Friday 26 October 2012

A STORY THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR SOUL.......

"An amazing occurrence happened in South Africa when 31 elephants made a “Journey To Pay their Respect.” How did they know? Something that is greater and deeper than human intelligence informed them that their hero – the man who had saved their lives and many other animals – had made his transition from this earthly world. Lawrence Anthony (1950 – 2012), a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller "The Elephant Whisperer", bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during the US invasion in 2003. On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to reach his South African House. Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way.

Walking slowly – for days – they made their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat in the wild bush to his house. Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going and they seemed to know why they were going to Lawrence’s home. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their human friend who had saved their lives – so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything.

After honoring Lawrence Anthony in the only way they could - in this touching and memorable tribute to the man who had saved them and many other animals around the world – these sentient creatures had proven they are wiser and more compassionate than the human race will ever be or ever realize. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

Sunday 14 October 2012

Hindu Man Raising a Muslim Child in lucknow

''Everyone must read this story.If we have people like this in India, our country will be a perfect example of brotherhood''



Lucknow, 2003
''I do not wish to go back to my mother,'' 12-year-old Akbar says, looking up with love at his foster father Aiku Lal who has brought him up like his own since he found him sobbing and abandoned in a park eight years ago. The boy's mother is fighting a custody battle in the Supreme Court.
Reacting to the petition moved by his mother Shahnaz in the apex court, Akbar told IANS: "I just do not wish to go back to my mother who is not in a position to even continue my studies."

Lal, who has been not just a guardian, friend, philosopher and guide, but also looked after him as a real parent, shivers at the very thought of parting company with the boy. After all, Lal's life has been centred around Akbar since 2003, when he found him in a park overlooking the tiny tea stall that he runs for his livelihood in Lucknow's Qaiser Bagh area.

Significantly, all arguments raised by the mother against her child's stay with a third person belonging to another religion were trashed by the Allahabad High Court. "When there are inter-caste and inter-religion marriages, I see nothing wrong in the guardianship of a Muslim child by a Hindu, specially since the child dotes on him and does not want to leave him," ruled the high court Judge Barkat Ali Zaidi, whose verdict has now been challenged in the Supreme Court.

The court had taken serious view of the fact that neither Akbar's father nor mother lodged a report with the police about their son when he went missing from Allahabad.

It was on a winter evening of 2003 that Akbar, then four, was out with his father on the streets of Allahabad and the father decided to halt at a country liquor shop. Apparently Akbar slipped away and realisation dawned on the father only after reaching his home.

No one knows how the boy found his way to the Qaiser Bagh Baradari park in Lucknow, where Lal spotted him in an abandoned condition, sobbing. Lal gave the child a new life, but made it a point to ensure that not just Akbar's name but his religion remained unchanged. Akbar is clearly growing up as a true Muslim under the guardianship of a Hindu foster father, who gets him the best of everything he can afford.

The rustic tea-stall owner got Akbar to learn his Quranic lessons and to offer daily 'namaz'. And for his formal education, Akbar walks down to the close-by Mumtaz Intermediate College where he is a student of Class 7. This unique father ensures that the boy goes to school in well-ironed uniform every day.

Asked why he chose to remain a bachelor, Aiku Lal said: "Well, I was always apprehensive that a Hindu woman may not agree to bring up my Muslim son, therefore I made up my mind to remain a bachelor." Looking at the father with a smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes, Akbar asks: "Now see, don't we make a complete family?"

But Aiku Lal's only dilemma today is - what would he do if the Supreme Court were to order Akbar's restoration to his biological mother, who is now insistent on getting back his custody.

"I am only praying to god that the court does not compel us to part; I know I will have to abide by the court order but that would be the end of my purpose in life," he avers with tears in his eyes.

Sourcedeccanherald.com


I came to know this story through Crime Patrol (Programme telecasted on Sony TV). You can watch online this episode of Crime Patrol.

I salute to Mr.Aiku lal, to do this, requires huge Courage. 
'THIS IS AN PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HUMANITY'