~ Sans Legs, but Running…~

No legs but still working hard to live life of dignity! – there are enough inspirations around our daily lives that gives us a kick to keep walking the daily churn and travesty of our Destiny!

Just had an encounter with a man on a makeshift wheelchair who was not begging and held his dignity upfront – he was selling Chole Bhature and wafers in a neatly crafted cart that he had build with his own effort – his pride was living his own terms and not dependent on anyone nor he wanted that anyone should take pity on him for thinking him to be ‘differently abled’. 

As I was pulled towards his charm, I ordered a Chole Bhature and some wafers to satiate my temporary hunger – he took some time which gave me an opportunity to scrutinize his working singlehandedly and with all the effort, soaked in sweat for the humidity Delhi has now a days – he was not repentant that he was being grilled by the almighty or his lost destiny to make ends meet – but was thankful to the almighty for he being able to earn a dignified living – A proof of his mindset was a picture of a Hindu God that he believed “ Lord Hanuman!” ,that was neatly pasted on his cart and was just prayed upon, as I looked at the incense ash that was not cleaned since his morning prayers.

He was surely a struggler but his immense faith and respect in God was immense too – a thorough example of people who came to eat at his cart for the sheer taste of it!

As my turn came to have the Chole Bhature that he had neatly prepared and packed, I asked him his name to which he replied “Sanjay”, he was quick in setting an arrangement for me with onion, chutney, chole and Bhature and a slice of Mango pickle – so quick it was that I was oblivion to the fact that the plate was eat-ready and was nicely placed in front of me! – Sanjay was a man of few words and didn’t have much time to chat! The money he took for a plate of Chole Bhature was just worth it and I quickly became a testimony to the quality of food and the class of service he was giving singlehandedly!

It was my first meeting of sorts with him and though I didn’t want to ask personal questions, I intently did! – “Sanjay ji, how did this tragedy happened?”, with a smile he just said , “Sir it was an train accident, I fell of it while boarding it as I was doing it in a hurry oblivious to the dangers around it , hence this happened!”

I could not stop myself to praise him for his endless efforts and he was appreciative about it – though it hardly mattered to him whether he was been ridiculed or praised for his predicament, he certainly believed and accepted that it was his fault and now that this has happened, he wanted to still live the way he wanted to and not being dependent! 

As he packed my plate of Chole Bhature, he again smiled and thanked me for giving him an opportunity to serve him – now this melted my conscience, it should have been the other way round as I quickly reversed the pleasantries…. As I said “Sanjay ji , it is people like you who are role models for many people around you whose lives you have touched knowingly or unknowingly by your sheer gumption and that we should feel proud and honorable to see you as perfect example of life lived with resourcefulness!

As I walked away, I could not take my eyes off , he got absorbed in packing the next order in a haste, for sure, he didn’t had the time to chat as it was peak lunch hour and that he knew this fact very well…though bodily he is not complete but the completeness in his stature makes us all believe in the positivity of life… “Sanjay ji…you made us aware of the acumen on has and that how this life is to be lived…be whatever comes your way…”

~ Why Me...~

 Why Me? Has this question often knocked on your head? Be it when you had aspired to be something and achieve a goal or a target which was very close to your being and it did not happen? This question is the obvious outcome of the result but there must be something grandeur which made it not happen to you – many a time the answers which you were seeking from the almighty come to you with a semblance of truth.

Why Me surely has different dimensions many a time – there could a situation or an event which has peculiarity with you and only you are the protagonist of whole story weaving around that situation. Many a time the situation is build to guide you towards something or shackle your ego and all of your airy feelings and post this, you bump into the ground! 

The situation would be such that would catch you unawares - it could be a test which is being bestowed on you for your betterment or simply testing your aura and to prove your behaviour in life!

Let me be honest, I have been tested umpteen times by such situations and believe me many a time I fail – sometimes there is something going at the back of my mind and the situation occurs such as someone comes expecting a favour and you are engrossed in such a complexity that you are unable to help him / her – realizing so , you see that the time as gone and when you start looking for the person, he/she is gone! – you fail yourself actually!

Today, I think I somehow passed or kind of little bit I made my way to peace within myself….A street urchin holding a set of pen in his hands came to me and told me if I needed some – as the quality of pen’s were not upto the mark, in previous such instances they simply Don’t work! – I took the privilege of saying “N0” – though he insisted again – “Bhaiya, Le lo please.” [Sir, Please buy some.], to which I again denied. As he took turn and started walking.

Something in me kicked and I shouted and called him back – don’t know what within me asked me to converse with him. He came back and I asked his name “ Bhaiya, Mera naam Arjun hai!” [Sir, My name is Arjun].

Kitne pen chahiye ? [How Many Pens do you want]

I told him “Give me two, but they don’t work!”

He rapidly replied “Nahi Bhaiya aap chala ke dekh lo, sab chaltey hain.” [ Sir, all of them work perfectly, please scribble somewhere for yourself to see.”

He was right, both of the selected pens were functional and working fine.

I asked “Which Class do you study ?”

Quickly he replied, “Bhaiya, 4^th Class.”

Before I could have asked another question, an impromptu question he asked with all expectations.

“Bhaiya Rs30 mein 2 kile Atta Aaajeyga?” [Will I be able to purchase 2 kgs of flour from this money?]

He had absolutely no clue as he opened his palm and showed me Re 20 note that he had just earned!

I was speechless and he tore me from inside – I asked “Beta Aapke Papa kya kartey hain?” [Beta what does your father do.” , he reverted “Bhaiya who ghar par hain, lachaar hain, aanko se dikhta nahi! – [Sir, he is at home and helpless as he can’t see from his eyes and is blind, mother is a housewife., I work partime and study and try to support my family.!] 

Obviously, he was paid more, the smile on his face meant everything to me! Hoping that this was much to buy 2 Kilos of flour!

As he tried to walk off, there was a temple nearby and he just stopped there and went inside for few seconds and bowed down to the deity – I was just flabbergasted – he had actually THANKED the almighty for small token of help and that today he will be able to provide food on the table for his family, may be!

I felt ashamed at myself for not saying “Thanks” for doing so much …but today I say “Thanks!” to HIM for choosing me for this little honor with a sense of expectation that next time I shall be completely prepared for such chance meetings with souls who come specifically to test my being!

For the rest, are you prepared to be the 'Why Me' moment... don't worry, one day you will be the choosen one, in the midst that does not happen, prepare yourself to get pass this test of life...!!!