Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 1)

Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 1)

It takes just seven to eight minutes to reach to the university from my residence. It is the same road that I have been taking for the last four years. I wonder that I might even go to the university by closing my eyes! Along the way, I meet and greet certain people like restaurant waiters, street vendors, shopkeepers...

I ‘had’ to go to the university today. Every day, I go to the university but today I ‘had’ to go! As I was leaving the community, I was surprised when the receptionist wanted to know the motive of going out. Usually he never asks. He listened to me carefully and finally said, “be careful.”

The narrow road going to the university was empty- a complete deserted look. There were very few vehicles. Public transports were running without any passengers. The street vendors, near Via del Corso, happen to be my countrymen, were with masks. They were sad and frightened. One of them greeted me and said, “be careful.”

I have been entering into the university building for the last four years. I know every corner of the building. I was surprised when the receptionist stopped and asked me where I was going. It was for the first time! I had to explain the motive of coming to the university. With a puzzled look, she said, “be careful.”

I had gone to meet a professor. The professor, who usually takes a lot of time, took less than a minute. I was surprised that she did not even ask me to sit down. At the end, her simple advice was- “be careful.”

I went to my work place. It is always crowded. I found just one of my class-mates was sitting in the office. I was surprised that she greeted me very softly. She is the most social-able and outgoing person that I have met in Room. Her usual smile was missing and she did not even show any interest to talk to me. As I parted from her, she said, “be careful.”

As I was returning back to my community, I was reflecting on “be careful” that I had heard from many people. In fact, many seem to be warning me- don’t do this, don’t do that. I have also received a few instructions of what I should not do during this time from the authority. Reflecting on their words, suddenly I asked myself – what can I do these days! (to be continued)

Narrowing down!

Narrowing down!

Having a meal with a friend (preferably in a restaurant!), discussing a number of issues, is something that I always look forward to. Ever since I met Mariano (just a week ago), I was surprised to see his curiosity to know new things and his insightful opinions. He critically observes things from a different perspective and tries to bring something new.  We have had difference of opinions on number of issues but this has not become a barrier in our friendship. Moreover, reflecting over certain disputed issues that I had with him, made me more ‘awaken to the realities’.

Let me share what we discussed during lunch. We were trying to get ‘connotation and etymology’ of a particular word. At one point, he went to bring his dictionary and eventually encyclopaedia to get the meaning. While he was glancing through the pages, I took my smartphone and browsed into ‘google’. He looked at me and commented smilingly, “this is the problem of our time. We want everything instant, readymade and prepared. This small device (pointed to smartphone) makes our world small. We are narrowing down our thinking patters, working ability and creative sense.” I did not agree with him. I put forward my own perspective of smartphone. He gave his own opinions and I gave my own counter opinions. Eventually, after lunch, I returned to my room to take a short nap.

While lazing on bed, I took my smartphone again. I wanted to get some points as I was to give a talk in the same evening. But before putting my password, I was reminded the words of friend, “smartphone is narrowing down our world.” I asked myself, “what am I going to do with this device?” I was looking for something instant, readymade and prepared. I stopped for a while. How true the words of my friend!

My first heart beats!

It was about 20 years ago, I was then in the Jesuit noviciate in Calcutta, India. I had just begun to learn English. I would read all sorts of magazines, books and would collect phrases or sentences that would appeal to me. One day, I happened to read an article titled ‘my first heart beats’. The title captured my attention. It was very simple but catchy. I still remember the title, though I don’t remember the content of the article. I wanted to write an article and use the same title. Finally, just two days ago, I had an experience that made me to feel ‘my first heart beats’.

After the day long sessions, I was having a leisure walk in the evening with a Jesuit friend in Berkeley, California. It is my first visit to USA. Thus, I try to observe every little thing with uttermost attention.  After crossing the campus of the university of California, we came to the Berkeley city centre. My friend wanted to take an ice-cream. Due to cold weather, I decided not to take ice-cream. But I followed my friend to the shop. Suddenly I saw a middle-aged woman entered into the shop with her daughter. Both were in shabby dress, looking very pale but with innocent smile. The woman asked for just one spoon full of ice-cream for her daughter and gave one cent to the shopkeeper. The little girl was extremely happy when she got just one spoon of ice-cream. The woman made her to say ‘thank you’ before taking ice-cream. Then they went out of the shop. Everything was happening so fast that I did not know what to do. I was just overserving them helplessly.

