Should You be the Bandage?

This happened to me 3 days back. I was shopping in a mall. Once done, I followed to the packing counter. The lady on the counter started packing after confirming directions with me. But before she could complete, she got her left thumb cut with the adhesive tape cutter. It started to bleed. I was watching. She turned to one of her colleague at the next counter and asked for some ‘first aid’. After 3-4 minutes, one man from the counter brought some antiseptic lotion & a torn piece of bandage. He finished his duty by saying “Laga Lo” (Apply It). The given piece of bandage was not more than ¼ inch in size. The girl was shocked and said “are you kidding?”. The man seemed insouciant.


I said to myself “Ro!”. I grabbed my wallet and took the pack of one medicated bandage. (I keep one all the time). I didn’t say anything to the lady and peeled the pack. Everyone around was looking at me. I asked her, “Can I apply?” which was replied as “Sure”. Fixed! Immediately she raised her thumb to the same man and said loudly, “See this!”. She actually meant “Feel this!”.

Once the packing was finished and I started to move, the lady said, “Thanks”. I said to her, “You deserve it.”.

Did I feel good by doing so? Obviously. I always believe that a woman needs special care, special concerns. And at times like these you need to make her feel that she deserves it. That man may have different understandings but then everyone on that counter knew that he was feeling guilty for being rude. That’s all I wanted him to feel….I’m sure he will originate.

Now the question is, Shall you be the Bandage All the times? Controversial question.

I will straightway answer…Not always. I can’t take away miseries of Everyone around. But those who I care for, those I feel for, I am there for them always. This answer is a personal opinion and I am sure people will agree to disagree. People working in NGOs, I know few, will even like to slap me for this answer. But that’s accepted. I am not everyone’s Saviour.

I remember 2 months back when I was at the railway station enroute to my home town. As there was sufficient time left for departure, I took a seating in the big waiting hall. I saw a young boy (he must be in his 20s) who seemed a li’l mentally disturbed. He was going to people and asking for money. And as expected, people were not interested, few of them even showed raised eyebrows to him. He knew he shall move, he did. He arrived to me and did the same, I just nodded No because I don't give money to such, it can be misused. He kept on moving. I was watching. After 5 minutes, as he had no luck he took a standing at a nearby pillar…..exhausted. I saw him staring at a person drinking tea. I was watching.

Minutes passed and I said to myself “Ro!”. I got off my seat and stopped by that young boy. He was worried if I will beat him (it’s normal because I am sure he has been many times). I looked at him for a minute and asked, “Kuch khana hai?” (will you eat something?). He said, ”Haan, chai pina hai” (Yes want to have Tea). I took him to the nearby tea stall and ordered, “One tea please”. The vendor saw that boy and started scolding him, “go away else I will beat you hard”. I said to the vendor, “he is with me!”. His eyes dropped to the ground. I stood by the boy till he finished his tea & biscuits. He said, “one more cup”. I couldn’t help smile. When he finished the second cup, I pat him bye. Before moving off the stall I said to the vendor, “You need to handle people with love.” He was mum, because he felt he was rude too.

These are just two of many personal experiences I liked to share today. Personal experiences, personal thoughts, personal judgements.


I will end by saying……….. if you FEEL you should care/help for one, don’t think much, don’t say it either……go ahead and do it! Action speaks louder than words, remember?

A helping hand at times is like a hand of God!

Be The Bandage sometimes!

God bless you.