I was at a chai tapri a few days back. I had my ID card rolled onto my fist while I was having my chai. There are a lot of children around that place, who are made to beg. A small girl was standing right behind my friend.She kept on making signs at me and I presumed she was asking for money. I kept nodding in a No, all the time staring at her. She was wearing a pink frock, must be about 6-7 years of age and had a sweet smile on her face, while she kept signaling at something. I love pink frocks ... my mum stitched most of my frocks when i was a lil girl.
After the tea was done, my friend left and I went back to look for that girl to give her money. I normally don't give money to anyone, but I was curious about her. I found her and tapped on her shoulder, she smiled at me .... money still not taken from my hand.
Then came the most difficult question ... to which I still don't know what the answer is ....
She pointed at my Icard and said "Didi, yeh kaise milta hai? Kya karna padega?"
I froze. In probably ten seconds, I pictured everyone, starting with my Dad, my mum, teachers, school and college, my first job, my first boss, and all my offices til date, my students, my ex husband and his family, books, colleagues, Dev, my managers, all my relatives, friends and all those who have enabled me to be what I am today.
There are many who help us in indirect ways, government, education systems, people who guide & mentor us unknowingly, technology and more.
Gathered myself and asked her, "school jayegi? Kahan rehti hai?"
She nodded in a No, the smile disappeared from her face, at that age she went into a profound thought-zone and then came the next statement, "Nahi chahiye, paise bhee nahi chahiye, fried rice leke do." Almost, in an auto mode, I paid the chinese stallwala the money for her food, tapped on her head, showered a thousand blessings. Her reply ... "Thank you, bye". Her eyes insisting that I leave and I did.
A small moment, a tiny lil girl, made me think and thank everyone in my life in those ten seconds. Sometimes, we are so bloated with what we become in life that we forget how much effort, time, involvement and engagement is required from all those around us to make us a human being.
2015, has been an interestingly, important year for me. And I want to thank all, for being a part of my life and continually contributing to it. We may get estranged or move on from a few along the course of life, however, the influences remain. People leave their intent-marks. Good and bad, both. In moments like these, all you remember is the Good. And one is also made to realize, there is so much Good, that you need to days to recall and keep thanking all of them. I am also happy and blessed to have enough of good.
I wish the pink frock girl becomes an I-card holding girl in the future.
Thank you, Seasons Greetings to all!
Happy 2016!!
After the tea was done, my friend left and I went back to look for that girl to give her money. I normally don't give money to anyone, but I was curious about her. I found her and tapped on her shoulder, she smiled at me .... money still not taken from my hand.
Then came the most difficult question ... to which I still don't know what the answer is ....
She pointed at my Icard and said "Didi, yeh kaise milta hai? Kya karna padega?"
I froze. In probably ten seconds, I pictured everyone, starting with my Dad, my mum, teachers, school and college, my first job, my first boss, and all my offices til date, my students, my ex husband and his family, books, colleagues, Dev, my managers, all my relatives, friends and all those who have enabled me to be what I am today.
There are many who help us in indirect ways, government, education systems, people who guide & mentor us unknowingly, technology and more.
Gathered myself and asked her, "school jayegi? Kahan rehti hai?"
She nodded in a No, the smile disappeared from her face, at that age she went into a profound thought-zone and then came the next statement, "Nahi chahiye, paise bhee nahi chahiye, fried rice leke do." Almost, in an auto mode, I paid the chinese stallwala the money for her food, tapped on her head, showered a thousand blessings. Her reply ... "Thank you, bye". Her eyes insisting that I leave and I did.
A small moment, a tiny lil girl, made me think and thank everyone in my life in those ten seconds. Sometimes, we are so bloated with what we become in life that we forget how much effort, time, involvement and engagement is required from all those around us to make us a human being.
2015, has been an interestingly, important year for me. And I want to thank all, for being a part of my life and continually contributing to it. We may get estranged or move on from a few along the course of life, however, the influences remain. People leave their intent-marks. Good and bad, both. In moments like these, all you remember is the Good. And one is also made to realize, there is so much Good, that you need to days to recall and keep thanking all of them. I am also happy and blessed to have enough of good.
I wish the pink frock girl becomes an I-card holding girl in the future.
Thank you, Seasons Greetings to all!
Happy 2016!!
