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 3rd.
“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:
Great message. Thanks
Posted by: Stanford Friend | November 27, 2020 at 09:01 PM
May his tribe increase! Thank God for good people like Shishir! 😇
Posted by: FE-Japan | November 27, 2020 at 09:36 PM
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
Posted by: From Shardamandir Friend | November 27, 2020 at 10:01 PM
I feel thankful for such kind gestures done without any expectation of favours or intention of putting any obligation upon the other. Really grateful. 😊🙏
Posted by: sujat | November 27, 2020 at 11:18 PM
What a flashback and unsurpassable reflection! Thank you.
Posted by: ST | November 27, 2020 at 11:33 PM
I still remember Shishirkaka's face... fair n handsome. 💐 good friend of my father inlaw.
Posted by: Rajan | November 28, 2020 at 08:56 AM
Thanks to Shishir Kaka! Nice gesture! I wonder if in today's world there are still people like him.
Posted by: SM | November 28, 2020 at 09:10 AM
I hope to be experience or be this kind and thoughtful in my lifetime, many times. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Marlene L | November 28, 2020 at 10:22 AM
I agree --that we should be kind and helpful to each other regardless...thanks..
Posted by: Cebuana | November 28, 2020 at 11:16 AM
Good story. Good message. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Carol | November 29, 2020 at 12:49 AM
Good story and great message. One can never forget the gratitude and selflessness in helping positive and life changing experience. 🙏🏼
Posted by: Hemant | November 29, 2020 at 03:46 PM
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
Posted by: fred neal | November 29, 2020 at 07:09 PM
A wonderful message in trying times.
Posted by: Good News is Welcome | November 30, 2020 at 07:38 AM
Powerful. High character move right there.
Posted by: Humble Warrior | November 30, 2020 at 09:07 AM
very touching and inspiring!
Posted by: Ana | November 30, 2020 at 04:44 PM
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.
Posted by: Friend from Penang since 1984 | November 30, 2020 at 05:59 PM