Life's Forgotten Treasures

Naveen and his wife Neeta are living in Mumbai. Naveen is working in an MNC, whereas Neeta is a homemaker. The workload of MNC is higher than its fancy salary. Naveen is always busy with his office work. His meetings start early in the morning. The rest of the day passes in meeting after meeting, sometimes from home sometimes from the office. Such a schedule often makes Naveen to skips his meals or many times he does not get a chance to eat his meals peacefully. Often, upon coming home he does not have the energy to have his dinner and directly goes to sleep. And the next morning starts with new sets of meetings. Due to his irregular eating routine, Naveen often suffers from many health issues. Many times Naveen comes home with severe headaches or acidity. He often has to take medicines to overcome his health issues. Naveen's hectic work schedule is a matter of agony for Neeta.

Neeta: “Naveen, Your irregular eating routine is costing you your health. Please pay attention to your health. Don’t skip lunch for any meeting. Take out some time for exercise. Or at least use stairs in our office whenever possible.”

Naveen: “Yes, I know but I can’t help it. I have so much work at the office. But I promise I will take stairs whenever possible.”

Naveen often has to visit different cities for his work. This time he has to visit Pune for a day. His company has made cab arrangements for his Pune visit.

He leaves in the cab for his Pune visit early in the morning. The early morning ride is smooth and pleasant. Naveen is sitting in the back seat and is busy working on his laptop. After 2 hours of their drive heat and traffic started to build up on the highway.

Driver: “Sir, traffic is increasing every minute. I know the other way from the next village. That will connect us to the Pune highway. It is not a short way but helps us to save our traffic hours. If you allow me, I will take a turn into the village and can cut this traffic.”

Naveen: “Okey. If you are aware of the route then take that. Since I don't want to be late for my meeting due to this traffic.”

With permission from Naveen, the driver takes a turn to the village route and started going from the inside road. Just after 20 minutes or so their car gets broken down.

Naveen: “What happend to the car? Why does it stop? Go check it fast. I have an important meeting in the next 3 hours. I have to reach Pune as fast as possible.”

Driver: “Sir, you wait inside. I will go out and check the problem.”

The driver checks the car and realized that there is a problem with the car engine and they will need the help of a car mechanic to fix it.

Driver: “Sir, there is a problem in the engine that I am not able to fix. I go out to find some car mechanic nearby.”

Naveen: “What? Are you kidding? Where are you going to find a mechanic in this jungle (forest)? There is no mobile network on my phone. If we would have been on the highway, we might get help faster. It is my mistake. I should have not listened to you in the first place to change our route.”

Driver: “Don’t worry sir. I will run my way to the highway. I am sure I will find help there. But please be in the car till the time I come back. I have heard some stories of dogs attacking and injuring people in this area.”

Naveen: “Really. Now you are telling me all these! And how will you be saved from those dogs?”

Driver: “I keep a small khanjar (knife) with me all time to protect myself from any theft.”

After saying this, the driver runs to the highway to find help. For a while, Naveen sits inside the car. In a little time, it becomes hot inside the car so Naveen comes out of the car for fresh air. He is walking beside the car.

In a while, a man passes nearby on his bicycle. He guesses that the car might have broken down.

He stopped and asked: “Sir, car broken down?”

Naveen: “Yes. My driver has gone to find help.”

A man on a bicycle: “Sir, till the time your driver comes, please be seated in your car. It is not safe to stay outside the car since there is a danger of dogs these days in this area. Eighter you be in a car or come with me to the village.”

Naveen: “Yes, I knew that. And thanks for asking but I will wait for my driver here.”

A man on a bicycle: “Please understand sir. In the last month only, dogs have attached the man and he was badly injured. So it will be better if you come with me to the village. It is safe there. I have a small knife with me for my protection.”

After thinking for a while Naveen said: “Ok, better I will come with you. Since it is impossible to sit inside the car. It is very hot in there. By the way, what is your name?”

A man on a bicycle: “Mohan. Sir, you can leave a message on a paper for your driver that ‘You are at Mohan’s house in the village’. Anyone will be able to show my house in the village.”

Naveen: “You are a smart man. Are you studying?”

Mohan: “I am studying B.Com at Pune university. It is holiday time so, I have come here to visit my Amma (mother).”

