I am a chair, plain and simple like several others of my clan – very very comfortable, with thick laid cushions on the seat and the back, but dears, somewhere within me is an inlaid layer of thorns which continue to prick the person sitting on my seat. The thorns keep reminding the occupier of the seat of his immense responsibilities and still more immense hurdles to fulfilling these very responsibilities.
I remember the day I was completed, and how I was being praised by all and sundry for my very good looks. It seemed that I was one of the most beautiful chairs manufactured in one single factory, in Delhi. That day two hundred of us were turned out of the factory, and believe that each one of us looked glamorous and just beautiful. All of us were placed outside the factory to be transported to our respective destinations. None of us knew where we would be taken but, I heard someone telling another that we were all to be taken to the Secretariat. This was a lot of excitement for all of us as at least I knew that the Secretariat was the office from where the Government functioned. This was the building where all the offices of the Government were housed. We were all puffed up with glee and felt very proud of ourselves as it was clear now that we would all be placed in sophisticated and plush offices of senior officers of the Government of India. This excitement was justified for we were very lucky and why not, we were all after all so beautiful and comfortable.
In the midst of all excitement we waited in the sun for quite a long time, keeping us all wondering what our luck had in store for us. At least that was my condition and I am sure my friends also felt the same. My heart felt pit a pat, pit a pat, when I heard someone’s footsteps coming towards us. Soon we all heard a person, someone senior coming towards us and announcing aloud to someone else that we had now to be transported to the Secretariat, and that, trucks were standing to take us away from this place. Now my heart came into my mouth as, I knew not where my fate would take me. I am very sure that my friends also felt the same way due to the uncertainty of luck hanging on our heads. We started saying adieu to each other knowing that we never see each other ever again.
Soon the loading started and perhapse about twenty of us were loaded together in one truck, and Lo! Just then were all of us loaded in the trucks looked alike. Now I think all of us started conjecturing that, all of us twenty were meant to be kept in the same office. Our journey started and, hardly had we settled in the truck that the truck stopped, and it was announced by the driver that the South Block had come, and the peons were waiting to remove us from the truck. Aha! It was so soon we reached our destination in so short a time. Now was the time for the final reckoning, and we would count in our final placements, and we would be allotted different locations depending on out looks. Now, one again our movement started and we were to be carried to our respective places of posting. I now lost track of all the others as I was deeply engrossed in my happiness as, I heard people saying that I had to be taken to the office of the Prime Minister in the South Block of the Secretariat. Aha, my pleasure no knew no bounds as, I will henceforth be seating the Prime Minister of India, or, will I just be put in his office to seat his guests? This doubt was soon cleared from my mind when I noticed that I was placed at the beautiful elegant work table. My heart pounded within me will I be able to give comfort, will I be able to serve, and many such other questions now troubled me. In the meantime I was set, dusted and was now ready to receive the Prime minister. Here I was not alone, as, a colleague of mine was also placed in one corner of the office, and was meant for the visitors who came to see my boss. I was the alone chosen one who would have the honour of seating the Prime Minister of India on me.
Now that I was settled, my heart also started behaving stable and waiting the P.M. to come and sit on me. Who was? I think he was Mr. Deve Gowda. Not for long did I have to wait when he entered the office, and lo! he was as though struck by my immaculate beauty and personality. He praised me to his staff members and sat on me, found me very cosy and comfortable. He started his work after settling on me, and remained there for very long to settle tasks set for him. Oh! how much of paper work, how many and how long the discussions and, how many long hours of work. Oh! I felt so tired bearing the weight of the P.M. for so many long hours. I did of course have the pleasure of seeing the innermost details of the functioning of the Government. I was at the same time sorry for my plight of not being able to understand anything of all that transpired. UF – I was tired bearing the weight for so long and all the time wondered how the P.M. could sit for so long.
This became my routine, and after sometime only, I started getting bored with the long drawn out programmes and lengthy discussions. When this was my plight of boredom, one day, I overheard some people saying that the P.M. is now likely to change. I had hardly taken the rumour in, one fine morning I saw a new P.M. entering the office. I did wonder what had happened to Mr. Deve Gowda, but what would I understand of it all. So, I only quietly welcomed the new P.M. This time I was thrilled, as, the P.M. was lighter, and I did not feel the pangs of his weight on my back.
The Prime Minister had changed. He was, perhapse Mr. I.K. Gujral, but, the routine of my life remained unchanged. The same long drawn out discussions, same debates and of course the same long working hours. I used to enjoy all this for sometime but, when it became a very long series of discussions, I would start getting bored. This boredom was because of two reasons, one, that I would get very tired as, I was very delicate and secondly, I would not understand anything of what was being discussed. In my moments of desperation, I would start thinking of my other friends who must surely be having less time of toil and labour, and even less weight on their backs. Then I thought to myself, yes, yes, they are having less work to do but where do they have the singular honour of being used by the P.M. of India? This thought gave me immense satisfaction and I decided to just neglect the smaller woes of life.
This zest kept me happy for sometime and, inspite of the boredom I was happy that I was among the few honoured from y community. Life went on as usual and I had nothing new to feel or do when soon enough one fine day I heard some murmur that, once again there was a talk of a change in the Prime Minister. This enthused me a little and I started wondering who the new P.M. would be. My life would remain the same though, yet there would be some ray of change I’m sure. Days passed on, and I used to hear that the elections were on and that now, my seat would be occupied by someone else. I bided for time and prayed that some one nice and loveable would now lend me the honour of being my master. God it seems heard my prayers and lo! And behold my favourite politician Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was declared to have become the P.M. of India. Now I waited with some hope of a new era in my life, as I had heard a lot of good about this one person.
After some time I don’t know how much, the day came when he entered the P.M.’s office and came to sit on me and rest on my back. I was absolutely thrilled and prayed for his well being and long life, and a lasting premiership. In his turn also, he stood near me and for a moment admired my looks, Oh how happy that made me. Now he is the person who is using me and the honour of course is all mine. I just love to hear him talk, his voice is so soft and deep, he talks in such an affectionate tone to all, that I love to hear him talk, Now the discussions do not seen to bore me as, his sweet soft and loving voice reverberated in the room all the time. The routine is still the same but the P.M.’s sweet tone of discussions makes me forget all the woes of my life.
Now since I have such a good master, I only pray for myself that, on the pretext of being old, I am not thrown out of this office. I have maintained my gorgeous looks so, I see no reason why I should be discarded. It is now only that, I am fully enjoying my assignment in the P.M.’s office. He is never so sweet, soft spoken and affectionate that, my heart goes out to him. I pray to God that he continues in office for a very very long tenure and I remain here to get the honour and pleasure of his company. If I ever have to part from him, that would be a very bad day in my life.
Showing posts with label Biographies and Autobiographies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biographies and Autobiographies. Show all posts
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Lal Bahadur Shastri
About 32 years ago, the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, passed away, but his life story continues to interest people. He lived a life of honesty and service to his countrymen and had become a legend in his own time. Many people had often wondered if Lal Bahadur Shastri could become the Prime minister of India. To many he was an enigma. He was one of the most astute and non-offending politician in the country. Everybody wondered how this diminutive man could rise to such eminence.
Lal Bahadur Shastri had a humble beginning in life, and remained a poor man for about 40 years. He did not have a good university education and physically too he was not particularly striking. Yet he rose to the highest position in the country. He was by no chance a scholar, but he had read the book of life thoroughly well. He was neither a powerful speaker nor an eminent writer, his knowledge of international affairs was limited but he knew his country well and understood its problems. Shastri lacked glamour, but had plenty of goodness in him. He was craftsman of compromise. He had a technique of his own which very few people understood. He tackled difficult problems with understanding and ability. During the conflict with Pakistan, he showed unusual poise and strength.
The best thing about him was that he was never in hurry to achieve fame. He had great poise and a very strong will. Seeing his modesty, the people did not believe that this tiny figure concealed a lot of determination. He was a devoted and dedicated worker. He was always willing to make sacrifices and never eager to get material gains. During the Quit India Movement, Shastri did remarkable work.
Shastri was profoundly meek and proved the Biblical saying that “the meek shall inherit the earth”. He became the Prime Minister of the world’s biggest democracy when senior leaders were available in the Congress. He had, “patience and perseverance which are monumental enough to move mountains.” Nehru trusted him completely and once said, “No one can wish for a better colleague in any undertaking. A man of the highest integrity, loyalty, devoted to ideals, a man of conscience and a man of hard work.”
He had great sympathy for the lowly and the lost, Shastri rose to great eminence by dint of sheer merit, hard work and integrity. He was at the height of his success when he died. The career of many statesmen in history have ended in failure for one reason or another. It was not so with Shastri. His life drama ended in a blaze of glory.
Lal Bahadur Shastri had a humble beginning in life, and remained a poor man for about 40 years. He did not have a good university education and physically too he was not particularly striking. Yet he rose to the highest position in the country. He was by no chance a scholar, but he had read the book of life thoroughly well. He was neither a powerful speaker nor an eminent writer, his knowledge of international affairs was limited but he knew his country well and understood its problems. Shastri lacked glamour, but had plenty of goodness in him. He was craftsman of compromise. He had a technique of his own which very few people understood. He tackled difficult problems with understanding and ability. During the conflict with Pakistan, he showed unusual poise and strength.
The best thing about him was that he was never in hurry to achieve fame. He had great poise and a very strong will. Seeing his modesty, the people did not believe that this tiny figure concealed a lot of determination. He was a devoted and dedicated worker. He was always willing to make sacrifices and never eager to get material gains. During the Quit India Movement, Shastri did remarkable work.
