Hajis are back, spiritually renovated by visit to holiest of holy shrines in Mecca & Medina, their return is being celebrated as usual by sharing Wazwan meals with friends & relatives. A few years back, a friend & colleague who had his car being serviced forced me to come with him for greeting his Haji friend--back from what is a religious obligation to fulfill. We found Haji Sahib wearing a worried look, he looked reflective & despondent. He forced us to share Wazwan, I was upset as I hardly knew him. However Haji Sahib and my friend forced me. I couldnt have left him, he didnt have a car for getting back home, and the night was dawning. Once others had left, my friend asked Haji Sahib the reason for feeling upset, while he should have been radiant. Haji Sahib a man of meager means said despondently that he had set apart money for himself and his wife to make it to Mecca by years of effort. He did make some provision for a sharing a meal with family and friends before leaving and after coming back, but sticking to custom has consumed all his savings. He did not hesitate to add that had it entered his calculations, he would thought twice before leaving for Mecca. By that time he had identified me and requested me to write a column against needless customs--i did not, could not, but today early morning I dont know what prompted me to share it with FB friends--perhaps the experience of last few days and finding the spectacle on--some more meals that I shared unabashedly, as all of us do---shall we ever learn to keep it simple & dignified?
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 02:24:25 +0000
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