Those were the days of Diwali, a moment of common and collective work, which we were always eager to do for our people.
It was the beginning of our idea which was ready to take a constructive shape.
But, before that, we were in quest of something productive which could bring a sustainable change in people’s mind. And we wanted it to start from our side, irrespective of its fruits soon. We were firm in our idea that some sort of qualitative and common efforts would certainly put place new ways of changing people’s mindsets.
This is quite interesting to share with you this incident which taught us a big lesson.
I remember the words of my uncle when we used to conduct a Lecture Series in our Village. Our village is blessed with a wonderful Library having an only B grade library in Tehsil. Those were the Diwali days when we would meet after a long time. And we were always excited about doing new things. Our main motto was to unite people, share some candid and quality time in the evening.
This was our first initiative to take whole responsibility for this event including deciding speakers, publicity, timings etc. We planed all things very systematically giving each one his task. My uncle is being a founder of the Library and Organization gave full support. We had not run to fast for arrangements because we had all the logistics of our own, a hall, sound systems, etc. It was such a thrilling experience for all of us and me, a more exciting because I was supposed to give an intro of the guest and concluding remarks.
First time standing in front of my villagers made me so nervous but I was determined. It was a two-day lecture series and each day’s timing was around 6 pm, an expected time. Topics of all two days lectures were social and different and speakers were too recognized in their respective fields.
But, something unusual thing was haunting us. It was just making more disgusting in thoughts. And it was about the measurement of our event’s success. We were in a hurry to count our efforts. It was the number of people’s response to our event and we were just eager to calculate the number of people who would turn up to appreciate our efforts. We did our best to make sure that we get succeeded.
And finally 2 days lecture series began with a wonderful orator.
It was evening time so we were expecting people to come on time as the speaker had already come. Time was running but our number wasn’t increasing. We started the lecture by expecting that people would come as soon as they listen to the guest’s voice. We were around 12 volunteers and 3 members on the stage including the speaker. We all were settled down in front of them waiting for others to join us. Unfortunately, the whole programme ended up with only 15 audiences. Thanks to that kind but the very courageous speaker who finished speech with a little care of our Image. But it was shocking for all of us. We all got angry like a bull, just to F…off our villagers.
Soon I caught uncle up to ask about villager’s presence. I was just getting uncontrollable using some harsh words for those who didn’t even gather around the venue.
I was quickly supported by my teammates.
We had the only uncle as our guide and hope to speak out something on this discouraging and uncivilized behaviour of our people. But what we heard from the uncle that was not only annoying but also a rubbish talk.
” How and why do you expect people to listen to your thoughts??? Uncle uttered.!
Why can’t we expect their presence if the whole efforts were only for them??? I replied..!
Aren’t they responsible citizens??? I was just bombarding questions but the man who was supposed to answer it remained silent, ended the topic with a trivial smile.
As unexpectedly, we got a whitewash from our own country. Series ended with a full bowl of shits.
But how our own to be blamed, this is something first social lesson when you work with huge expectations. At the same time, how could one be so foolish? Nope, we were just innocent beggars. It happens when a pond swimmer joins an ocean and lost starting point. He doesn’t know from where to start but thirsty to swim. And untrained swimmer gets defeated by strong waves.
Bitter lessons beautify your path. I kept on walking on that path asking a question to myself that why didn’t they accept us?
When you keep on walking and making your own path you realise that others are not interested in your promises or wishes but they look at your travelled path and achieved stories make them a spectator.
I realized, why the audience needs a good story and my villagers were not an exception.
We had nothing to tell them except inviting unknowns. People look up to known who have made their path which inspires them but not to those unknown path makers who walk alone.
And at that time, I realized that we should not have an acceptance urge at the first rather we must work and move forward on what we have an implicit believe or faith in…
And since then, our few concrete efforts are on so far…
Saathiya 