One evening, while Baba was still teaching at the college, Amma casually mentioned that someone had telephoned asking about the books Baba had written.The moment Baba heard this, his imagination took over. A man of exceptional honesty and integrity, he convinced himself that the caller must have been from the Income Tax Department.

     He suddenly remembered the honorarium and royalty he had received from the books he had authored and began worrying that he might not have declared this income in his tax returns.The thought refused to leave his mind. Determined to set things right if he had made a mistake, he immediately took an auto-rickshaw to meet the senior-most Income Tax Officer. 

      With complete sincerity, he explained that he was worried he might not have disclosed the royalty he had received from his books.The officer listened patiently, appreciated Baba’s honesty, and reassured him that there was no need to panic.Even so, Baba wanted to make sure everything was in order.

   He then went to his Chartered Accountant, Mr. Pissay, at Abids. After carefully examining the records, Mr. Pissay calculated the tax payable on the royalty income. Baba promptly paid the amount to the Income Tax Department, satisfied that he had done the right thing.
   A few days later, the mystery was finally solved.Another phone call came. This time, the caller introduced himself as being from CLS Book Shop. He explained that he had been trying to reach Baba simply because the bookshop wanted to stock and sell his books.Only then did everyone realize that the entire episode had begun with a simple misunderstanding.

  An ordinary enquiry about Baba’s books had led him to visit the Income Tax Department of his own accord and pay tax on his royalty income.The family has fondly remembered this incident ever since, not because of the confusion, but because it reflected Baba’s extraordinary honesty.

   Even the slightest doubt that he might owe tax was enough for him to take immediate action. His conscience simply would not allow him to ignore even the remotest possibility of falling short of his duty.It remains a gentle reminder to all of us of the rare integrity that defined Baba’s life.  

--Manoj Raj Saxena