Trivial Acts with Vital Impact
11th grade, I was in, just 16 years of age when I had got my first two-wheeler. In enthusiasm, we, four friends, went for a late night ride. And the petrol in my friend’s vehicle got over. Having no other option, I pushed his vehicle through mine (leg-pushing). It was hard for the first mile, but then I found myself comfortable at it. The next day, found a stranger pushing his petrol-less bike and I could not resist flaunting my newly learned skill. This work kept on giving me more and more opportunities to help others and when I did something of this sort, my day went great; I noticed a different kind of internal confidence that day. So carrying the same forward, till now I have pushed around 1500-2000 petrol-less bikes till the petrol station. And I am really glad that this thing which occurred to me in my teenage years has become a passion for me nowadays. This was the time which made me realize my purpose of life and helped me figure out my lifetime interest.
“Your interest will always start showcasing itself right from your childhood. It is just with TIME that you will know your lifetime interest”
At the age of 18, one more small little incident changed my perspective towards life. One fine summer afternoon, we, six friends were planning to do some random acts of kindness.
The watchman nearby was listening to our conversation. He called me and said that he wanted some book for his son studying in 6th semester, Mechanical Engineering. I promised him to find the book within 3 days, had a small talk and moved on.
On the other side, we met a small beggar kid. We brought for him an ice-cream, food, cleaned him with water and played with him.
Now, I had forgotten my cap near the watchman, Mahendra Kaka. I went back there and had a long chat.
Mahendra Kaka was going on talking like I was his son and like no one ever lends him a helping hand and more importantly a listening ear. I heard his whole life story-cum-agony. I gave him a jaadu ki jhappi (Magical Hug) and calmed him. Meanwhile, a handicapped guy opposite to us asked Mahendra Kaka to bring him a glass of water. Mahendra Kaka literally ran to get water for him. He was back with tears in his eyes and just hugged me saying, “I know that you have been sent by Lord Swaminarayan, though it does not matter which religion you follow.”
As I was trying to calm him, one more guy approached him and asked for some address, Kaka was more than happy to treat him with warmth and explain the exact address. But these were the words that touched my heart, “Beta, see to it that you don’t catch heat while you walk to that place; walk in shades.” Kaka was so generous to complete strangers too.
I touched his feet, completely impressed, “Kaka, you just proved yourself wrong that the Lord has sent me to you. I am nothing compared to you. It’s you who has been sent by the God to serve people like this; to spread smile, even after standing in the scorching heat for the whole day. When you make others happy, God will make sure that your life is filled with joy. You have really inspired me a lot by your acts. But there is one more thing I wish you can do to oblige me.”
“I am ready to do that son, even if you ask me to climb these four floors four times with my damaged leg”, said Kaka.
“Kaka, you have to quit your habit of chewing tobacco.” And at the same moment, he threw away the packets of tobacco in his pocket and said, “I take an oath that I should die if I touch this tobacco again.”
I was just thinking that what a great kindness preacher Kaka could be. I just managed a big smile with wet eyes, and hugged him while he completely burst out with tears.
I somehow managed to make him smile and promised to visit him the next day. Kaka taught me how to be calm and composed everytime and smile to everyone, leaving aside agonies, no matter in what situation we are.
I took the blessings of Kaka and invited him for a lunch with all of us.
“Beta, I want to do something like you. I was watching you from far when you helped that little kid. I cannot contribute money as of now but the day both of my sons get settled, I promise that I will distribute 50 kg ‘Khichdi’ (a Gujarati dish) to all those who dwell in streets”, were Kaka’s final words.
With a big smile and blush on mine as well as Kaka’s face, I went back home on my bike, but this time, silently smiling throughout my way.
“Being Kind is just not enough when you can make people kinder”- Mahendra Kaka.
And since then, whenever I go for any random acts of kindness, Kaka’s advice always keeps on echoing in my soul.
One more recent incident I would like to incite is a kindness act done to me by a teenage kid. I go to Visamo Kids foundation, a foster home for underprivileged kids, every Sunday to teach those kids and play with them.
One Sunday evening, Sanjay, an 8th std. dyslexic student showed me his 5 feet long, working model of car that he had prepared from waste. I was so amazed that I brought media houses to cover his story and he was in the top news.
The Sunday after that happened to be our last Sunday with the kids before a long vacation. We were supposed to take them out for a holiday and when I went there, everyone was ready except Sanjay, who was painting something on a wooden piece. When he didn’t move even when I asked him to get ready, I got angry on him. He hastily finished the painting and made us all late for the outing. I guess he found out from my gestures, that I was annoyed with him. I even made him understand not to waste other’s time. He just silently listened.
When we were back and I was bidding them final goodbye, he asked me to wait for few seconds. When he came back, I could trace something hidden in the back of his hands.
He politely said with a big smile, “Bhaiya, I am really sorry that I annoyed you but as this was your last day with us, I did not have any option but to finish the painting today itself. Please accept this very small gift from me.” And handed me the beautiful painting in the wooden piece.
I was speechless, couldn’t say anything, but my eyes spoke and I was glad that I was wearing glares that particular day.
Some gifts are not just gifts; they are lifetime moments, memories and incidents that touch your heart and dwell there forever in the deepest possible corner of the sensitive organ.
