Category Archives: Uncategorized

SHORT STORY: THE GOOD MAN

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    Once upon a time there lived a rich person who had built a huge temple in his hometown. And to service the temple he had also kept one poojari, to perform the daily puja. To, meet the expenses of the temple, he had even transferred his assets, such as land, farm and even his orchards in its name. He had done such a meticulous planning and organized the whole thing in such a manner. That, for all the devotees coming to the temple; those who were hungry or in pain, or any other person who was poor or even a sadhu (sage) could have, stayed there for a couple of days. He could have eaten the prasad from the temple as his meal. And after putting all these wonderful ideas in place, he was now on the lookout for a manager. Who could handle the temple property honestly along with its systems and procedures in an efficient manner.

    Many candidates came to the him for the job. They all knew. That if they are selected as the manager of the temple. They will get a good salary. But the rich man rejected everyone. He told them—he required only a good man. And, that, he’ll be able to find one himself.

    On this unbecoming behavior of the rich person, people starting abusing and cursing him discreetly. Some even started calling him simpleton and mad. But, the rich man did not pay any heed to what anyone said. When the temple used to open in the morning and people used to line up for darshan. He used to climb up to the terrace. From where, he used to quietly watch all the devotees who came for darshan. One day a simple looking person came to the temple. His clothes were torn and dirty. He didn’t appear to be well educated. He had his darshan after which he was about to leave. When the rich man called him to his house and asked—‘Sir! would you like to work as the manager of this temple?’

    The man was rather surprised. He said—‘I’m not very educated. So, I, really don’t know, how I’ll be able to handle the management of this huge temple?’

    Rich man said—‘I don’t want a very educated manager either. I’m just looking for a good man. Who could become the manager of this temple.’

    The man politely replied—‘My dear brother. In this sea of human beings around the temple, what made you feel. That I am the sole good man around?’

    Rich man mildly elucidated—‘I know you are a good man, because this pathway to the temple had a pointed edge of a stone jutting out. And for many a days now, I was watching it. Many people had hurt themselves and some even fell because of it. Then they used to get up and just go away. But you were different. You were not hurt with that stone. Yet, considering, someone else might get hurt. You decided to pull it out. I was watching you, when you called for the shovel from my labour. Only to take the trouble of digging that stone out. Thereafter, you leveled the area for others comfort and safety.

       The man responded—‘but that is nothing. In fact, it is every man’s duty to remove thorns, pebbles and even stones, stuck in the ground that might hurt someone else.’

    To which the Rich man confided—‘people who are clear about their duties and also believe in performing it, alone are good men.’

    The man was thus appointed the manager of the temple. Where, the rich man was not wrong, because he administered the temple in a very efficient manner.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be its undying characteristic. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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‘SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION’ RECEIVES APPRECIATION FROM APOLLO HOSPITALS GROUP

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TOUCHING LIVES

‘SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION’ RECEIVES APPRECIATION FROM APOLLO HOSPITALS

 

    We are delighted to inform our donors and well wishers. That Apollo Hospitals, which happens to be one of the leading chain of hospitals in India. Has accorded recognition to the work we have done for ‘poor children suffering from life threatening diseases.’

    On 24th December 2016, Apollo Hospitals celebrated their ‘Brave Hearts’ day, where the recognition was announced. It was a glittering function held in their auditorium at Sarita Vihar in Delhi. Where, apart from little brave hearts. The function was well attended by Doctors, officials, parents of brave hearts and NGO staff.

     Shravan Charity Mission was registered in 2010. But due to unavoidable circumstances it could start work only in 2012. Since then it has touched many lives.

    On this sterling moment we would like to thank Apollo Hospitals for their cooperation in bringing about the best in us. And we pledge to continue with our mission.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                           https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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MAHABHARAT-DRAUPADI’S PARDON

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    The holy war of Mahabharat had just about ended in which Pandavas had had a thumping victory. But in spite of all this there was a frightening and lasting lament in Pandava’s camp. But no one knew exactly why. When suddenly, Draupadi’s make shift tenement was filled with shrills and bloody echoes of wail. Pandavas ran towards the chamber of Panchali from where these hell cries were coming.  

