Vanajai
Which will last , unto the last ?
I usually take my morning walks through different routes each day . On that particular day I chose to walk through Allapuram , a suburban locality of Vellore .As the name itself suggests , it is a neighbourhood where Muslims and Hindus live in harmony . Most of the people here are labourers and the downtrodden .
During the course of the walk , I was lured by a melodious chanting voice emanating from a hut nearby . Out of curiosity I peeped inside the hut . There was an old lady reciting a book reverently in deep concentration .
The hut was very small , the floor was mud and few bricks heaped together served as a desk . Poverty and penury can be seen in the household . But the book , which she was reading , had been placed on an old but clean silk cloth . No one was around and I had the urge to click the scene candidly !
I took out the camera from my pocket and clicked ...... the camera flash was like a lightening ! But the old lady was so deeply immersed in her reading that she failed to notice the flash ! Not to disturb her concentration , I left the place at that time .
A few days later I again visited the place and the old lady was relaxing this time . I humbly introduced myself and inquired about the book she was reading the other day . She said it was nothing but the Holy Quran , reading regularly of which she could find solace and satisfaction amidst her misery ! She had studied upto 5th standard and she lives alone , rolling beedis to make out a living . Her only daughter is married off , she proudly said !
" Haven't you find the going tough amidst the poverty ? ' , I asked . I was stumped by the answer she had given .
" Son , Nothing shall come along with you on the Judgment Day , except the punyas you earn by reading the sacred texts ! "
Which will last , unto the last ?
I usually take my morning walks through different routes each day . On that particular day I chose to walk through Allapuram , a suburban locality of Vellore .As the name itself suggests , it is a neighbourhood where Muslims and Hindus live in harmony . Most of the people here are labourers and the downtrodden .
During the course of the walk , I was lured by a melodious chanting voice emanating from a hut nearby . Out of curiosity I peeped inside the hut . There was an old lady reciting a book reverently in deep concentration .
The hut was very small , the floor was mud and few bricks heaped together served as a desk . Poverty and penury can be seen in the household . But the book , which she was reading , had been placed on an old but clean silk cloth . No one was around and I had the urge to click the scene candidly !
I took out the camera from my pocket and clicked ...... the camera flash was like a lightening ! But the old lady was so deeply immersed in her reading that she failed to notice the flash ! Not to disturb her concentration , I left the place at that time .
A few days later I again visited the place and the old lady was relaxing this time . I humbly introduced myself and inquired about the book she was reading the other day . She said it was nothing but the Holy Quran , reading regularly of which she could find solace and satisfaction amidst her misery ! She had studied upto 5th standard and she lives alone , rolling beedis to make out a living . Her only daughter is married off , she proudly said !
" Haven't you find the going tough amidst the poverty ? ' , I asked . I was stumped by the answer she had given .
" Son , Nothing shall come along with you on the Judgment Day , except the punyas you earn by reading the sacred texts ! "