Straight from the first citizenship orientation programme for messengers conducted at SBLC, Indore:
Ms. Sheela Raikwar, Messenger, posted at Ujjain Main Branch, belonging to the poor manjhi community, was married at the age of 14 and at 22, became a widow after a not so happy married life. Her husband was an employee of SBI and on his death in 1995; Sheela was given a job on compassionate grounds in the year 2001.
She used to make ‘agarbattis’ and earn Rs. 1500/- per month to meet her and her son’s daily needs, before she joined the bank. What carried her along her tumultuous life was her love for her son, which was to the extent of refusing a second marriage. A good looking woman, Sheela, struggled through out her life, determined to make the life of her son by denying herself all comforts of life. She put her son in a hostel costing her Rs. 35000/- p.a. and vowed not to purchase any new thing for the house till he completed his studies On Saturdays she spends 3 hours with her son in the hostel and feels his absence otherwise.
She herself had just completed her 8th class, when she joined SBI, went on to complete her 10th and now is thinking of doing her 12th class and is aspiring for a promotion as a clerk. She has planned her savings also, by setting aside Rs. 1000/- every month so that she can meet future needs also.
Life added to her pain when she met with an accident about a year and a half ago at night when she was hit by a vehicle that damaged her leg. Doctors have advised an operation of the leg which will cost her Rs. 60,000/- for which she will have to wait till she is financially able.
Marriages of girls in her caste, costs Rs. 5000/-. But since her community is very poor, they cannot afford even this amount and girls stay unmarried and treated as burdens in the family. Sheela has a heart that feels for such poor girls and she donates whatever she can to get the girls married.
Today, after CITIZENSBI programme, she has taken a vow to give as a gift a minimum of Rs. 2000/- to a poor girl every year for their marriage and that she will happily do whatever more she can do for them and her community to reduce the pains of poverty.
On being asked about her inner fulfillment she narrates how her son took great care of her for 3 months, carried her around and served her throughout, adding with pride that he is now 17 years old, taller than her and looks capable Her face beams, as she recollects those 3 months when her son, by serving her gave her so much joy which she didn’t get even from her husband.
She believes girls must be educated and take up a job so that they can face life squarely and not be dependent upon others.
At 38 today, life does not hold much for her personally, but she would like to do her best for others. Though with limited means, she hardly complains about life’s adversities and looks forward to a future of giving to the not so fortunate and to make life easy for those who come her way. She appears peaceful, soft spoken and contended with life.
It is amazing that people with all the luxuries of life hold on to material things, are unable to give, do not carry even a smile on their face for others and keep complaining of how bad life is!
No doubt, it is the giver who is truly gifted in life, the rest though rich in material possessions, but without a hand extended in service for mankind, lives life like a curse!
Contributed by Harina Sharma, Facilitator, SBLC, Indore
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Sir, this is one more example that people with lesser means always have bigger hearts and always willing to help others in difficulty when compared to the better placed. I salute this great Citizen who will ever be a Citizen, in whatever position or place she lives!!!!!!
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