    The scene was truly gruesome. As there lay, the dead and severed heads of all the five sons of Draupadi in a pool of blood. That was even smeared on their torso. Dharmraj Yudhistir couldn’t bear the scene when he whimpered, ‘Draupadi … its heart rendering.’ And beyond that he couldn’t utter a word. Perhaps, with these few words, his unqualified agony together with surprise and inquisition, all came alive in one go.

    Upon witnessing the gory scene, Gandeevdhari Arjun’s shoulders started twitching. He couldn’t control himself, when he yelled in anger—‘except for that morbid devil Ashwaththama. Who else could have carried out this ghastly crime? Wipe your tears Devi. As I enter into a pratigya, that I will make this rogue prostrate at your feet. I will squash him with my legs, so that you can bathe with his blood.’ Arjun then requested Krishna to be his charioteer. He then wore his armour and lifted his Gandeev and charged after Ashwaththama. Clean-handed Pandavas were now listless, at the brutal murder of their sons. They were now getting wild and ferocious and wanted revenge forthwith. Under the circumstances, scared Ashwaththama couldn’t have remained out of their clutches for long.

    After arresting Ashwaththama. Arjun was beginning to get restless. He asked, ‘Madhusudhan, what should we do with this rogue? How should we punish him?’ And, before, he could even complete his sentence, Lord Krishna in an angry tone reacted—‘Parth! The rascal Brahmin’s execution, alone, is the way out. This was your vow too. So, where is the question of any permission in this matter?’

    But while grieving on her dead sons, when, Draupadi saw Guruputra Ashwaththama tied in ropes and lying in the courtyard. She stood up and started pleading for mercy with Arjun—‘Prannath! Please forgive him.’

    But Arjun remained adamant. He said, ‘Draupadi sit on his chest—I want you to bathe with his blood.’

   But Draupadi kept beseeching in her gruff timbre. She folded her hands to namaskar Ashwaththama, and then addressed Arjun—‘Aryaputra! Ashwaththama happens to be the son of the same hallowed person from whom you have learnt superior war skills. He is also a Brahmin and therefore respectable to Chatriyas. His mother Kripi is even alive today. So, for the sake of her motherhood, where, she sees her son Ashwaththama as her only motive in life to live and doesn’t follow her husband anymore, you must pardon him. And Nath! Also, my sons won’t return to life even if Ashwaththama is sent to the gallows. The way I’m weeping for them. His mother too will weep for him, and God only knows what else she might do. In case I can’t give happiness to someone why should I be the reason for his sorrow?’

    Arjun, along with all his brothers was watching this amazing scene of morality being spelt out by Draupadi. Standing on the side was Bakenbihari in his usual manner, in a calm posture. When he slowly came forward and sarcastically said—‘what happened Arjun, why have you stopped? Come, lift the sword.’

    Arjun bowed at Lord Krishna and said—‘Madhav please pull me out of this dharmsankat’

    Srikrishna as if testing Arjun’s patience said—‘I am once again repeating my orthodoxical tenet to you. And, mind you. I am repeating it for your benefit alone parth!—Not to kill a fallen Brahmin, but to kill a miscreant—this alone is the ultimate dharma.’

    Arjun was spellbound for a moment. But he was a celebrator of wisdom and knowledge. And for him, as if the golden, primordial hint was enough. When he acted forthwith. By pulling out the mani embedded in Ashwaththama’s forehead and thereafter tonsuring him. He then left him to wander as an insulted Brahmin who is anyway like a dead person.

Thus without killing the Brahmin, Arjun gave Ashwaththama punishment equivalent to death and fulfilled his pratigya.

Glossary

Panchali – another name of Draupadi

Gandeevdhari- the bearer of bow—Arjun

Devi – Divine Draupadi

Gandeev – Bow

Pratigya- Vow

Madhav/Bakenbihari/Madhusudhan–  Another name of Lord Krishna

Parth- One who doesn’t miss his target. Name given to Arjun by Lord Krishna

Prannath- Lord of life

Namaskar- Hindu greetings.

Aryaputra – Noble prince.

Nath- Lord.

Dharm sankat- moral ambiguity

Mani-jewel

 

Extracted from Srimad bhagwat puran.

