How Old She Was, And Shivering……….

On the cold nigh of December 13, I hit upon a plan to go to Mozang Lahore to enjoy traditional and tasty Prathas over there. I usually visit that place at least twice in a winter week. I kick stated my heavy bike and flew to the venue in five minutes. Parking
the bike, I got in, washed hands with chill water and started staring for an empty table. At last, I got a table and sat in.

After setting my chair, as I lifted my head, I got stunned for a moment to see something wrapped in a big dirty blanket in round shape lying on a chair front of me. I gazed on it for at least two minutes and finally came to know that the motionless but alive
thing was actually an old lady. Oh my God! I uttered spontaneously.

After inquiring from here and there, I found that the wrinkled-faced woman had wandered over there a few hours ago and nobody knew who and what she was. I came close to her, rotate eyes around her and my tears outpoured. She was approximately 80-year-old
with fragile body, white but scattered hair, roughed up clothes, and shivering body. Her face was presenting an innocent and auspicious look. Centuries of miseries were evident from the wrinkles of her face. Teeth were no more there. Unfortunately, I could
not peep into her eyes to read her heart book as they were close. Actually, she was snoozing.

I withdrew to my seat. A hot and spicy Pratha was there. A sweet smell coupled with soothing smoke was arising from the dish. I tried to eat but my eyes were not sparing the lady, which was an embodiment of piety at that time.

In short, I could not take my eyes away from that point as long as I stayed there. For many times, my hearted beseeched me to hold the homeless lady, take her to my residence, provide her a soft bed, wash her feet and face with lukewarm water and share a
cup of tea with her. But, I could not do so, I do not know why.

However, I paid the bill and returned. I reached home and sleep, but the sacred lady visited my dreams, terming me as her son. Alas, I could remove her sufferings. Alas! Alas!

But individuals cannot fix this problem. It is a responsibility of the state which is totally oblivious to the gruesome reality. On the pattern of Europe, our government should set up SoS villages and Old Homes to accommodate such type of homeless and disgruntled
people. It should be done on priority basis. It is the need of the hour. Nature will never forgive us if we let it go so.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=6175

Posted by Sharjeel Ahmad on Dec 14 2011. Filed under National. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry