THE TRUE HAPPINESS

Rishi Thappar belonging to a wealthy family loved flaunting his father’s wealth. Most of the times he was either with his friends partying or shopping in best of the branded showrooms. His father, Mr. Thappar a well flourished businessman was very upset because of his son’s lifestyle, for the reason that despite putting his best efforts, he was unable to persuade Rishi in joining his business. One thing was for sure that if Rishi continued to adopt this kind of living, then in no time would erode he all his hard earned money and this time Rishi had crossed all his limits beyond his endurance. He wanted to celebrate his twenty first birthday in Australia and apart from this he wanted his father to also sponsor his five friend. This was nothing but unjustified waste of money which disturbed Mr. Thappar a lot, because if he was unable to make his son realise the value of money now, then probably it shall be too late.

After a deep thought and consideration, Mr. Thappar resolved with utmost determination that it was high time he should make Rishi realise that, the money he was so easily throwing away was of great value and he should spend and handle it most carefully.

It was a bright Sunday morning when Mr. Thappar came to Rishi’s room and said, “Rishi, get ready by ten as we have to go for some important work together.”

“Where, Dad?” Rishi was curious.

“Just wait and watch! Surprise!” his father smiled and walked out of the room.

The car drove on and on in a highway, quite a few kilometres ahead and Rishi was wondering as to where his father was taking him but did not have the courage to ask him. It was approximately forty two kilometres they had covered and almost an hour since they were on roads. The car was now moving amongst a heavily populated urban informal filthy area, probably with no sanitation and poor, unhealthy living conditions inevitably occupied by very poor people and their families. Rishi was taken aback. Why had his father brought him to such a dirty place? All this he had seen in films and had never realised that the reality could be so pathetic.

The vehicle stopped in front a huge gate that seemed to be of a sort of a colony. The name etched on it was a big jolt on his heart, AJAP Foundations” surprised.

“AJAP Foundations?” Rishi burst out. “Is this that trust that we are running?” Rishi enquired.

“Yes” Mr. Thappar replied proudly. “Let’s go inside.” Both, the father and son entered the huge gate. It is a walled compound had an office block on right hand side and a doctor’s dispensary on the other. There was a beautifully maintained garden with various seasonal flowers dancing around added freshness and life to the place. Seeing my father, a man from the office block, who was later on introduced as the manager, rushed out to greet and escort us into his office? A cherry desk that seemed almost superfluous, since there was no paperwork to be seen. A deep burgundy leather desk chair, that reclined to an almost obscene angle. There were only two small table lamps - one near the door above a wicker table that clashed with the rest of the room's executive motif, and another on the cherry wood desk with a long brass pull-cord. The sun rays penetrated through the glass windows brightened the room over the desk and over top the framed black-and-white pictures on the wall. The deep purple curtains drawn to one side, allowed the light from outside to paint the eastern wall in modern designs. How long will Dad take here? What is he up to?

“How are things moving Mr. Sharma?” My father broke the silence.

“All is well, Sir. The quotations for the coolers you asked have come. Would you like to go through them?” Mr. Sharma and Mr. Thappar got busy discussing some important issue while Rishi sat silently looking around. He was disappointed to know that he had cancelled his movie just to come here but at the same time he was inquisitive to find out the secret of this place. He had heard his parents talking a lot about AJAP Foundations, but never bothered to know what it was?

“Rishi,” his father turned towards him. “This is a colony for people suffering from Leprosy. It is a home to about 120 to 130 people who once used to live in live in great poverty. We try our best to provide them with all their basic necessities along with the best of medical facilities. We do not encourage any outside assistance whatsoever. Most of the homes here are clay huts built by the families themselves. These people are very poor and have no access to medical or social services and their children cannot go to school. In short, these people without any prospect of a better future.”

Rishi was astonished as to what his father was exposing. He was unaware of his own family’s such good deeds. The temptation to explore the area deeply was something he could not resist. “Can we go inside and see dad.” 

His father smiled and took him on a trip to the leprosy colony inside the campus. The view inside the campus was heart throbbing. Many men women and children were busy amongst themselves. Some men were relaxing, while some were busy playing cards. Women were cutting vegetables or gossiping in groups while children were busy playing or running around. Everyone appeared to be busy in some or the other task.

When they saw Dad, there was smile on many faces, some greeted him from a distance whereas a few came up to him. And greeted him “Sahib Namaste!”

My father greeted them back and inquired about their health as we walked ahead. Hearing them talking with such an enthusiasm and zeal was indeed surprising. His dad seemed to be a regular visitor here that is the reason he is so familiar with them. To pacify his inquisitiveness, Rishi intervened in the conversation time to time as he was busy surveying around the area.

In the centre was a courtyard was a painting competition in its full bloom, in which Rishi was asked to distribute prises to the winners. The residents had gathered around to applaud the winners and share the warmth of togetherness. The truth prevailed later that every Sunday one or the activities always took place here?

  The Prize distribution was an unforgettable moment of the day for Rishi. Children‘s artistic virtue, imagination and creativity could be easily visualised through their talent. If they were given a chance, can play and learn a lot. An open mind, a positive attitude and a little creativity is all that takes such students to integrate them into regular preschool programmes. They too have a right to learn, study and play like other children. Upon giving them the prises how innocently they, touched his feet and said thank you. They were so well disciplined and organised.

Mr. Thappar asked them to come forward as he had an announcement to make.

“I have come here to tell you that my son has decided to open a school for your children and the work shall start very soon. It is expected to finish within six to eight months.” Mr Thappar announced with pride. There was a loud applause from the gathering with a thundering sound of strong clapping. It was that particular moment that brought tears in Rishi’s eyes. Thanksgiving expressions with love, gratitude and gratefulness could be easily read in each eye as they were delighted with the additional new facility they were being offered.

Rishi lost touch with time and unknowing spent a few hours there. On their return, Mr. Thappar asked Rishi, did he like the trip.

 “Oh! It was great, dad! I have never felt this way before.” Rishi replied. “No matter, I am perturbed to see their living conditions, still there is some inner contentment within.” There was a tone of confusion in his voice.

“Did you notice, how these poor people live?” “I did” Rishi replied.

The father asked his son to tell in more details about his impressions from their trip“.

„Well, we have only one dog, and they have four of them. We‘ve got a luxurious lifestyle, but they have stars above their heads at night. We have the courtyard, and they have the whole horizon, where we waste food, there they share it, where we have high fence for protection of our property, and they don‘t need it, as they unitedly protect each other. “
Despite their dire circumstances, the people of here seemed to be living with dignity. They are so down to earth and humble whereas the more we have, the more snobbish we get.

Mr. Thappar was stunned, he could not say a word.

Then Rishi added: “Thank you, dad, for letting me see how poor we are. Instead of wasting time, money and energy, I shall feel honoured to come here on every occasion to do something constructive and share my happiness with them.”

Tears flooded in his eyes as his mission was accomplished.

This story shows that the true wealth and happiness are not measured by materialistic things, instead love, friendship and freedom are far more valuable.

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