This write-up was written in September 2006 and it bagged a prize at the essay competition organised for teachers at one of my earlier schools.
Luck was on our side.As it was a Sunday could easily board the Dadar-Thane local.A window seat....सोने पे सुहागा !!! I was returning after a visit to my mother along with my twelve year old daughter ,Shreya. Soon the compartment was partially occupied and it chugged along.As I love to observe people,I let my eyes wander around whle Shreya was engrossed in her favourite Famous Five book.She sat opposite me and beside her sat a well-dressed lady carrying a slightly older girl.The girl was having difficulty in sitting upright and the lady was holding on to her with much difficulty.Across her sat her maid with her purse and bags.It didn't take long for me to realize that the little girl was suffering from cerebral palsy ,a physical disorder wherein one had little or no control over one's bodily movements.The girl started making queer sounds ,sort of a wail and a sigh which were loud enough for all of us to hear.
Shreya heard the sounds,looked at the girl and then at me questioningly.I gestured that she should go back to reading and she obeyed.All eyes were on the girl now.they all looked at her curiously.It appeared as if she was accustomed to such stares from total strangers.The mother, nonchalantly tried to pacify her with a gentle touch and soothing ways.This calmed her.Another sound filled the compartment and all eyes were drawn to a petite,dusky girl.She was just about eight years of age according to me.She clutched a collection of books and shouted,"Colour books,ABCD,khana khazana!"A long bag dangled from her shoulders.ironically,she was wearing an old ,tattered school uniform.Seeing my eyes on her she handed a few books to me and cajoled me to buy them with a smile.I picked The Beginners Guide To ABCD'." सिर्फ दस रूपया ,मैडम .बाबा- बेबी के लिए ले लो ." I asked her," स्कूल जाती हो? A B C D आती है?" Showing surprise at being asked this she shook her head saying, "क्या मैडम, अपुन कैसे स्कूल-वूल जायेगा?" I asked her name and she boldly replied,"Asha Doddi" before I could make any more enquiries she collected her books and went away realizing that no one was going to buy her wares here.
'Asha' the name echoed in my mind. Asha meant hope,it was only hope that kept her going. Not hope for a better life or bright future but hope to have at least two square meals a day,hope to earn some money and hope to have a place to sleep at night .My eyes were drawn once again to to girl who was now getting more agitated and moving her frail hands and making a commotion.Yet her mother patiently pacified her .I looked at my daughter ,Shreya.She was reading her book with wide eyes and an open mouth(a thrilling mystery always brought this reaction in her)My mind started racing.One compartment,three girls,three different lives. Shreya ,born to middle class parents who struggled to give her the very best for her bright future. Then the little girl with the lady who came from an upper class family .Financially well-off but unfortunately their darling daughter had to face hardships that came with her physical challenges.Along with the girl her family had an untiring task ahead of them. And then,there was Asha, the little girl who had never been to school but wore a hand-me-down uniform and sold books.
It really made me think.Whenever we face hardships we curse our fate and ask God,"Why me?"We fail to see the blessings that God showers on us each day.How often we think-wish I had a big house like hers,when can I get a car like theirs,why can't my daughter be as clever as him.....?Our list is endless.We fail to see what we have and covet what we don't have.
My mind was cleared as if by magic.Silently I prayed to God and thanked Him for everything .A short journey taught me something that will remain with me all through life's journey.
I was reminded of the phrase-
'I cried for a pair of new shoes,till I saw a man with no feet.'
Luck was on our side.As it was a Sunday could easily board the Dadar-Thane local.A window seat....सोने पे सुहागा !!! I was returning after a visit to my mother along with my twelve year old daughter ,Shreya. Soon the compartment was partially occupied and it chugged along.As I love to observe people,I let my eyes wander around whle Shreya was engrossed in her favourite Famous Five book.She sat opposite me and beside her sat a well-dressed lady carrying a slightly older girl.The girl was having difficulty in sitting upright and the lady was holding on to her with much difficulty.Across her sat her maid with her purse and bags.It didn't take long for me to realize that the little girl was suffering from cerebral palsy ,a physical disorder wherein one had little or no control over one's bodily movements.The girl started making queer sounds ,sort of a wail and a sigh which were loud enough for all of us to hear.
Shreya heard the sounds,looked at the girl and then at me questioningly.I gestured that she should go back to reading and she obeyed.All eyes were on the girl now.they all looked at her curiously.It appeared as if she was accustomed to such stares from total strangers.The mother, nonchalantly tried to pacify her with a gentle touch and soothing ways.This calmed her.Another sound filled the compartment and all eyes were drawn to a petite,dusky girl.She was just about eight years of age according to me.She clutched a collection of books and shouted,"Colour books,ABCD,khana khazana!"A long bag dangled from her shoulders.ironically,she was wearing an old ,tattered school uniform.Seeing my eyes on her she handed a few books to me and cajoled me to buy them with a smile.I picked The Beginners Guide To ABCD'." सिर्फ दस रूपया ,मैडम .बाबा- बेबी के लिए ले लो ." I asked her," स्कूल जाती हो? A B C D आती है?" Showing surprise at being asked this she shook her head saying, "क्या मैडम, अपुन कैसे स्कूल-वूल जायेगा?" I asked her name and she boldly replied,"Asha Doddi" before I could make any more enquiries she collected her books and went away realizing that no one was going to buy her wares here.
'Asha' the name echoed in my mind. Asha meant hope,it was only hope that kept her going. Not hope for a better life or bright future but hope to have at least two square meals a day,hope to earn some money and hope to have a place to sleep at night .My eyes were drawn once again to to girl who was now getting more agitated and moving her frail hands and making a commotion.Yet her mother patiently pacified her .I looked at my daughter ,Shreya.She was reading her book with wide eyes and an open mouth(a thrilling mystery always brought this reaction in her)My mind started racing.One compartment,three girls,three different lives. Shreya ,born to middle class parents who struggled to give her the very best for her bright future. Then the little girl with the lady who came from an upper class family .Financially well-off but unfortunately their darling daughter had to face hardships that came with her physical challenges.Along with the girl her family had an untiring task ahead of them. And then,there was Asha, the little girl who had never been to school but wore a hand-me-down uniform and sold books.
It really made me think.Whenever we face hardships we curse our fate and ask God,"Why me?"We fail to see the blessings that God showers on us each day.How often we think-wish I had a big house like hers,when can I get a car like theirs,why can't my daughter be as clever as him.....?Our list is endless.We fail to see what we have and covet what we don't have.
My mind was cleared as if by magic.Silently I prayed to God and thanked Him for everything .A short journey taught me something that will remain with me all through life's journey.
I was reminded of the phrase-
'I cried for a pair of new shoes,till I saw a man with no feet.'
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