Slumdog well wishers

We all have come across slumdog well wishers. They swarm around our cars at every traffic light, entrances of places of worship and railway platforms. Practically, at every place outside the air conditioned premises, any picture perfect Kodak moment is seldom devoid of the minions who flock around you asking moolah and usher with praise in return. They are well wishers residing in slums we hardly care about.

At few occasions I have seen the ladies offering coins to them, but otherwise, as general practice we avoid them.

'Paise nahi hain bhai ...' is what I always used to say, before somebody corrected me and offered a better excuse -
'maaf karo baba..' and thus prescribed a way out without telling lie.

I see a group of minions near the entrance of shakti peeth temple at my hometown. Accompanied with my mother, and few aunties (who had by now spoilt my wedding episode suggesting me how to perform one ritual or the another in proper way , besides laughing out loud over what appeared to be their joke -of-the-day) the occasion is to offer prayers for a great married life ahead.

I have been under exhaustive training for all kinds of unpredictable unpleasant situation of late plus, since, this was the 5th temple for the evening already, I don't sulk over the sheer number of slumdog well wishers I am about to negotiate over here.

I see a well dressed man standing outside the temple. He is offering money to everyone. From little ones aged 4-10 to old and crippled ones.

'Haan beta aage aao .. yeh lo
Haan tum bhi lo
Sab aao ... ek ek kar ke .. haan baba aap bhi aayiye'

Says Sethji while distributing his coin collection. It seems sethji's biggest wish has been granted and he is determined to pay it back to the needy.

While I realize I am really selfish, I notice my group of aunties are already inside. I follow them. This time it takes longer since there are number of idols to worship - one each for different incarnations.

After spending around 40 mins we finally come out. My mother offers prasad to the group that flock in, the moment we come out of the temple.
At least 5 of them approach me immediately after gulping the Prasad. I am about to shout at them. before I see somebody else do the same.


'Le saale le ...'
Le tu bhi le ..'
Aur le .. BC '

Even the most leaky philanthropists of all have limits. I grin as Mr Danveer Karna loses his temper and shuts the door of his car .

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