Shastri was profoundly meek and proved the Biblical saying that “the meek shall inherit the earth”. He became the Prime Minister of the world’s biggest democracy when senior leaders were available in the Congress. He had, “patience and perseverance which are monumental enough to move mountains.” Nehru trusted him completely and once said, “No one can wish for a better colleague in any undertaking. A man of the highest integrity, loyalty, devoted to ideals, a man of conscience and a man of hard work.”
He had great sympathy for the lowly and the lost, Shastri rose to great eminence by dint of sheer merit, hard work and integrity. He was at the height of his success when he died. The career of many statesmen in history have ended in failure for one reason or another. It was not so with Shastri. His life drama ended in a blaze of glory.
Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Acharya Vinoba Bhave occupies an important place in the galaxy of the great personalities that have adorned the firmament of India’s history. Born on September 11, 1895, in Raigarh district in Maharashtra, Acharya Bahve launched the Bhoodhan Yojna is 1951. he traveled over 64,000 kilometres on foot and collected more than 80,000 hectares of land from landlords to be distributed among the landless poor. Notable among his achievements was the surrender of 20 ferocious dacoits from the traditionally terror-stricken areas of Bhind and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh in 1960.
He was perhaps the last great disciple of mahatma Gandhi, who endeavoured upto the last breath of his life to wipe tears from the eyes of every one of those who have suffered outrageous poverty through centuries. A symbol of service and sacrifice, practitioner of the ideals of non-violence and love and goodwill for all, Vinobaki was described by Mahatma Gandhi as “one of the few pearls in his Sabarmati Ashram.” This gem of India’s great spiritual tradition was snatched away from out midst by the cruel hands of death on the auspicious day of Deeapawali November 15, 1982.
Vinobahji undertook trips to several parts of India on foot to morally motivate the Indian people, especially the rich. He and the workers wanted to bring about a change of hearts and donation of land, property, village or even life was the outer manifestation of that change Vinobaji’s greatness lies in the fact that he did bring about that desired change in many. Donation of thousands of acres of land by the landlords could never be brought about by any law, howsoever, ingeniously framed. Moral revolution must precede any other revolution if it is to be effective. His Bhoodan movement was an attempt to bring that about.
Vinobaji regarded the great epic the Bhagwat Gita as his mother. His mother inculcated great love for Gita in him. When his mother died, she left him in the lap of the mother Gita a happy reconciliation was achieved between Gyan, Bhakti and Karma in his life. The Gita taught him that all life is one. Bhakti transformed it into Sarvodaya which cannoted good of everyone and not good of a few or some. Vinobaji’s socialism was in spirit different from any brand of the western socialism. Gandhiji’s and for that matter Vinobaji’s socialism could be described by one word ‘Sarvodaya’ which contemplated the good of every member of the society.
Vinobha’s freedom concept was unique in itself. He told that fear and freedom can never go hand in hand. He advised people to conquer fear in order to be fee. He had full faith in the existence of God. For Vinobaji, the very existence of God was more than the lamp of light placed before us. For him, every existing creature whether an animal or a plant or a human being, was the manifestation of God.
Vinobaji was named the first representative of Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience movement in the year 1940. Though he was sent to jail many times yet he didn’t budge from his determination to serve the country. He was rightly chosen as the ‘First Satyagrahi’ by Gandhiji in 1941. Mahatma Gandhiji described Vinobaji as one of the finest pearls in his Sabarmati Ashram. For Vinobaji, his life was the indication of his message to the people. He lived a very simple life and gave up all his other worldy desires and ambitions. Vinobaji felt like a criminal to posses or consume more than what is absolutely necessary for sustaining life, particularly when large number of people in the society do not have enough food, clothing and shelter to survive themselves. Vinobaji made simplicity as the principle of his life. He said that equality could be achieved only through ideal simplicity in life. He always wore khadi. For him, Ram Rajya could be ushered in India through adoption of khadi, simplicity in life and small scale industries.
He was perhaps the last great disciple of mahatma Gandhi, who endeavoured upto the last breath of his life to wipe tears from the eyes of every one of those who have suffered outrageous poverty through centuries. A symbol of service and sacrifice, practitioner of the ideals of non-violence and love and goodwill for all, Vinobaki was described by Mahatma Gandhi as “one of the few pearls in his Sabarmati Ashram.” This gem of India’s great spiritual tradition was snatched away from out midst by the cruel hands of death on the auspicious day of Deeapawali November 15, 1982.
Vinobahji undertook trips to several parts of India on foot to morally motivate the Indian people, especially the rich. He and the workers wanted to bring about a change of hearts and donation of land, property, village or even life was the outer manifestation of that change Vinobaji’s greatness lies in the fact that he did bring about that desired change in many. Donation of thousands of acres of land by the landlords could never be brought about by any law, howsoever, ingeniously framed. Moral revolution must precede any other revolution if it is to be effective. His Bhoodan movement was an attempt to bring that about.
Vinobaji regarded the great epic the Bhagwat Gita as his mother. His mother inculcated great love for Gita in him. When his mother died, she left him in the lap of the mother Gita a happy reconciliation was achieved between Gyan, Bhakti and Karma in his life. The Gita taught him that all life is one. Bhakti transformed it into Sarvodaya which cannoted good of everyone and not good of a few or some. Vinobaji’s socialism was in spirit different from any brand of the western socialism. Gandhiji’s and for that matter Vinobaji’s socialism could be described by one word ‘Sarvodaya’ which contemplated the good of every member of the society.
Vinobha’s freedom concept was unique in itself. He told that fear and freedom can never go hand in hand. He advised people to conquer fear in order to be fee. He had full faith in the existence of God. For Vinobaji, the very existence of God was more than the lamp of light placed before us. For him, every existing creature whether an animal or a plant or a human being, was the manifestation of God.
Vinobaji was named the first representative of Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience movement in the year 1940. Though he was sent to jail many times yet he didn’t budge from his determination to serve the country. He was rightly chosen as the ‘First Satyagrahi’ by Gandhiji in 1941. Mahatma Gandhiji described Vinobaji as one of the finest pearls in his Sabarmati Ashram. For Vinobaji, his life was the indication of his message to the people. He lived a very simple life and gave up all his other worldy desires and ambitions. Vinobaji felt like a criminal to posses or consume more than what is absolutely necessary for sustaining life, particularly when large number of people in the society do not have enough food, clothing and shelter to survive themselves. Vinobaji made simplicity as the principle of his life. He said that equality could be achieved only through ideal simplicity in life. He always wore khadi. For him, Ram Rajya could be ushered in India through adoption of khadi, simplicity in life and small scale industries.
Autobiography of a Rupee
I was a beautiful one rupee note, crunchy crispy to the touch, attractive for the eyes, with a lovely touch of blue colour on both my sides. The print on both of sides of me was so neat and clear that, I wished it could be possible for me to kiss myself. This was not very long back but alas! If you see my condition today, you would not like to touch me, I can myself almost scent the dirty smell that emanates from me. Oh! what has happened to my lovely sleak appearance I do wonder. The reason for this is not far to seek. When you read my life history, you will understand why this deterioration in my once beautiful appearance, came in. it is not only my appearance that has been destroyed even my status has been tuned to a non-entity.
I remember that wonderful day of 1st April 1996 when I came out of the Government Security Press and was taken to a bank, I had so many companions all of use looking smart and handsome. I was closely stapled with 99 of my companions into a bundle of 100 one rupee notes. Oh! what a fine time we had together and how we all moved together as one group.
I remember how we all entered a bank, and were kept in an iron safe with scores of other bundles like us, we were not alone, with us were scores of our elder brothers also stapled together in big numbers of 100s, 500s, and 1000s. our elder brothers were notes of Rs.2, Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.50 and Rs.100. in the bank we were all dumped in a huge safe thought kept separately in groups according to our denomination. We were all destined to stay in this dark dingy room till we were to be taken out by the cashier of the bank and given to people who cane to take money from the bank. This place was the first one where we were destined to live till our time came to come out and breathe fresh air of the outside environment.
I wondered how long I would stay here but, my stay was not too long. It was 22nd of April when the cashier handed over the bundle of Re.1 notes to some man. In this bundle with my 99 companions I was taken by a gentleman to his shop. Now we were all happy that we would be allowed to stay freely in the open but alas! Here also, when the man entered his shop, he opened his not so big a cash box and dumped us inside. Here also we had the same fate, my 99 brothers and a few of our big brothers were all dumped together in this cash box. Here life would be same slow and drab that each one of us remained waiting to get out in the open. This cash box was, however a little better as, it had one hole at the top. From this hole air came inside and we all felt fresh as, we could breathe some air coming in from the hole in the cash box. This place again was a ‘wait and watch’ situation.
Life passed on quietly though it was rather boring, all of us lying as if without life one on top of the other day after day. We had been lying in wait for our fate ahead and everyday the cashier would remove some of our friends, add new ones but I and my 99 companions kept lying there wondering when we will be released from this drudgery of life. One fine day, at last, when the cashier came and moved about packets of notes from here to there, I felt our time had also come and surely we would be soon relieved to find a new master and a new abode.
As I had expected just then, the cashier took out the bundle in which I was packed and took out my 32 companions on top and low and behold I was again left there to bide for time. I wished my friends good by and wished them the best of time. Now I was wondering when I would be relieved when soon enough just then, lady luck smiled at me and I with my other 66 companions was held out to a lady. I was so excited that now, I would be in possession of this pretty girl, whose purse, was very warm and snug. When I was kept in it, I got a feeling of a daulopillo mattress, the sides of her purse were quite soft and cushiny. I really now hoped I could stay here comfortably for a long time. However, luck is never on the side of us poor little currency notes. Since I was on the very top of the pack of 67 notes, when she wanted to buy some monkey nuts she quickly took me out of the neat packet and gave me away to a nut vendor. I felt that my luck was really out for, from her comfortable purse I was almost immediately stuffed into a dirty pouch tucked into the vendor’s vest. He folded me into four folds, and tucked me in his vest with other notes and a few coins. This was really tragic as my luck had brought me from such neat vistas into an untidy dirty smelling vendor. I felt almost exhausted and out of breath huddled into a small pouch and waited for my next master.
