I am currently in the sacred land (Kolkata) of Sri Ramkrishna, Maa Sarada and Swami Vivekananda. One really needs a vision and heart to love this city, which is poor in infrastructure and often paralyzed by strikes, but rich in culture & heritage and strong enough in its roots of spirituality the seeds of which were sown by these three magnanimous soulsToday, sunday, I went to have some marwari cuisine and happened to cross a footover bridge at Laketown.
There, saw a man who lost his right arm and was sitting there to get mercy from people. I gave him the change I had in my pocket and went ahead to have my lunch. It struck me he would be more hungry than I was and moreover, the amount which I gave or anyone gives is hardly enough to quench his hunger. I thought I should atleast give him one course meal if not anything else and I did that. While returning I gave him the packet of lunch and followed my way. As if god wanted to pat my back instantly, a man came from behind on a bicycle and said "Aap bahut achhe insaan hain, hum ko bahut achha laga dekh ke, bahut achhe hain aap". (You seem to be a nice persoon, it was nice to see you doing that). Made me feel very happy.
Last week, I was reading the book "Swami Vivekananda - The Friend of All", where in Swami ji appealed to the young and educated youth to come forward and help the poor and uneducated by giving them the ideas. This is exactly what they need. This made me think the whole of evening what could I do to help him. A Taxi or a cycle rickshaw for him would do more harm than good. What else could I do? A beautiful idea struck me of giving him a cart of 4 tyres and get him some vegetables and give him some money. This could set the ball rolling and if he continues to persevere he would never need to sit at the same or any other place again.
I called my local friend and find out where I could get that. I went out to find some pani puri wala and asked one of them. His first question was "Uska Kya kariyega? (What would you do with it)". I said I would give it to some one who needs it. He asked "what would he do with it? Will he sell Pani puri and bhel puri?". I said, "May be". He asked "in which area would he sell?". I then realized, he is more worried about his business, than concerned about the poor guy. I said, he could sell vegetables or any thing. At this, he atleast told me that I could get it in Naga bazaaar for 3000-4000. Or I could get some second hand cart as well.
It was 9 PM by then. I went to the same footover bridge to check if the person was still available there and him if he would buy this idea. But, I could not find him there. I tried again next week and see if this idea can become a reality. I left it to god's will and said if you want me to help that man, make me see him again.
Few days later, I saw him and discussed my idea with him after offering him a packet of lunch. I was speaking in hindi and he in Bengali, but we were able to catch one another. He said he lost his arm due to cancer. He denied the offer i made saying its not possible for him to get the vegetables every day from a far off place with just one hand. He requested to find some work for him where he can just sit and do. I tried to find such work, but could not.
I felt bit awkward that he denied the offer to live a life more respectful as compared to begging. But somehow, I felt deep down he needs more of an encouragement to rise above his limitations. Though I could not do much in that situation, but atleast it gave me an idea as to what I should do the next time I come across.
