Caution: Children at work

There is a grand new amusement park that is being built in Gurgaon. It would be an exciting place I must tell you. With its world class rides, roller coasters, fun slides and delicious food, it would be a paradise for children. Most of us would be visiting the park with our children and family as soon as it opens for public use.

Dheeraj, a 12 year old boy couldn’t wait for the park to open for public. He has visited the park many a times already. My wife Priya and I went to meet him yesterday evening. We had learnt that Dheeraj had hurt himself badly. When we reached his home, his mother told us that his sister had taken him to the doctor for dressing. Disappointed that we were late, we handed over the fruits we had got for him to his mother and started to leave. It was just then when we saw Dheeraj walking slowly towards his home along with his sister.

Had it been any other day he would run towards us but today he wasn't as excited. Slowly and unwillingly he walked towards us. He didn't smile. He didn’t say a word, for he couldn’t. Five stitches on his little cheek didn't allow him to open his mouth enough to be able speak. Half his face was covered in bandage. He looked more embarrassed than pained. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his face in embarrassment.

Dheeraj stays in a slum in Gurgaon. He is a very bright kid full of energy, excitement and always eager to learn. I have taught him for a while in my free time. We have often played cricket together. Dheeraj was working at the amusement park when he fell on iron rods and hurt himself.

On Monday, the stitches would be pulled out from his cheek. I am sure the wound would heal soon. However, only time would tell, how deep a scar have we left on his face and ‘him’ and whether that would ever heal.

Twinkle in their eyes !!!

During my stay in Bangalore, on one of the evenings, I went to meet a friend who taught at a nearby school. As I approached the reception I saw, what I still recall as the most innocent face my eyes had ever seen.

Her face was radiant and she had twinkling eyes. She wore a bright yellow dress with her hair neatly pulled back and tied with a blue ribbon. Everything about her was so alive and beautiful.  I was nowhere close to it. I had not even taken any effort to dress up and walked in my dirty jeans, crumpled shirt, unshaven face and had messy hair.

 As I approached her, she greeted with a beautiful smile, still fresh in my mind. That moment was so enchanting that I forgot the day’s fatigue. My lips in a reflex action curved to create the best smile they could. I was smiling at her. She had made my day and I really wanted her to know that. I wanted to make her feel nice about it, so here I was smiling at her … the best I could.

I went closer to the desk but she didn’t put her head up to look at me. She was looking at the ground. I thought it were my dirty shoes that caught her attention more than my smile. I went closer and greeted her. She looked up … but didn’t see me. I could see her and those twinkling eyes. She left me surprised … dumbstruck … thinking … and helpless. She wouldn’t take notice of my smile. I wasn’t able to convey what she had done for me. I never felt so handicapped earlier.

Until this, I had always thought it was them who were challenged and not me. Until this, I had never realized that … ‘Even the blind have that twinkle in their eyes.’

My Fennel Seeds (Saunf)

I must have been 13 years old then. My Dadaji (grandfather) used to chew tobacco. No one ever dared to say anything to him. Once when he opened his tobacco box he found that his tobacco had been replaced with fennel seeds (Saunf) by someone. He got furious. Everyone wondered who could have done this amongst so many people in the house. Everyone was puzzled but him. He called for me and said 'I know its you.' I was shocked ... and could only nod my in affirmation. I stood there wondering how he got to know and was dreading what would he say next ... But he did not say anything more, for he had something in his mouth ... Fennel seeds !!!

Random Quote

A cameraman with a view is a photographer ...
... A photographer with a vision makes an artist !!!

Why me ???

I met my grandfather during my visit to Munger this Diwali. He has now become very old ... He can't see or hear and is bedridden !!! When I use to stay there 10 years back, it was my duty to massage his legs while other children in the family were never asked to do so ... Though I always did it happily and lovingly, I sometimes wondered why he never asked other kids to sacrifice their leisure time.

Now, when he doesn't remember too many things from the past, he remembered something which answered all my questions ... He told my mom 'I know ... Prem has always loved me the most !!!'

My chocolates won't suffice !!!

Thoughts while in Bangalore - November 2005

The maid over here stays right in front of our building, in her shanty … Rain, cold have a free entry there. Guess they are the only ones who visit her. The only toy her son has, is a plastic bottle which his mother has tied to a string ... He keeps pulling it around the whole day.

I often give him chocolates when I pass him … He is right in front of me ... pulling the bottle. At his age, I was attending school ... was busy trying to fathom out how my remote car worked !!!

Guess I KNOW MY CHOCOLATES WON'T SUFFICE !!!