CUP OF CHEER OVERFLOWS ON NEW YEAR EVE

I knocked at the door of the cabin of Shri Jagat Bisht, AGM, SBLC, Indore , today, to get the latest news on CITIZENSBI, when I witnessed a beautiful moment of true humanity and love, enfolding before me. How a small but kind act can build an everlasting bond, with distance not being a hindrance at all was experienced by me, today.

It all began on an early August morning, in Hyderabad at Hotel Taj Banjara, where Mr. Bisht had put up while attending the training for master facilitators for CITIZENSBI. He had to leave the next morning at 4 a.m. by air for Indore and was apprehensive about the availability of a cab in the early hours, to the airport.

As he stepped out of the hotel, he met Md. Jeelani Pasha, a cab driver, who assured him of his service the next morning. Right on his job, the next day, Jeelani gave a wake up call at 3.30a.m to Mr. Bisht, announced his arrival and asked him to comfortably get ready for the ride to the airport.

A relaxed Mr. Bisht stepped into the cab, not realizing that he was in for an experience that will stay with him and give him joy for a long time to come. The sun had yet to rise and spread warmth, but Jeelani was all set to give the maximum comfort to his customer, Mr. Bisht. Seeking the choice of music from Mr. Bisht, he started the morning playing the melodious Lata’s songs. Mr. Bisht, sensitive to the feelings of Jeelani started a dialogue with him and learnt that he was a contended person and is grateful to Allah that he earns his daily bread because of the customers he gets. Happily and wholeheartedly, he serves his customers in a way, in what best he can think of.

On the way, keeping in mind the need of his customer, he offers a cup of hot tea to Mr. Bisht, as he is concerned that such a good cup of tea will not be available and that it will be very expensive inside the airport. How I wish that all had such sensitivity towards a fellow human being. The story does not end here.

Five months down the line, today, we have, Mr. Bisht calling him up on the phone and wishing him for the New Year. Mr. Bisht starts with a ‘Salaam Valekum’, reminds Jeelani of their drive together, exchanges pleasantries, wishes him well and agrees that if the thoughts are good, Khuda does help. Jeelani confirms positively, that last year was good, he has no regrets or complaints against anyone and that he has received a lot of love and respect from his customers. He adds that his dear wife has prepared ‘biryani’ for him and is awaiting his arrival. No wonder a good and grateful contributor to mankind is always happy and is able to spread cheer around.

Mr. Bisht adds tremendous joy on New Year’s eve to the life of an ‘ordinary cab driver’, whom it is easy to ignore, forget or even to be rude to or worse, make him a victim of our pent up frustrations! Praising him about his good behavior and that it has left a mark on him, Mr. Bisht’s greetings to Jeelani is a wonderful start to a New Year. Jeelani will agree it gave him joy and created a happy memory for him to relate for the rest of his life. Being a witness to this, I also derived an unexplainable joy that will stay in my memory always.

On New Year, let us also create happy memories by acknowledging the contribution of all those who made our lives meaningful, pray for those who perchance had hurt us in the past, give a gift of love to all those we are grateful to, play with our children and share precious moments with loved ones and also be with those who are alone and lack a warm hug from a dear one.

Mr. Bisht has shown us the way- we can make the journey of life more colorful and merrier this year with everyone we come across in life in the true spirit of love and humanity.

I WISH ALL OF YOU A MEMORABLE YEAR OF GROWTH, PEACE, PROSPERITY, CONTRIBUTION AND CONTENTMENT!

Contributed by: H. SHARMA