Inspiring Journey

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.

That Pround Moment!

It was first week of April, I have shifted to the new flat since two of my friends got married in last 3 months and they have shifted with their wife. So I left with no other choice. It is very common scenario now a days for the people who was born in late 80’s or early 90’s. Everyday you come across such news from our surrounding i.e. about friends colleagues got married.

It was first day in my new flat. It was very hot day and my whole day went in shifting of the belongings, cleaning of new flat, making necessary arrangements i.e water, gas cylinder etc. At the end of the day I was very tired and little frustrated since after all this hard work I have to attend office tomorrow.

Before going to the bed after nasty day schedule, I went to the washroom and found that the water tap was leaking. I saw it and simply neglect it and went to the bed to make peace with the body. Then suddenly I realized that I have read recently about Latur draught in Maharashtra. The whole story came to my mind.

 “Maharashtra is currently witnessing one of the history’s worst drought situations in several areas. Out of 43,000 villages in the state, 27,723 villages have been declared drought-hit and 54 out of the 75 medium dams have been declared dry.

This year also, at least 57 farmers have committed suicide till March 1.”

Somewhere those things were running in my mind I could not sleep and instead I was thinking about the leakage of water tap. Finally I have gathered all my power & courage and decided to look into the matter. I got up and went straight to the washroom. I tried very hard to fix the things by many ways but couldn’t able to make it. I started sweating, its very hot and humid climate in Ahmedabad. I got frustrated out of it and went to the bed with little anger.

Again I was feeling unhappy about it and after almost 15-20 mins I couldn’t agree with myself on giving up hence I have decided to give it a try again. I got up again and went to the bedroom to see if I can find something to which I can use to fasten the tap tightly to stop or reduce its leakage but I couldn’t find any since its new & naked flat.

Finally I saw there were some cookery which I have bought for the home. So I took all the cookery out of the plastic bags and tried & use that to fasten it to the tap. I tried for almost 20 mins in many ways. By that time it was 12.30 in the night I was freakingly tired & I have to again got up early to attend the office. But in the end I believe god was with me and I succeeded in my attempt. The water tap has stopped leaking now. I was very very happy that time and feeling proud. I knew my whole effort is worth and I have saved lot of water today. Now I can sleep well after all that was the best thing I did that day.

I know I might have saved some buckets of water only but if everyone gives their bit the amount of water saved could be enormous.

Finally all I can say is in our own country our own people are struggling to get a drinking water so I urge you all “EVERY DROP OF WATER IS PRECIOUS SAVE IT”

Struggling Childhood of India

It was one fine evening I was coming back to home after day long stressful work at office. I was pretty tired so to kill the stress I stopped at a road side tea stall to have a cup of tea. While having a tea I saw there were many kids hanging around some of them were begging for money while others are selling small toys.

One of them came to me and asked me to purchase a toy. Initially I refused to buy but he keep on insisting me to buy one. His efforts and dedication made me curious to know about him so I strike conversation with him.

His name was Deepak and he was around 10-11 years old kid. He was wearing a red sweater which was dusty and torn from all sides with naked foot.

In anxiety I asked him about his home, parents, education and stuff like that. He told me that he lost his parents in childhood and living with his younger brother 5 years old at footpath near bridge. He didn’t want to talk about education thing don’t know why may be feeling weird or something but I emphasis on that  then he told me he is going to Govt School of nearby area and currently in 6^th standard.

By now we were sharing a comfortable zone with each other so I asked him curiously from where did he bought all this toys he told me heart wrenching thing. Firstly he begged for money then he decided to do some work instead of begging so he collected money and purchase this toy at Rs. 17 and selling them in Rs. 20 by making Rs.3 Profit per toy. When asking for food arrangement he replied that he is having 2 bricks and one pot to cook rice every night to satisfy him and his younger brother hunger. He put 2 bricks aside and place rice in the pot and put it under fire by collecting waste paper, plastic or piece of wood from the road. This melts my heart.

I have decided if he is ready to work and not accepting begging for money I will surely help him. I have asked him after school instead of selling toys he can come to my office and do some work i.e. file shifting, market work etc. He was damn happy and said yes without wasting a second.

But at the same time I know child labor is an offense or crime but I can’t let him work like this since he is sincere and hardworking.

Our conversation last for 40-45 minutes I purchased one toy from him and we had a cup of tea together. My all stress and frustration goes into the gutter and was feeling happy and relaxed.

I have asked him to meet me at the same place same time tomorrow and he agreed happily.  I went there next day but couldn’t find him it’s a big area may be some miscommunication happened. I wish if he could have mobile phone with him. Since then whenever I visit that place my eyes are always searching for that boy.

I never met him again but he taught me something which I will always remember. I believe he was not meant to be selling toys hope someday he will achieve certain heights in his life.