My conversation with a person from a different world
His name is Naresh. It was a Sunday afternoon; I had to take him for lunch. I knew where to go. I started my car, and we reached A2B Jayanagar in a few mins. This one is a self-service branch. I asked him to be seated and hold a seat for me while I go get the food. I ordered 2 veg meals and brought that to the table and a glass of water for him.
Before I start, I quickly briefed him on what’s on his plate and helped him to touch and feel each dish so that he can imagine what he’s going to eat.
He is visually impaired. He lost his vision during school days due to some unknown disease. He holds a B.Sc degree and currently undergoing training conducted by an NGO to crack government competitive exams.
We started our conversation.
The dialogue
Naresh: Food is tasty here, sir.
Me: Yeah, even I like it. I come here often for Coffee.
Naresh: But it’s expensive here, sir. I usually get my lunch from my home but today I could not.
Me: Please don’t call me sir. Where are you staying?
Naresh: I’m staying near RR Nagar.
Me: How do you commute?
Naresh: My mom walks me to the bus stop and from there I’ll come myself.
Me: How? auto?
Naresh: No. Bus. I have a bus pass.
Me: How do you manage alone? How do you even find your bus?
Naresh: It’s a little tough nowadays. But someone will help me. When I used to go to college my friends will take me with them.
Me: Ohh.
Naresh: I’m fortunate to have such friends. They are very nice to me and supportive. They treat me one among them.
Me: Oh nice.
<momentary silence>
Naresh: They enjoy a lot, sir. They go to the playground every day. They run and shout. I used to sit and listen.
Me: hmm.
Naresh: Even I love playing. My mom tells me that I used to play a lot during my childhood.
Me: hmm.
Me: By the way, how is your preparation going on? Do you find this training useful?
Naresh: It’s going, good, sir. They teach very well. I can clear the quants but English is tough.
Me: Ok. prepare well. And, tell me if any help needed.
Naresh: Sure, sir.
Me: Don’t call me sir.
We finished our lunch. Actually, I couldn't eat all. Something was bothering me. I took him near the washbasin and helped him.
I dropped him back to the place. Then, I drove back home from there.
Next 20 mins, full of thoughts and silence.
The Monologue
There were many questions in my mind. I was wondering if I ever observed people from different backgrounds, understand their challenges, show empathy towards them. Rarely I did.
But I had done it when I was a kid. I fondly remember my father encouraging me to help a blind man on the road, offer food to the needy. He taught me to empathize with them and understand their feelings. So, when did I forget?
When our basic necessities are fulfilled, and when it’s almost guaranteed for the rest of our life then we don’t really bother who is around us. We are chasing our own goals. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that.
However, we turn a blind eye towards the ecosystem we live in. We deliberately do not acknowledge the downside of it until it affect our lives or our closed ones. Does it mean, I should stop chasing my goals and start serving the society? Not really.
Let’s say you are going to an upscale restaurant along with your colleagues and clients. You dress up for the occasion. Converse with people around. Mingle yourself into the atmosphere. Needless to say, follow every single point on that top-dining-etiquette article that you read before reaching the venue. On such occasions, we may not be our true selves but we ensure we are one among them.
When we give utmost importance to our closed community. Why not for the wider ecosystem. Can anyone afford to ignore the people around and live forever happily? probably not.
As Arthur Young quotes,
“The self in a toroidal Universe can be both separate and connected with everything else.”
It is our moral responsibility to embrace every human being who is living at the same time as we are. Let’s do what we can.
