Pramod, another young lad in his teens is terminally ill with cancer and in a desperate state. He is being looked after by kind and considerate Christian souls at a facility on Mount Mary Road in Bandra - Vedna Sadan. A volunteer who works there had been to the exhibition by Shobhit the day Jaya inaugurated it. She mentioned Pramod’s condition to her and told her that one of his last wishes was to meet me.

I was shooting at Mehboob Studio also at Bandra and after Jaya informed me, asked the lady to come and fetch me so I could go and meet Pramod and fulfill his desire. She came. I went. His condition was such that it was not possible for him to move out of bed.

There have been so many occasions when I have driven past that road on Mount Mary. Never ever did I notice this haven of peace and care for the needy. Never. But as I drove in there today, I knew for some strange reason that God and his blessings resided there.

Neat and clean and so so sublimely calm. A medium large structure, sparse and quiet. A large portrait of Jesus with the crown of thorns, head bent in divine posture and the words - ‘…I died for you..’, inscribed below. The odd sari clad nurses with almost apologetic smiles on their faces, drifted by in efficient duty. And in one designated room, Pramod, bandaged by the shoulder, one half of him swollen disproportionately, sitting propped up breathing in short gasps.

It was meant to be a surprise for him. And it worked. As in most cases of surprise, there is wonder and awe and silence. For long he just stared, unable to believe that I was beside him. Then after what seemed an eternity he slowly moved his only functional hand to his face to perhaps remove any trace of the emotion that had begun to swell in his eyes. His keepers expressed surprise. They had never seen him like this and lovingly told him so. He wiped his eyes, looked up again and managed a whisper -

“Thank you”

The power of the strength required to bear this visual unfolding before you, must always be greater than the strength required by the patient who suffers the agony. This is improbable. A demeanor most difficult to acquire. It demands unshakeable ability. Succumbing at the moment would not only destroy your own condition, but cause irreparable damage to the will of the other. But do you must. Not for the sake of yourself but for the sake of the other - for Pramod.

When asked on any regrets in his life, Pramod in his teens, said yes he had two. One, he wanted to go and play with the other kids and he could not. And two, and this is heartbreaking, his inability to look after his father the way culturally and traditionally all young men desire to do in our country and in our ethos.

I exited from the room. Somewhat hurriedly, in order to not get overwhelmed by the moment only to be confronted by other terminally ill in the corridor. They grab my hand in greeting and lower their heads in respect. They seem happy that I am in their midst. This could be the first and… last meeting. Their eyes spoke those last words, not me..

What can we do. What can mankind do in such moments… nothing. And that is what is disturbing. I can fight for survival aided and assisted by professionals. Professionals that put in every ounce of their learning in battling a problem. But when there is no professional and no battle because the circumstances do not permit them, then the suffering is beyond description.

I suffer today in the agony and pain of fellow human -

Amitabh Bachchan

ps: the increased number of responses today indicates that you care and suffer with me… you are my EF.. truly