About 4 years ago when I was going to Delhi from Calcutta, by Rajdhani express. Farhan, my son, was then, about 3-4 years old. I got a lower berth seat and opposite me was an elderly man of about 70 years. There was a Marwari couple, with an infant of 4 months. A man around 35, named Jacob on the side seat.

The journey started, the lady with the infant was having a tough time feeding and taking care of the needs of the baby. Sensing her discomfort I offered her my place, which was beside a window. She accepted and was relieved and went on with looking after her baby, her husband was helping too.

And I took the side berth, which is quite uncomfortable, and Farhan was also supposed to sleep with me too. As for children below 5 years there is no ticket and so no berth.

The elderly man started the talk.

He said “ I have been observing you for couple of hours and I think it was a nice gesture.”

I replied “it didn’t matter much to me, but at least the lady is comfortable, as she is with an infant.”

He said “yes, but you also have a small child.”

I replied, “ I’ll manage, no problem.”

He said, “ I have traveled many times and there have been worse situations, yet nobody, comes forward and ignores the plight of others.”

I answered “ I still feel that I have not done anything special…aap please aise mat kahiye.”

Embarrassed I tried to change the subject, by asking, about his life, achievements . He started telling me about his childhood, growing up years in a village in UP. How scared were the children of their fathers and how women were behind the scenes etc. He had served the Army. Animatedly and with pride, he told me about his life in the army, so organized, disciplined and tremendous respect for elders. He had two sons and a daughter, all married and settled. He was living with his sons. His wife had passed away.

During this conversation Jacob joined us. He also started telling us that he was an engineer, had a good job, but was not satisfied, wanted to earn more money, by any means.

I asked, “ What do you mean by any means?”

He said, “ There are people who, are honest and sincere in what ever they do and if you look at their state, it is pitiful. I do not want to become like that, slaving and suffering your whole life and in return not get anything “.

I could not accept what he said and the argument began.

I asked, “How do you know that, honesty leads to misery”?

He said “ Generally if one notice this is the case always. Look at our politicians, they are defying everything and yet are living luxurious lives”.

I asked “ What is luxurious life for you?

He said” To have lots of money, with which one can do anything one wants. To buy lot of cars, to own many houses and all that I desire”.

I said, “ So you want to buy everything you want and for that you want lots of money.” But tell me one thing why do you want many houses when you can live only in one?

He answered,” well it will make me feel proud, of my high status”.

I said “ Does having lot of properties and cars means high status! How can that be”?

He said, “ Well again I will say that generally this is what people think”.

I argued “ I feel that one should be a good human being, caring and should try to help others if one is capable of. Money is important but not everything. One should have enough to live life comfortably.

He said, “ maybe you have a point but I don’t agree. I think I can do anything for that matter. Everybody does it nowadays. Nobody bother’s for other’s happiness and are quite selfish in their attitudes.

I said “ but that is wrong, if all are bad, that doesn’t mean that you should also behave like them.

He said, “I am like that and even if I know that I am not right I do not want to change. I want to live life king size, no matter what. And I feel that you are an exception. There are very few people like you”.

The old man was listening to the argument attentively.

He remarked, “ For a young age you are quite mature and sensible. Don’t you have any (khwaish) desires?

I said “no,” I try to be content in whatever I have and thank God a million times for such a wonderful life he has given me.

He enquired, “ Don’t you feel jealous of anybody”?

I replied “ No, why should I be jealous when I am equal if not better”. I am generally, not jealous, but I do lose my temper, at people’s behavior sometimes. Otherwise most of the time I am happy and always smiling. And I also believe that a smile is powerful, it can do wonders”.

I continued, “People who feel that because of money they are respected are sadly mistaken. It is better to be known for good deeds rather than how much you are worth”. People have become so materialistic and selfish. They hardly have time for family and friends. They tend to overlook, small acts of kindness, which make our life so beautiful.

He said, “ Beta, you are a very kind hearted and a considerate person, with a heart of gold. Jacob is right, there are very few like you. I wish that you have a beautiful life.

The dinner was served at that time (they serve dinner in Rajdhani express) and the conversation ended. We had dinner and my co- passengers went to sleep. Early in the morning Farhan got up and as Jacob was awake also, went to him and had breakfast with him.

At 9.30 am the train reached Delhi Station, Jacob saluted me and left, smiling, with a “nice meeting you.” The old man’s daughter-in-law came inside the compartment, greeted him and touched his feet.

As he was leaving, he came towards me, with folded hands. I smiled; normally I answer a namaste, with a smile. As I was getting up, as a mark of respect, (also a habit) To my shock, he bent down and touched my feet, and left smiling, without uttering a word, leaving me embarrassed and baffled. Imagine a 70 year old, touching your feet!

Why did he do that?