Just for Laughs

JUST FOR L AUGHS

-Soumya Anil Pai

DisENabled

-Shreya Menon “Did you see that model, she is such a beauty!” Aisha squealed after her eyes swiftly got captivated by a Volkswagen Beetle making its way through the uneven roads as she was picking corn in the field. “ Not again Aisha! snap out of it,” said Sahil, her best buddy, and overprotective brother. Everybody who knew Aisha could see the noticeable differences in her whenever a car passed by, from her dancing feet to her gleaming smile. “Aisha, knowing our circumstances you should be smart, not just live in a fool’s paradise; we live in the far outskirts with little to no money to feed ourselves or the cattle. The last time I was satiated--oh well, I don’t even remember. Aisha, I know you are young but dreaming for goals that are non-viable is simply a waste of time”. Poor Aisha, with her eyes filled, choking on her words said, “yes anna I know”. This wasn’t the first time she was hearing this.

Little Aisha always dreamt of traveling past the outskirts onto the highways and into big cities surrounded by the fastest most magnificent cars. Ever since she was tall enough to overlook the highway from the cornfields, she had decided that she was going to have the world’s best driving center. The thought of driving a car would enthrall her and for her teaching someone, her beloved passion would be a dream come true. “Come along now, the sun is about to set; we don’t want to lose our clarity to nocturnal pests or sight a snake” Aisha shrieked at hearing the word snake. She hated that word. Paying heed to her elder brother ’s advice she loaded the corn she collected onto a sack which she then clutched over her right shoulder which

. Little Aisha led a simple existence with every day revolving around playing in the cornfields and trying to gain a sneak peek of the cars; an ordinary life in the village of Athoor, Tamil Nadu with her family until she was 5 years old. Her world came tumbling down one evening. The 9th of July 2008. During a dreadful monsoon season, her house got flooded with water. In the eminent struggle to retrieve valuables from the house; everyone hurriedly scattered consternating, not paying any attention to the local officials who warned them of venomous snakes hiding amidst the water waiting to prowl. To Aisha’s misfortune, that day she had to lose both her parents and had her own life at the brink of death but narrowly escaped getting her left arm amputated. Since that day even hearing about the taper-skinned cold-hearted reptile would give her chills. 13 years had passed from the incident and ever since then it was her and her brother against the world. Aisha was a popular figure in the village due to her charismatic behavior and sheer determination which inspired anyone who talked to her. Tourists were a common sight in this unspoilt utopia as Athoor was known for its verdant grasslands and cozy climate.

It started as a regular day like every other but as Aisha approached the cornfields, in close proximity she saw a gorgeous red jaguar parked.

Sahil took a day off to run errands so she couldn’t help but approach the young man who was standing beside the scarlet-looking car, smoking a piper. “Which model is that sir?”,

“Are you interested in cars young lady?”, he replied. “Very much so sir!, I was intrigued by the color of your car”, “one of the very reasons I purchased it. What is your name young lady? “Aisha”, she muffled. “Well, Aisha if you are truly passionate about cars there is an automobile quiz competition I am conducting in Chennai and the winner will take home 10 lakhs”, just as ambivalent Aisha was about to answer, her brother who had seen her talking to this foreign man called her and insisted her to get back.

She was hesitant to tell her brother about what the man had said but this was the gateway to make her dreams a reality. “Anna, there is this competition that will help me achieve my dreams. All I need is money to get to Chennai and I am certain to win” she pleaded. Sahil was quite balked but he asked “ How was it to be conducted?

Will you need to drive a car?”, “no, I simply need to answer some questions' ' Sahil saw the desperation in her eyes, it spoke words which she couldn't. A pragmatic decision was made in which she would be allowed to participate as long as there were adequate funds to reach Chennai. That day her brother called an entire village meeting in which the situation was announced and measures to fund the 10-hour long journey were made. Questions arose on how one-handed Aisha could possibly imagine a career with anything related to cars. Such impertinence made Aisha livid. Seeing Aisha the majority of villagers reassured her of the banishment of the people who made such comments, “she might have a disability but she has a passion, a vision she wants to achieve. How many of you have had the courage to even think different” the village head furiously remarked. Collaboratively everyone contributed by giving money, even if that meant skipping a day’s meal. Their simplistic mindset had no room for green emotions and they all had undisputed faith in her knowing her potential. They managed to cover the costs of the bus fare, some even selling their ornaments.

Aisha became the first person to travel outside Athoor and for the competition, win - she did. She met the foreigner who told her about the event and to her surprise he was an owner of a driving center in Chennai. Impressed by Aishas will power he offered Aisha a scholarship and an opportunity to work under him. Aisha wholeheartedly accepted the request and eventually became the first person to have a proper education from Athoor. While working under Mr.Steven she made it a priority to send money back home and with great difficulty, she obtained her driver’s license. Realizing the hardships that disabled people have to undergo in this process, after completing her education, She started the world’s first driving center especially for the differently-abled in the village that molded her. She made her dreams a reality and became the first entrepreneur of Athoor only because her people chose to believe in her. Their compassionate actions led to a laurel pursuit.

There is a certain extent of placidity comparing Aisha’s story to the present-day scenario of covid knowing the power our actions behold. To all the children that missed a part of their childhood, to all the teens who graduated without any high school memories, to all the young adults who had to grow up too fast, to all the adults that missed out on opportunities, to all the elderly that had to isolate themselves and to all the lives that have been lost, sacrifices will never be demeaned. Just like the villagers of Athoor, there is no height un accomplishable when we work collectively. Those few villagers who went out of their way by sleeping on an empty stomach can be compared to the tireless frontline workers who work day in and day out just for the benefit of our community. Their selfless actions result in our selfish wants. In Sanskrit, there is a powerful word called “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which simply translates to ‘the world is one family ’. The coronavirus pandemic made us witness the true essence of humanitarianism such as the altruistic nature of families which enabled us to battle this deadly virus with compassion and concern not just from few members but the world.

* Anna- a word used for addressing elder brother in Tamil Nadu

Commonwealth Essay Competition (Silver award )