Last to Last year, I had decided to dedicate a page for the people who have been a mentor, a guide, a path changer for my life on the eve of every teacher's day (5th September). Unfortunately this time I missed the date, but still going by the argument better late then never, I have this page for................
Mukul Kumar: There are different kinds of people whom we meet both within our work domain and beyond. Prof Raju used to classify people as BOHO (behavior of higher order) and BOLO (Behavior of lower order). I strongly believed in the two classes, untill I met and worked with Mukul. He perhaps transcends this classification and even BOHO will fall short off accommodating him. I will not talk about his contribution to Navjeevan Cooperative's evolution and growth because it is evident to the team here and will become vivid in some time to everyone else as Navjeevan grows and becomes one of the finest community owned enterprises in eastern part of the country. There is something more to him. Two incidents I will narrate which have moved me from within.
1st Incident:
Majority of us purchase some or the other stuff for home from road side shops mostly being run under temporary sheds. Last summer me and Mukul were in cuttack for purchasing "vinachar" (Soft grass which when wet keeps home cool: used often in air coolers). We were in hurry, I paid for the joint strip of 'vinachar' and when I looked around, I didnt find Mukul. To my surprise, Mukul was busy with something else. The old lady who was tying up two strips as per our requirement in her little temporary shed, got hurt because of some drunkard who had thrown the glass bottle on road side last night. Mukul busy was arranging dettol and cotton and later gave her some money to purchase milk and fruits. I am sure I would have overlooked her pain and moved forward!
2nd incident:
Two week's back Mukul was returning back and on road side found a truck which met with an accident by hitting a electricity pole. Truck driver and another person onboard were badly hurt. There were scores of onlookers surrounding the truck but as usual no one was helping the injured persons. Mukul dropped me a message that he will be on leave for the second half. He arranged a trekker (autorickshaw's are known as trekkers here) and requested people surrounding the truck to help him shift the two injured bodies. Fortunately one person came out and with his assistance, he took them to the local 'sarakari' hospital. As expected there was no doctor. On enquiry he got to know that doctor had gone for extended lunch.(pun intended). He somehow located the doctor's residence and brought him to the treatment room. Upon arrival and after seeing the helpless injured truck driver, doctor said that it was not his time for treatment, fortunately in the crowd which got assembled at hospital sight one person was from media and he shouted back at doctor that if you will not treat him, he will ensure that doctor';s statement appears in tomorrow's news. Finally treatment happened.
Both these incidents reflect apparently small acts of kindness which all of us overlook. It needs sensitivity from within to see, understand and above all ACT to support people who need us but we don't know them personally. It doesnt call for being a development sector professional or a "NGO wala". This 'sensitivity' from within is something which cannot be restricted to dimensions of time, position and people. This comes from within and spreads to all needy. We need not be doctor or a big government official to help people in need. All it needs is a sincere and kind heart and equally willing hand to act. And therefore for the year 2011-12 I place him as an architect of my life.
Later on I got know from Mukul that few year's back he had met with a serious accident and was carried over to a hospital by a "sabji wala". He calls these incidents as "Paying it forward" the act's kindness. Will we add to the link of "Paying it forward"
Mukul Kumar: There are different kinds of people whom we meet both within our work domain and beyond. Prof Raju used to classify people as BOHO (behavior of higher order) and BOLO (Behavior of lower order). I strongly believed in the two classes, untill I met and worked with Mukul. He perhaps transcends this classification and even BOHO will fall short off accommodating him. I will not talk about his contribution to Navjeevan Cooperative's evolution and growth because it is evident to the team here and will become vivid in some time to everyone else as Navjeevan grows and becomes one of the finest community owned enterprises in eastern part of the country. There is something more to him. Two incidents I will narrate which have moved me from within.
1st Incident:
Majority of us purchase some or the other stuff for home from road side shops mostly being run under temporary sheds. Last summer me and Mukul were in cuttack for purchasing "vinachar" (Soft grass which when wet keeps home cool: used often in air coolers). We were in hurry, I paid for the joint strip of 'vinachar' and when I looked around, I didnt find Mukul. To my surprise, Mukul was busy with something else. The old lady who was tying up two strips as per our requirement in her little temporary shed, got hurt because of some drunkard who had thrown the glass bottle on road side last night. Mukul busy was arranging dettol and cotton and later gave her some money to purchase milk and fruits. I am sure I would have overlooked her pain and moved forward!
2nd incident:
Two week's back Mukul was returning back and on road side found a truck which met with an accident by hitting a electricity pole. Truck driver and another person onboard were badly hurt. There were scores of onlookers surrounding the truck but as usual no one was helping the injured persons. Mukul dropped me a message that he will be on leave for the second half. He arranged a trekker (autorickshaw's are known as trekkers here) and requested people surrounding the truck to help him shift the two injured bodies. Fortunately one person came out and with his assistance, he took them to the local 'sarakari' hospital. As expected there was no doctor. On enquiry he got to know that doctor had gone for extended lunch.(pun intended). He somehow located the doctor's residence and brought him to the treatment room. Upon arrival and after seeing the helpless injured truck driver, doctor said that it was not his time for treatment, fortunately in the crowd which got assembled at hospital sight one person was from media and he shouted back at doctor that if you will not treat him, he will ensure that doctor';s statement appears in tomorrow's news. Finally treatment happened.
Both these incidents reflect apparently small acts of kindness which all of us overlook. It needs sensitivity from within to see, understand and above all ACT to support people who need us but we don't know them personally. It doesnt call for being a development sector professional or a "NGO wala". This 'sensitivity' from within is something which cannot be restricted to dimensions of time, position and people. This comes from within and spreads to all needy. We need not be doctor or a big government official to help people in need. All it needs is a sincere and kind heart and equally willing hand to act. And therefore for the year 2011-12 I place him as an architect of my life.
Later on I got know from Mukul that few year's back he had met with a serious accident and was carried over to a hospital by a "sabji wala". He calls these incidents as "Paying it forward" the act's kindness. Will we add to the link of "Paying it forward"
Keep meeting with finest of human beings...u r also one of them.
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