"When I asked Raghu what is your dream in life, he said only one thing: 'I want to see the women of India and their children smile'", said APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India as he welcomed Raghu Mackwana on the stage
It was YUVA Unstoppable Jalso and Abdul Kalam was the chief guest of the evening.
The crowded hall was expected, as it wasn't just the President of India, but a scientist of ISRO who was the chief of the evening.
I was here since last one hour and all I had seen of this man was his back and the green shirt, neatly ironed and his smartly cut hair. With all lights focused on him and cameramen trying to capture as much as they can of him, I saw the man collapse on the floor. I was the only one who was shocked among the audience who were cheerful and applauding for Raghu. Cameramen and lights swiftly followed his pathway. I had no clue if there was anything moving which cameras followed. As he lifted himself smoothly on the stairs to reach the stage I realized it was Raghu bhai and he was walking on his arms!
On the stage, next to the President of India was this thin man with sheer determination that over-flowed from his eyes, a smile that answered a thousand questions and a gaze that was confident and comforting.
“I’m not doing anything great. I’m not on a mission to change the world. God has been very kind to me in my struggle to survive. Now it is my turn to repay", Raghu said as he opened the talk.
I was at YUVA Jalso as a reporter to cover the event. After the event ended and when most journalists hushed towards the President, who himself is an inspiration I have always looked up to, I couldn't stop but force myself towards Raghu's Tricycle on which he was trying to sit. I partially remember my cameraman asking me to interview the President of India, but I walked towards this extremely simple yet charming man who had just received, 'I am the Change' award.
It was better than running behind the President's car who was getting late for his flight. Yes, I was a lazy media intern.
"Namaste...tamee Newschannel ma thi avya cho? (Namaste, are you from a news channel?)",asked extremely humble Raghu bhai. He sounded street-smart and decent. I nodded. "A lot of media people have interviewed me. I was in Times Of India too!", he chuckled as he spoke about his fame. "Yes I have read about you. Need to take your bite", I said trying to dilute the awkwardness in communicating to strangers, that I had acquired naturally. "I am sorry but I need to leave. It is already 7.15 p.m.", he said twisting his wrist to see time. I looked at him with a 'So What?' expression. May be he understood.
Raghu Mackwana on his Tricycle
"I have to start delivering tiffin boxes from 7.30 pm. Shantiba has to take her medicines at 8 pm after her meal and I have to deliver her food before that. Jayant bhai sleeps at 9 p.m. If I reach late he will be like really late to sleep!", he said leaving me startled with his punctuality, sense of responsibility and of course his fluent English! He claims to have learnt English 3 years back from an exchange student from U.K who taught him how to read English and today, his fluency was a result of reading 2 English newspapers daily. "We must constantly learn and upgrade our self. We must grow and contribute on daily basis", he said leaving me spell-bound for a moment. Was he really a slum-dweller who studied only till class 5?"But can't you wait? I'll only take 10 minutes", I muttered. I was unreasonable but he was my story! I knew my Bulletin Producer would kill me because (a) I missed bite of President of India (b) Even Raghu bhai was denying to give me bite.
"Madamji, I have struggled for two meals a day. I know how disastrous each minute turns out to be when you have no food in your stomach.", he didn't sound rude. He spoke each word with peace.
This young man, who lost his legs in his early childhood to Polio, pioneer of Ahmedabad's most efficient and creative social services, "Tyag nu Tiffin" (Food of Sacrifice), "Tulsi (Basil)' Project" and "Lok Mitra (Friends of People)" was reluctant to come on a T.V show because it interfered with his service time which he served for no money! This, only celebrities did, I told myself.
Raghu bhai, one of the million people who come to Ahmedabad (Mini Mumbai) with dreams in their eyes, had spent couple of his initial years in a temple arranging shoes in the shoe-racks until he met Jayesh Bhai, who was equally charmed by the bright shimmer in his eyes that reflected the desire to do SOMETHING. Helped by Jayesh bhai, Raghu became self-reliant. This did a lot more than just helping him survive. He was always seen resolving street feuds in the slums. But this wasn't it. He gifted both the parties a sapling of Basil plant each and explained them its significance.(Basil is considered a sacred plant in India and is proved to be medication for a lot of disease) At times, he recited prayers and sometimes he shared stories of saints to people. He sang to anyone who wanted to uplift their mood. "I am a huge fan of Rafi saab", he had said in his speech on stage.
"Today I gave my 800th Tulsi plant to an old lady who was upset because his son was on alcohol", he almost read my mind. I tried to help him put his bag on his Tricycle to which he refused.
Raghu Mackwana, along with a group of other four members gave a kick-start to his dream in 2011. He started giving home-cooked food tiffins to needy. In no time, more and more people joined in and what was his 'small pay-back' turned into most poor/working people's bliss in Ahmedabad. "I set-off at 12:30 pm and 7.30 pm to deliver food to some people who are less fortunate than I am. Anytime in between and we can surely meet!", he informed me while his hands were busy fixing his tricycle's side clips with tiffin boxes ensuring the order of the dabbas as per vicinity of people he was to give food. "I ensure taste and quality of food made myself", he kept on explaining even though I hadn't asked.
"I don't eat unless I am sure each of my Saathi (Companion) have had their meal", he had said in his speech after receiving the award.
"Jay Shri Krishna madam!", he bid me good-bye as he set-off on yet another journey of giving, spreading and sharing love and joy.
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