Humanity

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!