 

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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OUR VISIT TO GOOD SAMARITAN DORRIS FRANCIS

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Kamlesh Tripathi

Dr Sujata with Dorris Francis

 

Help is pouring in for ‘traffic heroine.’ As TOI puts it in their Noida edition dated 30th November 2016. In our blog we have previously written about her. (URL is below)

https://goo.gl/tGJuv8  Contribute for Good Samaritan Dorris Francis’s cancer treatment.

On 3rd December we too visited her, to do our bit. The picture shows it all. You too can make your contribution for this brave person as per account details given below:

Name of account: Shravan Charity Mission

Bank of India account no: (680510110004635)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Or mail your cheque to

Shravan Charity Mission

S-002, Arihant Ambience

Crossings Republik

Ghaziabad-201009

Uttar Pradesh

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LORD KRISHNA’S RASLEELA SHOULD NOT BE EMULATED

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    Most Gopis (radha and her sakhis) in their previous lives were great female Rishis (Sage). They were extremely proficient in the study of Vedas. When, Sri Krishna was earlier born as Lord Ram in Ayodhya, all the Rishis wanted to have sensual pleasure with him. Lord Ram had then given a vardaan (blessing) that when he is born as Krishna he will fulfill their wishes. Therefore, to have sensual pleasure with Sri Krishna was an old time wish of the Gopis. And for making Sri Krishna their husband they even went up to Devi Katyayani. There are many such examples like this that establish the fact of Sri Krishna’s supremacy. He was certainly not tied down to the systems and procedures of the physical and mortal world. To bless his devotees in various life situations he used to undertake various jobs and roles. But he could do this only because he was the supreme force. Ordinary and common people should only follow the great teachings of Lord Krishna as spoken and written in Bhagwad Gita. They should never imagine or dare to imitate Krishna by doing the raasleela (Dance of divine love).

    If Sri Krishna could perform raasleela, he could also lift the Goverdhan mount with his little finger. Or he could even kill the ferocious female demon Pootna which was not possible by any ordinary human being. And he had that supreme might to carry out such tasks. Such instances only decorate his personality. In the same manner even raasleela was an uncommon task, that couldn’t have been performed by an ordinary person. Mythology says even Arjun kept doing his duty as advised by Sri Krishna to keep him happy. Doing his duty alone was in his prowess even when Arjun was a great warrior. Krishna desired he should fight his enemies for the sake of mankind which he did to please him. First Arjun was not ready to fight. But later when Krishna exhorted him he changed his mind and decided to fight. Ordinary people only need to follow righteousness and Dharma in the form of karma. They should not abandon their karma at any cost. And by trying to emulate raasleela they are only inviting their own disaster. In the same manner Lord Shiva after Samudra Manthan (churning of the sea) drank the poison that came out of it. This was in the interest of humanity and since then his throat went blue. But if an ordinary person drinks poison to copy Shiva he will surely die.

    So it goes without saying that whatever Sri Krishna did with the Gopis in the raasleela was on account of the age old Vardaan that carried no personal benefit for him.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                    https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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BEAUTIFUL LINES & INTERESTING THOUGHTS

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Kamlesh Tripathi

 

 

