The man in the photo is Ibrahim with his daughter and son. Ibrahim is an auto driver. His children are studying in VT high school.
We were travelling by his auto yesterday. As it is the time of schools final hour he requested us to give him permission to collect his kids. What followed is a sweet memory as well as a reminder to most of the parents.
The kids ran to their father with the water bottles flying in air. There was a mischievous smile on the boy's face. The girl smiled and hugged her father. Their father inquired about the day. The kids responded "fine".The kid inquired" hows the day"Father replied"super"
I asked the girls name. She replied " kausar fathima." I asked her what kausar means. She remained silent. Her father explained it as heavenly water. I asked her about her studies. She was 4th in a class of 32 in rankings pertaining to academics. I asked her about what she will become in future? pat came the reply "vet. surgeon"
Why? i followed up. Her father explained, she has a great rapport with animals. I tried to rationalize by saying kids of this age do have such tendency. He replied saab! main to uski iccha samajane ki kosish kar raha hoon. samajaya, agar tujko janawar ke saath itna lagaaw hein tho tum ko yeh karna padega. toh mein uske dil me padne ka iraada to paaka kiya na saab( sir, iam trying to understand he desire. i explained her, if you like animals then this is the way to remain close with them. By this i strengthened her desire to learn and achieve).
I rallied. itni choti umar mein aap uske kandhon par bhoj tho badaa rahe hein( in this small age you are increasing burden on her shoulders).he closed the rally by saying " mein tho uski kwaish jinda rak raha hoom. mein to usko uski tara rahane par tool hun( iam trying to keep her desires alive. iam trying to keep her like her)
What about your son I asked? ?
He replied " he likes my auto driving. keeps in saying i will become auto driver"
so I queried
Simple saab , mein tho isko boltha hoon yeh chota gaai hein, bada gaadi chalno seekho( simple, i explain him that this is a small vehicle, try to learn driving a bigger one)
I asked in a surprising tone " what that means?"
aeroplane saab. Usko yehi bolta hain mein. mein auto ka driver tu plane ka driver. Abto usko to divert karna he in a saab. bacha he na saab( I always say to him whenever he expresses his desire to become auto driver, myself driver of auto, yourself driver of plane. I think this is the better way to divert his attention. he is only a kid sir)
Ibrahim , dont you get angry with your kids
he replied, why not sir, but i never shout on them. I try to rationalize with them .
Our mini journey ended. The kids are smiling. I learnt Ibrahim's father gave such independence to them. So he wanted to continue his fathers legacy. I asked him how come you ended up an auto driver despite such upbringing. He replied fate saab. Some my mistakes, some by the god. I wished hem all the best.
I came across parents everyday who never understand the inner voice of their kids- who never try to unlock the mysteries in their kids hearts- who are of the view that by buying clothes books toys their work is over- who force their kids to do what they never want to do-who beat their children back and blue-who never spend time with their kids by saying they were very busy-who never sit with their kids while they are doing their home works--------------------
Ibrahim is an auto driver. Less educated. Despite these handicaps he displayed how easy it is make the world of children beautiful. The smiles on the children's face said it all. His understanding of parenting is clear. They are kids, their world is special, let us not spoil it.
While parting, are you going home ?
he replied yes sir
DO YOU COLLECT YOUR KIDS AND DROP THEM HOME EVERY DAY?
YES SIR
AREY BHAI THIS IS BUSY TIME OF YOUR WORK. HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ?
I PLAN SIR TO SEE MY KIDS HOME . I PLAN MY WORK IN A WAY THAT IT NEVER INTERRUPTS MY TIME WITH MY KIDS(ANY BODY LISTENING)
