Is everything fine?

I happened to ask the driver as I sat inside the cab for my evening ride from Mohali to Chandigarh railway station two weeks back.

I visit Mohali once a month to nurture another business.

The young lad seemed to be in tears.

I lost my father this morning.. was his reply.

I was stunned.

I could see tears trickling down his eyes through the rear view mirror as he put the car in motion.

He told me his father was a truck driver and had been severely injured in a head-on collision with another truck 2 days back.

He had been admitted to a private hospital in Mohali where he breathed his last that very morning.

His younger brother was on his way with the body to their village near Pathankot.

I asked him why he had not gone.

He said the family had to sell their gold ornaments to pay the hospital bill.

The last rites would cost around Rs 3,000 but there was no money left for the same.

The cremation would happen the next day and he had to somehow earn this money.

One of his friends had a cab registered with Uber and came to his help.

The friend gave him the cab for a few hours. He could drive and pocket the profit made on rides.

We finally reached the railway station and the ride money got debited from my wallet.

I handed him an additional Rs 500 cash and said – रख लो, काम आएंगे

He burst into tears as he thanked me with folded hands with a blessing:

वडे वीर, नानक तैनू बरकत दे
(Brother, may Guru Nanak bless you with prosperity)

I picked up my luggage and walked towards the platform, still reflecting on my taxi ride.

Here was a 23 year old in dire straits, yet not asking for money from any of his friends/ relatives (he didn’t even ask from me even after narrating his story).

He was ready to work, ready to drive a taxi, ready to slog it out to earn Rs 3,000 that day.

He knew a thing about dignity and self respect.

I felt proud of this youngster.
India’s youth are not looking for an easy way out.

The future of Bharat is in great hands.

जय हिन्द

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