I always
cooked for my friends and family but today for the first time I cooked for some
unknown people. They will eat the food not knowing who fed them and I will never
know who ate it and yet it gave me immense joy.
I joined a
group of my friends who have been selflessly cooking roti+ sabji for migrants
who are leaving for UP, Bihar. Its tough task for us as food resources are scarce
and extra cooking becomes an additional chore on top of other things that we
are all working with. These are not poor people but they can’t afford to pay rent
any longer. There is also no assurance as to when life will be normal and hence
they all are going back. There were so many people who got together to provide
food and water for people who are walking or going by whatever available transport.
It is amazing how we have such a humane culture and empathy that comes into
play when we are in crisis.
Years back, I
was travelling with two women to Allahabad for Kumbhmela. In my compartment
they were two men, one who was in late 40’s called Yadav and the other who was
a salesman called Fukraan Sheikh, who was in late 20’s. Both took care of us all
through the journey. Initially I was wary and suspicious but slowly it all went
away. While alighting at Allahabad they told us - you are our guests. Mumbai has
given a so much and it is our way of saying thanks to Mumbai.
Today it is
my way of saying thank you in very small way to these are people who made
Mumbai their home, they were the lifelines of Mumbai working seamlessly for
such a long time.
While leaving,
I wished them a safe journey and with lump in my throat and tears in my eye, I
bid them goodbye.
This was my way of saying thank you to all those who made
life easy here.
Life will never
be the same again!
