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22nd Dec 2008, my dad suffered a paralytic stroke due to high blood sugar. Since then, he s been struggling to regain control of his left arm and leg. Last week my parents were out shopping for some comfort wear for him in Yeshwanthpur,Bangalore where they happened to stop by a store run by a person called Salim. Seeing my dad's condition, the shopkeeper Salim informed my parents of a place some 150kms from Bangalore where supposedly effective treatment is being given for such stroke patients. Not stopping at that, he called up a friend near that treatment center and asked him to help us find the place.
His friend(Ghouse bhai) proved to be a true gem. That person postponed a personal work involving his daughter to another day so he could take us to the treatment center, met us midway through so we wouldnt have difficulty finding the place and then stayed with us for half the day and made sure things happened as they were supposed to. Finally he left without even taking some money that my mother offered him saying "no madam, money spoils friendship; let us just be friends." We also came to know that 25 years back, he adopted an orphan straying near his shop as his brother and raised him to be a fine young man, setup a seperate shop for him and got him married as well. The world still has many gems .. amongst all the hatred and divisions along race, religion and culture, people like Salim and Ghouse bhai shine like brilliant beacons for others to follow.
ghouse bhai and salim are really true gems. The social responsibility in the society at these difficult times will prove crucial for stronger bonds across the people irrespective of caste,creed,color and social status( which in india it is obviously a hindrance).
ReplyDeleteGhouse bhai and salim will remain in our hearts forever and hope india produces more ghouse bhai's and salim's which is a boon for the societal integrity rocked by communal divide.
@Jagdish I have no more words to describe such a kind act of friendship when the world is deeply divided on materialistic views, it is seriously surprising to find a person not to accept money for stupendous job he has done.
ReplyDeleteAn anecdote from my life, I am from Cuddalore which was badly hit by tsunami during 2006. As many people may knew Cuddalore has one of the highest number of fatalities. My family was caught in the tsunami and my house was just 800m away from sea but there is a river running across to divide three island villages from town. My mom, brother and cousin have gone to village to worship lord Rama. I missed the event because I wasn’t feeling well to attend. Apparently during the pujas (slogans), tsunami struck and I don’t know what really happened, hordes of people running away from villages clamoring that sea have risen drastically due to earthquake. I can’t think for any moment. I was only thinking how to save my sister and me from disaster and was following the people.
We took private bus which stopped to help people affected tsunami (the driver didn’t ask ticket and we also don’t have any money in our hands). The bus took us to remote village. People there are extremely kind hearted they gave us everything from food to phone calls for free. Some middle age from Cuddalore gave us 200 bucks so that we can return back to Cuddalore on the bus. This is also another act of kindness which I never forget until I die. Since Lord Rama is above the sea level nothing has happened to my mom, bro and cousin. Apparently three temples in those villages weren’t affected at all. I don’t know the reasons.
@velan This is the first time I am in direct touch with a person who was affected first hand in the tsunami. As for the incident mentioned, I believe that in dire times when basic survival is threatened, people open up like never before. Let us strive to be as open at all times. Hats off to you and all the kind souls who helped your family and others.
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