Lighting up Your life

Lighting up your life

Albert Schweitzer once said, At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Yes indeed he was right. A few days back on my way back to college I met an old man in Jamshedpur bound Jan-Shatabdi Express. He was dark and had a stubbled chin. His face was heavily lined with shrivelled skin. His hair was unkempt. His dress was old and dirty. The compartment was full with passengers and he did not get a seat. He was too polite and shy to even ask the younger gentleman to give him a seat. I looked at him and then forgot about him. When I alighted from the train and was searching for an auto, I found him feeding a pastry to a set of street dogs. I was extremely taken aback by such an act. I took him to be mad for some time. Anyways I left in an auto and concentrated on daily chores of my student life. However he managed to make a silent impression in my mind and I always wanted to know about him. After a few days, I found him standing outside Directors office waiting silently for his turn. Again I recognised him by face and his distinctly poverty ridden attire. I did not know him in person and since he appeared anxiously pre occupied in some thought, I did not try to initiate a conversation.

Few months passed and I found his photo in the local newspaper. The heading of the article was An Old Man with a difference. I read on, it stated Janumdih: A 79 year old who travelled throughout india selling rugs donated his entire life long earning of Rs. 95000 towards creation of a shade for village cattle. He is known in the village by the name Fakir baba. He initiated an idea to create a library of old books in the village and worked with XLRI Jamshedpur to implement it. He has already pledged his eyes and kidney to Calcutta Medical College. He stays near the deserted club building in the Potka block and washes cups and dishes in neighbouring tea shop for a living.

I understood through him (though even now I dont know his name) how true Albert Schweitzer was! Even without a candle, the nameless fakir lit up the lives of countless children in the village and perhaps has forever done so. Today I stay forever waiting to say to him, Thank you sir! For lighting up our lives in-spite of the darkness that surrounds yours.

============================================Uddalak Banerjee