It was sometime during the months of June-July 1965. I was a boy of 5 years of age. My father was in railways in Bilaspur, in Madhya Pradesh (now part of Chattisgarh). Hence I was admitted for schooling in a railway school. Our house was very close to the railway station, to the south of it. My school was on the northern side, at about a distance of about a kilometer from my home. On the way to my school I had to cross the railway overbridge connecting the railway station to both sides of the town.
The schools had just opened for the academic year. I was excited to wear my new school uniform of white shirt and navy blue shorts. I was also thrilled about my new school bag and the smell coming out from the new books. On a particular morning during these initial days of the schooling academic year, I was getting ready for school and the time for the school to start was almost drawing near. I used to go by walk for which I had to cross over the bridge and go to the other side to reach my school. I looked into the kitchen and checked whether my tiffin box was ready. Mother said it will be ready in a few minutes. I was excited to leave and did not want to be late. I waved to my mother saying that I will come back from school and eat and before she could utter another word I was off from the house.
So passed a day. When the school bell rang sometime in the afternoon I had to walk back home. It was then that I started to feel weak and faint. But I dragged myself with my school bag on my shoulder and walked slowly back home. When I climbed the railway bridge half way I could take it no more. I just sat down on one of the footsteps and could walk no further. Then I saw one gentlemen bend over me and ask whether I was feeling hungry. I faintly nodded my head. He carried me over his shoulder and took me to the nearest railway canteen and bought me a plate of Aloo Bondas. I took no time in finishing them off. The stranger looked at me and smiled and asked if I was feeling okay now. I smiled and said yes. He waved and went on his way.
When I reached my home my Mother was waiting for me with an anxious look. She immediately asked me to change over and come and have some food. I dumped my school bag, changed my clothes and said I will come and eat after sometime and I was off in a whisker to the play ground. I could feel my mother wondering from where I got the energy but I had no intention of revealing the Aloo Bondas story, since that would have gotten me a reprimand for accepting help from a stranger.
My subsequent education and life was in Hyderabad. I do not have any memories of my early school of Bilaspur nor of the faces of teachers or friends. But I will always remember the kind act of the stranger who carried me on his shoulders and gave me food with such kindness. I cherished eating Aloo Bondas quite a few times in my life but none tasted as good as the one that afternoon. Thank you kind stranger, I will never forget you in my life. I will try to repay you by passing on the light of kindness you have lit in my heart at such a young age.