After having had such a comfortable life in a clean and neat environment I was absolutely out of luck and prayed to God that I get out of this little congested pouch. However, only if wishes could be heard. Believe me friends, I had to stay in that dirty pouch for about a month. The vendor as me out and but something in return? As time passed, I think summers came and the master started sweating and dirty smelling which made life a real hell for me. I was almost suffocated in his pouch for I don’t know how long. The way he had folded me, I knew that my good days had passed and beautiful looks destroyed for ever. One day a lovely evening it was. When the vendor went to a park. There, he sat to sell his eatables and a sweet little firl came to him and asked him for 200gms of monkey nuts, now he pulled me out of his pouch and handed me with a few coins to that girl as balance exchange. This, I had felt would be a nice change but this proved to be the unhappiest moment of my life. The girl refused to take me from the vendor saying that I was too dirty for her to keep. I felt so insulted and plunged into sorrow now as, he kept me back in his pouch and gave her another friend of mine who looked cleaner. Besides this, to-day I also realized how weak I was. The day I started my life two years back I was alone, enough to buy my friends 200gms of peanuts while to-day for 200gms of peanuts, with me many of my friends had to given. This meant that, I alone was of a negligible value. I felt so unhappy that, for one, I could not get relief from the dirty smelling pouch and when I realized my worth, I was still further depressed.
In this pouch I stayed for a very long time and had given up to my fate which was bad and out. One day a young man who looked smart and handsome came to my master and asked him for 1 Kg of peanuts. This was the last straw on the camel’s back, the customer gave the full amount with Re. 1/ to be returned. Now lady luck smiled at me once again and amy master handed me over to this young man. I was glad to have got a change of master but this was not for long. My master could not bear to keep me, as I was too dirty and had even developed cracks or wrinkles on my body. He took me with a few more of my elder brothers and colleagues and handed me over to a man who keeps such old and worn out notes of all denominations. This was the last of my journey and here with this man I still lie biding time. What will really be done to me and my friends I do not know but what I hear is that, we will all be returned to the Reserve Bank of India and will be replaced by newer and younger brethren.
My long journey of life is now about to finish I wonder when. So many people I have met and lived with that, I really do no know which master was best and where I enjoyed most. My humble request to all masters who spend money, is, to keep us neatly in their purses and nor destroy us. We feel neglected when we become worn out and dirty. As it is me and my brethren have no value in these days and you spoil even our appearance. This hurts us.
I remember that wonderful day of 1st April 1996 when I came out of the Government Security Press and was taken to a bank, I had so many companions all of use looking smart and handsome. I was closely stapled with 99 of my companions into a bundle of 100 one rupee notes. Oh! what a fine time we had together and how we all moved together as one group.
I remember how we all entered a bank, and were kept in an iron safe with scores of other bundles like us, we were not alone, with us were scores of our elder brothers also stapled together in big numbers of 100s, 500s, and 1000s. our elder brothers were notes of Rs.2, Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.50 and Rs.100. in the bank we were all dumped in a huge safe thought kept separately in groups according to our denomination. We were all destined to stay in this dark dingy room till we were to be taken out by the cashier of the bank and given to people who cane to take money from the bank. This place was the first one where we were destined to live till our time came to come out and breathe fresh air of the outside environment.
I wondered how long I would stay here but, my stay was not too long. It was 22nd of April when the cashier handed over the bundle of Re.1 notes to some man. In this bundle with my 99 companions I was taken by a gentleman to his shop. Now we were all happy that we would be allowed to stay freely in the open but alas! Here also, when the man entered his shop, he opened his not so big a cash box and dumped us inside. Here also we had the same fate, my 99 brothers and a few of our big brothers were all dumped together in this cash box. Here life would be same slow and drab that each one of us remained waiting to get out in the open. This cash box was, however a little better as, it had one hole at the top. From this hole air came inside and we all felt fresh as, we could breathe some air coming in from the hole in the cash box. This place again was a ‘wait and watch’ situation.
Life passed on quietly though it was rather boring, all of us lying as if without life one on top of the other day after day. We had been lying in wait for our fate ahead and everyday the cashier would remove some of our friends, add new ones but I and my 99 companions kept lying there wondering when we will be released from this drudgery of life. One fine day, at last, when the cashier came and moved about packets of notes from here to there, I felt our time had also come and surely we would be soon relieved to find a new master and a new abode.
As I had expected just then, the cashier took out the bundle in which I was packed and took out my 32 companions on top and low and behold I was again left there to bide for time. I wished my friends good by and wished them the best of time. Now I was wondering when I would be relieved when soon enough just then, lady luck smiled at me and I with my other 66 companions was held out to a lady. I was so excited that now, I would be in possession of this pretty girl, whose purse, was very warm and snug. When I was kept in it, I got a feeling of a daulopillo mattress, the sides of her purse were quite soft and cushiny. I really now hoped I could stay here comfortably for a long time. However, luck is never on the side of us poor little currency notes. Since I was on the very top of the pack of 67 notes, when she wanted to buy some monkey nuts she quickly took me out of the neat packet and gave me away to a nut vendor. I felt that my luck was really out for, from her comfortable purse I was almost immediately stuffed into a dirty pouch tucked into the vendor’s vest. He folded me into four folds, and tucked me in his vest with other notes and a few coins. This was really tragic as my luck had brought me from such neat vistas into an untidy dirty smelling vendor. I felt almost exhausted and out of breath huddled into a small pouch and waited for my next master.
After having had such a comfortable life in a clean and neat environment I was absolutely out of luck and prayed to God that I get out of this little congested pouch. However, only if wishes could be heard. Believe me friends, I had to stay in that dirty pouch for about a month. The vendor as me out and but something in return? As time passed, I think summers came and the master started sweating and dirty smelling which made life a real hell for me. I was almost suffocated in his pouch for I don’t know how long. The way he had folded me, I knew that my good days had passed and beautiful looks destroyed for ever. One day a lovely evening it was. When the vendor went to a park. There, he sat to sell his eatables and a sweet little firl came to him and asked him for 200gms of monkey nuts, now he pulled me out of his pouch and handed me with a few coins to that girl as balance exchange. This, I had felt would be a nice change but this proved to be the unhappiest moment of my life. The girl refused to take me from the vendor saying that I was too dirty for her to keep. I felt so insulted and plunged into sorrow now as, he kept me back in his pouch and gave her another friend of mine who looked cleaner. Besides this, to-day I also realized how weak I was. The day I started my life two years back I was alone, enough to buy my friends 200gms of peanuts while to-day for 200gms of peanuts, with me many of my friends had to given. This meant that, I alone was of a negligible value. I felt so unhappy that, for one, I could not get relief from the dirty smelling pouch and when I realized my worth, I was still further depressed.
In this pouch I stayed for a very long time and had given up to my fate which was bad and out. One day a young man who looked smart and handsome came to my master and asked him for 1 Kg of peanuts. This was the last straw on the camel’s back, the customer gave the full amount with Re. 1/ to be returned. Now lady luck smiled at me once again and amy master handed me over to this young man. I was glad to have got a change of master but this was not for long. My master could not bear to keep me, as I was too dirty and had even developed cracks or wrinkles on my body. He took me with a few more of my elder brothers and colleagues and handed me over to a man who keeps such old and worn out notes of all denominations. This was the last of my journey and here with this man I still lie biding time. What will really be done to me and my friends I do not know but what I hear is that, we will all be returned to the Reserve Bank of India and will be replaced by newer and younger brethren.
My long journey of life is now about to finish I wonder when. So many people I have met and lived with that, I really do no know which master was best and where I enjoyed most. My humble request to all masters who spend money, is, to keep us neatly in their purses and nor destroy us. We feel neglected when we become worn out and dirty. As it is me and my brethren have no value in these days and you spoil even our appearance. This hurts us.
Autobiography of a lamp post in a park
I remember that, a long time back I was fixed in the beautiful park, just at the entry. The experiences I have had are manifold, an admixture of happy, unhappy trendy adventures I have had are enough to write an autobiography of my life.
A long long time back, I remember even the process of my being born i.e. being moulded into my present shape. Oh! the terrific pain I used to feel when pieces of wrought iron were being moulded into my present shape. I felt the pangs of burns when the mechanic used to weld pieces of me, to make me a whole of this size. My body was being burnt day in and day out at the welding machine for I don’t know how long. You know I count like you all do, so, the number of days I felt the burns. I really can’t tell but I only remember the painful agony I had to face for a long time till this shape came. It was not me alone, a great number of my brethren were also being made and we all felt the pain alike. At night when the process of burning our bodies would stop, we would sit together in the workshop and discuss our tragic lives. We would all wonder when we would get out of this hell. Days passed by in this miserable life till one fine morning we realized that life was on the threshold of a major change.
That day, our manager came to the workshop and told the man there, to load a hundred of us colleagues in a truck standing in front of the workshop. I heard the instructions and wondered as to what would be in store for me. Not much time had lapsed when a few labourers came into the workshop and started lifting many of my friends and alas! Soon came my turn also. When the count of 100 stopped, we knew that we would have to bid adeau to our other friends. Anyway one thing was good that, some went to an unknown destination. The truck had hardly moved for a few minutes that it stopped, and we were told that our home had come. I did wonder what my new home would be like and said to myself that, I would be able to forget all my pains and burns only if I got a good home. I prayed to God that for one, the home would be good and comfortable and that all my friends would stay with me.
