~ 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…”