by S.Ganesh Babu.
This is one story which made me feel ashamed of my limitations, in spite of my comfortable and adequate life style which included charities to deserving causes and assistance to needy students. This was from a talk show that was telecast last Sunday, and anchored by two familiar personalities Solomon Papaiah, and Raja. Hitherto, the show was hosted by a familiar celluloid name Visu, who has now shifted to Jaya TV. The show is always about a social subject where in the speakers are interviewed before hand and made to speak in front of an invited audience. What is interesting in this show is the prevalence of humor while discussing very serious issues. Quotes from classical literature, lyrics and songs are effectively used to give a telling effect to the arguments. Debates and repartees are effective means to establish conclusions of an individual's presentation. What is more interesting is, even the anchor will not be spared, and he will also be dragged into controversies, though in a lighter vein. The anchor too rises to the occasion by indulging in a responsive repartee. In fact the whole atmosphere is bantering in nature, while a very highly intellectual presentation is made. Though the atmosphere exudes laughter in and around, the whole exercise is so fervently debated, and is one, that cannot be dismissed as being frivolous. There were participants who spoke of their personal experiences, the trouble they had gone through to achieve their dreams, while there were others who spoke on the plight of their fellow beings. No one is spared. The local officials, leaders from state and central levels, the youngsters and their lack of sensitivity to other's sufferings, all of them would be criticized and made fun of. No offence will be meant, yet, the contents would be loaded. Subjects like " Marriage and divorce, Students role in nation building, Love marriage or arranged marriage etc.," and discussions such as "In today's world, which is important, money, education, morality or honesty, or Where does a women's role end, parents, husband children or in laws," and many more such subjects were vehemently debated upon This show titled "ARATTAI ARANGAM" is being telecast since last few years on Sun TV in Tamil and of late, it is being telecast on Jaya channel with a different title.
The episodes leave the audience with a sense of intense emotional strain, and there are always moments when quite a few of them wipe their tears, unable stand the narration of the speakers, about the pain inflicted by the society on their lives. Some of the speakers may not be highly educated and they may be from any profession, right from a labourer to a very affluent person. The language need not be sophisticated and are colloquial and reflect the local provincial accent. There is a strong encouragement for every one, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. The forum has provided many a physically challenged person, a platform to participate and narrate their anxiety. In short, it is a free for all in leg pulling, and of course with no offence meant.
Human empathy with those in suffering surfaces here with no holds barred and this forum has provided funds for education for those who had no hopes, expenses to meet medical needs, name it, there is a ready and instantaneous response from the audience who appear on the stage, moved by the plight of the speaker who narrates his or her struggle.
It was one such narration that made me sit up and take notice. As usual I watched the last episode, last Sunday. While I may not remember the title of the subject and the names of the two girls who drew my attention, yet it was the narration and their confidence which moved me to post this incident in my blog. One of the participants was highlighting on the aspect that nothing was impossible, that willpower and absolute confidence with hard work were the primary requisites to achieve one's dream. And as if to prove her point, she narrated her story and her struggle to achieve what she had achieved .She was a girl born with out both the hands and had to struggle in every phase of her life. As if to prove that she is equal to others, she exhibited her skills in writing, painting, washing clothes, using a spoon to eat her food and she proudly declared that She had passed her qualifying exams with merit and that she could not execute her studies further due to paucity of funds as she belonged to a poor family. Her narration and expression brought tears to most of those who were there in the audience and I was no exception. Many were moved. It was such moments that brought the best of human values to the fore. While the hall and the audience stood spell bound after the girls intellectual presentation, with silence pervading all around, There appeared one Dr.Saleem ( I hope I got the name right) suddenly on the stage. "There is a possibility that this girls hand can be fitted with an artificial pair to help her, and all it requires is an examination of her shoulder and I shall take that responsibility", he announced amidst thunderous response. Soon, the dais filled with people offering finances for her education, with one or two, declaring to bear the expenditure for her entire studies.. The sight was moving, moments were to be cherished, while so much of human goodness unfolded. And then, came the climax.
Entered a gentleman in white dhothi (or vetti, as pronounced in tamilnadu) and shirt and had a few words with the anchor. An animated discussion lasted for a few seconds, and the man left the dais, only to carry a girl aged about 15 or 16 (my guess) on to the stage. Dressed in a yellow, the girl was polio stricken and needed to be carried on to the stage by her father. Once on the stage, the girl was provided with the mike to speak. The girl's confident tone soon filled the air, while she spoke, and this is what she said "In one of similar episode" the girl said " I had also spoken and I had narrated my distress at a different location. A very sympathetic audience had then awarded me an amount of Rs.70,000, and there were many further offers of donations to help me carry out my studies and l am indeed grateful to them. It is also my humble desire that I should offer this sister of mine who is without her hands, a small contribution of mine. I wish this sister all the luck and success in her efforts and on my part, I would like to offer her Rs. !0,000/- from the amount, I had received as donations from my well wishers and I hope that this action of mine will be accepted". For a moment the hall was totally silent, only to erupt to a thunderous standing ovation for the girls gesture.There were many faces which were shedding tears, a few, surreptitiously wiping their eyes and the girl on the dais who made the announcement was found to be hugging the other girl with out hands and smothering her with kisses.
This incident left me speechless, shaking my head in astonishment over the gesture of the girl and wondered, as to where I stood in front of them in comparison. I felt I was mentally challenged by a pair of girls who were physically challenged. And this, perhaps applies not only to me but many of us. Don't you think so?
oooOOOooo
How very moving ! really being charitable stands high in this girl i am dumbfounded !.
Yes I think we are so self absorbed most of the time we are not aware of what other people are going through.