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SELF ESTEEM
I was woken up from a deep slumber by my wife to enquire if I could mind selling old issues of Business today lying at home in exchange for Plastic vessels. I reluctantly agreed for I am possessive of books. She and her Mother gathered all old issues and together with old news papers both English and Tamil managed to buy a couple of Plastic buckets after paying Rs.25 further. Then she took from the cupboard some old clothes of mine I hardly wear these days since they had become stale, no buttons, and some damage in the clothes. She wanted to know if she could sell them to the street vendor. To my surprise, the vendor said he collects old clothes to be given to old age homes and asylums and will not exchange them for vessels. My wife gave some of these clothes. I talked to the vendor who happened to be the father of my Sons' classmate. He owns a tri cycle and small rented shop where he keeps his stock of new plastic vessels. He goes to collect old vessels, old news papers and books for a cost and always exchanges them for new ones of course with some nominal additional money to be paid by the buyer. He was inquisitive about the fee structure of school where my children presently study . My wife informed him that this school is better and the fees are only nominally higher than the previous ones where the vendors' son still studies. The Vendor then informed that it is his aim to give his son the best of education come what may. I asked him how much does he earn. He replied that if he toils through the whole day, he would get something around Rs.200-250 on good days and some times as low as Rs.100 with which he has to feed a family of four. He would sell the rags for money and also get some money out of sale of utensils. He had no complaints whatsoever like many of us who complain about crumbling infra structure, poor civic amenities, poor street lights but was taking life as a matter of fact. He knew that only he has to work to feed his family and he does that in right earnest.
another street vendor was engaged in polishing and grinding household articles like knives, scissors etc and ekes out a living out of sheer hard work, He pedals whole through the day in his cycle to which is fitted a grinding stone which he pedals to sharpen the knives scissors etc. He has also got a family of wife and children and has no steady stream of income. but he has the positive attitude towards life. He hardly ever complains about his routine which is tough and demanding. Instead he does his work as if it is ordained by almighty with all his sincerity..
the boys who do shoe polishing in Mumbai suburban stations are a treat to watch. they do this job with immense pleasure and earn a decent living. The State has failed to give them education about which none of us are ashamed.
Majority of our people do hardwork willingly without complaints and earn a livelihood without state help. In fact, they are the role models to any aspiring young man or woman for the attitude to life. I in fact have learnt a lot from their humble living and try to emulate to a little extent. I would be happy if I could ever be of any help to my society in whatever little way I can before I bid farewell. I believe life will be meaningful if only you could be of help to fellow human beings in whatever little way we can.
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