Babu Vanity

"Thieving as a Moslem," is a common term of reproach among Bengal Hindus. 'Vain as a Babu,"* is the prompt response of Bengal Mohammedans. Last week Calcutta's Mohammedan quarter shook with Homeric laughter at the latest, greatest example of Babu vanity. Potent among Bengal market-gardeners is the wealthy Roy Mukerji Das, who employs 2,000 laborers in his truck gardens, holds a virtual monopoly of the Calcutta vegetable market. Last week, pondering his own potency, the great Roy Mukerji Das sent a letter to officials of the Calcutta Markets Committee: "Honored Gentlemen: "Herewith I make application to erect at my own expense a life-sized marble statue of the undersigned in the centre of the Calcutta Central Market. It is my intention to engage a leading British or English sculptor to depict me seated among my vegetables and holding a prize cabbage in one hand (left) and a giant carrot in the other (right). "Your obedient servant, Roy Mukerji Das." The startled Markets Committee, unable to think of a valid objection, approved, but referred the entire matter to the Calcutta Municipal authorities.

* Babu: Hindu clerk. Also used contemptuously of illiterate Indians.