Roadside...

There was a Time when I used to pass by Station (Mumbai Local Railways) daily en-route my office. The railway track is the great divide in Mumbai between the 2 sides of city - East & West. More like a flea market, I would encounter same faces, same vendors, same chaos and same everything spread across the tracks & few in dangerous proximity to the tracks.

Among all the hustle bustle of busy life, what always got my attention were vendors of all types - fruits, vegetables, beauty products, old books, pesticides et-al. Then there were roadside saloons (we fondly call them Italian for reasons known to people), Speciality product vendors, dentists (yes that's right), ojha's (those who claim to have miraculous powers to heal) & Hakeems' (those jadi-booty doctors).

Among these were a family of 5 (Father, Mother & 3 Kids) always selling the seasonal fruits with same zest. Looking at them always gave me reasons to live & with all the enthusiasm in whatever condition - Good, Bad or Worse (for them atleast).

I will think - Life always throws 2 choices - be happy or be sad. So, if I were to be in their shoes, it is on me whether to be happy & make the most of my situation (as this family) or crib and make life living hell. I always wondered what life meant to them and always got answer in their smile, so genuine. Its meaningful if we love to live and vice versa. I would make sure that I am doing my bit by buying stuff they sold. Loved the genuine-never-complaining smile on their face.
One day, on my way to office, I see unexplained chaos & deafening silence (for some) at once. From a distance all I can see an engine at halt in the middle of the crossing and crowd gathered around it. Closure look & curious enquiries reveal that one little girl has come under the cowcatcher (a cage-like attachment in front of the engine) of the engine. My mind wandered for a moment – delving into what may be the worst nightmare. After much of labour, people the body was pulled out, without much of visible injuries. I prayed.

Someone shouted for Ambulance, perhaps there was a ray of hope. I tried to take account of the situation and figure out if this is one of the familiar faces. Shell shocked – It was indeed the body of that little girl from the family. By the time ambulance arrived, the soul had departed for the heavenly abode, leaving the meaningless body behind. Police intervention, panchnama, statement recording, eye witnesses etc.

After gaining sense, I headed for office, praying for the departed soul & for the grieved family. All the while at office I kept thinking of the girl & the family that she left behind. It was 6.15 p.m., time for me to leave for home. I dared pass by the same flea market, but there was no other way home. Gathering courage, I reached the spot where the family use to put their stall.

I try not to look in that direction for it will still be heavy on my heart, I hear a familiar voice “5 ka 2...5 ka 2”. It was voice of the mother. I turn around to see and yes it was she. Hesitantly, I approach her and asked the unwelcomed question “how is your daughter?”

“She passed away this morning” She said.

“Are you not grieving?”

“Saab, life has to go on & we earn to eat every day. If we don’t earn for a day, we will go empty stomach” said she handing over the fruits I had just selected with the same smile that I saw always.

I was heart-broken. I took the fruits from her and left. Thinking of the hardship they go through every single day but face it with never-say-die attitude.

I am a better person today and these roadside people have taught me a lesson of life.

May they get a better life and may the soul rest in peace.

SMILE at the challenges & Life will smile at you.

Amen!

Real Life HERO amongst us

Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai.

Last Sunday, my wife, kid and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra. When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different.

As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel.

My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines. This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle. Then I looked around again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths - from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.

There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan. I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.

I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down. He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke TV dekh kar kya faida?

Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega." (Sir, what's the use of simply sitting at home and watching TV? If I earn some income, then it will be useful in the future.)

We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life. I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time. He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.

He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped. Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs50". He also said that his auto was mentioned on Radio Mirchi twice by the station RJs.

The Marathi press in Mumbai know about him and have written a few pieces on him and his vehicle.

My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect. I know that my son, once he grows up, will realise that we have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we help other people? Will try to keep this incident alive in his memory.

Our journey came to an end; 45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness and of a hero worshipping Mumbai - my temporary home. We disembarked, and all I could do was to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a free ride for a blind man.

I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his
Auto rickshaw - MH-02-Z-8508

Education Finance Help for Needy...

Friends,

If you have come across any bright students coming from poor financial Background who have finished their 10th standard this year(April 2009) and Scored more than 80%, please ask them to contact the NGO-Prerana (supported By Infy foundation).The NGO is conducting a written test on 14th June and those who clear the test will be eligible for financial help for their Further studies.

Please ask the students to contact the people mentioned below to get the Form #580,

shubhakar,44th cross,1st ‘A’ main road,jayanagar 7th block, Bangalore-

mob no- 9900906338(saraswati)

Mr.shivkumar(9986630301)-he sits at hanumanthnagar office

Ms.Bindu(9964534667)-she sits at yeshwantpur office

Even if you don't know anyone, please pass on this info, some one might be in need of this help desperately.

Civic Sense / non-sense

Mumbai: 11 June 2009

Most of us travel daily - either between office & home or leisure travel with family but we travel & move outdoors. It will be a rare occurring that we do not notice people littering on road / footpaths / public places. These are bunch of people who truly believe in what we see at all public places - "This is your property, please keep it safe & clean". Since this is our property, we will do what we feel like AND why have the municipal corporations hired these cleanliness guys to keep the place clean? - I wonder!!!

And to my amazement, most of these are educated (at least the ones I encounter) bunch who I prefer to call - educated illiterates! Imagine a scene - you are driving with a swanky car in front of you. You admire the car & (may) curse your fate for the small car you can afford. Suddenly - tissue paper flies in front followed by empty bottle and occasional door opening to facilitate spitting & thud! you are out of your dream sequence.

ACT II Scene II
You are enjoying the serenity of the lush garden in your locality, colony or building & you come across a pile of garbage dumped by your friendly neighbourhood, after all they are cleanliness freak & don’t want their homes to be dirty.

Now, what do YOU do under the given situations?

a. Curse them & continue to do whatever you are doing.
b. Curse them & make sure you raise the issue of cleanliness in the next society meeting
c. Interrupt / encounter them & make them realise their fault

Am sure most of us will pick (a) while wish to pick (c). That’s the nucleus of the whole problem. We wish to do a lot for the society, building, and country but hesitate to take the action. Until sometime back - I would also fall under (a) category but now I & my wife have pledged to take (c). We make sure to do our bit by interrupting & making people realise their fault. If it’s a car owner, a NASTY LOOK is all it takes.

Trust me, I feel much better & proud to be able to help (although miniscule) keep the surrounding clean. It all starts with self and only possible when every one of us do our bit and NOT curse other for their inability.

If we have Civic Sense, raise the voice & stop the civic non-sense.

Be Safe!

Naveen Jalan

PS: This is my observation & pledge. Readers are welcome to share their experience / comments.