I am glad to tell you friends that both my prayers were heard and out new home was a beautiful park, and also that, all of us hundred would stay together in the same park. Having got both my prayers heard I thanked God and now looked forward to my place of posting and the assignment.
In this also I was very lucky I was placed first at the entry gate of the park. My assignment was also pleasing. It was to give light to all those who entered the park. Soon I was fixed at my post. When again I had to bear some pain but, once I was fixed, I was a merry individual.
The place was such that I could see all the passerby on the road, I could recognize all the people who entered the park and behold, could befriend all those who sat on the bench under my light. My place of posting was first too good but I was rather at a distance was well compensated by the company I got from people who sat under my light.
Let me now acquaint you with the part I am posted in. the name of the park is Kalindi Kunj. A huge park, beautifully maintained with lots of light given to visitors by me and my other lamp post friends. In the evening, beautiful fountains are a great attraction. Coloured lights emanate from each of these fountains and make the atmosphere beautiful and cool. The evening, specially in the summer months are a great solace to me as I stand in and going out of the park. I have been here now for quite a few years, I don’t really know how many but, I have had a lot of experience of main and his ways. This is because I see men all the day, convening, loving fighting and what not. My experiences are numerous but those that I think I can never forget, I shall narrate to you in brief.
The best experience of my life was, when one day a few children came and sat on the bench near me. It was day time and I wondered how they could come at this time. Is it a holiday or have they cut their classes? I became alert to listen to their conversation as, I would like to know how and why they were here at this time of the day. My friends, it did not take any time for me to understand that they had run away from a school nearby, When I heard their conversation my assessment was that, they had cut class because they were frightened of their teacher. Why on earth do teachers frighten the young, don’t they know that children should be taught with love and not scolding. These children sat there aimlessly, chatted for an hour and a half I think and went away. This incident gave me a shock of my life and I wondered where humanity was going. Even I, an inanimate object felt sad for the little ones what has happened to the human heart, which is believed to be the store home of love.
I had hardly got over the shock of this exasperating experience that, one fine day I saw two people sitting on the bench and fighting like dogs over a big bundle. I wondered what that bundle could be but soon I realized that there was a lot of money and jewellery in that bundle and they were fighting for the distribution of the spoils. They must have robbed some place and took shelter in the park to distribute the booty. Oh! there was a shiver in my spine when I saw the lot of wealth they had in front of them. I pitied the people they must have robbed and hoped that I could have the voice to call the police. Just imagine my plight when things are done in front of me and neither can I object or act, nor can I call anyone for action. This was another experience which destroyed my image of a man. Has he become so brutal so cruel and so selfish?
These two incidents lie so heavy on my mind that I can never forget either of them. However, there is, I must say some solace also in this world of man. One day just a few days ago I was so pleased to see a young loving couple having come to the park. They took a round of the park and finally came and sat on the bench near me. It gave me immense pleasure to see them talk to each other in words mixed as if with sugar. When they spoke to each other I went into raptures over them. This I felt was some consolation to the tearing and breaking world. I was so happy to see that there still is some love, sweetness and goodness existing in the world.
These are just a few experiences I have had in the park, which are worthy of remembering. People do come in and go out daily and I keep standing here as if on watch to all their activities. What I do not like about them is that most of them talk as if they are constantly fighting and I begin to wonder where is that sweet tongue that God gifted to man?
I stand here healthy till now but, I am sure after a few years I will get old and rusted and will be thrown away from this beautiful environment. Let me see what all is in store for me. I do pray I can find some more love among human beings as, this is one quality of man that I appreciate and find it fading by and by with the passage of time. I stand here and pray for man to become as good as he was meant to be.
A long long time back, I remember even the process of my being born i.e. being moulded into my present shape. Oh! the terrific pain I used to feel when pieces of wrought iron were being moulded into my present shape. I felt the pangs of burns when the mechanic used to weld pieces of me, to make me a whole of this size. My body was being burnt day in and day out at the welding machine for I don’t know how long. You know I count like you all do, so, the number of days I felt the burns. I really can’t tell but I only remember the painful agony I had to face for a long time till this shape came. It was not me alone, a great number of my brethren were also being made and we all felt the pain alike. At night when the process of burning our bodies would stop, we would sit together in the workshop and discuss our tragic lives. We would all wonder when we would get out of this hell. Days passed by in this miserable life till one fine morning we realized that life was on the threshold of a major change.
That day, our manager came to the workshop and told the man there, to load a hundred of us colleagues in a truck standing in front of the workshop. I heard the instructions and wondered as to what would be in store for me. Not much time had lapsed when a few labourers came into the workshop and started lifting many of my friends and alas! Soon came my turn also. When the count of 100 stopped, we knew that we would have to bid adeau to our other friends. Anyway one thing was good that, some went to an unknown destination. The truck had hardly moved for a few minutes that it stopped, and we were told that our home had come. I did wonder what my new home would be like and said to myself that, I would be able to forget all my pains and burns only if I got a good home. I prayed to God that for one, the home would be good and comfortable and that all my friends would stay with me.
I am glad to tell you friends that both my prayers were heard and out new home was a beautiful park, and also that, all of us hundred would stay together in the same park. Having got both my prayers heard I thanked God and now looked forward to my place of posting and the assignment.
In this also I was very lucky I was placed first at the entry gate of the park. My assignment was also pleasing. It was to give light to all those who entered the park. Soon I was fixed at my post. When again I had to bear some pain but, once I was fixed, I was a merry individual.
The place was such that I could see all the passerby on the road, I could recognize all the people who entered the park and behold, could befriend all those who sat on the bench under my light. My place of posting was first too good but I was rather at a distance was well compensated by the company I got from people who sat under my light.
Let me now acquaint you with the part I am posted in. the name of the park is Kalindi Kunj. A huge park, beautifully maintained with lots of light given to visitors by me and my other lamp post friends. In the evening, beautiful fountains are a great attraction. Coloured lights emanate from each of these fountains and make the atmosphere beautiful and cool. The evening, specially in the summer months are a great solace to me as I stand in and going out of the park. I have been here now for quite a few years, I don’t really know how many but, I have had a lot of experience of main and his ways. This is because I see men all the day, convening, loving fighting and what not. My experiences are numerous but those that I think I can never forget, I shall narrate to you in brief.
The best experience of my life was, when one day a few children came and sat on the bench near me. It was day time and I wondered how they could come at this time. Is it a holiday or have they cut their classes? I became alert to listen to their conversation as, I would like to know how and why they were here at this time of the day. My friends, it did not take any time for me to understand that they had run away from a school nearby, When I heard their conversation my assessment was that, they had cut class because they were frightened of their teacher. Why on earth do teachers frighten the young, don’t they know that children should be taught with love and not scolding. These children sat there aimlessly, chatted for an hour and a half I think and went away. This incident gave me a shock of my life and I wondered where humanity was going. Even I, an inanimate object felt sad for the little ones what has happened to the human heart, which is believed to be the store home of love.
I had hardly got over the shock of this exasperating experience that, one fine day I saw two people sitting on the bench and fighting like dogs over a big bundle. I wondered what that bundle could be but soon I realized that there was a lot of money and jewellery in that bundle and they were fighting for the distribution of the spoils. They must have robbed some place and took shelter in the park to distribute the booty. Oh! there was a shiver in my spine when I saw the lot of wealth they had in front of them. I pitied the people they must have robbed and hoped that I could have the voice to call the police. Just imagine my plight when things are done in front of me and neither can I object or act, nor can I call anyone for action. This was another experience which destroyed my image of a man. Has he become so brutal so cruel and so selfish?
These two incidents lie so heavy on my mind that I can never forget either of them. However, there is, I must say some solace also in this world of man. One day just a few days ago I was so pleased to see a young loving couple having come to the park. They took a round of the park and finally came and sat on the bench near me. It gave me immense pleasure to see them talk to each other in words mixed as if with sugar. When they spoke to each other I went into raptures over them. This I felt was some consolation to the tearing and breaking world. I was so happy to see that there still is some love, sweetness and goodness existing in the world.
These are just a few experiences I have had in the park, which are worthy of remembering. People do come in and go out daily and I keep standing here as if on watch to all their activities. What I do not like about them is that most of them talk as if they are constantly fighting and I begin to wonder where is that sweet tongue that God gifted to man?
I stand here healthy till now but, I am sure after a few years I will get old and rusted and will be thrown away from this beautiful environment. Let me see what all is in store for me. I do pray I can find some more love among human beings as, this is one quality of man that I appreciate and find it fading by and by with the passage of time. I stand here and pray for man to become as good as he was meant to be.
Autobiography of a beggar/street dweller
Today I am roaming the streets of Delhi and known as a beggar and a street dweller. Life was not always like this for me. Believe me dear friends, I was also a happy man living comfortably with my wife and children in a small one room apartment in the neighbourhood of Delhi. I earned my living as a rickshaw puller and was quite satisfied with life and what it had, to give me. I was content with the little I had but even that was grudged by people of this land and one find day I do not know why, some people cam with huge machines and other paraphernalia and broke my little house to pieces. Within a twinkle of an eye I could see my pucca home being changed into dust.
For this catastrophe the poor man that I was, was not prepared and, out of nowhere I was converted from a respectable poor man into a beggar. I had absolutely nothing, absolutely nothing to fill the gap of poverty and so the only way I could fulfil the basic requirements of my family was, by begging. I knew no job or rather, I would say I could do no job except driving a cycle rickshaw so, I was thrown on the road to look for an alternative and what I found myself worthy of, was just begging.
