Dear Friends,
I was at the Jockey store in town, buying thermal inner wear for my US trip in May. I saw this boy, keenly looking into the shelves in the kid’s section. His eyes caught my attention, as they combined hope and helplessness. Then he vanished, and I got busy, selecting my stuff.
I finished shopping and asked at the bill counter about the boy. They said that he is the son of the lady who sweeps the shop. That’s when I noticed a short lady, sweeping the floor.
I asked her about her son. She said that he goes to the local school, and accompanied her occasionally during his vacation. He would be going to the eighth grade next year, and his brother to the ninth grade. It was a struggle for her (working three days a week as a sweeper), and her casual labourer husband to find enough money for their school joining expenses. So, both the boys often went to school wearing old uniforms and carrying old school bags.
I wanted the meet the boy again, and found him sitting in a corner behind the changing room. I took him to the kid’s section and gifted him a T shirt that he liked.
Then I told his mother to buy whatever the kids wanted for the new school year, and give me the bills when I got back from the US.
She did so, and handed over the bills to me recently.
We have paid her for all the bills, with a contribution from Ms. Bhavya Belliappa, who is more of an affectionate sister to me than a dear brother officer’s wife.
Thank you Bhavya, for helping both the boys with new bags and uniforms, without burdening their poor parents.