Remembering the Tamarind Tree
First time when I saw the notice regarding the Ettimadai trips on our ASB notice board I wondered; why would someone go to a village and waste a Sunday when instead we can go to Coimbatore and enjoy our weekend? I knew only to speak Tamil, I couldn’t read or write Tamil then there is no use in me going there and contributing nothing, nobody would talk to me.
One day my professor who was leading the group of volunteers to Ettimadai asked me if I could join them. She told me it would be a great experience. I don’t know if there was some magic in her words or if it was the wish of someone above all of us; eventhough I had all those thoughts of not going, I decided to join them once and then after that first trip of mine to the great place I joined them forever. I realized the village was far better than a trip to Coimbatore.
In the middle of the village there was a big tree which provided enough shade for all of us. As soon as we entered the village we can see lot of tiny tots rushing out from their houses from all directions. These small wonders welcome everyone with a wonderful smile. Some walk along with us holding our hands and some rush to climb the platform under the tree which has the idols of their village deity. The first thing which touched me was this. Being a complete stranger I was feeling a bit hesitant to walk into the village; but those little ones were holding my hand so firmly as if they knew me for years. This first touch of theirs actually touched me very deeply. Those little stars wanted me to carry them when I walked, they wanted me to lift them up in the air when I stood up, talk with them about all the good things I knew, laugh with them, listen to their stories and just feel at home away from home.
In today’s world where we refuse to trust others, where we always take more and give less, where we always use our head than our heart to handle others; here in Ettimadai I met these wonderful kids who accepted me as their friend, as their ‘anna’, and shared their happiness with me. Our SAPG teacher had taught us that we all wear masks and he had also told us that children are totally different in that aspect. My Ettimadai friends showed me their inner self in the form of pure love and friendship. I am glad that I could also share my knowledge with them. I could enjoy the pleasure of giving.
Those Ettimadai visits have had an impact on me. They have changed my behavior towards others. I have learnt to accept others as they are. Today I have lot of friends, and in my workplace people have started trusting me and accepting me. This I believe is because I have learnt the art of sharing and caring from my dear Ettimadai friends.
Contributed By-
P V Anirudh
MBA 2004-2006 |