There was an elderly gentleman, sitting just near the door asking for alms. As the lady came out of the shop, he called her and wanted to give her ten dollars to buy an ice-cream for her daughter. The woman gently declined to take the money from him. She thanked him again and again.

I overserved everything from the shop. I immediately came out of the shop and thanked the elderly man. He looked at me and said, “it is nothing special. I wanted to give an ice-cream for the little girl. They must be having financial cries.”

I was stunned. I lost in words. It was for the first time in America that my heart beats…yes, really I felt it. The smiling face of the girl, the kind gesture of the elderly man and love of a mother will remain with me always…

Just a word!

I never knew a simple word could be so powerful! I was unprepared when the whole episode was revealed to me. The other day I was working in the garden with our lay collaborators. Suddenly two elderly women entered in to our campus and walked straight to me. “Father I came to tell you something” she said with a smile on her face.

“Please tell me” was my quick reply.

“My son, who was not going for Mass for the last few years, has recently begun to go for Mass and the credit goes to you” she said in a loud voice.

 “Is it so? How?” I asked rather doubtfully.

“The other day, in the market you called my son bhai (brother) when my son greeted you. He was so taken up by the word ‘bhai’ and decided to go for Mass. He was surprised because he could never expect that a priest address to a lay person as bhai (brother).”

Though I felt little uncomfortable when she was talking to me, but it made me to think how we could reach out to many people just by our simple words. There are people around us who just need a gentle smile, polite word or a loving touch…   

Along the way!

The other day I was about to leave my community for a work to a distance place. As I stepped outside, a boy of aged 14/15 came to me. He came to our vicinity for work roughly a month ago and I met him already a few times. After our initial conversation, I asked him about his work. “I am not able to work for the last few days,” he said.

“Why” I asked.

“I have got terrible problem on my back and I am not able walk properly.”

“Why don't you go to Doctor?”

“I do not have money.”

“Then what will you do?”

 No answer. At that moment I did not have any other option than to open my wallet and give him some money. I had only the traveling expenses with me. I gave him some money and decided to walk half the way as I would not have enough money to take any public transport.

After saying good bye to that boy I got into a bus. In the bus I met a friend of mine with whom I studied many years ago. We began to talk, especially many of our childhood memories. While we were talking, the bus conductor (one who collects bus fare) came to us. Before I could pay my fare, my friend paid for both of us. When I asked him why he paid, he said, “You have given your life for the people. Now it is our moral responsibly to serve you. You just pray for me.”

I was stunned. As a priest, this is what I receive wherever I go. This makes me more humble and helps me to forget about my external needs and to place my trust in ‘HIM’. Perhaps this is an invitation for all of us in the New Year of 2014!

Along the way…

As soon as I began my new mission in Bangladesh, I was asked (rather assigned) to conduct three days seminar on faith based on ‘LUMEN FIDEI’ to a group of nun who were preparing for the final vows. I had no other option than to say -‘Yes’ I do it. I must admit that one of boring courses I had during theological studies in Rome was on ‘faith, hope and love.’ I took up the challenge and began to prepare myself for the seminar.

In the evening of the second day of my session, I accompanied sisters to a shrine. As we were walking quietly I thought of the feast of St Ignatius which was round the corner. I remembered all the big and grand celebrations I have had for the last few years. But this year I am in a complete new situation. Though I was born here but things have changed radically over the years. Already a few times I said to myself that I need to become a Bangladeshi. Many good and sweet memories were pouring in my mind.

At one point I saw some people were crying in a house. As it was a Muslim family I did not dare to enter and ask what had happened. As I continued to walk, I heard a voice from the other side of the road was saying, “Father, please pray for my daughter who died this morning.” I went close to him and asked what had happened. He said that she was sick for sometimes and they could not provide her any treatment due to lack of money. Then he said something very precious. He said, “I know you are a Christian priest. But our God is the same. We can pray to him either from the Church or from the Mosque or from the Hindu Temple. God is present everywhere.”

I was stunned. This man has just lost his daughter and could easily blame God for the misfortune. But he placed all his trust in God and accepted everything as God’s will.

Perhaps this is what St Ignatius of Loyola wanted all along his life- to accept everything as God’s will and find Him in everything! Does it give any message to you and me on the feast day of St Ignatius?

The problem of a problem!

A few days ago, I was accompanying some visitors to the rooms of St Ignatius. At the end of the visit, a curious visitor wanted to know where I was from. When I revealed my identity, she immediately told me that she had stopped buying any Bangladesh made cloths. It did not take any time for me to realize the reason behind her noble (?) decision. I looked at her and in a soft voice said, “But in the process of not buying cloths made in Bangladesh you are not helping anyone. You might in turn bring some bad news to some poor people.”

