Road side story on - Harmony and Humanity

Mukesh Bhatnagar

On a visit to the holy city Ujjain, we visited various shrines, temples and places of religious & historical importance. One of the twelve Jyotirlinga, popularly called Mahakaleshwar, Harsiddhi temple, Chintamani temple on the banks of river Kshipra, Maharishi Sandeepan Ashram, Gurukul of Lord Krishna, Omkareshwar temple and other temples are in and around Ujjain. Ujjain is said to be the salvation giving city and was once the capital of Vikramaditya. Thousands of devotees visit the places for solace and peace of mind. Legends about their origin and religious sanctity makes the devotees to come here and pay their obeisance. However my focus in this story line are not those sacred places but three very ordinary people who left a mark by their simplicity and human values. They are one by Raees Khan, Tony and Kamla Devi

It so happened that on our third day of stay in Ujjain, we hired two ten seater autos, for going around the local temples and sightseeing. One of the drivers of the vehicle was a Muslim, by name Raees Khan. The driver of the other vehicle was a Hindu named Tony. They were found to be childhood friends and were in their mid 30s, ferrying people around the city for more than two decades. Their understanding for each other and respect for the tourists was remarkable. Raees Khan our driver knew every detail of the Hindu Gods and temples. Looking into the time constraint he also advised the time that needed be spent in each temple, so to cover all the places. His knowledge of Hindu gods and goddesses was remarkable. Another of his qualities came to fore, when the tyre of his vehicle got punctured. The sound of the burst made Tony to stop and he came running to help. Both of them replaced the wheel in no time. At no point did we find them, belonging to different religious beliefs. Their understanding of each other, cooperation and working in tandem was a sight to inspire and to learn from.

Another opportunity to learn a lesson, came from another temple complex, when I decided to stay back in the vehicle, while the group went inside the sanctum. It was a delightful sight to see cleanliness around the big complex. However utilising the time in hand, I went round the complex to buy some water bottles. At about 50 metres away I saw a tea and snack stall, where an old lady was manning the counter. I asked for 10 bottles which she herself picked and handed over but without a carry bag. It appeared she had none yet she looked around and finally picked a bag containing vegetables. She emptied, cleaned and kept the bottles into it. But for whom you need so many bottles - she asked. I jokingly said there are some kids who may need water in the traveling. 'But I haven't seen any kids alighting over here' - she said. My reply brought her a smile. I said my kids are in the age group of 65 to 70. She thanked me for my concern for all but what she told about herself was really inspiring.

Kamla Devi, at 74, comes to her stall daily at 6 am from a nearby village and prepares tea for about 20-25 people. Those people are none but the sweepers and cleaners of the sprawling temple compound. On knowing that, I said'and this you must be doing freely'. Kamla Devi nodded in affirmation and said"बटा दन सवा स श करो तो बत

Raees, Tony and Kamla Devi inadvertently left an inspiring message by their conduct and outlook towards life.