Naveen leaves a note for a driver and keeps it on the driving seat. Then they both start their walk to the village. It took them 30 minutes to reach to village. Naveen is tired now from this long walk to the village. Upon reaching Mohan’s house, Naveen straight lies down on the charpai (Khat or Manji is a traditional woven bed) put outside his house.

Mohan to his mother: “Amma, I have come home. I have a guest with me. His car broke down. He was waiting outside the village for his driver to bring help. It is not safe to stay there for him, so I asked him to come along with me.”

Amma: “It is good that you took him along with you.”

Mohan brings water for Naveen.

After drinking water, Naveen said: “Water is so cold and refreshing. How come? Do you add something to it? How come it is so cold?”

Mohan: “Sir, water was kept in a mud pot. Water from a mud pot tastes better and feels cold. Mud adds extra minerals into the water that refresh and energies our bodies. It is very good for our health.”

Naveen: “Oh! really. I didn’t know that.”

Mohan and Naveen are sitting outside in charpai and waiting for the driver to come. In a while, Amma calls them to have lunch. Naveen is really hungry today after a long walk. At first, he hesitate a bit for lunch but then go straight to the kitchen. The aroma of bajra(pearl millet or similar grain) roti was making him more hungry.

Mohan places two mats on the floor for them to sit in the kitchen. In front of them was Amma making bajra roti on sigri (A Sigri is a stove used for cooking. The fuel used is usually coal, dried cow dung and wood).

They both sit on the mat. Naveen is feeling a bit uncomfortable sitting on the floor since a decade passed he has not sat on the floor. But the aroma of freshly made food makes him forget everything.

On receiving a meal plate, Mohan first made a circle with water around his plate, then place a very little amount of food from his plate outside the circle. Then join his hands and pray to God for this meal. Starts eating.

Naveen sees that and now he is astonished about what Mohan did before eating. But he keeps quiet and starts eating his meal. In a while, they both finish their meals and go outside to wait for the driver.

Naveen is curious now about the thing Mohan did before a meal. While waiting he decides to ask about it to Mohan.

Naveen: “Why did you make that circle around the plate and placed little food outside before starting your meal?”

Mohan: “Ohh...That. When we sit on the floor to eat, the aroma of food on our plate drags many bugs and insects near to it. The water circle around our plate keeps those bugs and insects away from our meal. That little amount outside the circle is kept for those bugs and insects only. They should not go hungry.”

Naveen: “Instead, if we use chairs and tables while we eat, that can serve the same purpose of keeping those tiny bugs and insects away… Right?”

Mohan: “Yes it does. But eating while sitting on the floor with crossed legs have its own effectiveness.”

Naveen: “Really…What?”

Mohan: “First thing is, while we sit on the floor cross-legged, at that time we are a little leaned forward. That doesn't allow extra air to move into a stomach while eating. So you will not suffer from any digestion or gastric issues. The second thing is, that we become face to face with the food that we are about to eat. This gives us a chance to connect with the food and we become attentive to it. While we eat, if we are engaged with food with affection, then it gets digested properly and creates proper energy in the body. While I am in my hostel, I have to eat while sitting on a chair and table. At that time, I can feel that this experience of sitting on the floor and eating is different from that one. And while in my hostel canteen, I immediately reach for my phone while I eat, which makes my eating experience even worse. The third thing is, that our Dhara (motherland) has tremendous healing power. When we sit on the floor and eat as if we are a child sitting on our mother's lap. A mother’s lap is magical and it will take away all your worries, as the mother takes all the problems and worries of a child. It is a very powerful and effective treatment for our anxiety.”

Naveen: “Oho…. is it so? I really was not aware of all these things. I often face issues with my digestion. Now, I found out WHY. I am doing all these things wrong all these years. So I have to depend on medicine now and then. I always feel uneasiness after my meal. But today I feel different since that uneasiness after my meal is not there. Mohan, you really taught me a valuable lesson in my life. This will really help me lead a healthy and happy life.”

A driver comes in a car and their discussion is interrupted.

Naveen: “It was really nice meeting you. I must leave now. You really saved me today from being roasted in the car. And also helped me understand my wrong eating habits. This will really help me overcome my health issues. I owe to you. Whenever you need any help from me, you can contact me on my mobile no.”

Naveen gives his mobile number to Mohan.

Mohan: “Thank you, Sir, for your kind gesture! But it gives me happiness in helping others.”

Naveen leaves the place and heads on his way to Pune.