Thank You very much

Thank You very Much.

We organized a medical camp for the village folks; a lot of activity was planned. The whole village was abuzz with who was coming, which all doctors were going to see them, and the famous scano ‘, the ailments ranged from dil dhakda, to BP falling to knees not working and making noise when they walked. The other problems all centered on the famous Punjabi stomach; the various noises, the frequency and infrequency of bowel movement! And the presence of a mysterious wind that was causing them not to be healthy and made their lives uncomfortable.

The teams of Doctors were patient, equipped to deal with the nuances of the rural folk and their little problems. We went through a record of 250 patients. One, of them finds special mention; she walked in with her khundi, with fat fat glasses moaning away. She had a face criss crossed with wrinkles, a map made with age and time, etched with sorrow and happiness, hidden with mysteries of time. She was groaning away, so we let her bypass the efficient token system that had till now kept everyone in check and let us run the camp in a modicum of efficiency.

She was examined in great detail by the GP and it all boiled down to; you know the gas that plagues us all. It is one of the best-kept secrets of the human body. There is a whole verse in the ancient texts that imply if one passes wind all is well, and if there is obstruction well… we all know that familiar uncomfortable feeling! Passing wind is a past time in rural India and declares one to be fit and healthy. When she was given her medicines by the on the spot pharmacist lady, the old lady clutched on to her prescription and her medicines, and said in very clear voice,’ Thank You very much’.

I was stumped and smiled. This old lady wearing a faded brown suit, head covered in the usual thin fraying chunni, had just thanked us in perfect English. I stopped her, and asked her name. She is Rakkhi, wife of long dead Rakho. Rakhi was from the Angrezo de time and she remembered a few words, OK.  I was so happy to meet her the moment was priceless. We set ourselves to believe what we pre conceive and pre judge and think. Its like a game set match for us. Life means to open ourselves to all the experiences and to be open to receive the beauty . Closed doors only lead to closed heart s. Open and one day for sure , you will also hear the clear crackling Thank You very much …