“Navsari, Gujarat (2002) – An unforgettable experience of my life
I wanted to share my experience earlier but changed my mind because I didn’t want to recall any of it. I didn’t want to go through those memories again. However, I changed my mind and below is an account I will hold close to my mind forever.
I belong to a Marwari family, a business family. The how, why, what and who of business runs in my genes, and in my family. We own a peacock feathers business. Peacock is our national bird, all of you are aware but what you probably don’t know is the products made from the feathers. In the years gone by, it was not illegal business – we used to participate in various fairs, PR activity and selling.
I was 12 when I first participated in one such fair organised at Navsari in Gujrat along with my father. First 2 days were good business. We made lots of friends from different cities etc. but the 3rd day riots took charge of the place and before we had a grip of what was happening, we had to flee. We formed a group and ran. Luckily a kind lady who had a house close to where we were gave us shelter in her house. We stayed inside. We couldn’t inform our families because there was no means of communication.
We were scared.
A television set was provided by a friend of the lady so we spent time watching. One night, someone knocked on our door. We were scared so armed ourselves with knives, belan, chilli powder and lots of other things we found at our disposal in the few seconds. The knocking stopped.
We looked out of the window and the house opposite was burning.
We shut the window.
Next day, life seemed much normal. The trains services had resumed so we boarded. However as the train chugged out, we could see people throwing stones at the train and there was sound of guns. We heaved a sigh of relief once we neared the Gujrat boarder and crossed it. We were home.
If that kind lady had not let us in that day, God knows what would have happened. For the people, who gave us shelter, food and television, I will never forget them. We were strangers but people helped us and such deeds keeps society going.
I pray for all of them. And I pray for humanity.
This above is a write up written by my brother for a 2 minute speech he delivered a public speaking class forum. His office had nominated him to speak on a subject. He asked me if it was alright to speak about his Navsari Days – I said yes. He asked me to edit his (this) speech.
And this is what he wrote (improvised by me).
We never talked about it. I never thought about the impact this incident made on him. Meanwhile I convinced myself that if everybody is talking about, abki bar Modi sarkar, there would be some reason and justifiable reason – may be Modi is good for Indian economy.
I never liked Modi and there is no rational reason for it. These are some memories of my childhood when my brother, myself and father were trapped in Navsari for 3-4 days.
My colleagues and I discussed at length whether a dictator is what India needs now. But then we also asked ourselves – do we need another Hitler? Haven’t we learnt anything from Egypt Aril 6 movement or the Civil Rights Movements? We are still allowing slavery in our society even after all these years. Just GDP and FDI are not the only marks of a good society. Humanity is. Love is. Compassion is.