GUJARATI BRAHMIN TEACHES ME TO BE KIND

A GUJARATI BRAHMIN TEACHES ME TO BE KIND

Some time ago I wrote about helping a college girl at Kolkata airport to pay for her luggage, without being asked, and without even knowing who she was. It did not occur to me then how I might have learned to do this. Well, maybe I learned it from a Gujarati Brahmin in Lagos, Nigeria, 31 years ago!

The first time I went abroad was in 1985 – to Bamako in Mali (West Africa). We had no direct flights from India to Bamako. Air India had no flights at all to Bamako. It flew to Nigeria, but not every day. I bought a ticket through Air India from Bombay to Lagos. I was told that I would have to stay two days in Lagos to fly with another company to Bamako; but Air India would provide me free food and accommodation only for 24 hours!

I landed in Lagos and I waited in queue before the Air India counter to be taken to the hotel. An elderly gentleman approached me. The conversation was rather long, but here is the summary of it.

He: “Sir, are you going to Bombay? I have this envelope of documents. Please check; see, they are all only papers – land documents. I trust you. I would like you to take these with you. My family will come to the airport and take it from you. It is really urgent. They need them tomorrow.”

Me : “I am sorry, Sir. I am not going to Bombay. I just arrived from there. But … you trusted me. You wanted me to help you. I can’t help you. But … can You help me?”

He: “Sure. What’s the problem?

Me: “Sir, my flight to Bamako is only the day after tomorrow. Air India will provide me accommodation only for one day. Tomorrow onwards I have to pay for my stay. You know that our government allows us to buy only 200 dollars in all. My programme has to take me from Mali to Ivory Coast to France and Italy. I am just at the start of my journey and all I have is 200 dollars. Could you provide me accommodation?”

He: “Sure. Air India will give you five-star food and lodging for today. Enjoy it. Tomorrow, at 9.00 am come down to the lobby and I will pick you up.”

AND OFF HE WENT !!! He gave me no phone number, no name, no address. I said to myself, “The cunning crook! I will never see his face again!”

Believe it or not, the next morning at 9.00 he was at the hotel. He took me to his palatial home. As it turned out, I stayed not one day with him but THREE, due an air-crash. He did not just give me food and lodging; he went to extreme lengths to look after me till, three days later, I was safely on the flight to Bamako.

I need to write at least two more pages to cover the entire story for you to understand the extreme kindness and generosity of this man. I will write the story in full if this short piece seems to interest you!

But, here is the key to the title I put above : This gentleman was a Brahmin from Gujarat; he knew I was a Catholic Priest, a Salesian of Don Bosco; he made sure that I never got his name, address or telephone number. He made sure that I would NOT be able to thank him in any way for the help he gave me. Was THAT the unconscious reason for the automatic response from me to the college girl who had no money to pay for her luggage from Kolkata to Bangalore?

LIVE  NATURAL  LIVE  HEALTHY

The Indian market for organic food is today FOUR times larger than it was just THREE years ago. Good news, indeed. We are growing more conscious of our health, and the harm that pesticides and fertilisers cause. It is today a 300-crore business. Not surprisingly, we export even more – 700 crore.

Organic products do not always look uniform in shape and colour, unlike the perfect plastic-like products that are so very attractive but have been grown in very artificial conditions. Organic food does cost more. But, we will probably save in medicines the extra we spend on healthy food. It tastes better, too. 

Live natural. Live long. Live healthy. And, if you happen to be a farmer or have space for a little kitchen garden, you earn or save some good money, too. Eat healthy. Live happy.

Don Bosco has THREE institutions in Nepal. We could extend help through them to those who have suffered in their neighbourhood (and even TO them, if needed - information of any loss to them is still awaited!). You may transfer your contributions to BOSCONET. We PROMISE not to make disaster relief into a BIG BUSIINESS ! BOSCONET, Acc. No. 32070038412, State Bank of India, Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi, IFS Code: SBIN0011564

BEST  OR  CHAMPION ?

Sports writer, Greg Baum of Australia, wrote his piece on the world cup under the title, “Coarse tongues leave stain on the cup”. He wrote, “In a corner of the glowing image of Australia's World Cup triumph is a blot that no amount of rubbing ever will remove. It is the disposition of the Australians at the dismissals of three New Zealanders during a largely one-sided final.”

Obviously, not every Australian, whether cricket fan or not, approves of the behaviour of their team on the field. 

It is shocking that the captain and his team made extra efforts to be rude and impolite because they were irritated by the extremely gentlemanly behaviour of the New Zealand team in the course of their previous match. "They were that nice to us in New Zealand and we were that uncomfortable," Haddin told Triple M in Sydney. "I said in the team meeting: 'I can't stand for this any more. We're going at them as hard as we can.'

Is winning everything?  Do ends justify the means? How about a little respect for others? Greg Baum concludes his write-up with the beautiful words, “There is a difference between best and champion.” No point in being the best unless I can also truly feel in my heart as a champion should.

By the way, we are proud that Greg Baum is an alumnus of Don Bosco. We are glad, Greg, that you are happy with the victory of your team but sad about their manners.

BE  DIFFERENT

Angelina Jolie gives a great message for children: “When I was little, I was told I was different. And I felt out of place – too loud, too full of fire, never good at sitting still, never good at fitting in.

“And then, one day, I realized something, something that I hope you all realize: Different is good.

“Don’t fit in. Don’t sit down. Don’t ever try to be less than what you are just because someone tells you that you are different. Smile. Hold your head high and be proud. And, as your villain, I would also say, cause a little trouble – it is good for you.”

Mark Twain said something similar a long time ago: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

Be different. Be YOU and be proud to be YOU.

BEGGARS’  BANK

In the holy town of Gaya a group of 40 beggars have got together to set up a ‘bank’. They do not have any documents to prove their identity, no proof of residence, no Aadhar card, and no property to pledge as security for a personal loan from banks. Hence they would be in deep trouble in emergencies. 

What they have organized is like a Self-Help Group. They contribute – ‘invest’ – Rs 20 a week, especially in the winter season when there is a large and steady flow of pilgrims to the city. In the lean season they borrow from the bank to make ends meet.

Beggars they may be, but they are intelligent. They understand their limitations. So, they have a manager, a treasurer and a secretary, who manage their affairs for them and keep everything transparent, accountable and in order.

It would certainly be desirable if they could push their self-help initiative a step further to finding a source of income other than begging; but, it does look like a good start !

SENIOR VOLUNTEERS

BOSCONET is starting an "organization" of SENIOR  VOLUNTEERS. The organization is yet to be baptized with an appropriate name. 

The members will be senior citizens, who have expertise and time in abundance and would like to put them at the services of Don Bosco on a regular basis or as and when the need arises. 

We have the first member already - Mrs. Chandrika Dand of Mumbai. She has been giving tuition to children all her life and she is willing to do it now free of charge for the needy children cared for by Don Bosco. 

HEARTY WELCOME, Madam. 

Everyone is invited to pas the information to anyone else who may be able to help is in one way or another - doctors, scientists, engineers, architects, teachers, lawyers, psychologists, sports-persons, writers, painters, artists, accountants, musicians, singers, choreographers, ............ The service of almost anyone under the sun could be useful for our work as they are so very varied and numerous!

Looking still also for an attractive name!

Pass the word !!!