I
used to often see an elderly person at the Menaka, Boat-jetty and other major
bus stops in Ernakulam. I came to understand that he is a native of Chottanikkara
area. He was a Nair whose forehead was adorned with sandal paste. He was short but healthy. His scalp shone more than
the grey-hair that partially covered it. His teeth had started withering. He normally
wore a dhoti and a slack shirt. A towel was loosely thrown around his
shoulders. When private buses arrive at the stop he would alert the passengers
by announcing the route and destination of the particular bus. A great service
indeed! Not only did help the blind, and
the crippled board the bus but he also made sure a seat was arranged for them
for a comfortable journey. At regular intervals he would go to the other stops
as well. The handicapped passengers would be waiting in such stops that availed
of his gratuitous service. Some of the bus conductors gave him ten or
twenty-five paise for his alert calls. I have noticed that he would spare a few
paise for a bus ticket for any deserving passengers. Did the government or the local
authority recognize his service? Was he given any pension?
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment