Lifting Hearts: The kindly gentleman I met in Imphal

Q-sianang Kahmei *

Manipur University at Canchipur :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

"Hey son, are you heading back? Come hop in, let's ride along up to the gate. The walk is lengthy and the heat is unbearable."

This invitation came from a gentleman who, out of sympathy, gave me a lift when I was walking towards the Manipur University (MU) Campus where I had gone for an educational matter.

It was a short yet a memorable ride which, when thought back, I realised that it was the only ride I had ever experienced with a much delightful heart.

I know for sure that it was something not all the people in this world could offer to a lonely pedestrian who had come down to the city from a far flung remote hills with little knowledge of the city's 'here and there'.

Most people would have taken me as another (frequent) visitor who is acquainted with the university complex.

But this kindly gentleman, while on his way on tight schedules, found time to share his comfort with a total (old-fashioned) stranger who, in his accurate judgement, was in need of a lift.

This type of a man with at least a heart of consideration for the needy, if not a heart of love for them, is still a far cry in our society.

Through this short note, I would like to question all joy riders in the land whether they had ever cared to think of pulling over in some corners for a weary traveler.

Remember, there are millions in this world who haven't even seen the inside of a car or touch the smoothness of its body.

Imagine the thankfulness of an old man who hobbles with staggering legs, when he is given a lift in your mobile cushion.

Look at the merriment on the children's face when they are asked to climb on in the open wagon of your truck.

If you drive around but never once have done this, do it today.

You will feel the blessing of your professionalism at the end of the day.

The first reward of good deed comes in the form of happiness that is felt in the heart.

My gentleman and I had a brief exchange of words during our short ride.

I thought he might be a faculty member of the university but he told me that he was not.

He studied and did his thesis there but now employed somewhere else.

As I thanked him before we parted at the gate, I could see the unmistakable joy which was clearly perceptible in his eyes.

He would have definitely given me a longer ride had our destination been on the same side of the city.

Back on my own then, the remaining ride to the bus-stand by an auto-rickshaw was short lived by the feeling of excitement which sprouted as a result of the free ride I enjoyed minutes before with the godly man.

I deeply regret that I had failed to take his address or his number at least, to thank him again not only for the lift but also for making me realize that the world after all, is not the home of mindless goons alone. It has its own beautiful side inhabited by angels and good fairies.

I thank the Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publication and its editorial team for giving me passage through the column of their prestigious daily to express my gratitude and to wish him and his family, happiness all through the journey they undertake.

May his calibre, kin and kind increase manifold!