The Return of Vaman - A Scientific Novel by Jayant V. Narlikar

contents.’
    ‘I am surprised, Mr Navin! With your archaeological expertise and with a team of scientists to help you, how could you contain your curiosity?’ the minister asked. ‘I would have expected you people to have ransacked the container right away.’
    Navin, Arul and Laxman glanced at one another, as if avoiding the answer. It was left to Kirtikar to come to their rescue.
    ‘Sir, they would indeed have done so but for a restraining order from Delhi’, he clarified.
    ‘Restraining order? Why? Who sent it? The chairman looked round the table.
    ‘Er … I gave the order, Minister’, Harisharan mumbled, somewhat embarrassed. ‘Realizing that it was a sensitive matter I felt that all investigations should proceed through proper channels after due clearance from this committee. This is standard practice, sir. I simply followed it.’
    The minister smiled. If Harisharan’s house catches fire, what and whose clearance would he require before calling the fire brigade, he wondered? Aloud, he said ‘I can understand your approach Harisharanji, as one dictated by caution … But surely all here would agree that these experts at the Science Centre are mature enough to decide for themselves? They don’t need to run to this committee for every small step.’
    Everybody agreed.
    ‘I will so minute it Mr Chairman!’ added Raj Nath, tongue in cheek.
    There was, however, a discussion on what should be done as the investigation proceeded. Finally, the chairman summarized the views. ‘Let us call on the experts to proceed as they think fit in order to get the maximum information about the contents of the box, bearing in mind, of course, that national security must not be jeopardized. Let the experts, Mr Pande, and the scientists Arul and Laxmanan, prepare a report for us. I hardly need to emphasize the need for complete confidentiality … let none of the findings of the investigation go beyond this committee.’
    ‘When will this committee meet again, sir?’ Harisharan forgot that Raj Nath and not he was the convener.
    ‘The committee will meet when the experts prepare their first report.’ The chairman looked at his watch in clear indication that the meeting was over.
    10 The Fortress
    ‘Umi … Umi …’
    As usual, the long distance call had a lot of static, but Urmila managed to make out that it was Laxman at the other end.
    ‘Yes, Urmila here. I bet your stay is extended further.’
    ‘Yes, my angel, extended indefinitely. That’s why I am arranging for you to come here to stay. Pack and be ready to travel on the Karnataka Express on Tuesday. Your ticket is being arranged and will be delivered to you. Be sure to bring all you need for a stay of several months.’
    ‘Including your stone god?’ Urmila asked jokingly. She was elated at the prospect of being with Laxman again.
    The ‘stone god’ was not an idol. Laxman was not a believer in Hindu rituals, but he loved idlis and dosas. Realizing this, Urmila’s mother had given her the traditional stone grinder to prepare the dough for these dishes. Urmila recalled Laxman’s vehement veto when she proposed bringing it all the way from Tanjore to Hyderabad. Always a light traveller, Laxman could not tolerate carrying that huge block of stone. Urmila on the other hand did not wish to leave her mother’s gift behind. This led to their first quarrel after the wedding, and Laxman thought that Urmila had conceded him victory. However, on reaching their home in Hyderabad, when Laxman opened all the boxes he was astonished to find the stone block peering at him from Urmila’s steel trunk. Rather than carry it separately, Urmila had smuggled it in. Only then did Laxman realize why the porters who carried that trunk in Tanjore and Hyderabad had demanded extra tips.
    However, once the grinder was placed in Urmila’s kitchen, it more than justified its transport and soon attained the status of a stone god in Laxman’s gastronomic view.
    As Urmila pulled out her