My job involved travelling to accomplish the technical requirements. So, my writing centers around railway stations, bus stands, conference hall, exhibition centers around India. Once I did visited Europe and worked one year in middle east.
Few of the happenings goes into my mind and etched forever. One such moment which happened in Delhi railway station is narrated below.
Many view India as a place where there are beggars, poor people living in huts, poverty, unhygienic condition especially in public places. Well I have to accept the truth, yes it is there. But we are also rich remember once our Mukesh Ambani was ranked on top of the world. Even today many Indian feature in the top list.
So we are both good and bad.
Well this is not about an Indian but a man from aboard who is an african.
I was in the train and waiting for the train to start and as usual my gaze is fixed on the platform. I saw few kids in the age group of 7 to 10 probably going around begging. Many ignored them including me. Because I am of the opinion that encouraging youngster in begging is a crime. This concept was etched into my mind by one of my best friend Edward who is now in USA.
I kept watching them for some time and then forgot all about them. I was moving around a bit as there is still time for the train to start. I bought news paper, magazine and some eatables. I returned to my seat few mintues before the train to start.
The Indian railways keep their time, and they start right on scheduled time. So I sat down and placed my belongings nearby and again looked out of the window.
To my great astonishment I saw a black man sitting along with those little kids (who were begging early). I do not wish to call them beggars any more. This black man bought some foods and the kids were eating it cheerfully. They were just a bunch of kids having their food cheerfully. This black man sat nearby and providing food which he should have bought from nearby vendor. He was treating them as their own kids ensuring they taking their food properly.
My courtroom started. The case Me Vs my inner conscious.
Once again my inner conscious accused me the charge sheet was filed.
1. Calling those kids as beggars?
2. Not helping them because I though it is a crime to help begging.
3. Some strange black man has more compassion on the poor people of India and why not you? (Yes Mother Theresa has done it earlier and you…)
My mind kept on accusing me for which I do not have any reply and I accepted that I am guilty (as usual).
These kids are taking food from a total stranger and I can see the happy faces forget the brand name of "happy meals". But I declared them as beggars who are nothing but a mole especially in public places. But they need food, shelter and cloth. My kids have and I also have it. So I do not beg or is that really true that I do beg. In a way yes, I do beg. My begging results as my monthly salary without which I cannot survive.
Suddenly my mind registered something else. One of the girl got hiccup and she requested water by hand sign. This black man opened his water bottle which looked like a mini cooler flask. He opened the lid and poured the water into the lid which also acts as cup.
He gave the cup of water to that girl. She took the bottle and took the water by sipping. After that she returned the cup and he gave some more water to others. They all took water by sipping. After that he took back the cup and closed his water bottle with it.
I was bit shocked by that. In fact I was replying to my inner conscious that I could do what that black man did. Buy some food for those who are in need of it. YES.
But giving my water bottle which is not a through away and is a keg. Offering the water; to the kids who live on the platform. Some unknown kid’s drinking water from my cup. Ok. But sipping. No a big No.
If at all I allow that I would have washed to head cup before closing my keg. But this black man did not show any difference to it. He closed his keg as if his own kids took water.
The train started to move out but my mind was left behind with the good Samarian who not only provided food but did it with care. Though it happened long back he is still living in my mind. I do not know who he is nor do I do not his country.
My mind declared one thing, that I saw a good Samarian in real life. This I contribute to that one guy whom I do not know.
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