A DIAMOND IN JHARKHAND
Pic.: Nimala Sundar
Last
afternoon, when I was talking to some of my old acquaintances, another friend of
mine, a doctor, showed up. I introduced him to my old friends and our
discussion continued. During the course of this discussion, my doctor friend, referring
to me, casually said to my other friends present, “To me, Gerry (He calls me
Gerry sir!) is a ‘Diamond in Jharkhand’!”
Immediately, my other friends began to nod in agreement,
while I was left clueless as to what was the significance of a diamond in
Jharkhand’.
Well, the rest of the discussion cleared the coal around
this diamond thing…
My doctor friend and others knew about the wealth hidden
in the diamond mines of this otherwise remote state called Jharkhand. They knew,
that no such mines existed in great cities like Mumbai, Delhi or Chennai. But, my
friends, also, knew this: unless someone digs the diamond out of black coal
mines and unless someone transports it to big cities – where people who appreciate,
value and can afford it live, the diamond, itself, is just coal in Jharkhand!
My friends, including the doctor who had said this, were
my well-wishers. I knew what they wanted to convey through this analogy…
That, like that diamond in remote Jharkhand, we are
hidden, all unnoticed, unappreciated, and undervalued here in our own Jharkhands…
That, unless, we make a conscious effort to dig ourselves out of our obscure
mines and carry ourselves – our preciousness – to where it truly deserves to
reach… where our beholders and connoisseurs really dwell… yes, unless this
happens, we all will end up being just
that – ‘Diamonds in Jharkhand’!
My heart smiles as I, too, nod in agreement with my
friends!
GERLAD D’CUNHA
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