This story may sound very ordinary…Yes, it is but true and interesting. It is about a Rickshaw driver who happened to drop me to my destination that was not far from my home. But in that 10-12 min way, I witnessed and learnt from this 63 year old man, how one can grow and reach their goals if one is clear with their dreams.
It so happened that I was waiting for a rickshaw to go to a nearby place for an interview and none of them were ready to come. I started walking when saw this rickshaw and stopped him. When I asked him if he could drop me to my destination, he quickly agreed. I gave him exact location and that’s when our conversation started, mostly one way conversation.
I started by saying “ye rickshaw wale hamesha manna kyu karte hai”(why do rickshaw fellows says no every time).
His immediate reaction was in English “Madam this is what I hate about rickshaw fellows” these guys are not educated and hence they don’t value time, neither they want to help commuters. While he was talking, in English and hindi , back of my mind I was wondering how is this old man who is just a rickshaw driver talking so fluently in English.
When I was just thinking about it, he again started conversing with me and all that he said really motivated me.
“I am a BSC graduate and completed my graduation in the year 1975. By profession, I was a teacher in a Govt. School for many years. During those days, I struggled a lot as I belonged to a very poor family, but that did not stop me from growing. I somehow managed to complete my studies to give my family a better life. Today I am retired and if I am driving an auto, it is not just for money, but to keep myself going and to remain fit so that I don’t feel the burden of being old and doing nothing.
I made my kids study and taught them the importance of education which has helped them choose their fields and go their way. My son is an IAS officer and my daughter is a professor in a reputed college.”
As I kept listening to him, he continued saying,” I drive auto just for 3-4 hrs either in the morning or afternoon and the rest of the time I teach kids and young students. My major focus was to teach them how important education is, to become a good human being, to respect everyone, to help others and to do good causes and all this will come only by education.”
Very next minute my destination came and I got down, gave his money and said Thank you.
Moral : In any circumstances education is very important in our life. Money, problems may come and go, but education and knowledge will stay with us forever. This will make a difference in our lives and others life too.
–END–
SHEELA IYER
