Sold car for Shoes!

Posted by: Tanveer Rauf on: February 5, 2012

• In: Food for thought
• 10 Comments

 

   My friends and people who know me are well aware that I am very careless, carefree and lazy as far as my own self is considered. Always happy with what I have. I remember Dr. Mehnaz Munir the first administrator of HPS used to set my dupatta or button my sweater without any ill feeling while talking or asking me to do something. So it was but understood that one has to correct and iron out my shortcomings. I never felt belittled, rather felt elated when my friends and well wishers checked me or scolded me for my carelessness with the pure feeling that there’s some one who caresJ Mrs. Mumtaz Shafique was always  concerned about me and my well being just like a real sister. My heart felt cordial regards for all my colleagues, seniors, friends, those who served us in home or at work n above all my students and children. Caring and sharing gives energy and the sensation of being wanted.

I was nominated to representPakistanin SAARC Teachers Conference inNepalin early 90s from Hamdard.

I mostly wore saris for I felt on duty when wearing a sari. Moreover a sari is the only dress I assume in the whole wide world that no matter how old it is, it looks as good as new. The reason is simple. It is a long piece of cloth without any size or shape. The size of blouse changes accordingly. As I had a good collection of saris so never felt need of making many Pakistani national dresses. But I wanted to wear my national dress inNepalbeing the representative of my country. So I made few new suits. New shoes were needed too. I didn’t have money to waste on shoes as ENGLISH BOOT HOUSE is expensive. So sold out my car to buy shoesJ I bought sandals for 600 rupees.

But the interesting part is that when I wore the new sandals to attend meeting at Prime Minister of Nepal’s house, the sandals pinched my ankles.

I prefer comfort to fashion so dropped the idea of wearing new sandals. I bought slippers from outside our residence for only 60 Pakistani rupees and attended the meeting wearing those slippers. I was impressed with PM Man Mohan Adhikari’s simplicity and modesty. He ate with us talked to us just like a human being with no attitude or complex. While he was writing in my diary I told him: “Sir, you are so polite simple n kind that you don’t look like PM” At this frank and straight remark he said with a big smile:

“I am also like you, I respect Hakim Said for he is also very simple and modest, please give him my regards”

When I came back and went to school the other day. Some one had told Mrs.Aziz that I sold my car just to buy shoes so she tenderly scolded me. She said I could have asked her for money. But I am like this—- a silly crazy and carefree——-!

My dear children my message for you all is a human being is more valuable than anything. Costly outfits, jewelry, status, pomp and show are worthless.  A man like Hakim Said, Man Mohan Adhikari’s and many other God fearing people led simple honest life servicing humanity without any prejudice. May we all follow the footsteps of them. Amen

Tags: caring, children, duty, Hakim Said, Nepal, prime minister, SAARC Conference, sari, shoes, students