Our small pledge before our Tiranga flag today..

Today, on 15th August, our independence day, all the TV channels and newspapers will be belching out statistics, achievements and shortcomings of our great nation.

Whatever we are, wherever we are, is there even a smallest role for us to play? One story by N Raghuraman, my favourite columnist published 2-3 days back stirred me so much that it must be shared on these pages. 

One employee of a not so well respected govt deptt in one Indian state, both not so well regarded respected for speed & efficiency has shown us what we can do wherever we are.

Meet Mr Shivendra Kamparia, an officer  Employee Provident Fund organisation in Madhya Pradesh.

He was shocked to read in newspapers that one school teacher Narendra Shukla aged 35 and his mother lost lives due to electrocution in Jabalpur.

Reading this news story, he was shocked and wanted to see if he can do something.

He reached the family on the same day when the last rites for cremation were being performed and the family was in shambles.

He waited till it was over and  proper for him to speak to the bereaved wife Chetna. He had carried the claim form for her to fill up and sign it so that he can carry it back to office and file on her behalf!

But quick disposal met two road blocks : Chetna had no bank account and certificate of death was also needed.

Shivendra arranged for opening the much needed bank account  in Chetna's name. He took the newspaper cutting that described Shukla's tragic death and enclosed it as a proof of death!

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it, said Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist.

 Truly so, the EPF deptt prepared the cheque for death compensation on the very next day. Shivendra did not lose time to deposit it in Chetna's bank account and obtain a receipt from her.

Do we need a more inspiring real life incident to stop waiting for something to happened, by the efforts of somebody? 

One is reminded of Helen Keller who coaxed us thus: 

I am only one, but still I am one. 

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; 

and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.