I have a wife and two children what can I give them nothing except a few morsels of food. My daily routine is to sit as a beggar in front of the Hanuman Temple near Connaught Place. This place I choose for my work because here, I felt that some food or income is assured. Daily I used to sit here for about ten hours and then go to rest on the street with my wife and children. My imagination came to be true that at the Hanuman Mandir I would be assured of at least a minimum daily and that it turned out to be. I do manage to take out a bare subsistence for my family.
My routine life was drab and dull till one day lady luck smiled at me. I was at the temple with my son. One fine gentleman had come to the temple with his wife and daughter. I do wonder what they saw in us that, they asked me if I could send my son with them to work in their family. I had no time to ask my wife but the temptation was too great. It occurred to me that, if I would send my son, for one thing, I would have one person less to feed and secondly he would have a good comfortable life. At the spur of the moment, I thought nothing and gave instructions to my son to go with that gentleman. My heart beat fast for, how would I ever know how my son was being kept and what he was being taught. Demand of fate urged me to send the child. That day was a fateful day for me. My son got urged me to send the child. That day was a fateful day for me. My son got a home to stay but the pangs of separation could not be borne by my wife who fell ill.
My tragedy knew no bounds, now how could I get my son back, I fretted and cried but what could be done. However, God is really great, for, one day when we were fuming about the lost son, the same gentleman came to me with my son. My eyes could not believe what they saw, for, the child had become so sweet within fifteen days of stay with the Sahib. We met the boy and seeing him, my sick wife was cured as if by magic. This time the sahib asked me for my daughter. Though I did not want to part with her, viewing her future I gave her also to the Sahib. This time, I was more intelligent and took the Sahib’s address so that whenever I would like to meet my children could go.
So my children are settled but me and my wife still beg for alms and manage a sustenance. We thank God that at least HE thought of the future of our children, so many of my brethren rot here and their children follow suit.
I feel that, inspite of being a beggar myself at least I could settle my children for a better life, it is just an existence because we cannot help living. When we see others enjoying this same gift of life we feel so depressed and do wonder why we have had to face this life of neglect and insult. Anyway that is in our fate we must remember, “beggars cannot be choosers”. Let’s accept whatever we get that is all that can be done.
For this catastrophe the poor man that I was, was not prepared and, out of nowhere I was converted from a respectable poor man into a beggar. I had absolutely nothing, absolutely nothing to fill the gap of poverty and so the only way I could fulfil the basic requirements of my family was, by begging. I knew no job or rather, I would say I could do no job except driving a cycle rickshaw so, I was thrown on the road to look for an alternative and what I found myself worthy of, was just begging.
I have a wife and two children what can I give them nothing except a few morsels of food. My daily routine is to sit as a beggar in front of the Hanuman Temple near Connaught Place. This place I choose for my work because here, I felt that some food or income is assured. Daily I used to sit here for about ten hours and then go to rest on the street with my wife and children. My imagination came to be true that at the Hanuman Mandir I would be assured of at least a minimum daily and that it turned out to be. I do manage to take out a bare subsistence for my family.
My routine life was drab and dull till one day lady luck smiled at me. I was at the temple with my son. One fine gentleman had come to the temple with his wife and daughter. I do wonder what they saw in us that, they asked me if I could send my son with them to work in their family. I had no time to ask my wife but the temptation was too great. It occurred to me that, if I would send my son, for one thing, I would have one person less to feed and secondly he would have a good comfortable life. At the spur of the moment, I thought nothing and gave instructions to my son to go with that gentleman. My heart beat fast for, how would I ever know how my son was being kept and what he was being taught. Demand of fate urged me to send the child. That day was a fateful day for me. My son got urged me to send the child. That day was a fateful day for me. My son got a home to stay but the pangs of separation could not be borne by my wife who fell ill.
My tragedy knew no bounds, now how could I get my son back, I fretted and cried but what could be done. However, God is really great, for, one day when we were fuming about the lost son, the same gentleman came to me with my son. My eyes could not believe what they saw, for, the child had become so sweet within fifteen days of stay with the Sahib. We met the boy and seeing him, my sick wife was cured as if by magic. This time the sahib asked me for my daughter. Though I did not want to part with her, viewing her future I gave her also to the Sahib. This time, I was more intelligent and took the Sahib’s address so that whenever I would like to meet my children could go.
So my children are settled but me and my wife still beg for alms and manage a sustenance. We thank God that at least HE thought of the future of our children, so many of my brethren rot here and their children follow suit.
I feel that, inspite of being a beggar myself at least I could settle my children for a better life, it is just an existence because we cannot help living. When we see others enjoying this same gift of life we feel so depressed and do wonder why we have had to face this life of neglect and insult. Anyway that is in our fate we must remember, “beggars cannot be choosers”. Let’s accept whatever we get that is all that can be done.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
St. Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa a name known throughout the world and one that will stay as an outstanding name in the annals of the history of the world. A frail looking foreigner did so much for India and of course for the world, that people of the world are indebted to her for all time to come. Let us just pause to think why the Mother decided to make the headquarters of her activities in India. While she belonged to a far off country of Bulgaria, she decided to settle in India as it was this place where shoe could always find work of social upliftment. This is the country where the population is so large and, poverty of such a magnitude that, the Mother must have thought that no country could offer her the platform of work as much as India could, and so, she settled here. This reason appears to me quite real for, she must have realized that, the scope of service lies maximum in India – so we owe the gratitude to her for first deciding to stay here, and thus be available to us for her service – and secondly of course for her immense service to the Indian humanity. Sometimes I do wonder how, crores Indians in this massive sub – continent, could not produce one Mother like Teresa, and we had to take the services of a puny little lady from a far off land of Bulgaria.
Her service to humanity will for all time go into the annals of History of the world and, she will forever find a place in the pages of Indian History too. The greatness and pedestal acquired by the Mother goes a long way to enlighten the world to the fact that, for being remembered, or, for entering into History books, one does not have to be a king or a queen or a scientist or a leader of some sort. The simple unimposing little woman could achieve all the name and all the fame and glory of an empress by sheer service to humanity. She had to fight no wars, she had to recruit no armies to conquer, her service conquered what no great conquerer could have ever done, such was the work she did that, without any wars, she conquered.
This in turn points to another fact that, even to-day in the world of shine and dazzle the simple can also make a mark on the sands of time, by a sheer dint of service. The Charishma of service, even to-day is apparently greater than all the charishma of a high and mighty inheritance, a sprawling empire or the highest of education. Mother Teresa is thus an exemplary model of service to humanity.
Mother Teresa is one person in the 20th century, who has kept the flag of service to humanity high, and the name and pedestal for people who serve at the highest rung of the hierarchy of achievers. These achievers are also proved to be the most popular leaders as the works of the Mother have proved. Popularity does not come just for nothing, one has to work genuinely with one’s heart and soul, to achieve the popularity of mother Teresa. It is not that, the Mother worked for the popularity she got, but, the work she put in got her the world wide popularity automatically.
The world is even now at this point of depravity, not so blind as to not see work done by her individual, she worked, selflessly, the world saw it and she got the popularity., she rightly deserved. In this regard also, for us, she is an ideal model, for we first want to be appreciated, be known, be awarded and then work may or may not follow. We, it seems to-day just hanker for a name and posters with our names. Photographs and clippings, and then we may consider to work, or not to work. This is just putting the cart before the horse, and thus it never moves. We must work first, and the name and the appreciation will come by itself, if we deserve it.
If we work with our heart and soul, name and fame come, trailing behind, we do not have to do anything for that, it just comes. In this context, we must remember that, we have to set our goals of service like Mother Teresa did. This is why she was able to achieve so much, for, she knew what exactly she wanted to do, and she did it. If our goals are clear, work becomes easier and well defined and easier to follow. What most of us do is that, we work without a clear cut plan and so, the haphazard work yields little or no results.
The simplicity of Mother Teresa was also exemplary, which goes to show to us that, the outward show of dress and body hardly matter if the person is of some stuff, and is bent upon working. If good work is done people are usually apt to overlook the appearance. So I daresay that, in today’s world of show even a plain and simple person can also make a mark if there is some more to his/her credit, work should be our first priority.
If these few qualities of Mother Teresa could be followed by a few, could be inculcated in a few, it is sure, the generation to come, would not need a Bulgarian nun or any other foreigner to help them, they would have produced from within, plenty of hands to serve humanity. It is a real wonder that, the country that has produced so many great men, so many religious leaders, so many social reformers but failed to produce a like of Mother Teresa in the whole Century – the 20th Century. Let us emulate her, and see what happens.
Her service to humanity will for all time go into the annals of History of the world and, she will forever find a place in the pages of Indian History too. The greatness and pedestal acquired by the Mother goes a long way to enlighten the world to the fact that, for being remembered, or, for entering into History books, one does not have to be a king or a queen or a scientist or a leader of some sort. The simple unimposing little woman could achieve all the name and all the fame and glory of an empress by sheer service to humanity. She had to fight no wars, she had to recruit no armies to conquer, her service conquered what no great conquerer could have ever done, such was the work she did that, without any wars, she conquered.
This in turn points to another fact that, even to-day in the world of shine and dazzle the simple can also make a mark on the sands of time, by a sheer dint of service. The Charishma of service, even to-day is apparently greater than all the charishma of a high and mighty inheritance, a sprawling empire or the highest of education. Mother Teresa is thus an exemplary model of service to humanity.
