Saturday, May 2, 2020

Quo Vadis


It was hot and sultry with not a trace of breeze. I had just finished my lunch under the shade of a tea shop. Since early morning I have been witnessing the steady stream of migrant workers fleeing from the hosiery city in the wake of lock down and the closure of factories with possible loss of income. They were walking in clusters on the highway towards their native villages in the North. Most of them were young and able bodied with a small percentage of middle aged, women and children carrying bags and assorted bundles. Tired and thirsty they ambled along in the hot sun with much difficulty. With no trains or buses operating, they decided, come what may, to walk the entire distance to reach their safe havens and live among their own people in their familiar village.
I saw a young man sitting on the culvert with his face turned towards the city from where he walked. He had obviously separated from the group that continued its walk towards their distant destination.
“What is your name? Why are you sitting here alone when your people have continued to walk? Is it not good to walk in company than alone?”
“Sibu is my name, Saab. I know but I do not wish to go,” he mumbled
“Why is it then you  walked 30 miles from the city with them? Are you having second thoughts?”
“It was foolish and dishonourable on my part to have joined them in the first place. I have reconsidered and wish to return before the night,” he said as he wiped his sweaty face and limbs with a dirty towel.
“Were you working there? Have you lost the job or what?”
He kept silent but looked into his water bottle that was empty. He looked famished and thirsty.
“Here is a bun and a bottle of water. Help yourself first, “I said.
His eyes widened in surprise and quickly gulped two mouthfuls of water before eating the bun.
“I am sorry I did not answer your question as I am afraid of you in police uniform. You may put me in jail,” he said in a penitent tone.
“Do not be afraid. You have not done any harm to anyone. Tell me why do you want to return when so many have decided to leave?” I asked in soft and comforting manner.
It was then he broke into uncontrollable crying. I patted him and told, “You are a grown up man and it is not becoming of you to cry. Tell me quickly what the problem is? Are you in love with someone there? Be frank.”
“Nothing of that sort. The wretch that I am, I have left behind my aged parents to fend for themselves. My mother suffers from arthritis and she cannot walk without pain and my dad has poor vision and weak with frequent chest pain. I did not want to leave them but there was pressure from others for me to leave and walk along with them. My parents are not in a position to walk.
My father said, “We are old and we cannot walk. I insist that you must go with others as it is safe to walk in company. God willing when train services are restored we would join you or if things become normal you can return here. We can manage for short period and people here are helpful.” Sibu said
“Has the factory stopped working?”
“It is not a big unit but the stock of finished goods is heavy and the goods have not been dispatched as there is no transportation. The machines work very sparsely. The employer is a good person and has provided accommodation. All of us are worried what would happen if this pandemic continues for long. We cannot expect the owner to pay us for long when the factory is not running,” he explained.
“Do you think things are different in your villages? They also face the same threat, lock downs and people are falling sick.” I asked
“Yes I agree things will be equally bad. But, we have the comfort of living among our own people in our own hut. It is not a happy situation but better of the two options,” he spoke sensibly.
“So what is your plan?”
“I wish to return to my parents this night itself and assure them that I am with them through thick and thin. I can get the free food, rations and money the government has promised to give. I am healthy and can move around to do odd jobs to earn. My employer will certainly not turn us out of the accommodation. He may provide us some food too. Even if all of us die, there is the comfort that I have not ditched them,” he said in a determined tone.
“It is a little more than 30 miles and you cannot reach before the night even if you run,” I said with a smile.
“I am too tired for running but will start walking now anyway,” he replied
“No, you cannot leave this place without my permission,” I said in a peremptory tone of a police man.
The young man was appalled and started crying banging his head with his hands.
“Stop this drama, go inside the tea shop and sit down quietly on the bench,” I told him stiffly and added as an afterthought, “Have this packet of biscuits. One bun was not adequate for you.”
It was 5.30pm and the sun was going down. There was a gentle breeze. My duty hours had ended. I kicked my heavy bike and it roared to life as I sat on the seat. Sibu looked at me with horror and disbelief as the bike leapt forward leaving him alone in the desolate place. 
Dazed Sibu started trudging his way towards the hosiery city cursing the quixotic ways of the policeman, first in giving water and food and then leaving him in lurch after making him waste his time on the bench. It was then he heard the sound of motorbike returning and stopping by his side. Sibu’s face brightened with a glimmer of hope.
 I smiled at him and said, “I made you sit deliberately here for some time as a punishment for deserting your parents. I will now take you on my bike to your place as a reward for your decision to turn back. Do not worry, Things will return to normal soon thanks to the steps taken by government. I will take care of you and your parents in the meanwhile, if necessary. Come on, hop on to the pillion.”



