05 March 2011

Do not want to curse God.




Optimism, education, reasonable intelligence and hard work does not mean that problems do not come calling. A time came with disastrous consequences for me, when I lost almost everything. 

I took stock of my situation and concluded that I was financially broke but I was not poor. I was wealthy, for I had knowledge, experience, a friend in my loving wife, and a deep faith in God.  
Well there is only one thing to do, start rebuilding life afresh so I left India for Dubai. Almost everyone in Dubai has a story of problems, challenges, and sorrow behind them. It is a land of opportunity, like a beautiful woman but with a stone for a heart. 

I am a happy-go lucky type of person, therefore it's relatively easy for me to get along with people, at least for a while.  My extrovert nature helped me meet and interact with a lot of people and I was soon busy, though not always productively or profitably.

My bank manager Kannan and I soon became friends. I sought Kannan's advice on many things and he was more than ready to lend me his ear and offer advice and suggestions whenever he could spare the time.
Once Kannan introduced me to another client of the bank, believing that there were good business opportunities between both of his clients.
As things turned out the opportunity existed and we did do some business together. The volume of business was not much, but it was fairly profitable for the time and money involved.

I was living all by myself at that time and I longed to share my joy with someone. In addition I was happy and grateful, and I so wanted to show my appreciation to Kannan.
After much thought I decided to give him cash. So I put some cash (10% of the profit) in an envelope and I went to the bank.

Kannan and we chatted over tea for some time in his cabin. After I had finished my cup of tea, I placed the envelope in front of him.
Kannan raised his eyebrow and without touching the package asked me "What is this?"

I said, 'Thanks to your introduction I made some money and I wanted to share a little something with you."
He picked up the packet peeked into the contents and pushed it back to me; " I am sorry I can't take it. I only did my duty to assist my customers. I have grown fond of you, I wanted this to be an act of friendship. Do not spoil it by giving me anything especially money."

Kannan said, 
"Let me share something with you. Every day I pray.  
"God, do not deprive me and give me so little, that I curse you. I also beg you not to give me so much that I forget you."

He said that God seemed to hear and answer his prayers. He wished for nothing more.
Back and forth we pushed the envelope with the money. Finally he relented and put the envelope in his drawer.

A few days later I went to the bank for some work. As usual I went to meet Kannan. We chatted for a few minutes and then he asked me, "Have you checked your bank statement?"
"No" I replied.

Kannan said, "You insisted on giving me the money and I was unable to convince you, so I took the money you gave me and I deposited the money back into your account."
"Please do not do anything silly and come around with another packet, now or ever. My joy comes from doing good for you"

I felt blessed to meet so noble and wonderful man.

He was soon thereafter transferred to another branch rather far away and we lost touch. I tried to contact him for a long time, but learnt that he had taken up a job somewhere else. I pray that I meet him again sometime soon.

6 comments:

  1. Jimmy Kapadia said;

    Try finding another Kanan and let me know if
    you do.

    Cheers
    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pooja said;

    Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
    With Best Regards

    Pooja.Chavan@outokumpu.com

    ReplyDelete

  3. Dear Gurvinderji,

    The entire story sent by you is fascinating and encouraging. It is rare that one comes across
    such persons like Kannan in life. One must learn to maintain friendship which should be pure
    without any expectations on either side.

    Thanks.

    Bhosle.
    csbhosle@rediffmail.com (sent by Email)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rear Admiral (Retd) Suresh Bangara said;

    An interesting anecdote. There are many Kannans hidden away and just doing their jobs. We have to be lucky to meet them. Equally Kannans meet Gurvinders not by accident but by "design"-HIS design not ours. Hope you will renew your friendship some day.

    Suresh Bangara

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anirban Dutta says;


    Dear gurvinder,
    I dont know whether we know each other, atleast I cannot remember you at the moment.
    I started receiving your mails from a few days back and even though I couldn't remember you I decided to go through your mails instead of simply marking them for spam.

    I must say you have a very inspiring pen.
    Now while I am going through a turbulent time, I find peace in your words and motivation to go on and face life.

    Thank you for your mails it would be a pleasure to know you in person.

    Thank you

    Regards

    Anirban Dutta (aanirban.dutta@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mrinal said;

    Good people like Kannan make the word worth living.

    Gupta Ray Mrinal

    ReplyDelete

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