Diamond In The Rough

Manoranjan Mandal whom we fondly call “Mandal Da” is an auto-rickshaw driver. He along with his wife, Sanchita and only son Shivam lives in a tiny asbestos thatched room at a corner of our apartment in Patna. Their dwelling is somewhat shabby with random cracks in the wall, a dilapidated bathroom with a tin gate and one congested bedroom. In the rainy season, snakes intrude into their room through the rectangular void in the lower portion of their gate. However, they are surviving with no grudges against life. We are inspired by this ideal family. Their sobriety, skill of managing well-ordinary family life with a meagre income and cooperative behaviour is a matter of fascination in our locality.

Now let’s come to the matter which I wish to bring before the readers.

Mandal Da is an illiterate person and so does her wife. However, stoically sustaining the penury of life they managed to admit their son Shivam to a good school. Shivam is an intelligent student. Apart from excelling in conventional school education he is also brilliant in painting and possesses an obsessive knack for acquiring knowledge. Many times he used to wait at his gate while I return from the office and ask questions and queries related to current affairs and general awareness. Slowly I detected a streak of vibrant brilliance in Shivam.

Today’s morning when I was going to the office, Sanchita Di was standing at her gate. Her face was gleaming with joviality. She informed me in an enthusiastic tone of voice:

‘Bhaiya, Shivam has won a quiz competition held by 'The Telegraph newspaper.

Then she went inside and brought some Ladoos on a plate. She also showed me the medal and a Webster dictionary with the logo of 'The Telegraph' imprinted upon them. It was news and a gesture which overwhelmed me. The reason is the implemental perception of “education” as a great asset by an underprivileged family. The motivation and daringness which led them to “educate” their child burying the “restrictive hurdle” of poverty deep inside their heart, is a live inspirational example worth imbibing.

God Bless Shivam...!!!