am sorry I did not have any prior appointment as this assignment was given to me on a very short notice by my boss. I hope you don’t mind. I have come to know that you have made some invention which can help blind persons to regain their vision. I was so excited to know this that I could not wait to meet you in person.

- From where did you get this information?

- Its our job, Sir, to keep information, he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

- Well, yes I am working on it, but it still is not the right time to disclose my work to the world. You will come to know about it in the right time. Mr. Bose was very inquisitive and started asking Romashankar many questions regarding his invention. Initially it was like a normal conversation and Romashankar was answering all his queries with his usual elegance, but slowly he started having a queer feeling. He could sense that Mr. Bose is not just an ordinary journalist, but has some other vested interest. He was trying to dig deeper and deeper in his invention. At one point of time Romashankar had to stop him.

- Look here Mr. Bose, I am not in a position to disclose all the details of my invention. I think whatever you have gathered for now is enough for your interview. I have work to do, pleaseexcuse me. Mr. Bose appeared to be a bit morose with this sudden break but he had to discontinue after Romashankar’s reluctance to carry on further.

Romashankar went back to his laboratory and was once again engrossed with his invention. For the next two days he kept an eye on the daily newspaper expecting his interview to be published, but even after thoroughly scanning them he could not see any publication of his interview.

After a few days of hard work he was finally able to incorporate Prof. Shonku’s “tips” in his spectacles. Now it’s the time to test it.

Mahendra has just then called him for lunch. Sitting on the dining  table some mischievous idea played in Romashankar’s mind. While Mahendra was about to serve him he stopped him and said, I want to show you a magic. Mahendra was taken aback.

- Magic?!!!

- Yes magic. Go and bring my scarf from my wardrobe.

Mahendra obeyed as instructed. On receiving the scarf he asked Mahendra to turn around. As soon he turned around Romashankar blind folded him with his scarf.

- Now serve me.

Mahendra was totally surprised. “I can’t see anything, Sir. How can I serve you?”

- Can’t you see anything?

- No, how can I, you have tied the scarf so tightly I can’t see anything. I am even afraid to walk.

Romashankar started smiling. He slowly took the “spectacle” from his pocket and placed it over Mahendra’s eyes and the metallic band behind his head.

- What is this?

- This is my spectacles. Can you see now?

- How can I see, my eyes are still covered?

Romashankar took out a small black remote switch from his pocket. “Can you see Mahendra?”

- No, I can’t.

Romashankar tapped on the switch with his thumb. For a moment Mahendra’s body shivered with a slight shock. Then suddenly Mahendra was overjoyed. “I can see, I can see. Oh! My God!! I can see. But I still have my eyes blindfolded, Sir. But I can still see. How is it possible?” He was overjoyed and ecstatic. Romashankar was overjoyed too. His eyes turned misty by imagining how his spectacles will change the life of a blind person and return him back to normal life. He embraced Mahendra.

- “Now can you serve me?”

- Yes, of course. Mahendra was so amazed at his creation that he started dancing around the room like a small child.

- Now look up towards the ceiling. What can you see?

As Mahendra looked up he said. “I can see the fan rotating fast.”

- Can you see or count the blades?

- No, it is rotating too fast to see or count the blades.

Now Romashankar again started tapping another switch in his black remote.

- The fan is slowing down, said Mahendra.

- Keep watching it.

Romashankar kept on tapping at the switch as the speed of the fan appear to come down even further. After sometime Mahendra said, “The fan has totally stopped. But I can still feel the air it is circulating. How is it possible? Romashakar was overjoyed.

- Yes!!! I have done it. Thank you Prof. Shonku. You are a true genius. I have been able to bring down the speed of light passing through the glass of my spectacles and finally halted it to zero. Time has frozen in my spectacle.

He went near Mahendra and opened up his scarf. To his utter amazement he saw that the fan was running at its usual speed just like before. Then how did I see that it has stopped?!! Mahendra still could not come to terms with Romashankar’s “magic” and was looking dazed. That day the lunch appeared to be truly sumptuous to Romashankar as he was overjoyed with his success.

