Man at the crossing

On Sunday or maybe Monday, last week, I was in a rush (as always) to get to office before 8.30 AM. I understand that other motorists on the road at that time EVERYDAY are on similar missions, but on a daily basis Ms. Understanding takes the back seat during rush hour. 

One of my favorite couples in this world Sangeet and Anand will roar with laughter at this line...I was at the Galadari signal. Anyways, while they continue giggling I shall get to the main part of this post.

There is a tricky right at this signal which is no less dangerous than some war struck border. Getting on to the lane to take this right requires daring calculations and maneuvering. Avoiding an accident requires no fear for traffic violations. Celebrated Grand Prix racers will find this route an exciting challenge. 

At this turn is a zebra crossing and God bless motorists who are kind enough to let pedestrians pass,  regardless of the violent honking that they get subjected to for doing so. Usually it is people jumping on to the road and crossing with severe frowns or cursing the cars. 

On this day, waiting to cross, was an elderly man in simple clothes carrying modest lunch in a transparent bag. No idea how I managed to notice so many things about this individual, but there was something about his smile brighter than the summer sun and body language that was simple yet inspiring. With his sincere smile he was indicating for motorists to let him pass when a tourist joined him at the crossing. The man immediately greeted the tourist. I stopped to let these men cross; he ensured that the tourist got to cross along with him, waved thanks to me and offered a friendly salute to the tourist guy before walking away.

I am guessing it was his smile that captured my attention. Something about this man at the crossing that offered more valuable tips for life than one can possibly find in best selling self help books:

Little patience and a smile can help you get through the busy and complicated crossings in life.

One does not have to initiate a renaissance to be remembered; a pleasant attitude should suffice. 

Dance statement

Talent in general including dance does not necessarily come in exquisite packages. It is prayer for some, fun for others; in other words a celebration of human emotions. 

A range of silly thoughts crossed my head when my guru Pali Chandra asked me to be on stage with dancers from Special Needs Future Development Center (SNF) and Gurukul for SAATHI's third anniversary celebration held at the Indian Consulate on Friday, 8th June. Although I was a part of the workshops, conducted by Pali ji, to prepare the SNF dancers for this show I caught myself worrying about the way I would look on stage. I was worried about not doing justice to the choreography. I was insanely upset that my physical limitations will be obvious to the audience.

These shallow, crazy thoughts pinched my nerves right until I saw the SNF dancers dressed in their costumes with make up on, excited and all smiles back stage. These performers might have been nervous but, certainly none of them were skeptical about being a differently abled dancer. Their attitude and excitement about rocking the stage was contagious, encouraging and humbling. I was not concerned about me anymore, we were a team. It was a dedication to differently abled artists. It was a unified proclamation that art and talent is not restricted to a particular section of the society. It was a prayer to encourage co-existence between the mainstream and specially abled communities. 

On stage with these fantastic stars, in front of a brilliant audience I did what I know how to do best and with no inhibition, I danced!