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‘Amma, you know Anand Sharma. He came
to our house once. He is a bright boy. I am
confident that he will do very well in his final
examination. He is also confident about it. He
wants to study further.’

She stopped. By this time, I had found the old
question papers I had been looking for, but not
the syllabus. My search was on. Akshata stood
facing me and continued, ‘Amma, he wants to
study at St Stephens in Delhi. He does not have
anybody. He is poor. It is an expensive place.

What should he do? Who will support him? I
am worried.’

It was getting late for my meeting so casually I
remarked, ‘Akshata, why don’t you support him?’

‘Amma, where do I have the money to support a boy in a Delhi hostel?’

My search was still on.

‘You can forfeit your birthday party and save money and
sponsor him.’

At home, even now both our children do not get pocket money. Why didn’t Just a Minute!

Whenever they want to buy anything they ask me and I give the Akshata save and
sponsor Anand?
money. We don’t have big birthday parties. Akshata’s birthday
party would mean calling a few of her friends to the house and
ordering food from the nearby fast food joint Shanthi Sagar.

‘Amma, when an educated person like you, well-travelled, well-read and without love
for money does not help poor people, then don’t expect anyone else to do. Is it not your

duty to give back to those unfortunate people? What are you looking for in life? Are
you looking for glamour or fame? You are the daughter of a doctor, granddaughter of a
schoolteacher and come from a distinguished teaching family. If you cannot help poor
people, then don’t expect anyone else to do it.’

Her words made me abandon my search. I turned around and looked at my daughter. I
saw a young sensitive girl pleading for the future of a poor blind boy. Or was she someone

reminding me of my duty towards society? I had received so much from that society and
country but in what way was I returning it? For a minute I was
frozen. Then I realized I was holding the syllabus I was looking forfeit: (here) to give up
sponsor: to pay for
for in my hand and it was getting late for the meeting. someone to do something
distinguished: respected

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