Those three days and those
three men (in fact one woman and two men) are unforgettable. I am astonished
and overwhelmed even today when I recall the incidents while writing this blog.
It was Sunday morning. I was
on my routine cycle ride. Chandan, Baban and I were waiting for other cyclists
to join us on the Ganesh Khind Road. It was a cold morning and were eager to jump
on our saddles. We saw an auto round the corner. The auto driver was struggling
to start the auto. He would get down from the auto and push it to get it
started and jump into it to accelerate. His solo struggle looked never ending.
I glanced at Chandan and reading each other’s mind we proceeded to him. We
asked him if he wanted us to push the auto. He was hesitant indeed. First
because we were cyclists and with our full gear he did not want to trouble us.
Secondly he was very hefty and possibly was conscious about his weight and
knew that it would involve lot of effort. As we insisted he allowed us to push
the auto. In a few seconds the auto came to life and we waved at him. He
slowed down, bowed his head and showed utter helplessness at not being able to
stop and show his gratitude. His body language and his glittering eyes
expressed all the gratitude in the world.
He had made our day. He may not
be highly educated, he may not have gone to the college or university but I
know for sure he has got a precious degree of being humane.
 |
| On the way to Waai |
And now the second incident
is flashing in my mind. Cycling is truly amazing. It tones your body and gives
you an experience which tones your mind too. We were a group of six cyclists on
a cycle expedition to Waai from Pune. As usual we started early from Pune and
covered quite a distance before the Sun started blazing. We had climbed Katraj ghat and had taken a
small break before Khambataki Ghat. It was already past nine in the morning. As
we started climbing the Khambataki Ghat it was getting more and more difficult.
We were pushing the pedals hard and were determined to reach the top of the ghat
without taking a single break. Some of us reached the top and were triumphant
at having cycled through the climb. As we were taking some rest while waiting
for the other members of the group to join us, a car arrived and halted next to
us. A middle aged couple came out from the car and asked if any of us would
help them changing the wheel since it had a puncture. All of us were really tired and were not
in a mood to do any further physical labor
at least for some time. However Mr. Medhekar, Mr. Chitale and Hemant rolled the
sleeves up and headed towards the car. The car owner followed. He opened the
boot and signaled towards the extra wheel. He somehow seemed reluctant to soil his
hands and the cyclist trio changed the
tire. I was amazed at their stamina and was silently observing everything from
far. The lady chatted with me for a while and as she saw the work accomplished
she walked to our friends and thanked them several times. The Man somehow was
really grumpy. Whatever he thought but his body language did not signal any
gratitude. He thanked the trio and suddenly pulled his wallet out. I was murmuring
to myself now anticipating what he might do. “Stop, do not do this. You don’t
know who you are talking to.” But alas, my thoughts could not transfer to his
mind. He took a hundred rupee note and offered it to Mr. Medhekar. I wanted to
shout, ‘Come on man, do not do this. Mr. Medhekar is capable of buying you
along with your car. If anything can impress him it is just two words Thank You
from the bottom of your heart.’ Mr. Medhekar was calm and composed as ever. He
simply refused to accept any money and walked away.
 |
| Rajgad |
There is this third incident
now which is an epitome of all. Rajgad
is our favourite fort. Gigantic yet gorgeous. Last year we had been on a night
trek to Rajgad. 22 of us stayed on
Rajgad overnight. The stay was amazing. Whenever we are on a trek we donate
solar lamps to the needy. Whenever someone receives a solar lamp, his face illuminates brighter than the lamp
and it brightens our day too. As we were winding up to descend from the fort,
we gave one lamp to a boy who was selling water bottles with much zeal. As I
packed by back pack, a lady walked to me and asked if I could give her a solar
lamp too. I was a bit hesitant and finally looking at her urging eyes I gave
her the last piece of lamp packed in my bag. She immediately asked me how much she
should pay me. I was surprised by her question and told her that it is a gift from
all of us. She went away with heartfelt love for us. Year passed by and on
April 22nd 2017 we went to Rajgad once again. We climbed to the top
and reached the temple at 7.15 in the evening. As I entered the temple I saw
this same woman standing there. I smiled at her and exchanged pleasantries. She
asked me if I was the same person who gave her the Solar light. I nodded my
head and busied myself in spreading my sleeping bag. After a while when we were chatting, she came
to me and asked about our dinner arrangements. I informed her that we have
ordered elsewhere. She insisted that we should take curd from her. I refused.
She reiterated and told me that she wanted to offer us the curd free of cost. I
again told her that it is not necessary and we will buy it if we need. She
continued forcing me to take the curd and told that she had no family. When she
received the solar lamp from us last year she felt as if we were her children.
I was speechless and simply nodded my head to indicate her to bring the curd
for us.
I am trying to weave three
different incidents with three different people and three different situations,
and a single learning. Money or education does not
teach you how to be grateful, your culture does. Sometimes men and women are
pure at heart but the education pollutes their mind. Life is a training institute.
It trains you the way you treat it. Hence read the people like books and let
the experiences nurture your life.