“How could you say that?” she asked rather quickly.

“There are millions of poor people; especially women have little to eat due to these garment factories in Bangladesh. A densely populated country, where natural calamities and political turmoil have become part of the daily life, the only scope to earn the daily bread is these garment factories. Perhaps you can mobilize the pressure on the owner of the factories/buyers to improve safety of the work place and look after the welfare of the workers.”

The visitor looked at me said, “You explained to me well. I never thought in this way.” Then she left.

Like this visitor, there are many of us who see the one side of the problem and try to find an immediate solution. We have a tendency of ‘let it go’ or ‘this is not my cup of tea’ or ‘he/she is capable of thinking for him/herself’ or ‘this is your choice’…the list is endless.

It is rather universal truth that every problem has got two sides. Deep down there is a hidden mystery in every problem. This mystery makes us frightened and we want to keep ourselves away. I often wonder that the world would have been a better place if we all could spend some time to look into the mystery of every problem! How do we begin?

Perhaps we can begin with our own life: problem with my own self, with my neighbours, with my friends, with my colleagues, with my enemies and ask “why” with a positive outlook!

The light of the darkness!

It was a lovely night. I spent the entire night on walking, without any single moment of sleep. Every now and then I paused for a while, looking at the sky. The beacon of the dark night was clear- an invitation to experience the light of the day. I walked from one corner to another of Rome city, visiting churches and Holy places.

Have I visited churches to meet God? My answer is YES and NO.  It was more to meet with myself. The recent tragedies in my country made me sad, angry and frustrated. Many of the mysteries of life made me to ask, ‘why?’ Then certain ‘topsy-turvy’ created many questions.

But these ten hours of walk brought me to a new realization. It brought me to my nakedness. It whispered to me about a new world- a new world which  Henri J. M. Nouwen would say, “ It is this new world that fills our dreams, guides our actions, and makes us go on, at great risk, with the increasing conviction that one day we will finally be free- free to love” (cfr. The wounded Healer, 26). 

Ma (mother), I love you!

(a recent photo with my mother)

This morning after the breakfast I went to wish ‘happy Mother’s day’ to two of our co-workers, both women. They had forgotten that today was the mother’s day. I wished them, exchanged a few words and then returned to my room. As I was climbing up to my room, for a moment I remembered my mother. Like all other mothers, she is also very special to me. I felt she was walking with me, talking to me holding my hand…

When I was growing, the financial situation of my family was not very good. My mother had to be very cautious about spending money. With the limited salary of my father, she had to manage the entire family- our food, dress, medicine, education... Everyday she would serve food for all of us. She would eat only when we were all fed well. Often I would notice that she would take puffed-rice (a typical home made food, people would eat whenever one cannot effort to have rice) with rice. Many a times I had asked her, why she preferred to take puffed rice, in seated of taking rice? She would reply that puffed-rice increase the taste of the meal. It was much later one day I discovered that whenever there was less rice she would take puffed-rice. She would always feed us well and then she would eat very less…

When I was in the novitiate, my novice director came to visit my family. The first question, my mother asked him was: “does Ripon listen to you?” My novice director was surprised. He came and narrated to all of us only Ripon’s mother asked, “Does Ripon listen to you”, while other asked, “How is my son? How is his health?”

Some times we do not notice sacrifices our mothers make. Often they are unnoticed. Perhaps ‘mother’s day’ is a good occasion to be aware of their sacrifices and tell to them, “Ma, we love you!”

I too have a heart!

I knew him from my association with the community of San’Egido in Rome. Once a week I spend sometime with this community to reach out to most needy and poor people in Rome, who stay on the streets. We talk to them and distribute necessary material things. By now I became friendly with some of them and talk to them whenever I meet them. Georgo (named changed) is one of them.  Whenever I meet him, he narrates to me some interesting stories of his profession. He goes around Rome, often in the crowded public bus and steals things from others.

The other day I had to go to Vatican. As soon as got into the bus I saw Georgo. We saw each other and exchanged a smile. I knew he was on his mission and tried to follow his movements. But it was quite obvious that my presence was a hindrance for him. He remained at one corner of the bus and in fact was looking at me again and again. When I got down from the bus, he too followed me. I wished him ‘good luck’ for his work and asked him not to steal from the poor and old people. To my great surprise he told me, “I never steal anything from Asian or African people. They are poor people come here to earn some money. And even if I get any documents or certificates I send them to the owners. I too have a heart.”

