LADY WITH A BIG HEART

 LADY WITH A BIG HEART

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

16/IV/2023

 

In the deserts, water is of utmost importance goes without saying. All those who stay here and those who have served here know and understand what water means to mankind and animals.

 

While on reconnaissance of border areas we would find ‘revars’ (herds) of goats, sheep and camels in hundreds. A lone shepherd would manoeuvre them around from tibba to teela (Sand dune), to a toba (pond) or to a khu (well). Night halt used to be where there was water. A ‘tanka’ (artificial water storage underground tank) in which rainwater is harvested, is also used as a watering hole.

 

What about the shepherd? How would he quench his thirst? Often, they would drink the same water which the animals drank. We would spit it out due to its saltiness but they are used to it. They would drink lots of milk, which kept them hydrated.

 

Herdsmen would be accompanied with a donkey or two. In Fauji terminology, it used to be his IRG (Immediate Replenishment Group). Donkeys would be strapped with frugal belongings like earthen utensils, some hand-woven woollen blankets, which made good tents in the afternoon and were used to keep away the desert cold.

 

What used to stand out was the ‘baadla’, the sweet water container. It could be a flattish earthen pitcher or any container covered with cloth to keep its contents cool. Faujis depended on ‘chaggals’ to provide chilled water which were hung on rear view mirrors of Jongas or in Mule tanks (Pakhaals).

 

Till this day, in the deserts there exists the concept of ‘Piao’, consisting of a row of earthen pitchers for people to quench their thirst, kept under a shady tree or under a thatched hut. It gives a quick break from the scorching sun and keeps you from dehydrating. A life line of sorts.

 

Here you won’t find people drinking like we urban folks do from tumblers. A single ‘lota’ with a handle is kept on the lid of a matka. You dip it in and go glug-glug-glug. The lota is never made ‘jhoota’ by touching the lips. People drink in one breath. It is a matter of ‘Punya’ in our part of the country to provide water for a ‘panthi’ or traveller.

 

What caught my attention today, while I was filling air in my Bullet at a shack nearby. There was an old lady stitching something with ‘sootli’ (jute strings) on an empty Pepsi bottle. I asked her, what is this? She said, Gareeb ka thermos. Indeed, it was one.

 

The labourer who works on a construction site or the road, cannot fetch water whenever he is thirsty. Even if a storage tank exists, in such heat the water gets half boiled and is undrinkable. Once the strings are wet, the contents inside stay cool for a long time. Innovative, I must say.

 

How much do you charge for this? I asked her. For Ameer it is fifty bucks but for Gareeb it is free. Aap ke paas agar do litre ki bottle khali ho to de jana. I felt like hugging this lady.

 

They live in a roadside shack. Her son fixes punctures and husband runs a tea stall under a thatched hut. On another side, they keep a row of matkas with water for cyclists and motorcyclists who halt by. All the money collected from filling air is donated for ‘gau ka chaara’. God bless them.

 

I felt so small inside. This man in a shack is so benevolent and kind. The ‘Sanskaar’ he has come from his genes. I folded my hands to the old lady and said a namaste for doing such a great service.

 

I was at a loss for words. This ‘lady with a big heart’ gave me ‘ashirvaad’ which I took willingly and moved on pondering within. Can we all do such little-little things? I wonder!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© ® NOEL ELLIS