You might know the dictionary meaning of this word, or might give a speech on the topic. But when it comes to me I have my own version of its meaning.
The story starts when I was in school and Indian Railways was not computerised. Manual reservations were done and persons used to manully announce the arrival and departure of trains.
He was an ordinary counter clerk in Enquiry counter in Gonda Railway Station, announcing the arrival and departure of trains. This railway station is too small in the NE railways, and even smaller is the city. Nothing famous about it, and nothing worth anything. But frequent travellers knew this person by his voice. He was known across the NE railways as the best Enquiry operator and had won awards for best announcer for many years consequetively. His approach towards job was the same as Amir Khan says "No job is small" and he excelled in all.
For additional activity, he used to run an orchestra at a minimal rate. He has a gang of all railway employees , his friends who used to perform at marraiges and birthday parties. He could play almost all the musical instruments I have ever known and was a great singer.
What I liked about him is not his excellence but the realization that whoso ever meet him once will love him.He was the most positive attitude person I ever met. You cant stop being happy and laughing in this company. He has practically no enemies . Holding a public dealing job, he had exellent network, think about any institution /college/hospital/goverment bodies/ contractors/ thiefs/ smmuglers/police, everyone know him and he is respected everywhere. He was well known to near by villages also.
His marraige was another interesting chapter. He was staying with his parents in the railway quaters,when he heard a young girl of 17 years begging for food at his door steps. He was buzy with his musical instruments, when he overheard the conversation of his mother and the girl. The girl was from a near by town born to a very poor family. She never had 2 meals in her whole life.Her parents died at an early age and now her brother is finding difficult to feed one more mouth so was ready to sell her off to an old man of 60 years. She ran away from there, and hadnt eaten anything from last 6 days and thus forced to beg.
His mother refused to give alms but offered shelter if she promised to do household work. The girl agreed. Days passed and she became a part of the family. She had never gone to school but her attitude was amazing. Both of them became close and he asked her for her hand. His mother was reluctant at first but when the girl agreed, the marraige happened.
He forced her wife to study and complete her formal education till graduation. His family supported both of them always.
Along with other things his memory was something I bow my head to .. He will listen your voice once and will recognise you by name even you meet him after months. He even recognize the foot steps at once. It was impossible to cheat him or keep him in dark, even though God has given him only darkness.
He lost his eye sight at the age of 8 when he was trying to help his mother in cutting the woods. A small piece flew and it entered his eyes. Not knowing , he rubbed it to end his eye sight for ever, and the infection was such that his life was cut short to only 30 years.
I recall seeing the movie Anand, but this man is a real life Anand. He is someone who can not be forgotten.
I dont know how many years have gone since he took his last breath may be 15-18 years, but today also when I cross the enquiry counter I picture him recognizing my foot steps. I recall people turning up to ask my mom about his whereabouts after 3-5 years. I realise that no one in my moms office have forgotten him. He is still cherished and brings smile as his name is mentioned.
I wonder who was he. A blind person who came over his disability as the finest employee of railways for years, or a husband who married a girl informing her she will be widow in next 10 years and forcing her to do her studies so that she can have his job and sustain a good life after his death. A friend who found hidden talents in his friends and surface them, made them follow their passion. or a stranger whose smiles had given relief to many passengers unaware that the eyes probing them cant see them. He changed the lives of all who were near him for good.
With no regrets on his death bed , he asked for forgiveness as he found himself the reason for making hundreds of people stand in the hospital with damp eyes.
His life was ruthless but he turned every moment into an opportunity. I remember his words to a travellor from Mumbai when he felt sorry after knowing he was blind.
"I cannot change what has already happened or about to happen but its always in my hand how I feel about it. Thanks to the Almighty for giving me the sight to see it."
He smiled and helped the customer with the details he needed. The person was one who carried his dead body from the hospital to the ghat.
This is what I call an Attitude.
The story starts when I was in school and Indian Railways was not computerised. Manual reservations were done and persons used to manully announce the arrival and departure of trains.
He was an ordinary counter clerk in Enquiry counter in Gonda Railway Station, announcing the arrival and departure of trains. This railway station is too small in the NE railways, and even smaller is the city. Nothing famous about it, and nothing worth anything. But frequent travellers knew this person by his voice. He was known across the NE railways as the best Enquiry operator and had won awards for best announcer for many years consequetively. His approach towards job was the same as Amir Khan says "No job is small" and he excelled in all.
For additional activity, he used to run an orchestra at a minimal rate. He has a gang of all railway employees , his friends who used to perform at marraiges and birthday parties. He could play almost all the musical instruments I have ever known and was a great singer.
What I liked about him is not his excellence but the realization that whoso ever meet him once will love him.He was the most positive attitude person I ever met. You cant stop being happy and laughing in this company. He has practically no enemies . Holding a public dealing job, he had exellent network, think about any institution /college/hospital/goverment bodies/ contractors/ thiefs/ smmuglers/police, everyone know him and he is respected everywhere. He was well known to near by villages also.
His marraige was another interesting chapter. He was staying with his parents in the railway quaters,when he heard a young girl of 17 years begging for food at his door steps. He was buzy with his musical instruments, when he overheard the conversation of his mother and the girl. The girl was from a near by town born to a very poor family. She never had 2 meals in her whole life.Her parents died at an early age and now her brother is finding difficult to feed one more mouth so was ready to sell her off to an old man of 60 years. She ran away from there, and hadnt eaten anything from last 6 days and thus forced to beg.
His mother refused to give alms but offered shelter if she promised to do household work. The girl agreed. Days passed and she became a part of the family. She had never gone to school but her attitude was amazing. Both of them became close and he asked her for her hand. His mother was reluctant at first but when the girl agreed, the marraige happened.
He forced her wife to study and complete her formal education till graduation. His family supported both of them always.
Along with other things his memory was something I bow my head to .. He will listen your voice once and will recognise you by name even you meet him after months. He even recognize the foot steps at once. It was impossible to cheat him or keep him in dark, even though God has given him only darkness.
He lost his eye sight at the age of 8 when he was trying to help his mother in cutting the woods. A small piece flew and it entered his eyes. Not knowing , he rubbed it to end his eye sight for ever, and the infection was such that his life was cut short to only 30 years.
I recall seeing the movie Anand, but this man is a real life Anand. He is someone who can not be forgotten.
I dont know how many years have gone since he took his last breath may be 15-18 years, but today also when I cross the enquiry counter I picture him recognizing my foot steps. I recall people turning up to ask my mom about his whereabouts after 3-5 years. I realise that no one in my moms office have forgotten him. He is still cherished and brings smile as his name is mentioned.
I wonder who was he. A blind person who came over his disability as the finest employee of railways for years, or a husband who married a girl informing her she will be widow in next 10 years and forcing her to do her studies so that she can have his job and sustain a good life after his death. A friend who found hidden talents in his friends and surface them, made them follow their passion. or a stranger whose smiles had given relief to many passengers unaware that the eyes probing them cant see them. He changed the lives of all who were near him for good.
With no regrets on his death bed , he asked for forgiveness as he found himself the reason for making hundreds of people stand in the hospital with damp eyes.
His life was ruthless but he turned every moment into an opportunity. I remember his words to a travellor from Mumbai when he felt sorry after knowing he was blind.
"I cannot change what has already happened or about to happen but its always in my hand how I feel about it. Thanks to the Almighty for giving me the sight to see it."
He smiled and helped the customer with the details he needed. The person was one who carried his dead body from the hospital to the ghat.
This is what I call an Attitude.