The last sentence of Georgo touched me. I looked at face. There was sadness on his face. Perhaps for the first time, I saw something very special on his face. A face that speaks his innocence! A face that shows that he is also son of God! I discovered a new Georgo. I gave a smile and left him.

In life we often judge people based on their profession, external out-look, social statues etc. But do we really see anyone before judging. Do we see the hidden heart- a heart full of love!

When I really paused for a while and said, "Oh Life!"

For the last three days I spent hours after hours reading the newspaper of my country. I was not reading the death news, rather I carefully read news of the person, who have almost returned from the door death. I salute them for their courage and inner strength for survival and who have took the risk of their lives and helped others. One such story was published in the Daily Star, a popular English daily newspaper of Bangladesh. This is the life story of Rikta! She has shown tremendous courage. I cannot do anything for Rikta. I may not meet her in my life time. But she has taken a place in my heart. My thoughts are with her. I reproduce the story of Rikta in my blog. This is the first time I reproduce a piece from another source. It is a way of showing my respect and salute to Rikta.  The struggle of Rikta will always remain with me, specially at a time, when I want to give up, when I do not see any meaning of life...There are many more Rikta, who wait for you and me!

                                                                  (The photo of Rikta)
Time was running out for Rikta. She was hungry and thirsty and drained. Two days had passed since she was trapped inside Rana Plaza. Nobody came.
So when somebody came yesterday morning, about 45 hours after the collapse, she first thought: “Am I still alive?”
But to remain alive she would have to suffer more: It was a group of civil rescuers who found her around 5:30am yesterday under the rubble on the third floor of the nine-storey building. Her right hand was trapped under a sewing machine.
The rescuers tried all means they could think of to pull her out. All attempts failed. So they had to improvise.
They brought a hand saw, tied both her legs and hands, held her tightly so that she could not move and then cut off her hand from above the elbow.
“I somehow managed to bear the pain when they were cutting my flesh. But when it reached my bone … I don’t know how to describe the pain,” she told The Daily Star at Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, and then fainted.
A sewing operator, the 25-year-old was working on the third floor when the building crumbled like a pack of cards on Wednesday morning.
“It was around 8:20am. I just started sewing. Power went off and the building collapsed in no time. My right hand was trapped.”
Her battle to hold on to life began. With the entire building almost sandwiched and thick dust all around, she was suffocating. “But it was all right in the first few hours.”
But as the day wore on, she thought her heart would stop for want of oxygen. There was no air.
With time she grew hungrier and thirstier still. “I could not take it any more. So at one stage I drank my urine,” she said.
The mother of a nine-year-old son thanked the rescuers for bringing her back to her son and husband, a car driver.
According to her, it was their immediate bosses who forced them to work in the risky building. She alleged she had been even forced to work till late night every day without any weekly holiday over the past one month.
In the garment factory where she worked, she used to earn Tk 4,700 a month. But with one of her hands now gone, how she would support her family is a thought she cannot bear to think.

That was enough!

13/03/2013 at 19:00!

We, eight of us along with our two formators, were waiting for a bus at the bus station. It was drizzling and rather cool breeze was blowing. All of us sudden we saw our Spiritual Father, aged 70, was approaching to us almost running. “There is white smoke” he said from rather distance, “we have a Pope.”

That was enough to changed our planned programme. We immediately got into a bus which would take us to St Peter’s Square. But bus was moving very slow, as there was heavy traffic. “Let’s go walking” said someone. ''It might take a few hours to reach Vatican with the bus and I am getting down from the bus'' said one of my formators and got down from the bus.

That was enough for all of us to get down from the bus and began to walk. We were joined by many who were almost running to reach to Vatican. It was incredible. I have never seen people running like that in Rome. The church bells began to ring.

That was enough to announce the good news. By the time we reached at the St Peter’s Square, the Square was almost filled with people. We pushed though people and went ahead as much as we could. All the eyes were fixed to the balcony, from where the new Pope would address. A great excitement of who has been elected as the new Pope. There were a few names going around. Almost an hour later, appeared a Cardinal and said, we have the new Pope and he is…! All were silent. “He is a Jesuit from Argentina” exclaimed one of my companions.

That was enough  for me to remain a standstill for a while. ‘A Jesuit pope!’ ‘How it is possible!’ ‘What a strange thing to have a Jesuit pope.’ ‘What would happen now?’… And many more comments. Then after a few minutes appeared a man, white dressed. He began to speak the language of ordinary people. He asked people to pray for him.

