“I can’t walk. My leg is hurting awfully.” Informed a team member who sprained her ankle while descending a steep slope

“Ok, guys! Change of plans. We’ll halt here for the night. Let’s pitch our tents under that grand Mohua tree.” Our team leader declared.

A disruption to our days plan, but a much needed respite for our aching shoulders and weary legs. I thought.

The area was deserted except for a few cattle grazing idly. Right ahead, cascading from a towering height, was a waterfall that created a rhythmic hum as it gurgled its way through the giant rocks around it. While the aroma from the blossoms of the verdant canopies enriched the air, the slender stalks of the bamboos from a nearby cluster swayed merrily, as if to amuse us; the hikers from a faraway land.  

Once the tents were set,  most from the team decided to rest, so I set off  towards the waterfall.

I was enjoying nature’s beauty when a chatter broke my reverie. Ah, these ladies must be from a nearby village. They set down the bundle of logs, washed their hands, and extracted something from their sarees pleats. 

Rotis... I could see them clearly. What’s their fixins? Gur...sabzi...bhaji...

Little did I know, that the next moment was about to change me, forever.

Huh? Did they really dip the rotis in the water and eat it? I gaped in awe as they savoured it satisfactorily. Perhaps, obligatorily. I had no idea. I had no idea as I always had various dishes to relish at every meal. I had no idea, ‘cause I didn’t know what it means to have nothing; at all.

Are they really that destitute, or am I mistaken? Perhaps they forgot the fixins at home today...

That evening, a rendezvous with our local guides turned into a saga of poignant tales about the hardships of the tribal’s of that zone. A harsh reality that shook me to the core.

I returned home, but the memory lingered. And somehow, it inspired me to hatch a plan. When I shared the experience with my kith and kin, everyone agreed to support my idea. The idea to lend our helping hands and share our blessings with those in greatest need. The following months saw a fair collection of dry-foods, school supplies, clothes and daily essentials. Some donated cash, some in kind.

After the overwhelming response, I called the guides of our hiking trip, “Hello, Dada! I’ll visit your place next week, but this time, it’s for a special reason.” I informed him of my plan. “Dada, few of my friends will accompany me in this noble cause, but I’ll need your help to execute the plan successfully.”

 He agreed,  humbly.

That one moment worked as a catalyst to change my perception of life. It taught me to be humble and thankful for the abundance I was blessed with. That day’s disruption, made way for a lifelong mission to care, and share with those who deserve.