A Touching Encounter with Sunita

As you know, I live in Ahmedabad. Recently, I had to visit a village for some work. On my way back, I felt hungry and stopped my car at a roadside stall. I ordered a dosa and waited while it was being prepared. When the food arrived, I started eating. Suddenly, I noticed a 4-5-year-old girl approaching me and staring at my dosa. I looked at her lovingly and said, "Beta, I am hungry too. Can you share my dosa?"

Something about this girl made me feel a deep connection. Her nose was running, and her clothes were dirty. To the world, she might have been a beggar, but to me, she was innocent and adorable. She repeated, "Kaka, I am hungry." I couldn't resist any longer and ordered another dosa. She ate it with relish.

A little later, I asked her, "What is your name, beta?" She replied, "Sunita." Then I asked, "Where is your mother, beta?" She answered, "I lost her. I haven't seen her in many days." She didn't cry, but there was sadness in her eyes. I asked, "Where is your father?" "I don't know." I inquired further, "What does your father do?" "I don't know, but he goes to work." And she started to cry. I didn't know what to say. Seeing her tears, my heart filled with sorrow.

I took her to the police station. After hearing the whole story, the police asked me to wait for a while. I sat outside with the girl. We played for a bit, and then she rested her head on my lap and fell asleep. After two or three hours, I wanted to go inside and inquire, but I waited until she woke up. I had a strong urge to take her home with me. Just like my two daughters, she felt like my third.

Finally, after four hours, a policeman came to me and informed me that they had contacted Sunita's father. They needed to file a report about her missing person case. He said that her father would be arriving soon.

An hour later, when her father came and embraced Sunita tightly, I felt immense joy. She had been missing for the past week. Seeing the father-daughter reunion, my eyes welled up. I left the police station.

On my way back, I was happy that Sunita had been reunited with her parents. But at the same time, I thought about the day when I would give away my two daughters in marriage. I would experience the same mix of happiness and sadness – happiness at their joy and sadness at letting them go.

Reflections on Compassion and Empathy

This encounter with Sunita was a reminder of the power of compassion and empathy. It's easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about those who are less fortunate. But taking the time to connect with someone in need, even for a brief moment, can make a world of difference.

Sunita's story also highlights the importance of family. The bond between a parent and child is unbreakable, and the relief and joy of being reunited after a separation are immeasurable.

As we go about our daily lives, let us remember to extend kindness and understanding to those around us. A small gesture can make a big difference in someone's life.