IDHAR UDHAR KI BAAT 116- GOODWILL CROP Brig PS Gothra (Retd)

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"It was sad to learn that you lost your property during the 1984 riots," I said as I sat down next to the elderly doctor.

She affectionately offered me a delicious matthi. It had the perfect balance of crunch and softness, melting in my mouth with a sip of tea.

"Our house was burnt to the ground in the '84 riots," Dr. Trilochan Bhatia said calmly.

"That must have been devastating?"

"Yes, it pinched a lot," she replied. "But then you find new motivation to work. As you can see, by the grace of God, we have rebuilt it even better than before. Bas, Waheguru da shukr hai—we are indebted to God."

"Indebted to God?" I couldn’t help my skeptical reaction.

"At least Waheguru saved our lives," she said. "All our family members were abroad at the time. That is His mercy."

"Did the government pay any compensation?"

"Yes, a pittance. We decided to give it to charity. God has given us much more than that."

I was speechless in the face of such faith and contentment; I felt small beside her. Perhaps she sensed my state of mind.

"You see," she continued, "when you transplant paddy seedlings, you subject them to trauma. As a result, the yield increases. Even the graziers in the mountains burn the jungle grass because it improves the quality of the growth the following year. This is the law of nature. Look at the Punjabis who lost everything during Partition; they are a thriving community today."

"Didn't you try to find out who did it?" I asked.

"No, but God revealed their identity to us when they eventually needed our help."

"How?"

"I had a collection of sarees, specially designed and woven for me. They were unique. Two years after the fire, two ladies walked into my clinic with a child in great pain. They were draped in my sarees. I knew immediately that my clothes had been looted before the house was set ablaze."

"That was your opportunity for revenge!" I exclaimed. "You should have refused to treat them."

"No," she said softly. "Our Gurbani teaches us to forgive and move on. I gave the child extra care while treating him."

I felt humbled. In the presence of such a noble soul, the tea and matthi tasted even more delectable as the quote from the Gurbani echoed in my mind:

Gurmukh Bakhas Jamaa-ee-an Manmukhee Mool Gavaa-i-aa. (The Guru-centered grow the crop of forgiveness, while the self-willed lose even their roots.)

Note: 

1. Last week, Dr. Trilochan Bhatia breathed her last. Half the town joined her funeral procession—the final harvest of the tremendous goodwill she had sown.

2. I have made a video on youtube, of the previous episode IUKB 115. You are requested click and critically analyse and give suggestions for improvement on my whatsapp 9906411288 or in the comments of under the video. 



 Thank you. Jai Hind. 



  

 

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