It was a month of November I was travelling back to
Ahmedabad after my Surat visit. It was the high time when everyone was stunned
by the declaration of demonetization of Rs. 500 & Rs. 1000 Bank notes by
our honourable PM Mr. Modi. People were facing tremendous problems with cash
& everyone was in search of money. While coming back to Ahmedabad I
observed that there were many disabled students in my bus & most of them
were blind. After travelling few hours from Surat my bus got stop for the
dinner at the Restaurant called “Hotel Basera” near Bharuch city. As i was
aware about the presence of blind students hence closely observing how the
students will going to step down and make it for the dinner. There was one
colleague of them who was normal and guiding them.
I sat next to their table for the dinner, the person has
come to us and took order for them and me as well. Once they are done with the dinner they stood
up and started walking out of the Restaurant. The entire staff was clueless as
they were yet to give the food bill to them. I call one of them and offered to
pay their bill and they have refused it politely, then I started insisting for
the same. The owner of the Restaurant Mr. Maksood was closely observing the
whole incident he came to me and said “Bhai
ye toh khudda k bande h inse paise lenge toh Allah kbhi maaf nhi krega” He
told those sentence with so honesty that I couldn’t ask him again to pay their
bills. He then told me that he never ask for money from any person who is not
able to pay but he make sure whoever comes to his restaurant will never go back
with hunger. He told me due to demonetization in past few days many people had
refused to place order due to cash problem and he had served each one of them
without asking for a single pie whatever people feel comfortable they pay as
per their convenience.
People don’t want to make any compromises or don’t want any
kind of adjustments in their life. Its very easy to criticize, complain and
making non sense statement on the other hand a guy like him sitting in mid of
highway serving free meal and helping others trying to giving his bit in his
own way. He told me that if I had to serve few free meals for a week or month
that does not make me poor but this decision will surely help India to grow
further. People may have different opinion/perception for Demonetization decision, few may not be agree with that & i totally respect their views since its independent country and people have every right to express their feelings. But there is no doubt that the dedication & level of commitment this guy has showed is above any political decision or views but for humanity & that is just remarkable. He was so inspiring, a man with golden heart. I was extremely moved by
the spirit of this common man.
I couldn’t take photograph of Mr. Maksood bhai but here is
the pic of the Restaurant.
