The Hidden Heart – A Real Life Tsunami Related Experience
It’s the second anniversary of the Tsunami today. There was a comment on my blog by Vani about her Tsunami related experience. I liked it so much that I figured it definitely should move out from the obscurity of the comments box to the front page.
Here is Vani’s experience in her own words.
From Virugambakkam (where I lived) to the Koyambedu bus stand, it would normally have cost me Rs 35 in auto fare but the man wouldnt settle for less than 50 bucks as it was the early morning hours.
Grudgingly, I made the trip and midway, took a call on my mobile, explaining to a friend why I had to leave immediately for Nagai. The auto driver probably overheard my conversation, and asked me if I was going to cover the tsunami and I said yes.
When we reached Koyambedu, the man thrust a Rs 50 note in my hand (and this, when he had refused to even think of fare negotiation earlier!) and said, “Please use this to buy some biscuits for the kids in Nagapattinam. I am a father too and I can understand what they must be going through.”
I stood there, transfixed, on the verge of tears, quite unprepared for this gesture from one of Chennai’s tough guy autodrivers!
Quite a lesson, I learnt that day and will not forget ever. “