Yesterday, on my way to office, I
saw a bike hit a sedan lightly from behind. The person on the bike got
unbalanced and fell right in between my car and the road divider. Thankfully,
my car was not speeding because of a red light ahead. Then my eyes fell on the
bike rider lying on the busy road, a man in his late fifties, unassuming, who
was struggling to get up in the scorching heat, trying to put his helmet and
specs right back with his shivering hands. He looked embarrassed and hurt. He
got up, steadied the bike handle and was caressing his knees with his hand when
out comes the driver of the swanky car. A tall broad immaculately dressed woman
pointing her perfectly manicured hands at the elderly and screaming about the
damage done to the car, which was minuscule compared to the harm inflicted on
this man’s body and confidence.
He looked helpless in front of
the richie rich. Desperately wanting to get away to continue his job which he
had to I guess for his living, he started pleading the woman for forgiveness.
The female, throwing her might around, bounced off some English slangs and
started giving him driving tips along with threats. It was a funny sight, watching
someone who was half the age of the other, reprimanding.
The signal then turned green and
my car started moving. A part of me wanted to stay back and watch the scene.
Later, recalling the episode, I was angry with myself for not stopping then and
taking the poor man’s side. People think am courageous, but I realized I have a
long way to go before the word can be used an adjective for me. I wondered does
being rich also make you blind to other’s plight. The owner of the car must be
earning at least ten times of the old fellow’s salary. Yet she had to create a
scene. For all you know, the hit might not have been a driving mistake but
maybe because the rider was exhausted from the sun and might have gotten tired
or sick or some other health issue.
Despite having booming NGO
services and corporate social responsibilities these days, it is sad to see
people still lacking the basic humanity when their actions are not being
recorded for tax benefits or they are not being photographed. Such a two-faced
world we live in! A higher standard of living should also make you empathize
with the not so privileged ones. Like spiderman's uncle said: with great power come great
responsibilities. As for me, I hope I do not think twice before taking the
right side next time. I may not be able to give the financial support but I can
definitely give the moral support and fight for the right cause! Its just not
me, but I ask each one of you to keep an open eye and help wherever you can. Trust
me; the satisfaction that one derives by helping others is unmatched to any
comfort that money can buy!
