Hope Sustains Life!

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 15^th 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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