Hello to the Real World !

Yesterday, I had taken an Auto Rickshaw to go to office. The driver was an old man, probably in his late 50s or early 60s. After negotiation, we agreed upon Rs.200 to drop me at my office from my home. The talk we had during our negotiation was sufficient for me to assess the nature of the person. He seemed very gentle and not arrogant like a typical Auto driver we encounter.

After about half the journey, he started talking to me.

(In brackets is the English translation of the conversation we had)

"Saab, Thoda help chahiye" (Sir, I need some help)

"Ji, Kaisi help? Mai kya kar sakta hun?" (Yes, how can I help you?)

"Saab, meri beti delivery ko hai. Mujhe thoda madad chahiye." (My daughter is due for a delivery. I need some help.)

I could guess where this was going.

"hmm...Kahan pe rehte aap?" (Where do you stay?)

"Rajendra Nagar, <some colony>"

"Acha" (Ok)

"First delivery hai Saab. Aur aap jaante ki first time delivery mein Maa-baap ko karna hota hai." (This is first delivery and you know that girl's parents have to take care of the first delivery)

"Haan..." (Yes...)

"Navve Mahine mein hai saab abhi. Mera koi beta bhi nahi hai aur sirf beti hai. Bahut takleef mein hun Saab." (She's into her ninth month of pregnancy now, Sir. I don't have a son and only daughter(s). I'm struggling and in dire need of help)

I nodded and kept silent.

"Saab aapko gussa kiya..." (Sir, Have I angered you.)

"Nai, aisi koi baat nai..." (No, Nothing of that sort.)

We kept silent for a while. The case seemed genuine. I kept thinking of how I could help him. I did not personally know any doctors who could help with the delivery for low-cost or for free, considering his poverty.

I reached my destination. I got down.

"Naam Kya hai Aapka?" (What's your name?)

"Hassan Ali"

I recollected the helpless character 'Hassan' of the novel 'The Kite Runner' which I had read recently.

He repeated, "Saab, takleef mein hun saab. Aapka behen Samjhiye. Aapka beti Samjhiye. Kuch madad kijiye" (Sir, I'm in lot of (financial) trouble. Consider as your sister, your daughter, whatever. Please help, Sir)

This was the first time that an auto rickshaw driver, or for that matter anyone, ever pleaded so politely asking to be helped. I just gave him some money and asked him to keep it. I didn't know how else to help him at that time. 

He said, with a gleam of happiness on his face, "Bahut shukriya Saab. Bahut bahut Shukriya. Aapko Dua mein yaad rakhunga. Aapko Naukri mein tarakki mile. Aap bahut bada bane. <Another blessing that I don't remember now>." (Thank you very much, Sire. I shall remember you in my prayers. I shall pray for your promotion in your job and your well-being, etc.)

I keep thinking about how we could eradicate the plight of the poor. I wish I could address the root-cause.