A miraculous Lost and Found story

I joined my sister, her husband and brother-in-law for a mid week movie. I was looking forward to watching Hangover-II. I've had a crazy last few weeks and it made for a much needed break. Taking my sister's advice, I took an auto instead of the car. Made sense - parking is a pain around the Diamond Garden area these days. I was running on close time lines, so when I got closer to the theater, I hopped out at the signal. 

I made it on time for the movie - 30 mins into the film, my phone rings. I saw an unknown number. I usually miss calls while watching movies - I prefer stashing away my phone in my bag and not get disturbed while I lose myself in a film. I'd jammed my phone in my jeans pocket and even though I'd ignore an unknown number usually, on a whim I answered it. Someone very softly asked if I knew Tejal madam. So obviously, stranger had my name right. He talked slowly and I kind of got a little clippy and short with my tone, which is when he asked if I knew Tejal madam and that he wanted to return her purse!!!

Boom!!! I was carrying my beloved, much used and should be thrown away ASAP sling bag that well, does not have a zip or button to close the top! I know...bad move to carry bags like that when you travel by public transport. I started digging around in the bag while the guy on the phone asked me where I am and I did realize then that my wallet was missing! I asked the person where he is and that I'd come get it, but he insisted on my telling him where I was so he could return it to me. I was stunned - this guy was being very nice. I ran out of the theater, my sister running after me. 

In the next 45 minutes (I missed half the movie, but it don't matter), I waited calmly and patiently for this gentleman to return my wallet. My sister in the meanwhile helped call the banks and cancel my cards. Thank God for mobile internet - I changed my net banking passwords. I knew my cards were not used - Thank God for mobile alerts! And when Mr. Satpal returned my wallet to me, I thought Thank God for nice people like him (and my sis - she was really sweet)! 

Mr Satpal's brother found my wallet in the auto. He, being an alcoholic, took away all the cash and left everything else as is. He went home and handed over the wallet to Mr Satpal who then browsed through the wallet for a number. I luckily had a card with a number on it and thats how he located me!! He then said something really surprising!!! He asked me for my account number so that he could transfer the money his brother took from my wallet back in my account the next morning! My jaw dropped! He requested me to check my wallet and see if everything else is intact. I told him that I'm OK with the money being taken and that I'm glad he got my wallet back. What a kind man! I told him I'd have liked to give him something as a token of my appreciation, but he just shook his head and said that its he who owes me money. He smiled and left.

And this is Bombay for you - through all the madness and the cheats and chors, there are also the conscientious, kind hearted, people-caring junta in this city. Its quite rare to get back something that you lose in this city - be it your heart or material things :-) This is my little miracle story of finding my material thing back. Thank you Mr. Satpal - you did a good deed sir - A very good deed. 

Wishing you Amazing Journeys

Its May and the summer holidays are here! So while you'll are away on your little vacations, may the journey of your souls be filled with awakening and joy!

May God shield you on every step

May He aid you on every path

And may He hold you safe on every slope

On every hill and on every plain

On earth and on sea until you are home again

Witness to insane Road Rage

Today started like any other day. While I was maneuvering through traffic at IIT-Powai, Mumbai, I got stuck behind a long line of cars. I snaked my way around the cars stuck in the fast lane and then witnessed the most unbelievable sight - a biker with his lady companion jumped off their bike. The biker made his way to the car and then started hitting the windshield and the drivers side window with that helmet!!

I could not see any noticeable or visible damage to either the bike or the car and I could not for the life of me understand what was going on. The driver of the car, a relatively new Hyundai i10 snaked his way into my lane and then cut further left to avoid the insane assault on his vehicle. Then got royally stuck in the usual IIT Mumbai traffic. The next thing I see is the biker hop onto his bike, swerve in front of the car, get off and start his insane banging on the windshield. The driver then made his biggest mistake I think. He rolled down his window completely and the next thing he knew, he was being punched repeatedly in the face. It was a horrible sight to witness. The driver looked like a decent guy who was frightened out of his wits! The biker tried to smash his helmet into the driver's face and the driver had the sense to shield his face from the hammering. So the biker continued to punch the poor guy in his face. The look on his face was pure murder. He looked like he was out of his mind. 

I found myself helpless at being a witness. I needed to move off as the signal had turned green and I was holding up traffic. I could not believe the extent of rage the biker had in him. What have we come to in this city? Is there so much latent anger in us now that vents out like this? Was this anger just road rage or was it fueled by the frustrations this man has in his life? What do you do when you are witness to insanity like this? I understand verbal altercations are inevitable, but what warrants such an act of violence? And where is the law in all of this? Mumbai is a frustrating place to drive in, but is it also a frustrating place to live in? I do not want to delve into what are the possibilities for the thoughts behind the bikers action, for I saw no thought. 

I only saw a man who was no longer human - I saw a wild raw animal pulverizing his prey. I felt helpless.