Hey Guys! Wish you all a Happy, shining & prosperous new year. Wishing the very best to all my readers and the entire world and hope we all are blessed in 2022 with super health, happiness and positivity all throughout the year.
So the New year celebrations were a bit of a dampener due to the ongoing virus resurgence and with government going that extra bit to keep things in check. But I am sure all must have found their individual ways to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with their near and dear ones.
On the first day of 2022, I would like all my readers to make a resolution, that in 2022, we all shall make a sincere attempt to re-connect. Re-connect with all the friends, family, relatives, colleagues, old neighbors, childhood acquaintances and whosoever with whom we have ever been in touch and for some reason have now been out of touch. Now you may wonder why this strange request from me?
Well friends, last year, just a couple of minutes before the clock struck 12 and we moved into 2022, I was out on a drive with my family near south Mumbai (of course following all covid protocols as stipulated by the government). And somewhere near marine drive, as the clock was about to strike 12 o’clock, a tsunami of people invaded the road and the traffic came to a standstill as everyone started screaming and shouting and cheering and fireworks lit and people hugging each other and wishing happy New Year to all around them.
I was in the car with my family and I thought I will get out and catch the scene on my camera. So as I got out and was trying to get the best shots of the crowd cheering around, suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder from behind. I turned around and saw this stranger beaming away and wishing me a very happy New Year and before I could react, he gave me a big hug and almost lifted me up physically in his bear-hug. I was zapped for a moment because I did not know who this stranger was and his reactions were as if he is genuinely happy to see me after long time.
Once he set me down and after wishing him happy New Year, I asked him who he was and how did he know me? He seemed a bit disappointed at my question as he expected me to show the same recognition and enthusiasm as he had shown me. Then he reminded me that he was my immediate neighbor in my old apartment some 30 years ago. I then tried to recall his face at that time and had faint recollections. He then reminded me that since I was a couple of years elder to him, I used to help him with his studies at school during exams. He told me that it was because of my help, he had developed the knack of making short notes to remember the lessons and using this formula he had today made it through engineering and was holding a good job in a reputed company. And god bless him, he attributed all the success in life to my teaching him to make those small notes to remember the lessons easily on the go.
It felt so nice to be remembered after so long and even more for something you may have done off-handedly, without even giving it a thought. And though I had forgotten him, he had always remembered me and even after so many years, he was able to recognize me in the crowd of revelers and came to greet me. I was truly touched and amazed at this incident. And then I realized the fact that distances don’t separate people, silence does. I had got out of touch with him and the rest of my neighbors once we shifted to a new apartment and I never really bothered to make an effort to meet them once in a while or even talk to them. But look at the miracle of life, which was so touching. He made me promise that I will come visit them at the old building and he told me that I am remembered by all the old-timers who are still there. I was amazed and promised that I would come by.
So guys, untold joy and happiness is hidden in these small mercies of life which we need to re-kindle. So let us make a resolution to get back in touch with all our old near and dear ones and let us cut this distance of silence and let us re-kindly the flame of friendship and love.
Be Positive and Stay Blessed.
Dr. Rajesh Mankani
