Bhai Jaan

We Indians take pride in saying "WE". Do we really mean it? Most of us do. Many don't. Thats Democracy.I aint arguing. 

Its the Holy month of Ramzaan...& for some reason i can feel it within me. Nopes, i dont bow my head in the direction of the Mecca. I dont say my namaaz five times a day. i can never fast definitely not Roze. I dont shop all night at Mohammad Ali Street or Bhendi Bazaar or for that matter Kurla. I dont break a roza with a Date i.e. Khajur.i just dont. Then why?

All religions preach Unity, Brotherhood & all that Jazz. But have you ever seen a Gujarati being supported by 10 gujaratis in a street fight even if he is on the wrong side of the mess? or Have you ever seen one marwari bail out another in case of a business crisis? you may say yes ! he lends his money...thst d point...even then the marwari is doing business, he aint standing by his "Brother". I wouldnt talk about sardarjis, coz iv seen them standing by their brothers until death do them apart. am not being racist. nor do i mean to demean any religion. But do we feel it inside us? That feeling of being one? honestly, i dont.. & i know many who dont.

But when each evening as i walk through Kurla, a pre-dominantly Muslim locality i see a sight which brings a smile in my heart, coz am being re-assured that the brethren feeling is still going strong. On the Foot over Bridge, Flex sheets are laid out in the entire stretch of teh bridge, huge platters of Dates, Fruits, Snacks are placed with the food & sherbets & faloodas flowing freely. Its open to all. You wont be asked your name. not your locality. not if you contributed to the fund. its enough that ur one of them & its the Holy month of Ramzaan. i couldnt help being curious & i asked an elderly "Chacha"  why was the food shared so unconditionally, irrespective of the social status, beggars, businessman, trader, passing traveler, unknown people sitting together, smiling n having a meal? he smiled gently, his white beard shimmering in the yellow light of the bulb atop his head in his tapri, he said, its the Holy month... we wish to rid ourselves  of our sins,do some good. we share our meal, coz we have been taught to help the needy...help those who cant help themselves. That is what we stand for...we are brothers...n we could never eat a morsel with our brothers starving.

"we could never eat a morsel with our brother starving" -- This...did it. 

i smiled. said my khuda haafiz...n walked away from that moment...knowing why WE aint WE & THEY are WE...