That night Mahendra could not sleep properly. He kept on thinking about the wonderful magic Romashankar had shown him. What a magical spectacle!! The next morning he was preparing breakfast for Romashankar. Meanwhile Romashankar went to the wash room to freshen up.

Mahendra could not resist himself. He slowly crept in Romashankar’s laboratory. The spectacles were lying on his table. He slowly took it up and put it on his eyes. Nothing apparently happened. He tried to figure out how it works. Trying different ways he still could not do anything. It appeared to him as just an ordinary pair of spectacles with an extra metallic band at the back. Just then Romashankar entered his laboratory. Seeing Mahendra fiddling with his spectacles he started smiling. Mahendra did not notice him as he was busy with the magical spectacle. Then suddenly Romashankar broke his silence. Trying to hide his smile he asked “Where is my breakfast, Mahendra?” Mahendra was highly embarrassed as till now he has never touched any instruments pertaining to Romashankar’s laboratory. He immediately kept the spectacles on the table and said,

“Sorry Sir, I am just bringing it.” As he left Romashankar could spot that Mahendra’s hands were wet. Perhaps while preparing his breakfast, he was also doing some dishes. He slowly picked up the spectacles and found that its side arms and the glasses were little wet. He has disturbed. Water is not good for electronic instruments. He slowly rubbed it off with a clean cloth and kept it near the window in the sunlight to dry it out. Meanwhile Mahendra served him breakfast. He warned Mahendra not to touch his spectacles with wet hands as it is not just an ordinary pair of spectacles but a highly sophisticated electronic instrument. Mahendra apologized for his mistake and went away. After having breakfast Romashankar became deeply engrossed in his work once again.

At around 11am the doorbell rang. Mahendra came and informed him that a man has come to meet him. He handed Romashankar a visiting card. The visiting card read, “Mr. Ganpat Singhania”, M.D. Singhania Opticals. He thought for a while, then instructed Mahendra to tell the man to wait for him in the drawing room. After about 10 minutes Romashankar went to meet Mr. Singhania in his drawing room. As he entered, the man stood up and forwarded his right hand to shake hands with Romashankar. He was wearing a plush royal blue suit. A pair of steel framed stylish spectacles adorned his eyes. Two gold rings decorated his middle and ring fingers of his right hand as he stretched it out to greet him very warmly. There was a mark of elite class in his overall appearance.

- Good morning Prof. Trivedi. Really honored to meet one of the greatest scientists of today’s time. I have been thinking to meet you for quite some time but was unable to manage my time. Finally, I have managed time to meet you. Indeed a great pleasure to meet you inperson.

- Thank you for the compliment. Nice meeting you too. Please take your seat. Tell me what Ican do for you. By the way what will like to have tea, coffee or juice?

- Ah! Thanks. I will prefer a cup of hot coffee.

Mahendra went inside to prepare coffee for them.

- Yes, Mr. Singhania, as I was telling what can I do for you?

- You must have seen my card. I am into business of optical.

- Yeah, I have seen it. So how can I help you?

- Well Prof. I deal with various items dealing with optics from spectacles to microscope, all sorts of lenses, from ophthalmoscopes required by eye surgeon’s to examine patients, to binoculars, telescopes etc. I not only import export them but also manufacture them. My sprawling business is spreading over almost 16 cities in India including all the four metros as well as many small cities. We even have branches in various parts of Middle East and eastern Asia like Singapore, Taiwan, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur etc. Not to boast, my turnover is around 500 crores a year. Almost 600 odd people work under me. I am a very busy man you see and handle my business almost single handedly. Though I have a few trusted men to help me out, but I keep total control with myself. I was in Dubai last week. Just landed yesterday evening. So I could not come to meet you earlier.

- Well, I understand about your sprawling business Mr. Singhania. But I cannot understand in what way I am related to your business?

