Yet again a new travel with new experience. India, "our
motherland" is known for her diversity. What amuses me about our
motherland is the fact that we have the maximum diversity with almost
everything be it Religion, caste, creed, Language, Attire, Scholars, Science,
Scriptures, Food, Living Style, Seasons, Mountains, Education and what not, yet
we hardly see any social conflict except the political one which is off course
planted in our society to get the advantage probably in elections. On an
average at every 10 km we see a change in language and life style of people
such is the diversity of this land yet there is one flag i.e. Our Tricolor which bleeds in the heart of every Indian, One Song "Vande Matram" which, when played breaks all the string of being satisfied and re-enforce a
centripetal force to work tirelessly and un-deterred of anything. One anthem "Jan
Gan Man" which sow the pride of being unique and united. There is so much
to say that the whole book would be nothing but just a nutshell. I am going to
tell you yet another experience.
Very recently i happened to visit Bangalore for some work along
with my father. Though I decided to stay at my friends house but my father had
a different plan and he choose to stay at a relatives house which I often
ignore but couldn't do much and followed him. To my surprise they were very
welcoming and very receptive and really treated us as the real brand ambassador
of "Atithi Devo Bhava" :). This was the place were we stayed however
to reach there From the airport was very tough task especially when you take a
bus and you know nothing about the city. The area where we stayed was near HAL
(Hindustan Aeronautics LTD) training school. We could easily hear the sound of
helicopters the whole day. The flat where they lived in was at the first floor
and on the ground floor was a local water supplying unit named "Sangam".
People knew him by Sangam Waters. At night just after having dinner i along
with my father were chit chatting with our relatives. Somehow the topic of
travel dropped in, and while climbing the stairs i had noticed two mullah ji
filling up and arranging the water gallons. I asked my cousin if these mullah
ji's are working there ?
Cousin - no, they are the owner of this water plant.
Me - then how come the name is "Sangam" i mean that's very Unheard of and specially with a Muslim family.
Cousin - well, I never thought about it but it really is a very
good thing.
Me - Indeed, but there should be something behind it, not any n
everyone will do it. Anyways, i am tired and i am going to sleep now. I wished good
night to everyone and went to bed. I still had this notion that being a Muslim he could have chosen more "Secular" name than "Sangam" if i
may say so, specially after having to hear so much of hue n cry over secularism
in the news hours. Or may be the second thought was, he may have tried to
target the local population which was largely Hindus. There was several
unanswered questions which was troubling me in bed but then I thought that any
which ways it's not going to be answered today so better sleep.
Next day :
To say I woke up with the first light of the day would be too
much to say, so, I woke up at around 7
am and after doing all the morning activities including my breakfast
at around 10:30 am, i came
downstairs to check for mullah ji. There we go, he was sitting at the cash
counter and was busy counting them.
Nameste Uncle - I initiated the conversation.
Uncle - Nameste ! With little local accent.
Me - i have come here for few days.
Uncle - oh okay, Singh Sahab ke ghar, right ?
Yes uncle - i said.
Uncle - pls come inside, have a seat while he pulled one chair
for me.
Thank you uncle - i said while i took the chair and made myself
ease out.
Uncle - first time in Bangalore ?
Me - yea uncle.
Uncle - good, must enjoy the place, there are a lot to watch out
for !
Me - oh yes, i am sure !! , probably by evening we will be going
out.
Uncle - good, he also told about certain places which were very
famous.
Me - it's been how long since you are into this profession uncle
?
Uncle - beta, it's been almost 5 years since i have started this.
Me - well that's great, seems like a good deal. And moreover it
would also be keeping you on your toes all the time.
Uncle - oh yes, too much of work but i am quite used to it now.
I don't like anything else now and it also soothes you when you feed someone
that too with water.
Me - indeed uncle, what can be better for a thirsty than the
water. Well if you don't mind uncle, can i ask you something?
Uncle - oh, not at all, please go ahead.
Me - please don't mind but how come you got this name "SANGAM"
waters for your business i mean usually being a Muslim, people could have
chosen more of a Muslim name Than going for this name.
Uncle - no son, it's nothing to feel bad about, it's the irony
of being subjugated to the external forces that people are bound to use the
names of Arabs or for that matter other Muslim nations. We are Indians and only
an Indian name should be propagated and more over I don't want to commit the
mistakes done by my ancestors. And this name SANGAM shows the enriched culture
of Our country.
mistakes as in, i mean what is in the name ? - I asked.
Uncle - name is everything, it can do wonders to you. When your
name resonates in your mind and soul it makes you do great things but only when
you have a meaningful name.
Me - hmmm, you are right uncle.
Uncle - you name someone Tobu, Lolu , Molu they would be like
one and would become a bunch of idiots because they won't have anything to feel
proud about.
Me - Tobu, Molu hahahahha we both broke into laughter.
Uncle - that's why I choose "Sangam" for my business
because it resonates the enriched culture of "Bharat" again Bharat
and not India.
Me - Bharat and not India ? What do you mean by that ? It's the
same country with two names ?
Uncle - No, Beta, India is a name which doesn't have any meaning
but Bharat carries a beautiful meaning And connotations. Go back to our culture
and you would never find anything meaningless. India is a name which is given
to us by English people.
Me - wow ! Uncle you should be a teacher in a university or
something, you know a lot, m sure not even my teachers in schools had this
knowledge.
Uncle - in very humble tone - not much beta just a little but i
try not to forget my roots.
Me - exactly uncle, meanwhile papa called me upstairs to have
lunch, I thanked uncle for this lovely conversation and promised to meet him
before leaving Bangalore.
Learning - next on wards I would be more thoughtful while giving
names as it helps us make the society we want for ourselves and would request
you all to have a thought over it.
Nameste 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