Simple Solutions by Vandana Lekhi

After the tragic deaths of some of my beloved street doggies inspite of intense treatment , being blanketed with grief , I felt writing anymore wasn’t possible .

There is a lot of construction in our colony . Being very fond of children distributing bananas for them at various construction sites was initiated by me once . At other times giving cream biscuits and sweets to children of laborourers who passed our house diverted me from sad memories .

One day a group of well to do children were passing our house . Asking them whether they would have cream biscuits and handing them to our guard Ram Prakash ji while saying to tell them to distribute amongst themselves I departed , but not before hearing them mimicking me in an insulting tone . This behavior inspired me to begin writing once more .

However there was another strong stimulation and motivation to begin writing again ! That was my brother Aman Lekhi whom I call my savior , who makes each and everything done by me possible . Recently while reaching the parking was amazed to see around fifteen small poor children swarming Aman’s Ferrari with his driver Mohan . One small girl had even saddled herself in the driver’s seat . Mohan said sahib had asked him to let the children have a look at the car . Feeling this incident should be made public the decision to write again was the inevitable reaction !

Apart from people with sanskaar ie principles it is the poor masses who are my heroes . They have an impossible existence , struggling to make ends meet but bravely and valiantly try their best . They remain satisfied with very little . Aren’t they a good example for the affluent to end their frustrations !

When misery and dejection inundated  me Dr Neeraj Singh a marvelous ingenious , gifted homeopath opened the Pandoras Box . Hope and luminosity exhausted the gloominess which had covered me . Faith amazes when colossal ability is stored in the person one trusts.

Looking back , scarcely had I got over depression that my left arm and hand developed a vicious tremor . Being left handed it became difficult to brush my teeth , have a bath , hold objects and eat my meals . My right hand thumb is smaller in size so alternately using it in many pursuits was not possible.

On consulting neurologists they said my nerves had got infected due to depression medicines . Their allopathic medicines didn’t help . My brain MRI and Nuclear Scan showed my brain was normal . Then my friend Gita ji advised me to consult a homeopath. Eureka , a ray of hope beamed in my mind .

Why had I not thought of this earlier when the brilliant homeopath Dr Neeraj Singh had cured mummy . After mummy got alzheimers she developed urinary infection . The bacteria had got immune to antibiotics . My aunt Kanta mamiji took me to Dr Neeraj Singh . His medicine had not only cured mummy but also a multitude of other people with similar ailment . Having tremendous faith in Dr Neeraj I consulted him for my dreadful tremor.

One of my neurologist had said that anxiety accelerated my tremor . Dr Neeraj started my treatment for the tremor and side by side for anxiety . The medicine for anxiety made me happy and I laughed after a long time . Massive encouragement was received by the Doctor’s remarks , ” no worries , gr8 , be positive “

Though the medicine for anxiety proved beneficial , the tremor remained the same . Then Docter Neeraj prepared a substitute medicine . The new formulation proved fruitful . My tremor has decreased slightly and am able to brush my teeth to a great extent with my left hand . Now can hold my mobile with the left hand without it shaking endlessly .

Yes , feel certain , logically with positive rationale that my faith in Dr Neeraj Singh and his massive ability will lead the process to the healing of this infirmity of tremors !

While going for lunch with Neerja Gaurie on January 2020 , an elderly , shabbily attired man approached us at the red light begging me to buy ball point pens . In an extremely nasty manner I shooed him away leading Neerja to wonder where my compassionate social service nature had disappeared !

Yes since last month I had become very frustrated . Never ever having interest to save money or on any occasion feeling sorry and hesitating to spend on others almost all my life , for the first time feelings of resentment towards my endless social work surfaced and captured my brain . Making me restless and like a boat without a mooring .

Then one day feelings akin to being hit by a thunderbolt occurred . Madhuji and I had gone to buy some fruit . As we were leaving a fourteen year old child started beseeching for something to eat . Blatantly refusing any help and not even looking at him , telling the driver to start the car we left with the helpless child running with the car and imploring till we sped away . Hardly had we covered some distance , I was filled with remorse and started crying for my heinious behavior never ever committed earlier by me .

On reaching home the sight of the child running along my car continously came before my eyes , the whole day and night leaving me weeping . Begging God to make that child meet me , the next day I visited the same spot . How would I recognize him , not having even looked at his face . My driver had seen him and parking the car we unsuccessfully searched high and low . My cruel , shameful act had pierced my heart and I implored God to severely punish me for the same .

Realization dawned on me that my wealth was the small , kind acts always done unflinchingly for the have nots and my tranquility , contentment , bliss rèposited in that alone .

I had employed a young , pretty girl as a helper . Her name was Shalu . Due to the violent nature of her husband and brother in law she had shifted with her daughters aged four and five years to her parents house .

One day Shalu remarked that her younger daughter was running fever for more than seven days . ” Have you shown her to a doctor ? Has he asked for a blood test which has to be done on the third day of continuous high fever ? ” , I enquired worriedly . Happily eating paneer , daal and chapati , without showing any anxiety she replied the doctor being consulted was very expensive .  The next day Shalu sought leave to purchase some local medicine for her ailing child seeming to be very effective .