Mr. Singhania smiled. “Well professor, I have come to know about your recent invention about a spectacle which can give vision to blind people. I was thrilled to hear about it. What a noble idea!! You are a truly blessed man. God will definitely bless you for this great initiative to help out millions of hapless people around the world. As you know that I am a man working in the field of optics and vision, your invention has truly excited me. May I have the honour of seeing it once? Please…”,

Mr. Singhania begged.

Romashankar was elated to hear the praise showered by Mr. Singhania. Asking him to wait, he went back to his laboratory to bring his spectacles. It was still lying on the table beside the window soaking in bright sunlight. By this time, it was completely dry and there was no trace of any moisture left. Romashankar handed over the spectacles to Mr. Singhania. He immediately took it and looked at the spectacle curiously by turning it in various directions trying to figure out its specialty. “It appears to be an ordinary spectacle except this extra metallic band. What is this used for?” Saying this he tried to wear the spectacles.

- It does not work in that way. Place the metallic band behind you head and then it sits perfectly on your face.

Mr. Singhania obeyed as instructed. The band fitted tightly on his head. “But how does it work?” Romashankar was noticing Mr. Singhania’s excitement while he was exploring the spectacles and was having a sense of satisfaction deep within him. Then he asked, “From where did you know about my invention?”

- Well, it’s my job you see to keep a track of latest inventions in the world related to optics, Mr. Singhania smiled. Hearing Mr. Singhania’s words, immediately something flashed in Romashankar’s mind. These were almost the same words being spoken by that journalist who visited him few days back. He was forgetting his name. He tried hard to remember it. Mr. Singhania interrupted his thoughts…

- Do you remember Pratap? Mr. Pratap Bose?

- Yeah, yeah, now I remember. But how come you know him?

- Surprise…Pratap is actually my secretary. I sent him last week to gather information about your invention. Hope things are now clear to you Prof. Trivedi. Sorry, I had to misinform you that he was a journalist. Otherwise perhaps you would not have shared so many details with the secretary of any odd businessman.

Hearing this Prof. Trivedi became a little annoyed. Guessing his annoyance Mr. Singhania said,

- Apologies, Prof. Trivedi. But believe me I have no bad intention. Actually I wanted to buy the license of your product to manufacture it in mass scale and also sell it around the globe. Don’t worry I will offer you a handsome amount for this license and am sure together we can play in crores. For the rest of your life you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy your life. Whatever Pratap has described to me about the spectacles, if that is true, I am sure I can sell it for at least one lakh rupees per piece if not more. What do you say Prof.? A smile of confidence flashed on Mr. Singhania’s face.

By this time Romashankar was really taken aback. How can Mr. Singhania think of his business plans all by himself without even asking for his opinion? He became very annoyed that he has also fixed up a price for his invention. In a cool but stern voice Prof. Trivedi replied,

- Mr. Singhania, I think you have forgotten that I am a scientist, not a businessman. I have been working on this project for the last seven years with an intention to serve the mankind. To do something for the blind people on this earth from whom God has taken away the light of the world. We scientists have some ethics and responsibilities towards the society as a whole. I have never thought of any commercial implication of my invention. It is purely done with an intention to serve the mankind and not to do business with it. How on earth you have decided everything on your own without consulting me? I don’t agree with your proposal.

- Oh! come on Prof. every invention whatever has taken place in this world has been commercialized. Without that what is the use of inventions? Some day or the other somebody will have to manufacture it. Anticipating that I have come to you with a business proposal. I am sure nobody can give you a better deal than me. If you want I can fix a higher margin for you. Tell me frankly how much do you want? I am not going to let you down. Every damn thing in this world has a price and am ready to pay for it. Tell me your price.

- Sorry Mr. Singhania, you have come to the wrong place. My invention is not for sale. You can leave. I have engagements and work to do. Give me back my spectacles.

There was a sudden change in the facial expression of Mr. Singhania. His smiling face was suddenly full of creases in his forehead. “I have not come across a man like you Prof. I thought you are an intelligent man. But your attitude appears to be like an arrogant fool. Sorry for saying this but…”

Romashankar became very angry and lashed back at him. “How dare you speak to me like that? Give me back my spectacles and get lost from here.”

