A Goodhearted Mumbaikar

In the last week, we all saw a piece of news in all newspapers and news channels. It was about a sixty five year old woman named Sunita Naik, who once happened to be the editor of a well-known Marathi magazine- Grihalaxmi. She knew five languages and had two apartments in the upscale Worli area of Mumbai. According to her, she even had Rs.50 Lac in her bank. But fate had something else to offer. Dramatically, she was reduced to a penniless vagabond and had to come down to the streets. For the last two months, her address was a pavement in Versova outside the Aram Nagar Gurdwara. For these two months, she was on the street

along with her Pomeranian dog named Shashi. The Gurdwara people provided her food.

We all saw this on TV or read about it on the newspaper. But there was only one family among us who decided to take her to their home and provide her with emotional and financial support. Gregory and Christine Misquitta saw this news on TV and instantly decided to take her to their Vile Parle home.  They not only took her but also took her dog, Shashi with them. They already had 10 dogs in their flat and Shashi won’t be a burden to them.

George Misquitta, 49 leads a semi-retired life. He once worked for an international Caribbean Cruise Liner in the US.

He promises to give all possible support to Mrs Naik and is even determined to take her case to the Police and track down all those who cheated her. He said that he would refurbish the room of his deceased father, for Mrs Naik. And Shashi has joined his gang of 10 dogs.

Mr Misquitta calls her Mummy. He spoke to a newspaper where he said “I call her Mummy. She told me when she was an editor she personally knew the likes of at least two persons who are Union ministers now. I am surprised none of these people have bothered to even contact her after reading her story”

Mrs Naik is very happy with her new family. And the couple is giving her the emotional support she needs to get back to normalcy. The trauma of the tragedy that she has experienced will take some time to fade away. But the support that this Samaritan has given will go a long way in helping her to get back to life.

It is easy for people to sympathize and even offer financial assistance. We do take part in charities and so on. But what matters is not money. The proverb we learnt in our school says it all. Charity begins at home. If we extend it then this case can be included in that criterion. All major religions in the world speak of selfless service. In whatever way we call it, seva as it were needs to be done in the way Mother Teresa puts it- with a filled heart and a busy hand. This story has a strong social message for all of us who sympathize with the hapless and never take the step that makes a difference.

(Photo courtesy: www.Indiatoday.in)

UTSA MUKHERJEE

I AM INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS AROUND ME AND LOVES TO PEN DOWN MY THOUGHTS!

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