Mother Teresa is one person in the 20th century, who has kept the flag of service to humanity high, and the name and pedestal for people who serve at the highest rung of the hierarchy of achievers. These achievers are also proved to be the most popular leaders as the works of the Mother have proved. Popularity does not come just for nothing, one has to work genuinely with one’s heart and soul, to achieve the popularity of mother Teresa. It is not that, the Mother worked for the popularity she got, but, the work she put in got her the world wide popularity automatically.
The world is even now at this point of depravity, not so blind as to not see work done by her individual, she worked, selflessly, the world saw it and she got the popularity., she rightly deserved. In this regard also, for us, she is an ideal model, for we first want to be appreciated, be known, be awarded and then work may or may not follow. We, it seems to-day just hanker for a name and posters with our names. Photographs and clippings, and then we may consider to work, or not to work. This is just putting the cart before the horse, and thus it never moves. We must work first, and the name and the appreciation will come by itself, if we deserve it.
If we work with our heart and soul, name and fame come, trailing behind, we do not have to do anything for that, it just comes. In this context, we must remember that, we have to set our goals of service like Mother Teresa did. This is why she was able to achieve so much, for, she knew what exactly she wanted to do, and she did it. If our goals are clear, work becomes easier and well defined and easier to follow. What most of us do is that, we work without a clear cut plan and so, the haphazard work yields little or no results.
The simplicity of Mother Teresa was also exemplary, which goes to show to us that, the outward show of dress and body hardly matter if the person is of some stuff, and is bent upon working. If good work is done people are usually apt to overlook the appearance. So I daresay that, in today’s world of show even a plain and simple person can also make a mark if there is some more to his/her credit, work should be our first priority.
If these few qualities of Mother Teresa could be followed by a few, could be inculcated in a few, it is sure, the generation to come, would not need a Bulgarian nun or any other foreigner to help them, they would have produced from within, plenty of hands to serve humanity. It is a real wonder that, the country that has produced so many great men, so many religious leaders, so many social reformers but failed to produce a like of Mother Teresa in the whole Century – the 20th Century. Let us emulate her, and see what happens.
An Autobiography of the Prime Misnister's Chair
I am a chair, plain and simple like several others of my clan – very very comfortable, with thick laid cushions on the seat and the back, but dears, somewhere within me is an inlaid layer of thorns which continue to prick the person sitting on my seat. The thorns keep reminding the occupier of the seat of his immense responsibilities and still more immense hurdles to fulfilling these very responsibilities.
I remember the day I was completed, and how I was being praised by all and sundry for my very good looks. It seemed that I was one of the most beautiful chairs manufactured in one single factory, in Delhi. That day two hundred of us were turned out of the factory, and believe that each one of us looked glamorous and just beautiful. All of us were placed outside the factory to be transported to our respective destinations. None of us knew where we would be taken but, I heard someone telling another that we were all to be taken to the Secretariat. This was a lot of excitement for all of us as at least I knew that the Secretariat was the office from where the Government functioned. This was the building where all the offices of the Government were housed. We were all puffed up with glee and felt very proud of ourselves as it was clear now that we would all be placed in sophisticated and plush offices of senior officers of the Government of India. This excitement was justified for we were very lucky and why not, we were all after all so beautiful and comfortable.
In the midst of all excitement we waited in the sun for quite a long time, keeping us all wondering what our luck had in store for us. At least that was my condition and I am sure my friends also felt the same. My heart felt pit a pat, pit a pat, when I heard someone’s footsteps coming towards us. Soon we all heard a person, someone senior coming towards us and announcing aloud to someone else that we had now to be transported to the Secretariat, and that, trucks were standing to take us away from this place. Now my heart came into my mouth as, I knew not where my fate would take me. I am very sure that my friends also felt the same way due to the uncertainty of luck hanging on our heads. We started saying adieu to each other knowing that we never see each other ever again.
Soon the loading started and perhapse about twenty of us were loaded together in one truck, and Lo! Just then were all of us loaded in the trucks looked alike. Now I think all of us started conjecturing that, all of us twenty were meant to be kept in the same office. Our journey started and, hardly had we settled in the truck that the truck stopped, and it was announced by the driver that the South Block had come, and the peons were waiting to remove us from the truck. Aha! It was so soon we reached our destination in so short a time. Now was the time for the final reckoning, and we would count in our final placements, and we would be allotted different locations depending on out looks. Now, one again our movement started and we were to be carried to our respective places of posting. I now lost track of all the others as I was deeply engrossed in my happiness as, I heard people saying that I had to be taken to the office of the Prime Minister in the South Block of the Secretariat. Aha, my pleasure no knew no bounds as, I will henceforth be seating the Prime Minister of India, or, will I just be put in his office to seat his guests? This doubt was soon cleared from my mind when I noticed that I was placed at the beautiful elegant work table. My heart pounded within me will I be able to give comfort, will I be able to serve, and many such other questions now troubled me. In the meantime I was set, dusted and was now ready to receive the Prime minister. Here I was not alone, as, a colleague of mine was also placed in one corner of the office, and was meant for the visitors who came to see my boss. I was the alone chosen one who would have the honour of seating the Prime Minister of India on me.
Now that I was settled, my heart also started behaving stable and waiting the P.M. to come and sit on me. Who was? I think he was Mr. Deve Gowda. Not for long did I have to wait when he entered the office, and lo! he was as though struck by my immaculate beauty and personality. He praised me to his staff members and sat on me, found me very cosy and comfortable. He started his work after settling on me, and remained there for very long to settle tasks set for him. Oh! how much of paper work, how many and how long the discussions and, how many long hours of work. Oh! I felt so tired bearing the weight of the P.M. for so many long hours. I did of course have the pleasure of seeing the innermost details of the functioning of the Government. I was at the same time sorry for my plight of not being able to understand anything of all that transpired. UF – I was tired bearing the weight for so long and all the time wondered how the P.M. could sit for so long.
This became my routine, and after sometime only, I started getting bored with the long drawn out programmes and lengthy discussions. When this was my plight of boredom, one day, I overheard some people saying that the P.M. is now likely to change. I had hardly taken the rumour in, one fine morning I saw a new P.M. entering the office. I did wonder what had happened to Mr. Deve Gowda, but what would I understand of it all. So, I only quietly welcomed the new P.M. This time I was thrilled, as, the P.M. was lighter, and I did not feel the pangs of his weight on my back.
The Prime Minister had changed. He was, perhapse Mr. I.K. Gujral, but, the routine of my life remained unchanged. The same long drawn out discussions, same debates and of course the same long working hours. I used to enjoy all this for sometime but, when it became a very long series of discussions, I would start getting bored. This boredom was because of two reasons, one, that I would get very tired as, I was very delicate and secondly, I would not understand anything of what was being discussed. In my moments of desperation, I would start thinking of my other friends who must surely be having less time of toil and labour, and even less weight on their backs. Then I thought to myself, yes, yes, they are having less work to do but where do they have the singular honour of being used by the P.M. of India? This thought gave me immense satisfaction and I decided to just neglect the smaller woes of life.
This zest kept me happy for sometime and, inspite of the boredom I was happy that I was among the few honoured from y community. Life went on as usual and I had nothing new to feel or do when soon enough one fine day I heard some murmur that, once again there was a talk of a change in the Prime Minister. This enthused me a little and I started wondering who the new P.M. would be. My life would remain the same though, yet there would be some ray of change I’m sure. Days passed on, and I used to hear that the elections were on and that now, my seat would be occupied by someone else. I bided for time and prayed that some one nice and loveable would now lend me the honour of being my master. God it seems heard my prayers and lo! And behold my favourite politician Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was declared to have become the P.M. of India. Now I waited with some hope of a new era in my life, as I had heard a lot of good about this one person.
After some time I don’t know how much, the day came when he entered the P.M.’s office and came to sit on me and rest on my back. I was absolutely thrilled and prayed for his well being and long life, and a lasting premiership. In his turn also, he stood near me and for a moment admired my looks, Oh how happy that made me. Now he is the person who is using me and the honour of course is all mine. I just love to hear him talk, his voice is so soft and deep, he talks in such an affectionate tone to all, that I love to hear him talk, Now the discussions do not seen to bore me as, his sweet soft and loving voice reverberated in the room all the time. The routine is still the same but the P.M.’s sweet tone of discussions makes me forget all the woes of my life.
Now since I have such a good master, I only pray for myself that, on the pretext of being old, I am not thrown out of this office. I have maintained my gorgeous looks so, I see no reason why I should be discarded. It is now only that, I am fully enjoying my assignment in the P.M.’s office. He is never so sweet, soft spoken and affectionate that, my heart goes out to him. I pray to God that he continues in office for a very very long tenure and I remain here to get the honour and pleasure of his company. If I ever have to part from him, that would be a very bad day in my life.
I remember the day I was completed, and how I was being praised by all and sundry for my very good looks. It seemed that I was one of the most beautiful chairs manufactured in one single factory, in Delhi. That day two hundred of us were turned out of the factory, and believe that each one of us looked glamorous and just beautiful. All of us were placed outside the factory to be transported to our respective destinations. None of us knew where we would be taken but, I heard someone telling another that we were all to be taken to the Secretariat. This was a lot of excitement for all of us as at least I knew that the Secretariat was the office from where the Government functioned. This was the building where all the offices of the Government were housed. We were all puffed up with glee and felt very proud of ourselves as it was clear now that we would all be placed in sophisticated and plush offices of senior officers of the Government of India. This excitement was justified for we were very lucky and why not, we were all after all so beautiful and comfortable.
In the midst of all excitement we waited in the sun for quite a long time, keeping us all wondering what our luck had in store for us. At least that was my condition and I am sure my friends also felt the same. My heart felt pit a pat, pit a pat, when I heard someone’s footsteps coming towards us. Soon we all heard a person, someone senior coming towards us and announcing aloud to someone else that we had now to be transported to the Secretariat, and that, trucks were standing to take us away from this place. Now my heart came into my mouth as, I knew not where my fate would take me. I am very sure that my friends also felt the same way due to the uncertainty of luck hanging on our heads. We started saying adieu to each other knowing that we never see each other ever again.
