~ Free Tea With Rusk...~

 You meet certain people in life which makes you feel that you are special - Naveen Bhai is one such soul that I have befreineded over a period of time and mind you I have not spend a fortune to make him my friend - Instead our love for a common beverage "Tea" is that has made us good friends!

My bi-monthly sojourn to Himalayas has become a norm of the day in my life, as I eagerly wait for the time to come and go into my own spiritual shell, the feeling and experience is always majestic - New learnings and thinking about life from a different perspective is what I always do, not returning before making new friends and delving into life of many such souls who become part of my seeking journey.

This time I met Naveen after quite some time as he had left the area where he was always abound - his bread and butter always revolved around making tea and coffee for roadside commuters - his timing was phenomenal - from 6 a.m in the morning till 6 p.m in the night - this seem to be a full time job for him - one can surely imagine standing for 12 odd hours every day with rapt attention as customer can turn up anytime.

 After finishing his duty, he goes to his electrical repair makeshift workshop and dons the hat of an electrician - his diploma in electronics comes handy here. He doesn't take any off's on  Saturday or a Sunday - once I asked him why he is putting on so many hours and doesn't give a sigh of relief to himself - he was upfront in his revert " Bhaiya, I love my job and be a part of this market where I stand, the hustle and bustle gives me an adrenaline rush to continue for long hours not realizing how much time has passed.!"

I have known Naveen for more than a decade and this time I promised him to write about him in my blog - which I am doing so... post this, I plan to share my writings with him on his WhatsApp number - a technology enthusiast , he is a diploma holder in electronics but could not pursue his studies due to impending financial crisis - though he is making no stones unturned to make both his sons study in good private schools - his brief stint in one of the radio manufacturing companies made him self learn things and as a part timer, he is an electronics repair man!!!! 

He dons a hat based on life's situations - to me he is a true family man balancing life in all its spheres with whatever resources he has in his kitty.

Just the other day, he was elated and told me, "Bhaiya, my elder son is a graduate now, and wants to do his master's ! - this truly is an accomplishment for all of us in my family as none of us are Graduates!" - As we both cherished his son's achievement, I was treated with a free cup of tea along with baked 'Rusk' - believe me you, the sweetness and the taste of such a succor was unmatched - Naveen made my day in the morning itself! 

I look forward to Naveen breaking the news of his son's academic accomplishment in few years from now when he completes his Masters and finds a good job to start his career - this would be a true tribute to his hardworking father who dotes on his son's achievement - as an unspoken word, Naveen see's his hardships being converted to success story through his Son's - All the best Naveen Bhai - I know your dedication will surely bear fruit one day and I am eagerly waiting that free cup of tea accompanied with baked Rusk to celebrate another extravaganza of your life and family...!!!