He is a perfectionist and maintains an immaculate appearance. She is careless and does not regard appearances as important. They fight a lot. Yet at the end of the day they compliment each other.

Meet Anand Bhusan, a professor of botany, now principal of Ranchi College, and his wife Tandra Bhusan who teaches philosophy in Gossner College. The family portrait is not complete without the mention of their eldest son Avnish, who works and younger son Shekhu, an engineer, also working.

?He is a stickler for discipline. At home discipline is as important as it is in college. Even Avnish and Shekhu were expected to maintain a certain degree of decorum at home. " Tandra says. ?But now, that they come home only on occasions discipline goes for a toss when they are here," interrupts Anand Bhusan. Tandra however feels that though as a father, Anand was strict but he was always fair so much so that boys treat him as their best friend. ?Our sons adore their father and approach him for all their problems. For indulgence there is always dear mother, jokes Tandra..

?In fact, in an interview Avnish had said, though his father was a strict disciplinarian it is his mother that he that he can not say ?no? to,? says Tandra.

Both fight over petty issues ?We fight over where a vase should be placed, we fight when it come to TV. He likes watching films and I like sports programmes.? But these frequent tiffs are over in a second. "Earlier in our marriage, some time we would not talk for days at end, but with age and time he has become mellower. Now our squabbles do not last even a day," she adds.

Tandra has been interested in sports, from cricket, squash to football, right since her school days. She was a NCC cadet as well. Tandra feels that as a mother she has been able to inculcate her interest, in her elder son who was known as ?sports dictionary? in school. On the other hand Anand admits that he was never a keen sportsman. But what he lacked in knowledge he made up, as an administrator of such events. ?As an organiser, I paid special attention to sports and cultural events.? Tandra admits to another difference. ?I read a lot. He does not, in fact, except newspapers he hardly reads.?

It is her husband?s faith in god that moves Tandra. She believes that his willingness to help others stems from this faith on goodness and in god. ?Be it a peon, teacher or friend, he is always ready to help without expecting any return.?

But there are other points on which both believe that the other should change a little.

Anand would like to see his wife pay a little attention to herself. ?She is beautiful woman and should take care of her appearance. Also she should be careful, of where she keeps her key.?She would, of course, like him to be as involved in domestic affairs as he is about his professional life.

And when it comes to financial matters specially related to home expenses she has little faith on him. ?At home I handle his money. while outside it is our trusted driver. And if I go out the domestic help handles the expenses. He would do anything rather than handle the money matters.? She adds

?And there is his stubborn attitude. It is better to leave him alone when he really loses his temper. But when he cools down and matters are discussed logically then he accepts facts better.?She says.

Arun Kumar Thakur