Engineering teaches you to violate the 1st Law of Thermodynamics, which speaks that nothing can be created out of nothing. Sophisticated but true
I can vividly recollect the days spent juggling between projects and assignments, given no right books to refer and jumping from one period to another, with no breaks in between
Some times when I reached my hostel late in the afternoon after dutifully attending every lecture, there would be no food left. Most bunkers would have gulped it down. My sincerity often made me pay heavily in terms of my health.
One day, as usual, I reached my hostel at 3:15 pm. The dining hall was empty and it crushed my hopes of finding at least some rice and curry to feed the dancing rodents inside my stomach. And as I was about to leave a voice from behind said, “Should I get you chapattis bhaiya?”
I turned around to see a pale looking small kid in torn vest and jeans. He couldn’t have been more than 12 years old and seemed newly appointed on job. His frail body was probably under-nourished since the time he was born. Long slender hands, even more slim legs and a torso large enough to be considered disproportionate to the rest of his emaciated body. His bright wide smile somehow tried to hide all the intricacies of his life, as if he never knew about them or as if he didn’t care. His eyes huge expressive eyes gleamed as he stood there waiting for my answer
“Great! So from now on, I will have to satisfy my hunger with dry chapattis and water”, I said in exasperation.
“But I can get you some curd along with the chapattis”, he replied trying to please my anger.
“Fine but make sure the chapattis are hot else…” I threatened, marking the beginning of my dominance over the new kid
Moments later the kid returned with a couple of hot chapattis and two cups of curd. Although one of the cups looked smaller I didn’t revolt as my stomach was quite optimistic over the partial victory.
I asked the kid his name.
“Shankar”, he instantly replied with his trademark smile in full display.
“Thanks”, I said.
The eyes sparkled, smile widened and the stooping shoulders broadened with the pride of having a job well done
And from that day onwards, whenever I reached my hostel late for lunch, I customarily received a cup of curd, with an extra cup, the small cup.
Over a few days, I and Shankar became good friends. On some days, my new friend, would get me a spoonful of mango pickle. On some days the chapattis would be loaded with extra ghee but not a single day passed without receiving my extra small cup of curd.
In the evening, Shankar would come to my room and watch me play my favourite Racing games on the computer. Occasionally, I would also allow Shankar to play.
On another of those never-ending days, I returned late from my last lecture. The moment I entered the dining hall, Shankar apologised saying that only a cup of curd was available that day.
That day I was both hungry for food and angry over a fight with a batch-mate. The absence of my small cup infuriated me. I asked Shankar to go and get my complete share, especially when I paid full money for the food I ate.
“I am sorry bhaiya but I ate that as…”
“How dare you eat my share?” I yelled cutting him short.
And then as I was about to slap Shankar hard on his face, someone caught my hand from behind. It was the hostel warden.
“This little fellow was feeding you his share of curd everyday”, the warden said. “I had given strict instructions to all workers not to give anyone more than a cup of curd. Yesterday I saw him secretly taking his small cup to you, so I made him eat him from his cup today in front of me. On enquiring he mentioned that he sacrificed his curd, just because he considers you to be his best friend”.
Tears rolled out of my eyes as Shankar hid behind the warden, still trembling. I was eating into his share and he wasn’t eating mine, as I had grossly assumed
“I’m sorry brother. Please forgive me”, I said kneeling down.
Shankar smiled and replied, “Chalta hai bhaiya (It’s all right brother)”
At 23 and 5 years after the incident, I am still in touch with Shankar who continues to share his small cup with another first year student and I marvel how such little acts of kindness leave indelible impressions on the pages of one’s life.
Engineering, certainly, teaches you to violate the 1st Law. It teaches you to create loads of love and kindness out of a small cup of curd
Posted By: saurabh
Posted On: 22-07-2009 03:32:31 AM
Comments from Readers:
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raj chokhawala:
really touching..
This mess boyz really deserves lot of affection and love..coz they are sacrificing their childhood playful days by working for very little wages.
The same thing happens in the mess of my engineering college..small kids serves me very nicely bt in return i just give thanking smile and talk with them very friendly and sometimes appreciate their work..thts enough for them to serve u better.So one should heartily respect such workers..
So here 1st law gets violated when u get something from nothing..
Surbhi:
Was really a heart wrenching story.
We dont realise how many people have played a role in us being what we are today.
seema:
I used to feel outright guilty (still do !!) and ashamed to get served by kids...Guilty for being the small part of the world which gets their food served and gets educated and ashamed for feeling tied down and not able to do change it al!!
beena:
hi,
its really touch.
we never know that who touches our heart when and how.
sometimes small incidents, some unknown people also change our life and teaches us so many things. i hope that every1 do have qualities of shankar so that in real sense the world changes.
