This happened in 1990. I had finished my engineering and had just embarked on the journey to become an entrepreneur. My parents lived in New Delhi and I was setting up a manufacturing unit at Bhiwadi which was then a small newly set up industrial area by the government of Rajasthan.
Every saturday I would drive from Bhiwadi to New Delhi and come back on monday. It used to be a 2 hour drive for 100kms of distance. Though there used to be good vehicular traffic on the roads, but otherwise there was no towns, villages or inhabitants along the highway. It was a lonely road in case you had some difficulty with the vehicle.
Midway between Bhiwadi and New Delhi is the town of Gurgaon or Gurugram as is known today. At that time it was a small town which now is referred to as old gurgaon.
On the highway there used to be a roundabout where you had to turn left for going to Gurgaon and straight for going to delhi. That roundabout had a wine shop and as is usual there were some shops selling eatables. Buses used to pick and drop passengers at this stop. In a way, this midway roundabout was the only spot where you could see some people and shops.
Mostly after darkness I would avoid giving lift to strangers for security reasons. But on that day , it was 8.30 p.m when i was passing that place. It was pitch dark but in the illumination of the shops I saw a middle aged executive with a briefcase in his hands asking for a lift.
Instinctively I stopped for reasons I don’t know. Car had stopped before I could think. The person asked me to drop at a place which was 30 mins ahead. We started talking. He was a senior government officer in tax department. On knowing that I was a fresh graduate trying to establish business, he started giving me insights on legal and taxation related matters. I kept on asking and he kept on answering with equal candidness.
Those days, a business had lot of legal requirements to be fulfilled and there used to be lots of querries , surveys and scrutinies. I learned lots of insights as to how to avoid and manage the situations. After 30 mins he wished me good luck and went his way. His advises helped me a lot.
Today, I do not remember his name, I still can’t figure out why I stopped to give him a lift. Over the years I have come to believe that destiny arranges situations to help you.
These days when I see people at airports, trains, restaurants busy with their smart phones , not even looking around, I sense missed oppurtunities. Maybe, there is a stranger waiting to help. You just need to look around and when eyes meet- nod or maybe smile and you may have a new friend or a new learning or new idea.
your story reminds me the qoute from the Alchemist book. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Inspiring story. and I agree with the last line. In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in our smartphones and miss out on opportunities for connection and learning from those around us.
very well said. Thanks
very true. Thanks for sharing your views
Beautiful encounters!
Love your inspiring story & I truly agree on what you mentioned in the last para about missing out an opportunity.