As I sit amidst an aura filled with happiness, triumph of good over evil, and cRRRackers,an aura of one the most celebrated festivals of the country, Diwali, it gives me a great pleasure to wish each one of you a life full of brighntess and success. At this time, the entire place appears to be drenched in a sparkle of the innocent, pure and a beautiful yellow, amongst other, color. Little children jumping over the chakkri till it takes it last turn. Girls, although slightly scared still managing to light up a few crackers, dress up beautifully in an ethnic outfit. Exchange of sweets, gifts, greetings and wellness marks the celebration. And so, I hope it fills your life with infinite joy, peace and prosperity(yeah the usual SMS waali lines..)
starting with the topic...
We were off to a local restaurant for a dinner. Since it was the last day of an extended weekend, so we planned to dine out. Aahhnn crap,actually We need a reason to escape the 'yum' hostel food. We stopped at a red light. I sat towards the left rear window. Across the road, was a boy, pretty much of our age, preparing tea and fighting for a few well deserved rupees to buy an evening meal. The light turned green and we reached the place, ate handsomely. The pineapple raita was soooperb, trust me. Whiling away here and there, as usual, we were back. After few days I returned back home. A newsclip about a little boy aged 7 was featuring on the TV. "agar kaam nahi kareinge toh khaana kaise khaaeynge.", said the little boy. "raat ko sone ki pareshaani hai, police waale daanda maarte hain". He replied to one of the questions. "main padhna chahta hun, bohot zada padhna". No, not a reply this time, but randomly and out of the simple excitement, the little boy said again.
I was reminded of the boy I had seen the other day. I looked at myself. What did I do right or rather they did wrong to be living such a life. Its all luck, destiny and all that shit filled my mind and somehow I reasonably justified myself that,yeah yeah its just like that only. I mean, How can I help it.? I am not wrong anywhere, am I?? No. I wasn't responsible for the way I am or the way they are. So cool, things moved on.
Couple of days later a newspaper article read "son of a rickshaw puller 'pulls it through". It was a story about a boy clearing an exam and he belonged to a daily bread-earner's family. "jo tha ussi mein padha" was one of his statement which brought me back to the two kids I had mentioned earlier.
Then I looked again at myself. I, or I should say we, have one of the best lives with all the comforts. Parents ready to shell out their hard earnings even at a whisper of a need, great clothes, weekly shopping, dining at a restaurant twice a week, occasional night-outs(now no more), more books than we actually require which are now gathering dust, best possible education, best shoes, wrist watch, family trips, festival celebrations, gifts....and bla bla bla.. U name it.
And that was where the problem was. Where I,and we all are wrong..!!
Speaking for myself, and I regret saying this, I haven't valued education, or studies or anything that I have for that matter.. in the last 2 years. Life had been so rosy.Senseless talks, useless advices to everybody around and following none myself amomgst many other things.
Between all this, I failed to realise that I was studying in a world-class institute (those who don't agree with me on this are the biggest loosers..) from which I could have got so much, had I made an effort. I always thought I can change the world, alone, but now when I look back all I have changed is myself and that to, nowhere close to where I always wanted to be., leave apart the world..!! Worrying for petty little things, and being careless about those, which mattered the most.
We all have great powers. Power of knowledge, education,relationships, of being brought up in wondeful families, of having the luxuries and comfort of life and yet we make use of none. They, inspite having less, live more.
Some people might mistake this post to be a drive by me, to STUDY. Absolutely NO. All I want to say is LIVE THE POWER. Realise and accept what you have and use it effectively if it can be. Understand your family, friends and yourself closely.Don't go around crying for having scored less,which is only 15/20, in mid-sems or if your girlfriend/boyfriend didn't reply back with an equally sweet 'good-night' message or if someone did not leave a nice comment on your photo on facebook or having been insulted for something you know, you did not do or(the very popular) someone said this about someone else, to you, whom you never cared to know till now but now you have to have his/her history infront of you.
Be true to yourself and take control of your life in your hands. I think I HAVE said enough. Hope you'll take light.
PS:- Everything I said above apply equally or rather more to me.
This post is dedicated to Lt. Parth Sharma who lost his life during a tragedy which took place while he was with his family in Kerala. May his soul rest in peace..!!