Soon the loading started and perhapse about twenty of us were loaded together in one truck, and Lo! Just then were all of us loaded in the trucks looked alike. Now I think all of us started conjecturing that, all of us twenty were meant to be kept in the same office. Our journey started and, hardly had we settled in the truck that the truck stopped, and it was announced by the driver that the South Block had come, and the peons were waiting to remove us from the truck. Aha! It was so soon we reached our destination in so short a time. Now was the time for the final reckoning, and we would count in our final placements, and we would be allotted different locations depending on out looks. Now, one again our movement started and we were to be carried to our respective places of posting. I now lost track of all the others as I was deeply engrossed in my happiness as, I heard people saying that I had to be taken to the office of the Prime Minister in the South Block of the Secretariat. Aha, my pleasure no knew no bounds as, I will henceforth be seating the Prime Minister of India, or, will I just be put in his office to seat his guests? This doubt was soon cleared from my mind when I noticed that I was placed at the beautiful elegant work table. My heart pounded within me will I be able to give comfort, will I be able to serve, and many such other questions now troubled me. In the meantime I was set, dusted and was now ready to receive the Prime minister. Here I was not alone, as, a colleague of mine was also placed in one corner of the office, and was meant for the visitors who came to see my boss. I was the alone chosen one who would have the honour of seating the Prime Minister of India on me.
Now that I was settled, my heart also started behaving stable and waiting the P.M. to come and sit on me. Who was? I think he was Mr. Deve Gowda. Not for long did I have to wait when he entered the office, and lo! he was as though struck by my immaculate beauty and personality. He praised me to his staff members and sat on me, found me very cosy and comfortable. He started his work after settling on me, and remained there for very long to settle tasks set for him. Oh! how much of paper work, how many and how long the discussions and, how many long hours of work. Oh! I felt so tired bearing the weight of the P.M. for so many long hours. I did of course have the pleasure of seeing the innermost details of the functioning of the Government. I was at the same time sorry for my plight of not being able to understand anything of all that transpired. UF – I was tired bearing the weight for so long and all the time wondered how the P.M. could sit for so long.
This became my routine, and after sometime only, I started getting bored with the long drawn out programmes and lengthy discussions. When this was my plight of boredom, one day, I overheard some people saying that the P.M. is now likely to change. I had hardly taken the rumour in, one fine morning I saw a new P.M. entering the office. I did wonder what had happened to Mr. Deve Gowda, but what would I understand of it all. So, I only quietly welcomed the new P.M. This time I was thrilled, as, the P.M. was lighter, and I did not feel the pangs of his weight on my back.
The Prime Minister had changed. He was, perhapse Mr. I.K. Gujral, but, the routine of my life remained unchanged. The same long drawn out discussions, same debates and of course the same long working hours. I used to enjoy all this for sometime but, when it became a very long series of discussions, I would start getting bored. This boredom was because of two reasons, one, that I would get very tired as, I was very delicate and secondly, I would not understand anything of what was being discussed. In my moments of desperation, I would start thinking of my other friends who must surely be having less time of toil and labour, and even less weight on their backs. Then I thought to myself, yes, yes, they are having less work to do but where do they have the singular honour of being used by the P.M. of India? This thought gave me immense satisfaction and I decided to just neglect the smaller woes of life.
This zest kept me happy for sometime and, inspite of the boredom I was happy that I was among the few honoured from y community. Life went on as usual and I had nothing new to feel or do when soon enough one fine day I heard some murmur that, once again there was a talk of a change in the Prime Minister. This enthused me a little and I started wondering who the new P.M. would be. My life would remain the same though, yet there would be some ray of change I’m sure. Days passed on, and I used to hear that the elections were on and that now, my seat would be occupied by someone else. I bided for time and prayed that some one nice and loveable would now lend me the honour of being my master. God it seems heard my prayers and lo! And behold my favourite politician Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was declared to have become the P.M. of India. Now I waited with some hope of a new era in my life, as I had heard a lot of good about this one person.
After some time I don’t know how much, the day came when he entered the P.M.’s office and came to sit on me and rest on my back. I was absolutely thrilled and prayed for his well being and long life, and a lasting premiership. In his turn also, he stood near me and for a moment admired my looks, Oh how happy that made me. Now he is the person who is using me and the honour of course is all mine. I just love to hear him talk, his voice is so soft and deep, he talks in such an affectionate tone to all, that I love to hear him talk, Now the discussions do not seen to bore me as, his sweet soft and loving voice reverberated in the room all the time. The routine is still the same but the P.M.’s sweet tone of discussions makes me forget all the woes of my life.
Now since I have such a good master, I only pray for myself that, on the pretext of being old, I am not thrown out of this office. I have maintained my gorgeous looks so, I see no reason why I should be discarded. It is now only that, I am fully enjoying my assignment in the P.M.’s office. He is never so sweet, soft spoken and affectionate that, my heart goes out to him. I pray to God that he continues in office for a very very long tenure and I remain here to get the honour and pleasure of his company. If I ever have to part from him, that would be a very bad day in my life.
Autobiography of a Hospital Bed
Today, I am a hospital bed in one of the best hospitals of Delhi but, my life has not always been so comfortable. I remember those days when I was put to hard labour, was hit hard, was burnt and screws were unkindly fitted into me. In those days life was just a tale of misery for me. It is only after being fixed here in this 5 – star Hospital, the Apollo Hospital, I think that I have got some respite, and now I have forgotten those days of torture and hurt.
I remember the days when my body was being moulded into this shape. My legs were first made, then the body and lastly the back. All the parts to my body were made separately. At that time I just could not understand what was being made of me, and I waited very long to know what would be finally made of me, at that stage, I only knew that all these parts belonged to me as, the blacksmith kept on measuring each part of my body and tried to fit one part were all to be mine. When the blacksmith’s work was over, the work of the welder started. The burns he inflicted on me gave me immense pain. He put burns on different parts of my body to join the parts of my body to join the parts. Oh! What a torture I had to undergo at the hands of blacksmith. I wondered when it would all be over, and behold within a few days this was finaily over.
I was quite a bit amazed and relaxed too as, now I thought the days of punishment were over. But no, I was wrong, and there was still more to it. As I was just enjoying a few moments of relief I noticed a man coming with a hammer and a wrench and so many other tools which I did not recognize. He also had with him long thin looking things, which are perhapse nails. Now it was his turn, and he started having blows at me, and fixing different size nails in my body. I seethed with pain all over again. He worked on my body for some time and to give me some shape. I could not understand what shape he was giving to my body, for, at some places I was becoming stiff and hard, while at others I was being kept flexible. After working on me for a long time now, I heard him telling someone that I was ready. I was now taken to some sort of a storehouse, where I was dumped with others of my type. There were a lot of my colleagues in this place so, at least now I would not get bored, as I would have company of my equals. Now, after a few days stay there in the dark and dingy store, I wondered what would happen to me next. Evidently, we were all made for a purpose and something had to be done to all of us but what – was my worry. Anyway, there would be no point in sulking. I made a few friends there, and started taking life as it was. Just as I had got used to this storehouse, and I realized that all my brethren had also has the same fate as me.
One fine morning, I saw many more of my colleagues being dumped in the same store. Now I was getting absolutely suffocated here and prayed that I would be removed from here. My prayers did not take long in being heard, for within a day or two it might have been, one gentleman who was very well dressed came in with the storehouse keeper. My heart missed a beat, and wondered what would be in store for me. With this gentleman, there were six others who looked like labourers, who came in with him for, obviously picking some of us. Now after a fast scrutiny of all of us, the sahib selected two hundred of us, and instructed a craftsman to paint us all white. I was so happy that I had been selected for a facelift, and now, sure enough I would be taken to some Hi-Fi place I felt. The painter started his work immediately, and behold, I became so beautiful, that I myself could not believe my eyes. Another thing that I felt happy about was, that, this was the only person who had handled me with love, and had not hit me all the time. His touch was so very soothing and cool, that, I really enjoyed being painted.
Now that I and another few of my brethren were painted, I knew that, we would all be transported somewhere, whether we would stay together or not was my next worry. I had by now understood that, I was a hospital bed, and half my body was straight for the patient to lie, and the other half of my body was kept flexible, to allow for the patient to rest his neck and head at an angle that would make him feel comfortable. We were left in the storehouse once again for the night but, we all knew that, this would be our last night together, so we all had a long overnight chat. That night I really enjoyed exchanging interesting experiences with my friends. Such a lovely night passed by as though in a moment, and soon I could see the sun rising from the roof of the storehouse.
It was hardly 9a.m when the door of the store opened and behold the moment had come for us to bid goodbye to each other and wish each other good luck. We were all loaded in number of trucks and were moved to an unknown destination. Soon my truck stopped in front of a hospital and, I with ten of my companions were unloaded from the truck and taken inside the hospital. Now was the moment of real separation, and each one of us was taken to a different room. Oh! how sad it was that, we all knew that we were in the same place but could not converse with each other.
I was finally placed in my room and now I knew that, this would be my home till I lived. I was put in an independent room in the first storey of the hospital. Here only I heard some people talking. I came to know that this is the Apollo Hospital. Their conversation also gave me to understand that, this is Delhi’s best hospital. What I came to know was that, this is a very expensive hospital and that, only the very rich can afford to get treatment here. Hearing this, I was rather puffed up with delight as, now only the rich gentry would be giving me company. How my luck had changed from being in the hands of poor dirty workers to, becoming a necessary companion of the elite of the town. This thought did make me happy but just wait and think that only the sick would be my companions from where would I get happiness, nice talk, cheers and start living in the present. The place did give me some pleasure but, I would be so very lonely, with no friends to discuss daily problems, and worse than all, this would be, that , there would be no laughing jolly human being to make me feel entertained, any way, I had to resign to fate, and lay in waiting to see what was in store for me.
