The Glory of a Good Deed

Friends, here is a new story for children. Thanks.

Welcome, dears.

Meet Amit, a first-year Engineering student of PIT (Premier Institute of Technology). He is not very attractive to look at. However, on closer acquaintance, you get to know his hidden virtues. One of them is his compassion. You see, Amit has an abiding belief in God, and he believes (rightly so, in my opinion) that whatever material wealth we receive on this earth is due to the munificence of God. Therefore, it becomes our duty to share a part of such wealth with others less fortunate than ourselves.

This was his wonderful attitude throughout his student days at his village primary school and, subsequently, at the high school in the nearby district town. He carried this same attitude with him when he entered PIT as well.

However, a nasty surprise awaited him at college. In India, professional degree colleges are often meant to equip students for lucrative careers. As a result, over the course of their four years in the curriculum, many students come to view everything through the lens of greed. Higher human values, such as compassion and empathy, take a back seat.

But Amit was of a different calibre. Believing only in God, he did not care for popularity or approval from others. He continued to lead his college life with his innate attitude of compassion, which soon found expression in his free weekend coaching classes in Maths for the children of slum-dwellers.

One day, while conducting his class, Amit learned about two special kids living in that slum. They were physically challenged, yet unbelievably talented in music—specifically in the demanding genre of Hindustani classical music! No one had taught them; their talents were inborn. One was Meena, aged seven: she was blind yet superb in vocals. Her brother, Mahendra, one year junior, was lame but equally skilled at playing the ‘tabla,’ the Indian percussion instrument.

After class, Amit went to meet them and was saddened to learn that their parents’ impoverished circumstances meant their talents were going to waste. After a lot of effort, Amit was finally successful in enrolling these children under a renowned “Guru” (music teacher). Through the grace of God, a well-off devotee of the Ramakrishna Mission agreed to sponsor the teacher’s fees.

For the first time, the kids began receiving proper training. Amit stayed happy and kept in touch with the teacher. To his delight, these super-talented children’s potential began to flower under the expert guidance of the "Guru." In this manner, two years passed.

Now comes the turning point.

Every year, there was a four-day annual festival at PIT called “Sampark.” Here, cultural items were presented by students from colleges all over Delhi and nearby areas. The events included one-act plays, poetry readings, music performances, debates, dance recitals, and quizzes.

The evenings of the third and fourth days were dedicated to music. While the first evening featured mainly amateur artists, the second featured a renowned artist by invitation. This particular evening was always a huge crowd-puller.

Alas! It so happened that the maestro invited this year fell ill with a severe cough just two days before his performance. He was left with no option but to send his regrets to the PIT Principal.

By custom, the responsibility of running the show fell on the young shoulders of third-year student volunteers. Amit, now in his third year, was on the organizing committee as well. So, these students were in a terrible fix as Sampark’s fourth evening always gathered a large crowd of music-lovers who turned up in large numbers to watch a live performance by a maestro. How awkward it would be to cancel the show at the last moment! How poorly it would reflect on the college’s reputation if PIT could not arrange for a backup artist!
All student coordinators, gripped by tension, thus kept running here and there to find a last-minute replacement.

Like a God-sent representative, Amit stepped up. “Brothers,” he told his fellow coordinators, “look, there is no time left to hunt for a new artist. Allow me to present two musicians of a very unusual nature: they are two gifted kids whom I know personally. Trust me regarding their talent. No one may know them yet, but I guarantee one thing: people will return home impressed.”

He then told them how he had discovered their talents two years prior and organized their training. The doubtful boys had a heated debate. Seeing no other way out, they reluctantly agreed to his risky proposal. They then approached the Principal and received formal permission, though the Principal remained sceptical as well.

Immediately, Amit rushed to the slum and told the parents the news. Next, an announcement followed on the college's social media handles stating that in place of the scheduled artist, two young performers, Meena (vocalist) and Mahendra (tabla), would perform. No mention was made of their physical handicaps.

As the fourth day dawned, everyone was anxious. Amit personally went to the slum in the afternoon to pick up the children, who were the most nervous of all. This was to be their first public performance. They waited tensely in the green room as the afternoon gave way to evening, and the stage was set. The auditorium was packed to capacity!

As the clock struck 6:00 pm, the curtains rose. When the audience saw Meena and Mahendra, a whisper ran through the crowd because their handicaps were visible to all. Quite a few felt outraged, unable to believe these children could perform classical music. Someone even shouted, “Who are these kids? Where are the artists who were announced?”

Amit quickly stepped onto the stage and, with folded hands, said, “Please... keep your patience. Just give these kids a chance. You will see for yourself what they are capable of. After all, they are students of a renowned Guru. Please, just calm down.”

The audience, moved by the genuineness in Amit’s voice, gradually quietened.

The two artists started tentatively. As they warmed up, they grew more confident and soon began a wonderful performance of the evening in "Raga Yaman." It was a beautiful recital. (Note: "Raga" stands for the ancient melodic patterns, numerous in variety, in Indian classical music and "Yaman" is the name of one of the Raga sung in the evening.)

The whole house erupted in applause when the performance ended. Everyone was stunned that kids from such poor backgrounds, facing such physical challenges, possessed such wonderful talent.

The next day’s online edition of the Hindustan Times made a brief but glowing mention of the sensational performance. This was complemented by wonderful comments on social media by music critics. PIT received a great deal of praise.

A beaming Principal soon called the music committee and applauded their contribution. He especially singled out Amit for his brave initiative. He was happy that PIT was now seen as a custodian of traditional performing arts, which would enhance the college's brand equity for future admissions.

So, children, keep helping others in life in whatever way you can. This is the happiest way to live life.

God bless and goodbye, dears.