  • Mind without heart, intelligence without conduct, cleverness without goodness are tools, but only for mischief.
  • Behave the way you can always behave—Annonymous.
  • Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody—Benjamin Franklin
  • I would not wish any companion in the world but you—Shakespeare.
  • The Rig Veda tells us: “Let noble thoughts come to us from everywhere.”
  • “Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.”
    ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
  • “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
    ― Jalaluddin Rumi
  • “One thing you can’t hide – is when you’re crippled inside.”
    ― John Lennon
  • Justice as Lord Atkin said is “no cloistered virtue”
  • Sometimes words that fail to make their effect at the time are remembered later—Agatha Christie
  • Give your clients the earliest delivery consistent with quality—whatever the inconvenience to us—Arthur Nielson
  • Opportunities present themselves every day. You just have to be alert and ready to act.—MARK OSTROFSKY, US ENTREPRENEUR
  • Sometimes it’s worse to win a fight than to lose—Billie Holiday
  • The best of us must sometimes eat our words—JK Rowling
  • The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation—BERTRAND RUSSELL
  • What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and value of nothing—Oscar Wilde
  • Slow down and steady up—annonymous
  • All work and no play/makes Jack a dull boy. To which the cautionary response goes ‘All play and no work/ Makes Jack a mere toy.’ TOI Editorial
  • Don’t talk about yourself; it will be done when you leave—Wilson Mazner, US playwright
  • Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement- Mario Puzo- Godfather
  • We’ve seen over time that countries that have the best economic growth are those that have good governance- Ramez Naam US writer
  • A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue, That’s why there are so few good conversations- Truman
  • History does not repeat itself exactly but, as Mark Twain put it, it often rhymes.
  • If you have built castles in the air … now put the foundations under them—Henry David Thoureau
  • Margaret Thatcher’s warning that those standing in the middle of the road get run over.
  • The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation—Vladmir Lenin.
  • Carlyle- the history of the world is but biography of great men.’ Some so called great men have their hands deep in blood.
  • Boris Pasternak author of Dr Zhivago called silence the best sound on earth’
  • The greatest obstacle to excellence is you! A caddy once told a champion golfer, “There’s a perfect shot waiting out there. All you have to do is to get yourself out of the way.”
  • In short, I will part with anything for you but you- Mary Wortley Montagu, Writer.
  • There are good times and there are bad times, but one must never forget the hard times—Annonymous.
  • When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry—William Shakespeare.
  • Kritam Lokham Purushoabhijayte- Man himself builds his own world.
  • The boxer Muhammad Ali refused to wear his seat-belt on a plane. “Superman doesn’t need a belt,” he insisted. Tying his belt for him, the stewardess replied, “Superman doesn’t need a plane either.”
  • Exhibitionists: at a wedding they want to be the bride. At a funeral the corpse. Julius Caesar who was an incorrigible egotist, was kidnapped when he was a child. He was held for a ransom of 11,000 gold pieces. Horrified exhorted his captors to raise the sum to 250,000 gold pieces so as to preserve his prestige.
  • You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out—Warren Buffet
  • The whole of western science has developed from Greek philosophy. It stands on the foundations of Greek Philosophy, and one of Greek philosophy’s basic beliefs is that time travels in a straight line.
  • The bread that falls off your plate nearly always lands on the buttered side.
  • Evil manners live in brass, but our virtues we write in water.
  • There is a Mexican saying that we die three deaths: the first time we die is when our bodies die. The second is when our bodies are lowered into the earth, out of sight. The third time we die is when our loved ones forget us.
  • Being different and thinking different makes a person unforgettable. History does not remember the forgettable.- Suzy Kassem, US writer.

 

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THE COPHETUA SYNDROME

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cophetua2

    Cophetua was an African King. He was known for lack of sexual attraction towards any woman. But one day while looking out of the palace window he witnesses a young beggar Penelophon, who was without clothes. Struck by love at first sight, Cophetua decides, that he will either have the beggar as his wife or commit suicide.

cophetua1

    Walking out into the street he scatters coins for the beggars to gather and when Penelophon comes forward, he tells her that she is to be his wife. She agrees and becomes the queen, and soon loses all trace of her former poverty and low class. The couple lives a quiet life but are much loved by their people. Eventually, they die and are buried in the same tomb.

cophetua

    Much has been written about ‘King Cophetua and the beggar maid’ in English literature by various authors and poets. To quote a few:

    In D.H. Lawrence’s novel Sons and Lover, Paul sees Miriam’s well-worn clothes as, “like the romantic rags of King Cophetua’s beggar-maid.”

    Agatha Christie uses the phrase “Cophetua syndrome” in her novel The Body in the Library, to refer to the case of an elderly upper-class Englishman who becomes infatuated with a working-class girl, albeit in a fatherly rather than sexual way. Christie also references Cophetua in her novel Crooked House.

    That brings me to the point. That a human heart is very simple and unpredictable. It can fall for anyone. In my own life I’ve see people falling to Cophetua syndrome.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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NGO ACTIVITY-OUR MEETING WITH THREE YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS ON 16TH NOV, 2016.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

 

    “Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.”—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

    It is indeed difficult to even imagine how much these young kids suffer. Yet they put up a brave face. They don’t complain of pain, and require no one’s pity.