It was just a day long respite for me, and since the long one year I have been here, there has been to ease. I have lost count of all the patients that have come and gone from here in the last year but, I only remember the one thing that was common to all. This was, the discussion all had about the beautiful room, and of course the expenditure in the treatment.
All the patients who came here, gave rest to their nerves for two or three days, got themselves checked and went away. All this has taught me a fact of human life and I am convinced that, there is a lot of affliction among the humans which are worse than me. I have had a lot of torture and pain in the process of my production, but, once those pains come to an felt very comfortable, while man continues to be in pain all through his life. There have been very young patients, and old ones too, which make it clear that, man keeps on an on suffering throughout life. He gets involved in so many kinds of sicknesses that, I so not even remember the names of the diseases I heard of in the last one year.
I have been very lucky that, all the patients who were allotted to rest on me, got alright and went home. However, just day before yesterday, I felt great pain as, the patient who rested on me was a T.B. patient, and he suffered a lot. I felt the pain of his coughing, his breathlessness and the high fever he continued to have. I prayed for his relief but, God had a different plan and just yesterday he died, while groaning on me. Doctors I heard, telling him that he was getting cured then, what happened, I wonder. His family was coming daily and were being told that he was recovering and, how he expired I just could understood. I remember, a week back the doctors has even said that he would be relieved soon, and Oh! his family was so excited and now, the patient just took one, two three hiccups and collapsed. What must have been the condition of his family. Oh God, why do you punish man like this Iwondered. When the collapsed on my back, and it made me feel very sad and depressed. When the family came in, what wailing and shouting started and now, I felt the pangs of the pain of the family. Soon the doctor and the family decided to take the body to their home, and I paid good-bye homage to him, all within my aching heart.
This incident has been my first in the last one year, and Oh! God, I pray to you, never to do this again at least on me bed. This has been a very sad experience for me and it will hospital. I do wonder why God gives so much of pain to a man. Sometimes I even get the awkward feeling that we, inanimate objects are, in some ways, better off than man, the finest species of living beings made by God. This pain of sickness and that torture of death is just unbearable. When I will never forger the incident then what will happen to people who have passed through the tragedy. God, help man, is my only prayer. Saying this I keep my fingers crossed now, whenever a patient comes to sleep on my back, and I keep praying for his health and happiness.
So far, life has shown just one tragedy to me, and I do wonder how many more of such unhappy moments are in store for me. I can only pray to god that I never again experience such a sad day ever again.
I remember the days when my body was being moulded into this shape. My legs were first made, then the body and lastly the back. All the parts to my body were made separately. At that time I just could not understand what was being made of me, and I waited very long to know what would be finally made of me, at that stage, I only knew that all these parts belonged to me as, the blacksmith kept on measuring each part of my body and tried to fit one part were all to be mine. When the blacksmith’s work was over, the work of the welder started. The burns he inflicted on me gave me immense pain. He put burns on different parts of my body to join the parts of my body to join the parts. Oh! What a torture I had to undergo at the hands of blacksmith. I wondered when it would all be over, and behold within a few days this was finaily over.
I was quite a bit amazed and relaxed too as, now I thought the days of punishment were over. But no, I was wrong, and there was still more to it. As I was just enjoying a few moments of relief I noticed a man coming with a hammer and a wrench and so many other tools which I did not recognize. He also had with him long thin looking things, which are perhapse nails. Now it was his turn, and he started having blows at me, and fixing different size nails in my body. I seethed with pain all over again. He worked on my body for some time and to give me some shape. I could not understand what shape he was giving to my body, for, at some places I was becoming stiff and hard, while at others I was being kept flexible. After working on me for a long time now, I heard him telling someone that I was ready. I was now taken to some sort of a storehouse, where I was dumped with others of my type. There were a lot of my colleagues in this place so, at least now I would not get bored, as I would have company of my equals. Now, after a few days stay there in the dark and dingy store, I wondered what would happen to me next. Evidently, we were all made for a purpose and something had to be done to all of us but what – was my worry. Anyway, there would be no point in sulking. I made a few friends there, and started taking life as it was. Just as I had got used to this storehouse, and I realized that all my brethren had also has the same fate as me.
One fine morning, I saw many more of my colleagues being dumped in the same store. Now I was getting absolutely suffocated here and prayed that I would be removed from here. My prayers did not take long in being heard, for within a day or two it might have been, one gentleman who was very well dressed came in with the storehouse keeper. My heart missed a beat, and wondered what would be in store for me. With this gentleman, there were six others who looked like labourers, who came in with him for, obviously picking some of us. Now after a fast scrutiny of all of us, the sahib selected two hundred of us, and instructed a craftsman to paint us all white. I was so happy that I had been selected for a facelift, and now, sure enough I would be taken to some Hi-Fi place I felt. The painter started his work immediately, and behold, I became so beautiful, that I myself could not believe my eyes. Another thing that I felt happy about was, that, this was the only person who had handled me with love, and had not hit me all the time. His touch was so very soothing and cool, that, I really enjoyed being painted.
Now that I and another few of my brethren were painted, I knew that, we would all be transported somewhere, whether we would stay together or not was my next worry. I had by now understood that, I was a hospital bed, and half my body was straight for the patient to lie, and the other half of my body was kept flexible, to allow for the patient to rest his neck and head at an angle that would make him feel comfortable. We were left in the storehouse once again for the night but, we all knew that, this would be our last night together, so we all had a long overnight chat. That night I really enjoyed exchanging interesting experiences with my friends. Such a lovely night passed by as though in a moment, and soon I could see the sun rising from the roof of the storehouse.
It was hardly 9a.m when the door of the store opened and behold the moment had come for us to bid goodbye to each other and wish each other good luck. We were all loaded in number of trucks and were moved to an unknown destination. Soon my truck stopped in front of a hospital and, I with ten of my companions were unloaded from the truck and taken inside the hospital. Now was the moment of real separation, and each one of us was taken to a different room. Oh! how sad it was that, we all knew that we were in the same place but could not converse with each other.
I was finally placed in my room and now I knew that, this would be my home till I lived. I was put in an independent room in the first storey of the hospital. Here only I heard some people talking. I came to know that this is the Apollo Hospital. Their conversation also gave me to understand that, this is Delhi’s best hospital. What I came to know was that, this is a very expensive hospital and that, only the very rich can afford to get treatment here. Hearing this, I was rather puffed up with delight as, now only the rich gentry would be giving me company. How my luck had changed from being in the hands of poor dirty workers to, becoming a necessary companion of the elite of the town. This thought did make me happy but just wait and think that only the sick would be my companions from where would I get happiness, nice talk, cheers and start living in the present. The place did give me some pleasure but, I would be so very lonely, with no friends to discuss daily problems, and worse than all, this would be, that , there would be no laughing jolly human being to make me feel entertained, any way, I had to resign to fate, and lay in waiting to see what was in store for me.
It was just a day long respite for me, and since the long one year I have been here, there has been to ease. I have lost count of all the patients that have come and gone from here in the last year but, I only remember the one thing that was common to all. This was, the discussion all had about the beautiful room, and of course the expenditure in the treatment.
All the patients who came here, gave rest to their nerves for two or three days, got themselves checked and went away. All this has taught me a fact of human life and I am convinced that, there is a lot of affliction among the humans which are worse than me. I have had a lot of torture and pain in the process of my production, but, once those pains come to an felt very comfortable, while man continues to be in pain all through his life. There have been very young patients, and old ones too, which make it clear that, man keeps on an on suffering throughout life. He gets involved in so many kinds of sicknesses that, I so not even remember the names of the diseases I heard of in the last one year.
I have been very lucky that, all the patients who were allotted to rest on me, got alright and went home. However, just day before yesterday, I felt great pain as, the patient who rested on me was a T.B. patient, and he suffered a lot. I felt the pain of his coughing, his breathlessness and the high fever he continued to have. I prayed for his relief but, God had a different plan and just yesterday he died, while groaning on me. Doctors I heard, telling him that he was getting cured then, what happened, I wonder. His family was coming daily and were being told that he was recovering and, how he expired I just could understood. I remember, a week back the doctors has even said that he would be relieved soon, and Oh! his family was so excited and now, the patient just took one, two three hiccups and collapsed. What must have been the condition of his family. Oh God, why do you punish man like this Iwondered. When the collapsed on my back, and it made me feel very sad and depressed. When the family came in, what wailing and shouting started and now, I felt the pangs of the pain of the family. Soon the doctor and the family decided to take the body to their home, and I paid good-bye homage to him, all within my aching heart.
This incident has been my first in the last one year, and Oh! God, I pray to you, never to do this again at least on me bed. This has been a very sad experience for me and it will hospital. I do wonder why God gives so much of pain to a man. Sometimes I even get the awkward feeling that we, inanimate objects are, in some ways, better off than man, the finest species of living beings made by God. This pain of sickness and that torture of death is just unbearable. When I will never forger the incident then what will happen to people who have passed through the tragedy. God, help man, is my only prayer. Saying this I keep my fingers crossed now, whenever a patient comes to sleep on my back, and I keep praying for his health and happiness.
So far, life has shown just one tragedy to me, and I do wonder how many more of such unhappy moments are in store for me. I can only pray to god that I never again experience such a sad day ever again.
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