It happened all of a sudden, if my memory doesn’t betray, in the mid of the year 1992, and honestly the incident, which I am to pen down, had far reaching consequences, and led me being human, changing my views and feelings towards life.
As a struggling young man, desperately in search of a high paid stable job, I used to go miles, wherever there seems a small ray of light: opportunity. This deliberate act landed me in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya (India), also known as “Scotland of India”, to attend the final selection as Manager (Customer Relation) in “Polo Towers”, the reputed star category hotel in the heart of this picturesque hill station. What was the outcome is not the topic here, so let’s jump cut this episode.
Police Bazaar, in Shillong, is a heaven for any and every idler worth his salt and as usual, it was my favourite place to hang out too. I was quite distracted by the variety of this place in contrast to memories of my own city and I often used to roam through the up and down hilly roads during my training break. The unique part of this place is the ambiance and gesture of the crowd, be the local or the tourist. However, despite hunger and lack of pennies, one evening I was looking for a cheap place to cope up. One of the many XYZ restaurants displayed a board offering Tawa roti and mashed potatoes for 10 bucks, and I walked in. The waitress took my order and, when I was served, I attacked the dish without a thought. Only then did I realised the waitress has given me two rotis, which meant that I was liable to pay 20 bucks. All I had was 10 bucks ! I kept seated well over half an hour, wondering how to meet up the bill. I couldn’t imagine myself washing dishes, so reluctantly approached the counter where an elderly Khasi (local tribe) lady was seated. In halting sentences, I described my predicament to her, and nervously enquired if it would be all right for me to call later and pay the balance of 10 bucks. Trust me, a cold chill ran down my spine assuming the outcome.
“But, off course,” was her reply. “Yes you need not come back for it. Pay when you pass this way again, Sir, and welcome!”
I have never forgotten the intense relief and overpowering surprise I felt at such astonishing courtesy in the cheapest of eating houses. I shudder to think of facing a similar situation in an establishment catering to the needy and impoverished in my own city.
Incidents like these, experienced throughout my journey to different places, have invariably gone to show how improper it is to be swayed into judging people, merely guided by passions and prejudices. Hate the sin and not the sinner is a wiser and ancient adage in Indian tradition. And it was far away from home, in Shillong, that I was to learn the value of this wise and simple dictim of Indian wisdom.
Happy Holi… the festival of colours to all of you, stay blessed.
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