Faith in Humanity Restored

Sometimes I wonder, with 66 years of Indian Independence, the country has seen so many changes. There has been tremendous growth in Infrastructure, Science & Technology, and an appreciable amount of Scholars contributing towards research, strengthening our Defence, trying to achieve a sustainable amount of economic growth, improving the literacy rate and making a mark in the world.

But on the contrary, even after being world’s largest democracy – we fail to give the power to a good ruling party. The political leaders have done tremendous hard work to earn a name – ‘Chor’. And we have also come with an idiom:

“Gali Gali Shor hai, Mera Neta Chor Hai”

Even after so many years, the country’s political system has not been strong. UPA-2 has been the worst with the following in its achievements:

·        Coal Scam 2012

·        2G Spectrum Scam 2008

·        Chopper Scam 2012

·        Tata Truck Scam 2012C

·        CWG Scam 2010

·        Cash-For-Vote Scam 2011

·        Adarsh Scam

·        IPL Scam

·        Satyam Scam 2008

And numerous small scale scams which even media don’t get hold of. [ Source ]

But I won’t talk about the scams anymore. I’ll share with you an experience, which shows that still in streets of India, you’ll find good people, still ready to help anyone in need.

Date - 16^th July’ 2013

Place: Kota, Rajasthan

I had to catch August Kranti Rajdhani Express, which was scheduled to arrive at Kota Railway station at 9:40 pm. Since the weather in North India was rainy, all the trains were running late. My train was hence scheduled for 10:30pm.

I had 50 minutes to wait or waste. This time neither I had a novel to read, nor a companion to chit-chat. So, I decided to have my dinner which my Bhua (Father’s sister) had packed for me.

I had to look for a bench so that I can comfortably sit and eat. After walking towards the end of the platform, I found a bench, half empty & half was occupied by a young boy probably my age, too waiting for a train.

After putting my roller back at the edge of the bench, I took my packet of food. As I started eating, the boy offered me something,

“Bhaiya, you are having dinner, do have some Namkeen”

I hesitated initially, because we are taught not to accept anything to eat from strangers.

“Nahi Bhaiya, Thanks”.

“Arey Bhaiya, I haven’t mixed anything in this”.

And since it was a branded packet, so I took some on the newspaper-cum-plate which I was using for dinner. Later on, he also offered me cooked Potato Curry which he too was eating.

But the story does not end here.

Meanwhile I saw a man, in his mid-30’s buying two cream rolls, a small packet of Namkeen and a cup for tea for dinner.

Seeing me having dinner, he too offered me Namkeen. I wondered whether it was a common tradition to have Namkeen with meals in that part of the country.

“Arey bhaiya, I am good, Thanks”. I said

“Arey bhaiya, take it”. And was left with no other option but accept the offer. But then, I immediately put the new small packet of Namkeen into my bag.

Since, I see people offering me something to eat, I too offered him to join me for dinner. I did not care that this man was a stranger, could also harm me, but the feeling of brotherhood had taken a toll.

“Bhaiya, aap bhi lo”

“Nahi bhaiya, I run a mess in Mahaveer Nagar III. I am just coming after delivering tiffin to 50 students and serving around 60 in the mess. Today, with god’s grace, everything is good. But who knows that in future, when I cannot earn a good living, I need to survive on this Cream Roll”.

This man just delivered words of wisdom. So, true it was. In life, sometimes the success could blind us and not make us aware about the harsh failures.

The one important thing to keep in mind is to “Be Grounded”, remember the path from where you came from & keep yourself aware & prepared for the uncertain future.

The man went to catch his passenger train, which would take him to his village where he migrated to the city called the “IIT Hub of India - Kota” to earn a living.

The young boy was still beside me, but got busy on the phone. In these thoughts, I stood up towards my coach.

What I take back from this incident is that even after so much going in the country, scams, corruption, and people ready to use others to grab success, people running after money etc… This small city in India still has people good at heart, ready to help others. And that’s exactly what we need to survive – To love others, share it & spread it!