An angel by the beach

Witnessing splendor of sunrise and watching sun's first few rays split into light is enigmatic experience! When there is no distraction between you and nature, the very experience takes you to a completely different level. My husband and I had a beautiful drive around the hills while going to Kashid, near Alibaugh a fortnight back. When we reached there, it was like a perfect scene from a romantic movie! Pretty clean sandy beach, lovely cool breeze, breath-taking music of waves and chirping of birds...yeah, we experienced all this! 


There was hardly any soul around to disturb that serene solitude. We settled near a stall selling coconuts; watching the sea in its playful mood and the morning breeze carresing us gently. The place was still in slumber, about to be woken up on that lovely morning. We were fascinated by the magic of earthy landscapes created by waves, strewn on luminous sand. There was a soothing quitetude of freshly washed shore, an enchaniting journey of the senses! 

Hardly an hour must have passed when a boy barely ten, emerged with his horse cart, requesting us to try the ride. We were a little reluctant as it was bit early but his hopeful eyes melted me and we agreed to take the ride.

Whenever I visit a new place, the most enriching experience has always been knowing local people and learning about their life. It is interesting, how it helps me capture different perspectives of life in general. I tried to talk to Sumedh, the boy with the horse cart but he was extremely shy. All answers to my questions were monosyllabic, wrapped with a genuine, sweet smile. All I could learn about him, was his name and that he studied in fourth standard and wished to study to become "successful man"! I asked him if he was happy since it was weekend and he would have more customers. He answered with a deep sigh, " didi, paisa to milta hain par log beach ganda karte hain...... "  ( meaning, he gets good money but was not happy about people spoiling the beach). The concern in his voice and eyes was difficult to miss when he said this. 

After we reached one point, the cart stopped and we got busy clicking pictures while Sumedh ran towards the sea and grabbed a plastic bottle, the wave had just thrown out. He tucked it in a gunnysack beneath the cart. I learnt that this was his daily ritual, performed with utmost dedication. Everyday, when he was at the beach, he collected all the garbage and put it in a dustbin. I was bowled over by this gesture! 


I see so many people littering roads, public property without any iota of guilt, even in a metro city like Mumbai. I have seen people from expensive cars spitting their mouthful of gutkas and paans on the roads in the cities and here was a boy  with hardly any educated background, showing maturity that many "educated people" fail to display! He was so much part of his surroundings and so sensitive to nature that he walked his talk with great elan. I had hardly exchanged a few sentences with this kid but he left a great impact on me with his responsible behaviour. 

As our ride got over and we started walking on the beach, I felt elated ! Sumedh had touched my heart deeply. I was very proud of him and I planned to catch up with him again the next day and know him a little more.  Our silent conversation with this angel was a lovely start to our weekend. I knew there was a lot of beauty about to be discovered.