Ever wondered why it happens when you suddenly moved away by
thoughts that hold least importance in your life. Unlike other days, I was bit
relaxed to reach office as I could manage leaving on time. Assuring myself about
timely entry in office, I walked towards the narrow lane to get a rickshaw and hopped
on one. The rickshaw-puller barely entered his 15th year and seemed
mature because of the untimely responsibility he got on his shoulder.
Losing in my own thoughts and listening classical music, I
was heading towards my destination. The institute where I used to train
students was only 3 km from my home. Unable to figure out how it happened, I
got into the conversation started by rickshaw puller. Dinesh as he told me his
name, shared about his family in an Indian village where he had an old father,
a mother and two younger sisters.
Though it was meaningless yet I could not help knowing about
his study. He shared that he had studied till 8
th standard and left
the study to earn for his family. I was flabbergasted to know that he was the only bread-earner of the family and residing too far from his family. Struggling hard to
overcome obstacles that invaded his life before time, he was enthusiastically
riding the rickshaw. I kept myself mum almost half of the way as every
second Rickshaw Wallah has a tragic story in one or another way. But there was
something different about Dinesh’s story that hold my attention after I
reached my institute.
I had to take 3 batches and each lasted for 1 and half hour.
After the tiring training sessions, I refreshed myself with a hot cup of tea. I
did not know how come Dinesh occupied my mind and I felt like doing something
for him but it was too late. He met me that day which didn’t suggest anyway
that he would be meeting me again.
Within a week, I almost forgot about the incident and the
wish of doing something for Dinesh also disappeared like a bubble.
It was Saturday morning when I saw him again and he greeted
me with a smile. I could see him pointing towards his rickshaw with a hope in
his eyes that I would recognize him. Willingly or unwillingly, I sat on
Dinesh’s rickshaw.
After sometime, he broke the silence and uttered, “Madam Ji,
What do you teach?” I gently replied, “English” and removed my hands free. To
my surprise, he immediately asked, “Would you teach me English too?” Where,
When and How, the series of questioned knocked at my brain’s door. His urge to
study despite all factors made me not only wonder but my heart filled with a
feeling of respect for that person.
How easy is it for us
to present excuse before our parents that why we are not doing well in studies
despite having all the fine amenities, I thought. I exchanged my institute
number and asked him if he could join sometime and assured him to request the
management to offer him a concession. His joy seemed no bound. Was it what he looked
for? Did he really want to study? Questioning myself, I left the rickshaw and
reached my destination.
I kept encouraging him to study further and guided him about
how could he start learning English at home too. Though he did not join
institute as he had to rush his village to see his ill parents, yet his will to
study earned him great respect in my eyes.
Some people do not give any excuse and strive to write their destiny!
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