One Simple Question

As i walk up the stairs of Mahalaxmi Station I see her again. She challenges me everyday. Day aftr day. With tattered hair. Ragged clothes barely coverin her ageing torso.She looks into my eyes with one eye. The other has lost light anyways. And tat eye asks me

one simple question.

This is the 2nd time i see him. He's lost his companion. A companion tat helped him thru the waters of the Dal lake. Fed his little family of 3. He silently curses the storm tat challenged him last evening. Then he curses his hands tat lost grip of his companion's lifeline. Finally the lake waters tat ate up its oars.. Amidst the mean cold, at a nt so friendly hour and an even unfriendly day in tat beautiful city made ugly by the life tat it sheltered, he looks for a new companion he can carry his trade on, shell a few coins in return of taking people across the banks and his lifeless eyes peer into mine through the big screen in my hall and ask

the same simple question.

The wheels are moving and I hav a new friend. A friendship tat bloomed over 5 seconds, a filmi tune and a coin tat cant buy him a meal. I watch him countin all the pennies he collected. He's happy. Happiness worth a vada pav. A vada pav to kill his hunger pangs till the next morning. Happiness worth his breath through the night. He breaks into another tune on his rusted harmonium, dances, sings and as I see his happiness worth every tear, his eyes again spring

the same simple question.

The one eyed old beggar lady on the streets of Mahalaxmi Station...The little boy who toils for survival in the heart of Kashmir...The little singer tiring his torn vocal cords to fill his hungry cold belly...all tied by one common string...One Simple Question. A question tats bcom a part of their soul. Gues they never realise it. Bt do they realise they have a soul? A soul is non essential. Insignificant.Bt its ther. Always ther. And it asks tat simple question everytime- If your an Indian...Who am I? If this land is only winning...then wat ground do I thrive on?

Does anyone hav an answer? I don know abt you...Bt i simply and sadly... Dont!

All I have is a doubt about the true power......... Of a super power called India!