That was enough for the world that we a have a completly different man to guide the Church. The rest is history. He created a history. He won the hearts of all. People began to say- ‘He is different’, ‘He is so humble’, and ‘He is so simple.’

That was enough for me to appreciate my vocation  as a Jesuit. He appeared to me a man with great simplicity. He gave a message of great simplicity. His gestures invited to go deep into my vocation. It was also a 'turning point' for me as I was getting ready for diaconate ordination. I was touched...

Frankly speaking I really do not agree when people say that the world is very complicated. The world is simple. But there are some people who make it complicated. Perhaps the simple gestures of the new Pope invite us to look into our lives. Are we simple? Or are we complicating the simple thing? Was that not enough?

Perhpas one day!

The note of Eschatology is opened on my table. The words like- death, heaven, hell, resurrection- are repeated again and again.
Entered my Jesuit companion in my room, looking at the notes said, “So we die one day!”
“Yes! It’s the reality. No one can avoid it” I said.
“Oh life! So mysterious” he said philosophically.
“There are certain things in life we cannot do” I said.
“Of course we can do, may be in different ways” he replied.
“We cannot go back to our childhood” I said in a soft voice.
“Sure! But we can do certain things that children do” he replied smilingly.
“But then people will tell to me that I am a child. My behaviors are childish” I said, thinking that I have said logically.
“But you can be child-like minded” he replied.
“How?” I asked.
“Forget about all these complicated of life. Learn to laugh at your mistakes. Go and talk with a stranger. Ask question. Play with everyone. Be happy. Do not judge anyone. Live in present” he said and looked at me, “would you like to try!”
Should we allow a child to grow within us? Did not Jesus invite us to be like a child?

Everyone is unique!

Recently we were returning from a daylong lovely and hectic tour. We were seven of us in the car, hailing from seven different countries. There were lots of laughter, jokes, fun and of course non-stopping consuming food. But it did not take much time to fall into sleep, as we were tried.

When we reached near the Vatican City, someone said that we had almost reached our home. Then someone proposed that we must thank our leader for taking the initiative to organize this trip. We all shouted together and clapped for him. Then another companion said that we must thank so and so for buying food, so and so for taking our photos. Spontaneously we began to thank all. There was one person who was rather quite during the entire trip and has not had any major role to play. Someone from the back seat said we must thank this particular person because he kept on talking with our driver while we were all sleeping. It was in fact a great job. I was a bit surprised to hear that. I have not had noticed this. At the end our thanks were for each one of us and we recognized the importance of everyone.

Thinking of 'doing' great thing!

When I was at the school I read a story about a man. In a particular village, a man had a great desire to serve his country at the time of war. He would tell everyone about his desire and was waiting for a war. Whenever people would come to him for a little help, he would always refuse them. Even at the time of great natural calamity of the country he remained at home. Thus in his life time he never helped anyone as he had an untimely death due to an unknown dieses.

Sometimes we want to do great things. We have desire to do something special. We keep ourselves so busy with ‘planning and preparing’ for the great thing that we miss the simple thing. We tend to reach out to greater audiences, but in the process we become stranger to the people who live close to us.

I had a very touching experience when I arrived in Rome. It was just before my first semester exams. I could hardly speak any Italian then. I would hardly understand anything after reading all notes and books in Italian. I was getting frightening as exams were coming closer. At this point, one day one of my community members said to me, “You seem to be lost. Why are you so sad? Can I do anything for you?”

I sincerely told him that I was frightened about exams and did not know what to do. He gave a smile and said that he would come to my room and explain to me. He kept his words and it was a great help for me.

Sometimes a smile, a gentle touch or a few words could be a great help to anyone. We really do not need any special talent to reach out to the people. A kind heart is enough to reach out to many people. Are we ready?

Deep calls for deep!!!

‘Why did you say that? Why did you do that? Why did you behave that way? This is not right?’ …and many more! The list is endless! Time and again I have to face such type of questions. I must confess that I have begun to listen to such questions once I arrived in Europe, specially in Rome. Initially I used to be sad to hear. But once I realized that these questions arise out of cultural differences, I began to enjoy. In fact each time I face such question, I sink into deep thoughts. I look at the sky. I prefer to look at the sky at night. The dark silence of the sky gives me deep meaning. I see my deep self. I see my inner world. The nakedness of my life presents to me another life. Then I sink again into deep. In darkness, in silence…I find the ‘Deep.’ Theologian Michal Paul Gallagher, in his book, Dove e’ il tuo Dio, rightly says, God is found even in the darkness…I really do not know either I find God or not. But I am sure I meet something/someone DEEP.