Recently, we visited these brave kids in a hospital. They are diagnosed of cancer. All are a bundle of joy. But are oblivious of what they suffer from. They smile more than us. And, that is where they put us to shame, when it comes to raw guts. We handed over our contribution in the form of cheques, to all the three Parents, of these bravehearts.

rihan

My eyes went moist. When, I saw young baby boy Rihan. Who is five and suffers from NHL (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). He has been fighting cancer for the last six months. His father who works as a compounder has already spent more than two lac on his treatment. His income as told to us is around ten to twelve thousand per month. We wish Rihan all the best. And compliment his Parents for taking up this brave fight against cancer.

baby-garv

Garv Chaudhury, baby boy, age two years, was the second child, whom we met from Bulandshahr. He appeared every bit a joy. He was fast asleep when his mother tickled him to meet us. Surprisingly, he didn’t wake up crying. On the contrary he got up staring at us. He suffers from Pre-B ALL (High Risk). We wish him all the very best by praying to God Almighty. We would also like to compliment his father who is a marginal farmer and his mother who is a housewife in taking up this arduous fight against cancer. We wish them the best.

ayesha

Next, we met Ayesha, a bright girl in her teens from Jaipur. Her father is self-employed and runs a workshop. His monthly income is around ten thousand. Ayesha is fighting cancer for the last one year and is diagnosed of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. We wish her all the best in her fight against cancer. We also wish her Parents the very best in taking up the brave fight.

We all are so busy with our daily lives that we rarely think of such unfortunate and poor children who suffer from cancer. Should you want to contribute for the cause the account details are as given below.

Name of Account: Shravan Charity Mission

Bank of India account no: (680510110004635)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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HELP DOESN’T HAVE A COLOUR OR A RELIGION.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

 

    Just as terrorism—Help, too, doesn’t have a religion. It can come from any corner. But unlike terrorism, that kills. Timely help sustains life. I had once gone to a hospital in Delhi. To meet parents of some poor young children who were suffering from cancer. The drill was to provide them with direct financial support, for treatment.

    In all we had met about ten children and their parents in the hospital. Our NGO decided to support three out of them. Based on, certain illness criticalities, doctor’s recommendation and the budget available with us. Out of the three. One child happened to be from Sopore in J&K. His name was Abdul. His father’s name was Fareed. Who, happened to be a small-time shopkeeper with a paltry livelihood. Abdul was suffering from cancer for the last one year. And, during that period Fareed had exhausted all his savings. Although, he had received timely aid from the government. But that too had been gradually spent. Slowly the resources were receding, while the treatment was still in full flow.

    When I met this bright child Abdul. I found him in an animated mood. As he was talking to his mother in Sopore over phone. He had come to Delhi for treatment without her. I spent some time understanding the challenges of Fareed. Then decided to give him the good news of our supporting his son’s treatment. Up to a certain level. But he didn’t sound enthused about it.

    First, I thought he hasn’t understood me. So, I repeated what I had told him earlier. This time I spoke in Hindi. But still his reaction was not at all cheerful. I then specifically enquired, if he had understood what I had said. To which he gave me this shocking reply. ‘Janab, I have understood what you’ve said. You want to pay for my son’s treatment. But yours is a Hindu NGO. So, how can I accept money from your Trust. That too for my son’s treatment? It might not cure him at all, and Allah won’t spare me.’

    For a moment I was shocked. I didn’t know how to react. Does religion lay down crude boundaries at such junctures? I thought dismally. But without being deterred. I opened my bag and wrote a cheque, and handed it over to him.

    He held the cheque and looked at it morosely. I patted his back a couple of times. When his eyes went moist. Perhaps, he was at a break point. Where, on one end, was the health of his son and the mounting expenses because of that, and on the other, were his own self created radical diktats. Which, he was trying to blame it upon his religion.

    I said, ‘Fareed Bhai this cheque is neither Hindu nor Muslim. It’s only a piece of paper from Upparwala, for your son. So utilize it.’ And then I moved out.

    After the episode. A couple of months had passed. But that cheque never came to our account for debit. It was only when the cheque was about to expire. I received a text message from the bank debiting it to our account.

    And upon reading the text message. I felt nice. Not because Hindu money had helped a Muslim. But, because Abdul had realized. That help has no religion or face. It is infinite and can come from any corner of the world. And it is absolutely divine to take help. But the source has to be right.

It is a true story. Names and location are fictitious.

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