Tuesday, April 7, 2009

FROM MY JOURNAL II

Today,one of my friends helped a blind man get onto a bus.Nothing that would makee headlines of course,but definitely something most of us would rather not do.

Growing up in a city where more than half the population are below the poverty line,it has been a common sight to me to see ragged people stranded on the pavements.As a child,the feeling to help them out was quite intense,but somewhere along the process of growing up,that feeling got buried under a variety of other emotions.They became a part of Calcutta,and like many others,I too,accepted it the way it was.

There has been a number of times when these ragged souls have tugged at my sleeves and asked for help.And although deep down inside,we all want to help,but due to some unfathomable reason,we choose to turn away;pretending that they do not exist.

Today,this blind old man was standing on one such pavement and asking passers by to help him get onto a bus.And like always,most of the people walked by...pretending he wasn't there...pretending not to hear his pleas of help. But this friend of mine walked straight to him and led him to the correct bus. My friend said,"It was a lovely feeling,seeing his smile and getting his blessings."

And isn't that what all this is about? Getting these simple pleasures from helping the needy,and knowing that you've done a good deed?
It made me realize how selfish i truely am.Frankly,I would never have done what my friend has done today.

I salute my friend today for what he has done.It takes a lot of courage,really.



( 16th March 2009)
FROM MY JOURNAL I

I just finished with the last history exam of my life.History is finally HISTORY!

But its not really a happy day today.One of my aunts in Delhi succumbed to cancer.She was in a critical state for quite a few days,and the doctors had said that there was no hope.
And although they say that there is no hope,deep down inside,a small voice prays for a miracle. A miracle that could save somebody's life.A somebody who is someone's wife,someone's sister,someone's mother.
Its probably a good thing she went away the way she did,for it saved her a lot of pain.But,inspite of all the tubes and treatments,she was alive.That small fact that she was alive gave people the tiny hope that maybe,somehow,someday,she'll be okay.And now when that hopes gone,I can imagine the void that has been created.
Most of all, I'm filled with an overwhelming sorrow for my cousin who's just a few years older than me.I can't imagine how it must have felt to wake up every morning and wonder whether your mum is going to make through the day.I have no idea how she went through all that,but I respect her and admire her because she did.
I truely do not know what else to write,because this is one of those helpless situations when you just don't know how to react.
I hope and wish that wherever my jethi is,she is at peace.

( 23rd March 2009)