Being Humane
I was waiting for my kid’s class to end in my small car with air conditioner and music system on. My own small cosy world. It was 6.30 in evening and it had just started to get dark. I was observing people going alongside the road which is my favourite pastime activity. Being evening time, the road was crowded and sometimes the traffic was getting stuck. At that time I saw an auto with two young passengers who very fresh and were happily conversing. In contrast when I saw the driver, he was totally exhausted and looked so frustrated with the traffic and congestion. His uniform was dirty and feet showed signs of hard work he had put. Sweat on his forehead made me realise of sultry weather outside. For a minute I was shaken.
I myself have been so annoyed with autowalas on different occasions by their arrogant and ruthless attitude. But for the first time I felt sympathy for them. Later after a week I had gone for shopping with my daughter and had booked a cab to get back from the crowded market. Somehow the cab was stuck in traffic and no auto was ready to come. Surprisingly one autowala came by himself and asked for destination. He readily agreed. I cancelled the cab. On hearing my cancellation call he started conversation. Looked like he had not poured his heart out for a long period. I had no option but to listen to him. His past five years where no less than roller coaster ride. From being a ward boy in private hospital to school bus driver to cab driver he had finally bought an auto. He was required to pay an EMI of 5k monthly for the vehicle other than fuel and maintenance charges. He narrated how the earlier options were not viable and how now he could barely manage to make both ends meet after day long work. From his language and ascent I could make out he was well informed and had some basic good education. He had applied for State transport post and government hospital post so as to get permanent government job with security. His conversation fuelled my thought process initiated by seeing tired autowala. So much struggle, so much efforts, so much perseverance to earn what we easily spend on hotelling, entertainment and shopping.
I know we cannot compare the situations but I felt we could atleast empathise with them. I have seen most of the autowalas agitated. May be they are tired or maybe they are stressed .We can atleast be patient and just give them a smile or little thanks to acknowledge the efforts they put for our convenience and safe travelling.
Similar is the case of all community helpers. Our housemaids come throughout the year irrespective of rain, chilling weather or scorching heat. When maids take leave we realise how much consistent hard work is required to be put to earn. When my maid narrated incidents of surgical procedures and post care in public hospitals a chill ran down my spine. We are so conscious about our privacy, comfort and hygiene standards.We expect love and care in all medical conditions.They have no such expectations.Their children have to walk so much to reach schools .They have no open ,clean spaces to play. Ignoring their own pain, stress they make our life much easier. We all offer them tea and refreshments. Sometimes we can try to give them fresh food instead of stale remains.We can try to remember their birthdays. They feel so delighted and honoured. When I took my maid for the first time to shopping mall she was so amazed. Whenever I go out of station I make it a point to bring some token gifts for them. They are our regular members. I feel we should make them feel a part of our system. It should not be a mere give and take. The conditions from where they come from are far away from our luxuries. This gap cannot be bridged easily but atleast mentally we can make them feel at ease.
Similarly drivers are always alert and cautious. In long distance trips we all indulge in naps but drivers cannot afford any such rest. They do driving monotonously for hours at a stretch. Whenever we do driving we realise what an exact coordination of eyes, hands and foot is required .For a fraction of second too any distraction is unaffordable. Garbage cleaning and disposal system works and we can live in clean surroundings because some people keep aside their health and hygiene preferences for us. Milkman, newspaperwala all deliver religiously 365 days a year. Any deviation in their time irritates us. Quality and mood of our mornings depend upon their services. Similarly the bread -egg supplier or the florist who reaches out to every house to give the convenience. Recently when demonetisation was announced these people readily gave us credit accommodating us .But are we so flexible when they are in some problem??
Few days back I visited a relative.Some renovation work was going on ,in their backyard.The day when the work got over, relatives offered hot piping samosas and jalebis to all workers.The entire team feasted and there was sense of joy and satisfaction.I really loved this gesture.
I know this is good to read theoretically. Everyone is destined and responsible for work he does. Everyone is here to make living. We too work hard. But I feel we must be conscious about the reality. We have got an opportunity to get better education, better life and better career choices. We should not be oblivious of their hard work, their hardships and their day to day struggle to sustain in this world. We can be atleast lenient sometimes and allow them to deviate from fixed norms for genuine reasons without making a fuss.We can take care of some small requirements which mean a lot for them like tiffins and waterbottles for their kids when thier school starts,umbrellas in rainy season or basic footwear.My husband never likes to give money to beggars but he makes a point to buy some eatables whenever he sees someone hungry.
A smile, a small enquiry about well being costs nothing. A small acknowledgement by way of thanks to all helpers around fosters a positive spirit. The feeling of our efforts being recognised is very special. Empathising with all people around is very essence of being human. A good gesture goes a long way in fostering wellbeing and happiness around.
It is rightly said, “We do not become humans by thinking, reasoning, feeling, choosing, or even by mere doing... we become humans.... by being” –Victorino Q. Abrugar
