The best of humanity
is our exercise of compassion…….
This is a true story. But the names have been changed to
protect the identity of the people involved.
It was a very hot and humid day here in Kerala. We wanted to
get some provisions for the daily digestive activities and me who is ever ready to go out jumped at the
opportunity to get out of the house along with Nandan. Then we remembered that
we did not have our car that day since
it was given for its regular service.
The lady who cooks for us was very adamant that she would make something only after she gets her essential things. So
there it was…no other short cuts.
Someone had to go and get the things. Then Nandan said he would take an
auto to our regular supermarket and get the things.
He bought the stuff and eventually got into an auto
rickshaw. The auto drivers in our city
are very special than anywhere in the whole of kerala. They are very polite and
do not charge extra. They really go out of their ways to help anyone. Strangers
and tourists love them because they will never be taken for a ride literally
but they are well taken care of.! So he got into an auto and reached home in a few minutes. The ride cost him about 30
rupees in the meter but the driver was very rude and he demanded 50. Nandan
argued with him and gave a 50 since there was no change with him. The driver
without giving back anything, furiously turned his auto. He was grumbling and
uttering something which Nandan could
not pick up. The auto left in a rush. Nandan was still fuming after the
incident but somehow calmed down and got
himself to read that day’s newspaper.
Then something happened. He heard the sound of an auto. The
same driver was back again in out courtyard. Was he coming for more? He rang
the bell and Nandan opened the main door and there he was clutching a 20 rupees
note. Nandan was very apprehensive and
waited. The auto driver said “ Sir, I am
so sorry for my rude behavior earlier” . Please take your money back’. Nandan
was very much surprised and something in the driver’s eyes melted his heart. He
said. “ That is alright. Now you may keep the money” . The man’s eyes brimmed
with tears. Clutching the note he almost broke down and said. “ Sir please do
not misunderstand me. My life is a mess I don’t know what to do”. Any spectator
could understand that he was genuine and had tear filled eyes. Nandan wanted to know more. He asked him to
sit down and told him to calm down. Tea was offered and after drinking that the
conversation turned into something very strange.
This person had a son who was about 12 or thirteen years of
age. He had been diagnosed with a disease that the parents did not know. All
they knew was their son was going to die in a few years. The father
burst out crying that he was at his wit’s end and was running around to
provide his everyday medication which
cost him around 500 rupees daily!! Nandan was so moved by listening to this man
that he asked for more details of the doctor and the treatment that he could
get more. The driver said that the medications are available outside India but
there is no way he could access those. He asked the driver to give him copy of
his medical report and said he will check with the medical fraternity that he
knew personally. The driver was beaming with hope and happiness and he left
with a lighter heart.
That night Nandan studied the reports and came to know that
it was a condition called Muscular dystrophy and more advanced researches are
being done in this. He visited various websites and posted the boy’s condition
asking for further guidance. Noone replied. Then on the 4th day he
got an email from a Doctor who was in Paris, France. He has posted his email id
and telephone number too. This doctor wanted to know more about the boy’s
condition and specific medications that he was taking.
The next day he called the auto driver and asked to bring
all detailed reports which was promptly emailed to him and then Nandan spoke to
the good doctor from Paris. He explained everything in detail and suggested
some new medications which he promptly passed on to the auto driver. He also
assured that with proper care and medicines the boy can be better too. This was
a total relief to the parents and everyone who came to know about this.
This happened a year
ago and the treatment is going steady. All that people need is kindness and
care……nothing else…
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