Last year (2016), I took a resolution to make an effort to
meet at least one person in a month personally. This phone, the email and now
the social medial like Facebook has given enough reason and means for avoiding
old friends.
We live in Delhi and still we do not meet. We live in South
Delhi and still we do not meet. Some of us live within a radius of 3-5 KM but
still we do not meet. The reason: phone pe baat ho jaati, Facebook to ab aawaaz
bhee khaagyaa. I realised this last year (probably in December/ November 2015)
when one of very good friend and guide passed away and left for heavenly
journey. He was living in Vasant Kunj,
which is hardly 4 KM from my home. We had several rounds of FB chats and phone
calls and would promise to each other that let us meet next time. That next
time never come. I shared this feeling
with Praful ji (one of our common friend from JNU), when we met at the
ceremonies/ rituals after the cremation. He had the similar thought. In fact he
spoke to him on phone few days back.
This was not just one.
2015 was a very sad year. It was
because of this reason, I decided to
make an extra effort to go and meet one person personally.
No programme. No
plan. Just a phone call and say, I am coming to have cup tea with you today or
tomorrow. Where are you and at what time should I come? Do you want to meet at
Ganga Dhaba or at your home or my home or any other places of common
convenience. After Ganga Dhaba, Dilli Haat, INA had been the most preferred
venue of such meeting. I had a plan for
meeting 12 old friends only but I met more than 30 people.
It was so refreshing, reassuring and giving more reasons to
make this world more beautiful for the people living around you.
This is just a kind reminders for my friends that I am
coming to meet you- when and where will be decided on phone calls. Today I am going to meet Praful ji
Wishing you a very happy New Year 2017.
LET US MEET AND HAVE A CUP TEA
With warm regards,
Shaheen
January 7, 2017
January 7, 2017
