You cannot express gratitude too soon…

Point to Ponder: “You cannot do a kindness (express gratitude) too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Story Line: It was January 1974. The state of Gujarat in India was in turmoil. The college students were protesting against severe economic crisis and demanding removal of corruption in the public life. The protests turned into riots and spread like wildfire when the government cracked down hard on the peaceful protestors. A curfew was imposed and later army had to be called to contain the riots.

In early January, a young man had received an admission letter from the university in United States of America. In order to grant travel visa, US Embassy had asked for guarantee of sufficient funds for travel and studies in USA.

His father and he were anxiously waiting for the bank to open for daily two hours window when people were allowed to go out for essential activities. In order to approve the loan, the bank wanted a second guarantor in addition to his father. They went home disappointed as the semester was starting in three weeks. 

During a phone chat with one gentleman who had called that afternoon, the young man’s father mentioned what had happened in the bank. Hearing that, the gentleman immediately offered to help. He contacted the bank manager through his channels. The next day he signed as the second guarantor. The Young man was able to get the visa and went to USA.

The reason this story is so special is because the young man found out years later that the gentleman who had willingly extended help had been in similar situation himself during his younger years. He had gotten admission in Princeton after graduating from high school. He needed a sponsor for financial guarantee; only for visa, travel and initial settlement expenses. Unfortunately he could not find any help and stayed home.

Years later when Shishir Shah, the gentleman in the story was visiting USA, I asked why he did such a great favor to me. He told me that he did not want to see a promising kid deprived of the opportunity that he couldn’t get. In recent years, we chatted on the phone a few times a year.

Reflection: In our last phone chat few months ago, I told him that I couldn’t imagine what course my life would have taken had it not been for his help. We both choked up and couldn’t talk further. Since then I had planned to write this story for this special time of the year, Thanksgiving.

Shishirkaka, as I affectionately called him, was loving husband and father of two lovely girls, a loyal friend, full of positivity with ever smiling face. He loved life. Every day, he would wait for his daughter, who was taking care of him and his wife, to return from work so he can toast a drink for the day. This continued till a few days before he left this earth on October 3^rd.

“Now somewhere, there stands the man

His duty o’er and won

The world will ne’er forget him

To him we say, “Well done.’”  - from the poem by Gene Autry:

 

Comments

[Stanford Friend]

Great message. Thanks

[FE-Japan]

May his tribe increase! Thank God for good people like Shishir! 😇

[From Shardamandir Friend]

Everyone should be helpful to each other
Thanks to Shishir kaka because of his help you reached to yr Goal in time
GIF give him peace

[sujat]

I feel thankful for such kind gestures done without any expectation of favours or intention of putting any obligation upon the other. Really grateful. 😊🙏

[ST]

What a flashback and unsurpassable reflection! Thank you.

[Rajan]

I still remember Shishirkaka's face... fair n handsome. 💐 good friend of my father inlaw.

[SM]

Thanks to Shishir Kaka! Nice gesture! I wonder if in today's world there are still people like him.

[Marlene L]

I hope to be experience or be this kind and thoughtful in my lifetime, many times. Thank you for sharing.

[Cebuana]

I agree --that we should be kind and helpful to each other regardless...thanks..

[Carol]

Good story. Good message. Thanks for sharing.

[Hemant]

Good story and great message. One can never forget the gratitude and selflessness in helping positive and life changing experience. 🙏🏼

[fred neal]

Another wonderful story of how one person's kindness and have such a major impact on another person. Then what that person does with their life continues to have a ripple effect on other lives.

Fred

[Good News is Welcome]

A wonderful message in trying times.

[Humble Warrior]

Powerful. High character move right there.

[Ana]

very touching and inspiring!

[Friend from Penang since 1984]

Great story... meaningful... not everyone are able to meet such a man with kindness & willing to help. All of us hope to meet such person in our life that can transition us to a better future... signing as a guarantor is a huge responsibility esp if the recipient does not fulfill his end of the responsibility.