What it takes to be the difference?

(A couple riding in their motorcycle. It is about 7.30 pm. They stop at this traffic signal, waiting for the redness to strike green. A couple spot an elderly, say 45+ lying on the road. The conversation continues as…)

Pravin: Look! He’s spread himself on the road.

Mala: Poor him!

Pravin: Ah! Don’t pity him. People like this should be run over.

Mala: (shrieks!) How could you say that? Its just mean.

Pravin: Then what? Probably he’s this raging alcoholic who just emptied his bottle and is resting in the sun now. Stop it, Mala. Like you don’t know about them. They’re just like pests to our community.

…and they zip past by.

Be it an alcoholic, be it an imbecile. What do we do? Probably, ‘Look!’, ‘Pity’, and then, ‘Move on’. These instances are to be seen everywhere, everyday. Either we choose to ignore them or utmost feel sorry for them.

Have we been in such a situation? I am sure, you’re nodding your head reading this. At times, when we just need change to pay the autowala. What happens then? You hop around with a 500 rupee note in your hand requesting for some mercy from the other rickshaw drivers, vendors to even the Traffic Police. But, does anyone help? All we get in exchange is a face like they’ve never heard this before. My point here is to not run around with change asking people if they need any. The point is it takes nothing to help someone. Probably just off the road, so Mr.Drunk can sober up in the safety of the pavement. Or, the Ms.Hyperventilating can get a few 100 rupees in exchange for her fancy, not-so-right 500 bill and can get in time to her Howrah Express to see her ailing parents at home.

Coming from a country, where moral values are fed along with the breast milk. It is just not acceptable to give a cold shoulder to someone in agony. Most often, or many – It takes nothing. But it could make a world of difference to the other person. Between that angel who helped me to wretched people of my country.

What it takes to be the difference? You.