During the pandemic wave which struck in 2020-2021 killing many people and affecting billions of lives across the globe, a manual labourer named Aabhaas Kumar working at a factory in Bangalore was rendered jobless. Unable to cope with the circumstances, he decided to end it all. He was overwhelmed with anxiety of being unable to earn two square meals a day and fend for his family. Incidentally, his family had gone to their village in Bihar before the pandemic and were stuck up there. Aabhaas too would have to return to his hometown but he had no money to arrange for the transportation. His friend who was a gatekeeper of an apartment offered him a room to stay.
Aabhas felt hapless and decided to take the decisive step that very night. When his friend fell asleep, Aabhas tied his gamcha (towel) to the ceiling fan and tried putting the noose around his neck. However, he realised that the towel was not long enough to give the desired result. He struggled with the towel for nearly half an hour and gave up. He spent the whole night tossing and turning.
The next day he ambled down to the market to buy a 6 metre rope to give his plans the final conclusion. On his way, he met a mendicant without arms and legs, begging for alms. Aabhas observed him closely for a few seconds and stepped back. He made his way to the temple to seek forgiveness for his misdemeanour. He had an internal awakening.
He said to himself- I became disheartened when I lost my job little realising that God has blessed me with hands and legs which can help me work and earn a living anytime and anywhere. I am certainly more blessed than that mendicant who has no option but to beg. Times are not favourable but there is still hope that things will change for the better.
In between an unsuccessful attempt to end his life and acquiring the means to do so, God gave the labourer time to reflect upon his thoughts and actions. He was a changed man. From then on, he was filled with gratitude for God’s multitudinous blessings.
We must look for something positive in each day, even if some days we have to look a little harder.
Writing on the Wall - By Manjari 