A Diary Entry

It is a better day today, honestly. But amma still seems worked up. Like yesterday, she did not have her breakfast. And Bittu is also very cranky today. I hope papa comes back from that building soon. It has been nearly a week since I saw papa, he seems to be working quite hard.

Today my drawing teacher told me to draw the mountains and the sun rising from behind. But these buildings are much more beautiful, aren't they? Have you ever gone all the way up to the top of that building where papa works? It's the best place on earth. My papa is a painter. He used to take me along with him when amma went laying bricks on the other side of the building. You can see the whole city from where my papa works. Everything seems so small from up there, even a bus is the size of my little finger! The wind there is free. Free from any obstruction, free from any sense of responsibility. I like being there. It makes me forget even hunger. I love being up there.

Besides, it's the place where papa works. And he has the best job in the world, atop the highest place. Chhotu teases me because we don't have a television set and they have one. He says that his father earns much more. But only I know how jealous he feels when he sees me on top of that building with papa. He looks so small from there, not more than the nail of my little finger. The world seems so small from there.

I wish papa finishes his work and comes back so that I can go up there with him. Chhotu was saying that he will never come back. But I don't believe him. He is just jealous. I asked amma though, she said nothing. But it doesn't matter. Everything will be alright when I go back again on top of that building.

It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

Why worry

It’s been quite long that I have been associated with YATN, and the frequent questions I face are- “Why do you do whatever you do? And how do you know you are benefiting them?” I have some answers for the second question, but here, I’d really like to talk about the first one! That’s because I found new answers while discussing with friends.

When people asked me earlier, I used to tell them that I don’t know why ‘they’ should get involved with such issues, but the reason I get involved is subjective and personal. I don’t feel I am doing any kind of service for the society. I do it because the people living there are my friends. I know them personally and quite well. I know their problems and can relate to it. I meet them more frequently than I meet my parents! And so, whatever I do, I do for my friends. Won’t you do just anything if you find your friends in need? I agree our relationship might not really be balanced. But so what? We can still be friends. And no doubt, I have learnt a lot from them over the years.

It so happened that we were pondering upon this very point – Is this kind of work anyone’s responsibility. And here are some new viewpoints. Let me start with a story.

Once in a village, there was a severe drought. There were no crops and the even the cattle had started dying of hunger. So the villagers contacted the old wise man and asked him for a solution. He pondered and said, “This very night, everyone shall leave their houses with a glass of milk and pour it in the well. Indra Dev will be happy to accept your offerings and mighty rains shall follow.” Young and clever Ramu thought, “So what if I pour a glass of water instead? Who will know among thousands of men?” And so he offered a simple glass of water. The next morning while everyone waited for the grace of Indra Dev, the old wise man reappeared. Everyone was baffled how he could be wrong. After some discussions, they decided to go to the well, just to find that it was full of water. No one had offered milk.

This story that amma (I call my mom ‘amma’) told me is one of the cornerstones of my life. And what amma wanted to teach me is simple. Whenever there is a problem around you, know that it is not someone’s responsibility- it is everyone’s responsibility.

I agree we all have priorities and there are so many issues like corruption (which is the hot topic nowadays) that are there. A single man cannot get involved with everything. That way, he would end up doing nothing. I totally take it. All I ask you is to contribute in your own small way. And that small way shall come only when you don’t slate yourself off from these responsibilities. If we want a better society, we need to be sensitive and vigilant. And it starts with your neighbourhood. There are as many laboureres in IISER Mohali as many there are students. And after all, these workers are the ones who put together our buildings and give us various services.

I feel that we unconsciously tend to alienate ‘these’ people. For instance, have you ever asked the name of the sweeper you see every day? Leave that, do you ever even smile to acknowledge their presence?

People also ask me “I want to join YATN. How can I join YATN?” and I invariably answer “There’s no way!” I’m sure my response baffles them, but I am glad to do so. I am confidently able to go ahead with these activities, radical at times; because I know my friends are there to save my back. And if they see what I see and if they feel as I feel, they will take a step forward and walk beside us.