Her negligent attitude landed the tiny tot for a surgery in a hospital . Appalled by the non – existence in any degree of motherly concern for her sick baby I reprimanded her . ” Did you take your infants permission for giving birth to her ? Was any planning done for the child’s expenses ? You don’t even know how to cook food , what about right meals for the infant ? Are you aware of a mother’s responsibility at all ? All you know is how to look fashionable and eat well by yourself ! ”

This resulted in my meditating on the necessity of counselling the younger generation , particularly in poor clusters on the essentials of marriage and desirability of compulsory precautions to be taken before raising a family .

Going a step further , if retired elderly people having time to spare would share the onus of spreading such awareness using counselling as a tool radiant future would await new – borns and supplement their healthier growth and development !

Joe Joe , a tiny pup left at the Mother Dairy by a neighbourhood lady . ” Who will take care of his medication “, I enquired from Vivek’s grandpa , owner of the small shop where Joe Joe had been left . Then not waiting for a reply , I rang up my large hearted brother Aman Lekhi a staunch animal lover . ” Aman there’s a small pup at the Mother Dairy . Can I take him to Rana’s clinic for his medical requirements ?” ” Certainly! ” answered Aman .

Thats how I started taking care of Joe Joe along with Kali and a very timid white dog . To keep the Mother Dairy owner Dharmendra and Vivek’s grandpa’s interest alive in these three doggies , small gifts and eatables were sometimes distributed by me amongst them and their friends .

Vivek’s father , Shankar was a severe alcoholic and was seriously unwell . Grandpa was spending a lot of money for his treatment . Being very aged it was becoming exceedingly problematic to handle the depletion of his lifes savings . This led to his becoming very irritable at times .

Joe Joe developed skin infection and was getting medical care at Rana’s veterinary clinic . One day I put his food in front of grandpa’s shop and he was refusing to eat . On seeking permission to place the bowl along the inner side of his shop , grandpa stoutly refused . In a fit of rage I decided to severe my relationship with both the shopkeepers . On my placing the food across the Mother Dairy the owner of the house , a fierce , quarrelsome woman shooed me away . Placing the food on an adjoining lane my decision to not purchase anything from this Mother Dairy was inevitable .

Soon a worry started gnawing me relating to the welfare of my three doggies . Many people in our colony are hostile to street dogs . There have even been cruel instances of poisoning these helpless animals . Realisation dawned that more sensible behaviour should have been adopted and once again comradeship got entrenched between me ,Dharmendra and grandpa .

During the period of our separation , all three of us had delved into significant introspection . This had led to an awareness of the benefits we had been unwittingly obtaining from each other . The mission of helping grandpa with his alcoholic son , Shankar beckoned me . Getting cornflakes and Quaker oats as a source of deflection from liquor , I instructed Vivek to make his father Shankar develop a new and better taste .

It is winter season and grandpa got ” boris “, ( thick sacks ) for Joe Joe and Kali who now sleep at night close to him . The white dog enjoys his haunt under a car .

Whenever an angry impulse captures one’s brain count till ten . A better alternative will automatically destroy the impulse and enthrone itself instead !

Goddess Laxmi watched lovingly while sitting next to Lord Vishnu her devoted bhakts Shiela and her daughter Sangeeta embark on their trip to Yusaf Sarai to purchase the murti of Lord Ganesh and Ma Laxmi for their prayers this Diwali . Clutching Rs 50 in a hanky their only saving for the said purpose .

On reaching the market it seemed impossible their venture would bear fruit . All the murtis were beyond their frugal budget . As if with a stroke of pure luck one of the stalls had a broken murti of Mother Laxmi which the stall owner was in the process of disposing . Shiela and Sangeeta implored him to let them have it . Sensing a customer in them over a useless piece he condescended to hand it over for Rs 50 , their only saving .

Overwhelmed by her bhakts faith Goddess Laxmi descended on Sarojini Nagar Market in the disguise of an aged lower middle class lady . The overcrowded market had shops flooded with people buying expensive sarees amongst many other cheaper wares . Ma Laxmi entered one saree shop brimming with customers examining costly sarees at sale prices . Ma Laxmi requested the shop owner she wanted two Georgette printed sarees for Rs 300 each . Refusing her request and ignoring Ma Laxmi completely he focused his attention to his rich clientele . Similar conduct was witnessed in other two shops . Ma Laxmi entered the last saree shop in the row having less customers . Seeing an elderly lady the kind shopkeeper ordered a seat to be arranged for Ma Laxmi and she be shown the simple sarees . Selecting two sarees as Ma Laxmi left the shop the customers from previous shops rushed to the last shop which had attended disguised Ma Laxmi with utmost respect .

