Rubina was very surprised to see her grandpa watching the news in the late hours. Usually he went to bed by nine, but today he was straining his eyes and ears attentively towards the Television. No, it was not the Twenty Twenty cricket match, but the sad news about the Indian students being harassed and beaten up in Australia. It was indeed very intimidating to see young people being treated with hostility and anger.
Rubina could not understand the reason behind the hatred and intolerance. When she asked Gandpa about it, he replied, It is the discrimination against people on the basis of their race, colour, descent or ethnic or national origin. It is unlawful to discriminate against someone when it prevents them from enjoying their human rights, such as employment, land/housing/accommodation, education, access to public places and facilities, access to goods and services etc.
Rubina was very upset too. How would the young people feeling? Certainly they must be very scared, angry, lonely and restless. Rubina could never imagine herself in such a situation far away from home and her own people.
Grandpa then told her that it was wrong to discriminate against people because every person is equal and has rights. Rubina found it difficult to understand, so grandpa said, Rubina, we need to remember that we are all created by God as human beings, and have equal value. We should not therefore look down or hate any body. We should be friendly and tolerant towards every one.
But grandpa said Rubina, why do people hate each other and look down?
It is because of selfishness and wrong attitude within us and this is wrong. God does not like His creations- human beings to be cruel, selfish and intolerant towards each other. Hating others makes us look very ugly in Gods sight said Grandpa.
Rubins face fell off. She felt very guilty inside. Suddenly she remembered how she had treated the new girl manju who had joined their school recently. She was a dark complexioned girl and had a very flat nose. Rubina had not expressed her dislike towards her like other friends but neither had she gone forward to befriend her either. Rubina had just kept her distance from Manju. All her friends had laughed at Manju when she fumbled with her accent in Hindi and English. There were many other occasions when she was left alone and alienated. No one played with her during the games time. They hated her for she was poor and her father worked as the gardener in the school.
That night before going to bed, Grandpa and Rubina both opened the Bible and they read that God is the Creator of all; therefore, there should be no discrimination, favoritism or hatred towards others. Rather one should treat others as equals. Rubina knelt down beside her bed and prayed to God. Dear God, thank you for creating me a human being. Thank you for good health and life. God I am so sorry for being bad to Manju. Please forgive me. Help me to show love and concern to her. Amen.
The next day, Rubina waited for Manju near the garden. Manju lived with her father in a small house behind the school. When Manju timidly and shyly entered the gate, Rubina ran and caught her hand tightly. She quickly planted a kiss on Manjus cheek and said, Manju, from today onwards, I am your friend. I am really sorry for being aloof and haughty with you, but last night my Grandpa said that since God has created us all, it is wrong to hate and look down on others. Therefore, will you accept me as your friend too?
Manjus eyes were filled with tears. She too grasped Rubinas palm tightly and said, thank you Rubina for accepting me. I was about to drop out from school since I felt very awkward and lonely. Thanks for becoming my first friend.
That day, Rubina had a different joy in her heart as she sat with Manju and also helped her with different subjects and books. During the lunch time, she opened her Tiffin box and inside it was bread toast, boiled eggs and potato chips. Sony was too shy to open her box because there were only few biscuits inside it. Quickly, Rubina took some of her food and put them in Manjus box and also took some of Manjus biscuits and put them in her box. Sony looked at Rubina with wonder and surprise.
Rubina just winked at her and said From now onwards we will be sharing our Tiffin boxes and our lives too, because that is what friends are for.
Later at the end of the year, Rubina received the Best Girl of the year award in her school for her character and personality. Grandpa knew that Rubinas noble response towards Gods Word made all the difference in her life.
Let us remember that Class, Caste and Racism are manmade evils. We need to be good to others as God is good to us.
This is a well written reminder of a most basic and relevant lesson that we, as humans, need to be reminded of from time to time. Very sweet and nourishing to the soul.
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