RAM – THE CAR WASHER

RAM ( Name concealed )– THE CAR WASHER


(
A Vagabond, aimless Lad with all unwanted qualities – That was RAM when he was
19-years old. He used to run away from house very often. He joined the company of
similar persons and was condemned by the family for his activities. Unable to bear the scolding he left the house once for all. Providence landed him to a good Samaritan-who took him in his fold)


I was living in rented house at Bangalore. The house owner was a lady. She had 3-boys
and 2-daughters and her husband was a Police Inspector. She lost her husband when she
was around 50. The elder son was employed in Postal Circle. The other 2-boys always
gave lot of problems. Education did not attract them. Irregular school attendance, Picture going along with bad circles, smoking etc attracted them.


I used to hear lot of quarrels among them. Their mother used to tell me that the boys used to steal money for going to picture. On one occasion her jewelry was also stolen. They have become headache for her and slowly she was sinking. These boys did not care about what happening in the house and always they had what they wanted.


The agony and pain finally killed their mother. Unable to stand the questioning of their elder brother, the two boys decided to quit the house once for all. The Elder among them went to a place-Hubli while the younger Ram also went in the same destination. Soon Ram found that life was not as easy as he had. No formal education at hand it was very difficult for him to get even a petty job.

He used to sell cinema tickets in black market and somehow managed to etch a livelihood. One day he was caught in this act and landed in jail. Ramakrishna Mission came to his rescue. After he got released from jail, by chance he heard the lecture of the Swamiji of RK-mission. This was the turning point in his life. He approached the mission to help him to come out from the desperate situation.


Swamiji took pity on this lad and admitted him in the Technical School. There he learned the basic mechanical skills. Apart from this he also learned to get up at 5.00 AM, attend Prayers and doing social services as directed by the mission.
Ram became a new man- confidant to face the challenges. During his social service
work he came across a car garage. About 50-60 cars always stood there for washing.

He approached the owner with the certificate of the mission and got the job as Car washer using automatic machines. At the beginning he used to get meager salary but soon his efficiency and skill were recognized. He became the Chief Supervisor.
Not sitting pretty he approached the mission to get a loan for starting his own garage. The mission agreed in view of his record with the mission. He opened his garage with most modern car washing equipments in a good locality. His efficiency, punctuality and the training he had with the mission soon attracted many clients.
He is now happily married and living a decent life.

Analysis:

Good birth alone is not enough- one should be brought in good surroundings, healthy habits and emphasis of character developments. Parents should not shower undue love towards children-which will spoil them. Some missions are doing excellent service in uplifting desperate people.

· Opportunities are plenty to get spoiled.
· Repentance and determination to lead a new life.
· Equip with some skill to take off.

R.Jagannathan