My Supermen

people the world deserve to know..................


I met an amazing auto “saaru” the other day. [Refer my previous posts for the meaning and etymology of the word. Sigh!!! You will go through my blog at least that way.] I went about bargaining and managed to lower the auto fare from Rs. five to four. [not that I want to beat uncle scrooge but then one more rupee and I can get a milkybar choo:)]. Me and my friend being the lone passengers in the auto, this guy tried to engage us in a conversation. We dint pay much heed taking it to be human tendency to flirt around with two very beautiful girls ;). As we laughed at an inside joke he said, “ when you laugh, laugh with the world. When you cry keep it to yourself”. The ‘gulti’ accent free english and the intelligence in the thought, both of which the ignorant me didn’t expect in a ‘saaru’, forced us to stop and listen. As the conversation progressed mere curiosity made us ask him his educational qualification. “ I did my graduation in industrial management, got a job in PWD. I know driving an auto may not seem dignified enough, but then this way I am able to take care of my family better.” We got down in front of the college, paid him Rs five. A small guru dakshina for a big lesson in life.
Thought1. Dignity of labour does exist. Your value education books weren’t lying.



Last summer, we climbed up the hills of munnar yet again [ why don’t parents ever get bored of the place] to beat the heat. On our way back dad, who is head our heels in love with cars [ try banging the door of ours hard] and loves to cover miles with mama happily playing the navigator, took the less taken road to come down the hills promising us breathtaking scenery. With hair pin curves it was indeed any driver’s pleasure. Half way through our journey a guy waved us to stop the car. As me and my sister looked out with curiosity and suspicion, for we could neither find an official check post nor any marvel of nature, Shajahan asked my dad on which gear he was driving the car. My dad like every other driver who took the route replied, “Third”. Shajahan smiled, “people tend to drive at 3rd and 4th gears applying brakes very frequently. As the road is very steep this causes the brakes to get heated up and leads to brake failure. Driving this way saves fuel, but then will prove costly for your life. So switch to second gear and drive slowly, applying brakes less frequently”. We looked around to realize that this guy was actually stopping every vehicle and asking them to do this. A completely voluntary task where he was being paid nothing. Overwhelmed with gratitude as dad gave him 500 bucks with the thorough knowledge that any money paid wouldn’t be enough for this noble gesture, shajahan said, “ I was a mechanic at kottayam. I once saw an accident happen on this route, someone had to do this so I chose to climb up the hill”
Thought2: altruism is not about donating Rs 5.1 million towards charity.