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January 29, 2010

Happiness at Sidsar, Bhavnagar

Happiness:  is such a complex term. But things that seem simple to us may give extra ordinary happiness to others.  This is what I experienced yesterday. At village Sidsar in Bhavnagar. About 300 families who had been relocated from some other area, all of them poorer than anyone who is lucky enough to read this on the internet can imagine.

Now these poor people, 300 families were not being given a ration card though they were (much) Below Poverty Line (BPL) category because of bureaucratic and administrative hassles. We often let the rich go scot free but when it comes to the poor our “Sarkari” style invariably creeps in and we want them to furnish proof which are at times not even required. In this case, Sarkari Karmachari cannot be blamed because they had been relocated (due to demolition).  They had sought my intervention and I ensured that after proper verifications and necessary paper work who ever is found eligible is allotted a ration card.

Yesterday,  the first lot of 100 families got their ration card and they wanted me to distribute it to them.

This is where I bring Happiness. The joy and contentment on their face was so immense that It moved me. For some getting a passport or a visa would perhaps mean this joy but for these 100 families, it was a celebration. They felt so very good, lucky and the Chosen Ones just because they got this card which would now enable them to get necc items (not all though) at subsidized rates.

The happiness on their face was so apparent. We have  no reason to complain about what Life gives us! And yes, these poor families of Sidsar celebrated their BPL card which they rightfully deserved, as  an occasion God has gifted them.