On Diwali night Shiela and Sangeeta adoringly placed the broken murti of Goddess Laxmi on a cloth while arranging a few flowers at its feet . As both sat down to pray their tattered shelter was suddenly flooded with blinding light and magnificent Ma Laxmi appeared in full splendor . Blessing Shiela and Sangeeta with the two sarees she had personally purchased Ma Laxmi disappeared but not without further blessing both . Instead of their broken down shelter there stood concrete walls enclosing a large enough area for comfortable living .

Spreading contentment to where it is due is the wealth Ma Laxmi bestows every Diwali and always !

On the demise of his mother , Parvez would offer some food to children near the mosque to make them pray for his parents . He would have the soil on his mother’s grave levelled regularly . What gave him most strength to face such a tough life was his regular prayers at the mosque thrice every day , his elder sister Shine in America who supported him with a petty amount every month , a few friends and yes I say proudly myself .

I had started tying Rakhi every year to Parvez . Also helping him financially with a meagre amount every month . He would not remove the mauli I tied on Rakhi till the Rakhi in the successive  year as it gave him a strong sense of protection . He likes to call me his devine goddess a phrase which makes me go into peels of laughter .

His family photographs of his parents and sisters are his most treasured possessions . He is in the habit of carrying two bags with the latest newspapers , cuttings and notes . An avid reader of news he devours every single word . Parvez enjoys writing articles also . On my and papa , mummy’s birthdays during their lifetime along with greetings cards he would give lengthy letters .

Every Sunday , Parvez would have lunch at my house and take packed dinner . Before the present job , God has blessed him with he got an appointment in a shoe factory . However they were very poor pay masters . Parvez’s new job keeps him very busy at Dwarka near his rented flat . I miss his Sunday visits now . Every night which has been a constant habit , Parvez gives me a call . I have kept the address of his rented premises and landlords number , heaven forbid he develops any health issues .

It’s not just blood or religion which alone determines the relationship of a sister and brother but an overpowering love arising from similarity in nature and goodness of heart . Love has no boundaries and conquers all prejudices created by petty thought . It is similar to a birds flight in the sky enshrining the spirit of pure delight , contentment and good cheer . Love is a warm-hearted , affectionate , good-natured understanding of a never ending chemistry making life worthwhile come what may .

As the saying goes , ‘ where there’s a will there’s a way ,’ lack of funds never diminished Parvez’s efforts to serve his mother as much as possible . Along with his mother he would often gate crash into weddings in the colony where they were residing as tenants . It is Allah’s grace that no one ever objected . Wedding dinners meant lavish food for free .

Then there were grandoise parties hosted by Shiela Dixit which Parvez would escort his mother to . Muslim festivals also meant tasty food at the mosque on breaking of the fast .

Parvez spoke excellent English having studied at St Xaviers College in Calcutta . His Hindi was very weak and he could neither read , write or speak in Urdu . My contribution in his life was very limited as I myself had to deal with manic depression which had afflicted me since my childhood .

Lacking means and being slightly deaf made Parvez a soft target for exploitation . Though he did not lack in capability or hard work , absence of cunning and a manipulative nature debilitated favourable results in every placement .

To be contd

Having faced so much hardship since his father’s death , Parvez silently accepted his failure in his attempt to acquire his own , mother’s and sisters share in the joint family properties and business . Constant adjustment with adversity seemed to be his only destiny .

Being a devout Muslim besides his mother and sisters there was only Allah for support . Praying in the mosque regularly thrice every day gave him courage to live an impossible life .

His two sisters had married , the younger one Yasmin settling in Calcutta . Shine the elder sister had gone to America and used to send a frugal amount of money to Parvez for himself and their mother, every month .

Being hard of hearing , very simple , honest and extremely good , in a way Parvez was unfit for this willy world . His devotion for his mother was unparallelled and it was this feeling which created an imperishable everlasting bond of brother and sister between Parvez and me . I too worshipped my mother , my heroe , heroine , Guru and inspiration . I often told everyone that there existed an invisible umbilical chord between me and my mother which had not been broken .

To be contd

Many years back in the late 1980s mummy had bought me a chamber at Tis Hazari Court . One day , being a Sunday , I was sitting there with my clerk Manoj , like a spider in a web , patiently waiting for his prey .

Excitement gripped me as a young man and elderly lady entered my chamber . Seating themselves , the man introduced himself as Parvez Ahmed , the elderly lady being his mother . I came to know they belonged to a wealthy family having sizeable properties in Calcutta and Delhi .

Due to the untimely death of his father , Parvez , his two sisters and their mother lost all their inheritance which was greedily usurped by their relatives . Seeking to recover their share in the joint family properties they had decided to take legal action .

Parvez was totally unaware of the details of the properties , the joint family business and what all had transpired after his father’s death as he and his sisters were minor then and their mother was illiterate . To top it all I had no idea of Muslim law .

Still undeterred , I valiantly took up their cause with whatever points they provided . The judge was similarly ignorant of Muslim law and proceeded without any objection with my presentation . However when the case reached the stage of filing of documents I realised we had reached a dead end and had no alternative but to withdraw the case .

To be contd