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My friends

 
I was lucky to get many friends who were all ready to help me in whatever manner they would because of my nature. One of my friends, whom I shall call V was with me from first year of primary school. He was grandson of the richest person of our village. His circumstances were such that he had to stay with his grandpa (mother’s father). They were our neighbour. We were good friends then. (And were until he expired due to cancer few years back. He became Engineer, joined government project, immigrated to US, worked there with well known automobile company, Crystler). He used to help his grandpa in his agricultural work, milking cows and buffalos. Sometime while milking one of his favorite cow, which gave sweetest milk, he used to pour the milk from the nipple direct into his mouth. He was unlucky to get moral and financial support from his father-mother, who wished he should give up study and start job soon after high school. But he was determined for further study and managed finance by arranging loans, and working part-time while he was studying engineering. His grandpa loved him, but had become financially weak to support his education. When I passed my high school graduation, and was in need of job, he took me with him to his father and tried to find me a job. His determination and helping nature had great impression on me. Our friendship continued till the last year of his life. When I visited US I called him and he promised me that he would come to my host’s place (who was also his friend) and would take me to Disneyland. But he could not come. He called me he had some health problem and could not come. He sent some gifts for me. Later we learned that the sickness turned out to be the cancer. Even today when I remember him my eyes are filled with tears. 

One of my other friends was son of a teacher. Our friendship also lasted till he expired in early age, a few years back. He was an expert bone-setter. He learnt this art from his father and made it a career after passing high school graduation. He was so successful in his art that he attracted more patients than all the orthopedic surgeons together in that town. He charged minimum so that any poor person could afford. He was so expert that he set fractured bones with his skillful hands, bandaged them with bamboo strips, card-board, cotton and bandage so that it served as the plaster. Before this he would apply the special ointment prepared from herbal medicines. This kept the bones in their original place and the gaps developed by fracture would heal by natural process. Within weeks the bones would join without any plate, nails, pipes or other supporting material. Whenever I went to my native place and had to kill time, I used to go with him to his dispensary and witness his skill. I was very much impressed by his mixing nature and skillful talks with his patients. I still remember him and keep meeting his family members occasionally.

I have talked about my childhood friends. There are many who came in my life after I started working and our relations prevailed. When I remember some of those who are no more, I always get upset.  These were such friends about whom I would be tempted to write. But this is my story so I limit myself to the above examples only.

I had no reason to write against any friend who troubled me. There may be occasions of displeasure, harsh  comments, but I  have developed the habit of positive thinking. I have hardly thought negative. I have also developed the habit of appreciating and tried to reciprocate smallest favour shown by anybody towards me. That could be the reason why I could not see evil side of any of my friends.