During this summer I have had enormous encounters with the young people. These meetings opened my eyes to the reality that there is a great fear for DEEP. Our life has changed so much that we are afraid of Deep. We are happy with artificial, superficial and instant. This could be our relationship with each other as well as with God. Even we are afraid to go deep into ourselves. But in reality, in DEEP we find real meaning- joy and peace. And deep calls for deep…

Little happiness for her!

That news brought much joy to me. The moment I heard the news, her innocent face came into my mind. For a while, I lost in the memory...

Anondi is her name. The English translation of her name would be ‘happiness or joy.’ But contrary, till today this is what she has missed more. Perhaps this very word was not written in her life dictionary. I know her from the day she came into this world. When she was born I must have been 12 or 13 years old. She was born in a very poor family. All the more, her father was an alcoholic. Whatever he was earning, he would spend on drinking. There was constant quarrel between her parents. Her father would beat her mother often. Her arrival in this world was not well received. First of all she is a girl and secondly the coloure of her skin.

Her parents got two more children. Both were boys.  As her mother would work in houses of rich people, Anondi had to look after them. She would have begun to cook for the entire family when she was just nine or ten years old. In spite of all the problems, her mother wanted to give her children education. She got all of them enrolled in the school. But Anondi did not do well in school as she had to do a lot of works at home. She discontinued.

Years went by. The sad story of Anondi continued. By now she accepted her fate. Meanwhile I left home. I would meet Anondi once in a while. In my last meeting I saw she was already grown up. Her parents were trying to arrange a marriage for her. But the coloure of her skin became a problem. Anondi shared with me her sad stories. She was afraid that as her father constantly beat her mother and one day he might kill her. When she was talking to me her eyes were filled with tears.

Then last September I got the sad news that her mother committed suicide. I really felt very sad. I was worried for Anondi. I know my culture! I know my society! I knew how difficult it would be for Anondi to find a life partner. I could only see the darkness ahead of Anondi. I wish I could help her in some way! But...

Life keeps on going. I would often try to collect some news of Anondi. Recently I heard her father kept on taking alcohol. Her brothers stopped going to school. This is what happens in a family without mother...And then, I got the news. A marriage has been arranged for her. She is due to get married in June, this year. I wish and pray finally for her ‘joyful life!’

(I come from a country, where there are many more Anondi...I feel sad for them...the society, the culture, the people are against them...I wish I could reach out them...if I could add little happiness in their lives...)

Faults are thick where love is thin!

I must confess that ‘those days’ I was too simple! Too innocent! I would think and perceive things in different ways than I do today. I was just out of the novitiate, the first stage of Jesuit formation. I prefer to call the novitiate ‘the Jesuit making factory (!). I had just passed a few weeks since I took my first vows. The teachings of my novice director were still vivid in my mind. He knew soon I would be entering into a new world. The two years in the Novitiate was many ways a ‘protected and safe haven.'

A smile speaks to me a lot!

As part of my pastoral work, yesterday I went to the house of Mother Teresa. My work was very simple. I was helping the sisters to distribute food. While distributing food, I tried to talk and crack some jokes. At one point I noticed someone caught my hand. I looked at him. He was trying to tell me something. But he was unable. With the help of his hands he asked me to get a banana. I went to the store-room and got a banana for him. I could see the joy on his face when I handed over the banana. Then I moved to the next person.

At the end of the meal, I was cleaning plates. Again I noticed some one touched me. I turned my head and saw the same person. This time he was not asking anything. With a broad smile he was trying to say ‘thank you.’ I looked at him again. His innocent smile touched me. It was something very precious. His smile spoke to me a lot. Then he left me. But his smile remains with him…

Moment like this…!

There are times when I feel get out of the routine life and do something different. Those are the moments when I listen to my heart. I just follow wherever my inner heart leads me. One of those moments was just a week ago. It was during weekend. I did some studies during the day. I had my dinner around 8:00pm. The dinner was rather quiet. While having dinner I decided to make a short walk. I returned to my room and quickly changed my dress. Locked my room and went out. I had no clear idea of where to go. I took my usual road, which leads me to Colosseo. I prefer to take this road as there are lots people. I always notice something strange and funny along the way. As I was going to Colosseo I found one side of the road there was a concert going on. There were a lot of people around. I could hear the sound of the music from far.