A timely act of kindness

Amy and Arpit were driving us yesterday to their home at the Christian Medical college,Ludhiana, from Chandigarh. We stopped beside a canal and walked along the canal bed taking in the sights of the verdant green belt along both sides of the canal and the copious flow of clean water in the canal. We noticed a car parked beside the canal and a man swimming in the water. Soon we realized, that he was being carried away by the current of water. His companion on the bank of the canal was running along, giving him instructions to rescue him from the current. 

There were some people waiting outside a makeshift tea shop, in the opposite side of the canal . Seeing the plight of the swimmer, some of them got into their motor bikes and crossed over a foot bridge and arrived at the scene. Two of them jumped into the water and positioned themselves on either side of the swimmer, while a third person took out his turban, unfolded it and threw from the bank into the water. Holding the long turban on one side by two men standing on the bank , the other two helped the swimmer to hold the other end.  He was helped to climb over the slanting bank of the canal, which was bout ten feet high. The other two rescuers also were helped to safety in this way. All this took place in about five minutes. 

Talking to the swimmer, after this, we found out that he was on his way back to Chandigarh after visiting his friend at Ludhiana. He had on earlier occasions swam at the same site with ease. This time the water was deeper, at least 20 feet and the downstream current was stronger. 

He looked shocked at what had happened, but felt immensely thankful for the unsolicited help he received at a desperate time. Those who helped him were strangers. He was amazed at their generous help, in spite of  the risk involved as the current was too strong.The surprising thing for him was that those who came to help did not stay around expecting any reward.   

 We are often recipients of unsolicited help, which make a big difference in our lives. The human instinct is to help and care. It is a rhythm for living connectedly- to offer help and to receive help.

M.C.Mathew