Maa..!!
That is what everybody calls her. I saw her first time when I was on my way to work early morning. White dress, head covered with a scarf, all gray hair, in her late 70's. She comes every morning with her bags and books to teach underprivileged kids in that surrounding. One day I stopped by and went to visit her. She asked me to write down my details and contact number. She told me that she does this to every visitor and keeps the track of it in case she needs help.
I was curious to know the reason for her passion at this age to teach kids without getting tired or sick. She replied "I gather well-wishers." Maa said the work she does is not great but the kids she has are. Kids are well mannered, well dressed and speaks very good English. All these 60 kids were picked up by Maa herself from the streets and she taught them every possible thing she could.
I asked her how well are your well-wishers for you? She told me the incident when she did not have conveyance. It was a rainy night and she used to take evening classes for people who worked all day on streets and had passion for learning. That night she got hit by a heavy vehicle and broke her ribs, she was bleeding and could not walk by herself. She hired a Auto rickshaw and went to near by hospital. All the staff of the hospital recognized her and treated her the best way they can. At the time of discharge, she asked how much is the bill and the answer she got from them was unbelievable. Doctor said " Maa, I can not take money from you. You are the mother for all of us, I cant charge a single penny." Her eyes were full of tears when she completed this story.
During this visit of mine, one guy came to meet Maa. He is the director of on export garment company. Once Maa told him that she wants to learn computer so may be some day she can teach the kids. That Director gifted her a laptop. Maa said if I will say thank you then I might insult you by saying it but I will definitely find a word which suits to your kind donation.
Till date she had gathered 900 well-wishers and she remembers each of them with the date and time they visited her. She says "My arms are wide open for all who wants to learn, come to me and I will teach you how to fly."
I stood up from my place and hugged her, whispered in her ears "Thank you for being my inspiration, Maa..!!"
That is what everybody calls her. I saw her first time when I was on my way to work early morning. White dress, head covered with a scarf, all gray hair, in her late 70's. She comes every morning with her bags and books to teach underprivileged kids in that surrounding. One day I stopped by and went to visit her. She asked me to write down my details and contact number. She told me that she does this to every visitor and keeps the track of it in case she needs help.
I was curious to know the reason for her passion at this age to teach kids without getting tired or sick. She replied "I gather well-wishers." Maa said the work she does is not great but the kids she has are. Kids are well mannered, well dressed and speaks very good English. All these 60 kids were picked up by Maa herself from the streets and she taught them every possible thing she could.
I asked her how well are your well-wishers for you? She told me the incident when she did not have conveyance. It was a rainy night and she used to take evening classes for people who worked all day on streets and had passion for learning. That night she got hit by a heavy vehicle and broke her ribs, she was bleeding and could not walk by herself. She hired a Auto rickshaw and went to near by hospital. All the staff of the hospital recognized her and treated her the best way they can. At the time of discharge, she asked how much is the bill and the answer she got from them was unbelievable. Doctor said " Maa, I can not take money from you. You are the mother for all of us, I cant charge a single penny." Her eyes were full of tears when she completed this story.
During this visit of mine, one guy came to meet Maa. He is the director of on export garment company. Once Maa told him that she wants to learn computer so may be some day she can teach the kids. That Director gifted her a laptop. Maa said if I will say thank you then I might insult you by saying it but I will definitely find a word which suits to your kind donation.
Till date she had gathered 900 well-wishers and she remembers each of them with the date and time they visited her. She says "My arms are wide open for all who wants to learn, come to me and I will teach you how to fly."
I stood up from my place and hugged her, whispered in her ears "Thank you for being my inspiration, Maa..!!"
Beautiful !! We need more such people who are selflessly enlightening lives of many. She is living exactly according to what people call her 'Maa'. Best wishes for her and may she has a long life and many more people get inspired by her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this!