The Unread Letters

Babloo, a nine year old boy grew up alone in Gujarat.

Grew up alone???

Yes, when Babloo was an year old, Babloo’s parents left him in crèche and went to work. When he was at a school going age, they left him in an after school care. They dropped him at school every day at 8 am and picked him from the day care at around 8 pm. Babloo studied and did all his homework at the after school care. He went home to have his dinner and sleep. His parents did not have time to ask him about his day at school. On Saturdays too, he was left at day care till 2 pm. It was a mechanical day to day life for Babloo and his parents!

   

   Babloo wanted his mother to be at home. He wanted to narrate his day to day happenings at school to his mom. He yearned to go for an evening walk with his dad. As he grew up, he understood that his wish would not be satisfied in near future. But he hoped for some good to happen. So, he started writing letters to his parents every evening as he sat in his after school care.

        He wrote in detail about what happened at school, how he was appreciated or scolded by his teachers, about the petty fights with his classmates, about what he felt like eating, may be an icecream or a rasamalai or a vegetable pulav!

        He explained beautifully in his own words –

“Amma, when the long dispersal bell rings at 3:30 pm, all my friends get excited to go home. They quickly pack their bags and stand in line, often peeping out of the line waving at their parents in the crowd outside the school gate. As my teacher calls the name one by one, they run to their mom, hug them, hand over their heavy school bag and lunch bag to their mommies and walk free handed. Their mommies buy them cotton candies and kites from the vendors outside the school campus!

Every day, I hope to see your face among the crowd of parents and I get disappointed. I am waiting for you ma… Love you tons!! – Babloo, 18.08.2000”

         

 He wrote letters daily and kept in his mom’s cupboard hoping that she would read them whenever she is free. His mechanical life continued. Once in his school, Babloo participated in a letter writing competition as a part of Republic Day event and wrote a letter under the topic “Letter to my ma”. No wonder. He won the first prize!

           As usual, when Babloo’s parents came to pick him up from the day care, he told them about the competition and his winning. He also said that the prize distribution will be done on Republic Day that Friday and he must be present for the event at 8 am. He added that the parents can also come and he requested his parents to come. His parents felt happy for Babloo and promised to come.

          In the morning of 26th January, Babloo got ready for the prize distribution event. His parents dropped him at school and promised to come back in an hour. The Republic Day events began. At around 8:30 am, Babloo’s name was called to receive the first prize. He climbed the stairs of the stage and stood next to the chief guest. His school principal read the letter that fetched Babloo the first prize. As the principal started reading the letter, Babloo searched for his parents in the auditorium. He could not find them. The principal finished reading the letter with an emotional note penned by Babloo at the end of the letter saying-

“for those who feel helpless,

for those who long for love,

for those who crave for care,

for those who want a mom’s hug,

Remember,

Mother India protects us,

sheds her love luxuriously,

extends her hands for care and

happily hugs us in her arms!”

JAI HIND!

            The entire auditorium resonated with the thunder of applause for Babloo. Babloo’s parents entered the auditorium hearing these words of Babloo from his principal. The chief guest was into tears. He hugged Babloo and called upon his parents on stage.

              As Babloo’s parents ran to the stage and embraced him, the entire auditorium trembled. Thud…… thud… thud…the decorations fell down, the chairs rolled down the stage, the building shook, people felt like they were clinging onto a pendulum that swinged left and right vigorously. The land of Bhuj in Gujarat where they were standing began to crack and the school building started falling down into pieces. It was a massive earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.7 in the Richter scale.

              Babloo’s mom held him tight in her arms and ran as fast as she could. His dad followed her. To their utter dismay, a big pillar fell on them and it badly hit Babloo’s head. He was fully covered with blood. No one could help as there were huge cries everywhere. It was the same situation all around. Many ran fast to save themselves, to save their near and dear, to save the elders, to save the unknown! Many got stuck under the ruptured walls and pillars, there was a stampede and clouds of dust engulfed the entire area.

              With just few breaths left, Babloo managed to see his mom and dad hugging him tightly, for which he had longed all these years. He knew that he could not be saved. He felt happy that his parents embraced him at last. In a stammering voice, he somehow managed to speak to his parents. He said –

“Ma, I have letters for you in your cupboard. Please read them. I may die but my love for you will never die. Love you ma…”

             And Babloo breathed for one last time. Mother India has imbibed Babloo in her vast land to protect his lovely soul forever. Babloo’s parents cried loudly. Their cries were heard by none. They carried Babloo in their arms. They could not find a proper way back to their home. Atlast, they reached their home, just to see a collapsed building. Babloo’s letters remained unread forever.

          

    “Tomorrow is never a promise”. Let’s spend some quality time with our children and give them complete love. The real happiness lies in seeing our children happy and joyful.

              Today, in India, there are much technological advancements in various fields and we strive to become a developed nation. Apart from education, sound mental health is the need of the hour. Food, clothing and shelter are the basic needs. Along with these, love and care are the utmost basics that are needed to climb the ladder of success. The children are like tiny saplings in the garden of independent India. Let’s nurture them with love and affection so that they grow into beautiful flowers and fruits and make a healthy India.