Travelling is the most enriching experience. The random people we meet on such journeys unknowingly leave behind lessons and memories for life. Far off places are everyone's favourite, offering its dose of excitement, fun and happiness. But sometimes even in our city, going to the same place like maybe a office or shopping mall can turn out to be an interesting experience. This is one of the important reasons, apart from the traffic snarls which makes me choose public transport for travelling within the city.
Recently,on one such auto ride from my friend's place I had an unforgettable experience. The auto driver was an elderly gentleman in his late fifties.Like most people his age he was talkative and kept initiating conversations of random things. Though I love having conversation with random people I somehow held back and allowed the old man to continue his banter.
All of a sudden he veered his conversation from politics and traffic towards me .I was truly taken aback when out of the blue he asked me what was my father. I politely tried to evade the question as I did not feel it appropriate.But, the man didn't seem too much interested in my answer. He was sure that I would tell a doctor, engineer or civil servant for an answer.He then started his usual mumbling. I wanted to know why he had asked such a question so I casually asked him if he had any children and what do they do. I thought maybe he wanted a job for his kids.
He said that he had four kids two sons and two daughters. While his sons were still young and in college, his daughters were working. Of all the answers of where his daughter's were working, the answer which he gave was the least expected. He said his daughter's were well educated and were lecturers in a leading private college. I was pleasantly surprised. But the old man was not very happy. He observed that all this education and professional success has not been of much help in finding a suitable groom for his daughters.
While dowry and lack of good looks is what I expected to be the reasons for this. I was shocked when I heard the actual reason. It was his profession which prevented grooms from marrying his daughters.His being an auto driver was the reason for rejection of several marriage proposals. But I was consoled when the driver said that he will never give his daughter's hand in marriage to a man who is so shallow that he fails to recognize the worth of a diamond and thinks it to be a stone just because it comes from a dark and dingy mine.
That day I considered myself very lucky for having met such a man who refuses to give up on his ideals even when the society belittles him. A man who in spite of his meager earning believes in imparting knowledge to his children without any gender bias and our society fails to recognise such a man. It only discourages his attempt further by failing to accept his children's success.I felt ashamed of myself as I belong to that society too.
When will we learn to judge a man,
Not by his clothes but by what he can.
Whatever maybe the job he does,
If it harms none , then why the fuss.
Accept one for the heart he possess,
Fall not for the money excess.