34 comments:

  1. A feel good story to go with the current situation. Thank you
    Take care
    Chitra Solomon

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  2. Nice, feel-good story. We need people helping each other at this time. 🙏👍

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  3. It was a story that kept me glued as usual..a nice read for morning which somehow reflected positivity...so relatable to current situation..so well narrated...

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  4. Very positive story. Gives me hope that parent-child relationships are still strong, though a sense of foreboding from the fact that Sibu left his parents in the first instance and then had a pang of conscience which prompted him to return.

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  5. The story is very good.How did it strike you to post this topical story at apt time?Very nice one with good ending.

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  6. In the end you gave a subtle msg of punishment for leaving parents. Simple sentence conveys depth of msg. Another beauty from you. You are an example for how to use time so beautifully instead of crying as many days IAM getting bored or killing my time. Lot more traits to learn from you.

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  7. This story has an amazing ring of truth and reality in it. It's as if you have narrated a real life incident. It's actually happening Sir. You have captured the essence beautifully.

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  8. Very topical. Brings out the human element in its many shades. Especially the policeman's. These true Covid warriors are doing superhuman service in such trying times. Very good characterisation, KP. Enjoyed the read. Thank you!

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  9. So relevant in today's times. Most of us middle class folk dont understand the plight of these migrant workers. Thanks for writing a story around it!

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  10. A nice feel good story in today's times. A wonderful gesture by the policeman. You akways spread positivity whatever the situation

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  11. Very apt subject for the current situation. The portrait of the policeman and the migrant worker was done in the way we read about them in the paper. I always felt sorry for the migrants, walking continuously on the sides of the roads. The kind, sensible nature of the policeman and the innocent nature of the migrant was narrated beautifully...very good story, Kp.

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  12. Partha Sir, your inimitable style of implying so much in such few words ! Spellbinding!

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  13. Apt story for the times... Feel good ending

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  14. Very neatly written positive tale.Is it just the adage blood is thicker than water? I would prefer to put more into the nurture the parents gave. How we get carried away by peer pressure, going against the call of the heart is beautifully brought out. The spirit of the policeman in making Sibu sweat it out is strangely endearing.

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  15. Very neat endearing positive tale, admirable parents to have nurtured Sibu , who has the strength to turn his back on peer pressure, the nice police man who makes Sibu sweat it out.....

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  16. As usual, very nice story. true too with positive vibes

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  17. I liked this story based on our present situation. We keep seeing how people keep helping each other in these difficult times. There are so many Gods in and around us . Gave a happy feel.

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  18. Enjoyed the story. The torment of the migrant worker projected very well.

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    1. Who could be this person who had kindly commented?

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  19. The magical weave of adorable characters in these desperate times and each one played his part so beautifully through your portrayal, a salute to the men in uniform through this heart warming story. The Messiahs that they are for the affected. The conflict passing through the minds of the migrant - to go back ir stay all brought out eloquently. A genius to keep up with the times we are passing through.. salutations to you KP sir!

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  20. Thank you for a positive story in these tough times. We need to thank countless frontline workers who are so much more humane than they are portrayed to be. Very relatable to the current scenario

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  21. Apt subject for the current scenario. Amidst so many negative happenings, nice to read about Shibu realising before it was too late and also the humanitarian approach of the policeman after punishing Shibu for his mistake! Both the characters well portrayed.

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  22. It is nice a small punishment was given to him for abandoning his parents. Aside from this blog post, I have a question. Is it the job of a policeman to decide and punish the offender? or ordering punishment is the job of a judge?

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  23. The story is a good one with a positive vibe. To err is human. But the boy correcting himself in time and the good samiritan in the policeman coming to his help at the right time gives a good feel to the reader.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  24. An apt story in these trying times. The story gives us hope and faith in humanity. Everyone unites in these times of need and the frontline workers are doing everything to keep people safe. Parents trying to protect children and children trying to take care of elders is natural, but the police being understanding and helping him go back is the icing on the cake. Thank you for this positive insight into the nature of people.

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  25. Such a positive story!
    His fear was true. It's the police!
    Normal citizen won't risk defying orders and speak to migrant workers on the road...
    Glad he'll be reaching home to his parents.
    Really nice. Stay safe.

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  26. A soulful tale on the angst and pain of migrant workers

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  27. Simple story with a lot of message.Nice

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  28. A simple and warm story with positive vibes. Thank you for the story.

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  29. Finally, sense dawned on him. A laudable gesture by the policeman. In real life too there have been many stories of policemen offering a helping hand to people like him.

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  30. Beautiful story. Parent child relationship is emphasized. Very important to have values in place. In the current situation, a very apt one indeed.

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