The biscuit story

Almost 30 years ago, in a small hospital located in a small town called Dombivili in Mumbai, a little girl was born. Nicely wrapped in a white sheet, she was sleeping cosy and warm. There were not too many visitors the day she was born, but she is told that her birth brought utmost joy in the life of her parents, grandparents and her elder brother.

Her grandfather jumped with joy, got box full of sweets and distributed to everyone he knew , rejoicing the arrival of "laxmi" after many years. And then there was the elder brother who was eagerly waiting for a friend to join him in his mischief. In all his excitement, the elder brother carried a pack of Parle-G biscuit for his little sister. And as soon as he saw her, he wanted to feed his sister, for he was worried that she might be hungry and she needs to eat.

The 1 day old baby girl, had no clue what was happening then. But in these  30 years, everytime anyone talks to her about this incident, she is glad she was born in a family which wlecomed her with so much love and affection and is blessed to have a brother like hers, who till date is her bestest brother and the bestest friend she could ever find.

Love you Deepsie

A day in the Mumbai train.

Train journey in Mumbai is quite interesting. There are many different emotions it lets you experience. My day today started with a man slipping off trying to get into the running train and just missing death. For a moment I thanked god for not letting the man die and the fellow commuters for pulling him to safety.

Then there was this girl, who ideally had to be in school, selling beautiful bangles instead.She held her ware in front of women who were in tearing hurry to get off at the next station,The women bought those bangles from her after hurried bargaining and ensuring that the girl agreed to sell the bangles at Rs 50 instead of hundred just because it was her first "boni". The girl sulked and moved on with her life, refusing the next woman to sell the same at fifty and making a sale at Rs 70 while the women went out patting their backs on their excellent bargaining skills. 

As I was getting back home after work today, I was welcomed by a group of women from a village with their children, I assume with dreams of finding some job here. The children were fighting for water with just 2 small pepsi bottles of water with them and about 8 tiny mouths and throats wanting to quench their thirst . Realising that the water was not enough they resorted to asking each one of us for water. There was success and then defeat. "why can't you fill water at the railway station?" came the first taunt. The kid embarrassed explained that the water they carried got over and the little kids couldn't understand that there wasn't anymore water and they couldn't afford getting down and filling water. I felt a churn, we seem to have become so insensitive these days that we refuse to share water with thirsty little children. 

In just 2 hours of travel, I experienced relief, sadness, optimism, contempt hmmm.... I love and hate this city at the same time.

Chance meetings

" Yes ma'am, I dont know the road, but you can guide me if you know where this place is"

A bit surprised, I got into the auto. I looked at the driver details plate and there was a picture of an old man. It looked familiar to the face driving in the front, but wasn't the same age. Curious I asked " Is this auto yours?"

In English he responded " No Ma'am this is my fathers auto. I drive it in the evening. There are family problems so I drive it in the morning and father in morning. He has lung problem."

" Do you go to college?" I had to ask this question. I understand India is a poor country and many children work here, but I had to know if he was going to college.I was already thinking how he could enrol himself  to college  and how I could help him out. 

" Yes Madam. I go to Govt college. cant afford private college"

"What do you study?"

" I do my B com Ma'am. I also work elsewhere. near Marathahalli, but I quit"

"How do you manage studies, work, auto? Isn't it difficult?" I kept thinking about how I always give excuses that I am tired, I have so much to do. Here I saw a guy who had no choice but to juggle everything to survive.

" I drive auto every other day. but now I have quit work, will drive auto all evening to earn."

Nayeem dropped me to my destination. I asked him for his number and stored it. 

" Ma'am I also have whatsapp " he said, showing me an update on his phone which said that the software had to be updated for he has a really old version. 

I smiled and left telling him that he needs to download a new version of whatsapp.