- I am not accustomed to hear NO Prof. Think again and answer me in affirmative. Saying this he slowly put his right hand in his right pocket, took out a revolver and pointed it towards Romashankar. I don’t like to force you Prof. but don’t test my nerves.

Meanwhile Mahendra was about to come inside the room with two cups of coffee placed on a tray. But seeing the situation he became nervous and stood there at one corner. Romashankar saw him and slowly eyed him some instruction. Mahendra left immediately with the coffee. Mr. Singhania was in no mood at that time to observe this nonverbal instructions of Romashankar. He once again sternly asked him, “For the last time Prof. are you with me for the deal?” Romashankar stood there motionless for some time unable to decipher what to do. Then he slowly put his right hand in his pocket and pulled out the small black remote switch. “Pity on you Mr. Singhania. You are showing me a revolver? You think you are all powerful with it. But you are forgetting that I am scientist. Don’t ever challenge a scientist. Do you know what it is?” He raised his hand showing the small black remote. “Give me back my spectacles and leave or you will repent for the rest of your life.”

- What is it? Mr. Singhania frowned without paying much heed to it. I offered you the best deal but a fool like you doesn’t deserve it. So I take it for FREE. The last word was spoken with extra stress.

- Very well then face the consequences and don’t blame me that I did not warn you.

Romashankar tapped that switch. There was a slight shiver in Mr. Singhania’s head. He could not understand what was going on.

- You wanted to know how it works, isn’t it. Now see the magic. Romashankar tapped the remote few more times. The suddenly Mr. Singhania uttered a shrill sound,

“Ahhh!!! My eyessss…” and fell down. His revolver fell off from his hand. He was wreathing in pain and trying desperately to open the spectacles. But the metallic band fitted tightly behind the head did not come out so easily. He was screaming on top of his voice. 

“Oh! God my eyes. Help me.”

By that time Romashankar quickly picked up the revolver. He pointed it towards Mr. Singhania. His face was red with anger. “Get up and hands above your head. If I can give vision, I can take it back too.” Just then a police jeep stopped in front of Prof. Trivedi’s house. Inspector Sikdar rushed inside.

- Come in Mr. Sikdar. You are right on time. Mahendra did a good job. Take him in your custody.

Mr. Singhania was howling and crying in pain with his hands covering his eyes. Romashankar took out the spectacles forcefully from his eyes. Mr. Sikdar was shocked to see that Singhania’s eyes were blood red and he couldn’t see anything.

- Prof. Trivedi retorted back, “You wanted to take it for FREE Mr. Singhania since I did not accept your deal. Now if you turn blind after this ordeal, don’t worry, I will give it to you to regain your vision FOR FREE.

Mr. Singhania was whisked away by police. Mahendra was dazed after watching the entire proceedings. He was terribly afraid after seeing Mr. Singhania’s condition.

- How did this happen? What did you do, Sir?

- Prof. Trivedi smiled. I did nothing. This was Prof. Shonku’s brilliance. I simply designed a spectacle which can pass the light to human brain like any normal spectacle. This metallic band which is the electrode transmits the information to the brain to regain vision. With my invention one can only see the live pictures. But Prof. Shonku had secretly given me the formula which enabled me to develop a special glass which can trap light. Light can be passed through it at different speeds and can even be stopped and stored in it if necessary by which one can see like a video recording of incidents happened earlier or even can see the image like a still photo. You remember the spectacles was lying in the direct midday sunlight for several hours for drying. During this time it had soaked ample sunlight. With my remote switch I simply unleashed the power of few hours of sunlight in a few seconds. If

you can’t look at the midday sun directly for even a second, just imagine what will happen to your eyes if you are forced to look at the sun for hours altogether. The tremendous intensity of midday sun burned his eyes even if he had closed them. But he deserved it. But I also learnt one thing from this. In future I have to write a line of caution to all the patients who will be using this spectacle “Not to keep it in the sunlight for long”. Mahendra, bring the coffee, let’s have it together.

THE END

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