Happy New Year, Sir!

A young boy came to Mr Sardesai’s class for English speaking.

“I am Sanket. I am in the second year of B.Com. I want to join your class.”

“The only condition to join the class is the student has to be regular. He has to be sincere in his studies.”

“Sir, You will find me seriously doing the homework and I promise I will be regular in attending the class.”

Mr Sardesai, a sexagenarian found him honest in making these statements. Paying the nominal fees for the class Sanket got enrolled in.

Sanket was enthusiastic and eager to learn. He caught Mr Sardesai’s attention. Mr Sardesai found him different from the other boys.

While discussing different books, a girl student said, “Sir, I want to read that book. But I can not reach it.”

“Do you really, want to read that book? I possess it. I can give it to you to read, tomorrow,” Sanket said.

The next day, Sanket handed over that book to her. Without knowing that girl, he trusted her and extended his help to her. But as suspected, the girl discontinued the class in a couple of days and Sanket never got the book back.  

But this boy was not disheartened.

There was a blood donation camp in the nearby area. Sanket was ahead in the queue to donate blood.

Once, after the rains, there were heavy floods in the Konkan area. Many villages were submerged in water for more than 4 days. Crops were damaged, trees were uprooted, houses were washed away, and cattle were drowned. Heavy loss of life and property took place. The people were rendered homeless. The heavy rains had added to the disruption of communication. A state of emergency was prevailing in the entire district. To assist the government agencies in providing the necessary help, many N.G.O.s took lead in the process. And how could Sanket remain aloof? He joined an organization and relentlessly worked for 4 days.

Yes, this boy Sanket was impressive in his behaviour. He always considered society first.

In the year 2020, the corona pandemic had a stranglehold on humanity. The entire mankind was threatened. The scientific community was fighting tooth and nail to make a vaccine to win over the unknown enemy. But meanwhile, the government needed help from the citizens to handle the cases of infected people as the number of infected people increased rapidly. The medical help had to reach the common man quickly. The infected victims needed hospitalization and the helping staff were needed in large numbers. Many youngsters were needed for this purpose.

Sanket could not keep himself behind the crowd. He was among the first lot of youngsters who were termed ‘the warriors’. The government was looking forward to sincere workers fighting against the unknown enemy. With his PPE kit, Sanket was in the front line, while many youngsters kept themselves hidden behind the masks.

Sanket was different. He did not care about the danger of infection from this unknown virus. He served the areas where the Government needed him. That was Sanket.

Along with his concern for society, he wanted to achieve something big for himself. He was searching for a career, which would be extraordinary. With his commerce degree in hand, he had many avenues open to select a solid career. Sanket was confused. One moment he decided to get prepared to appear for the government competitive examination, The next moment he wanted to take up a postgraduate management degree which offered a lucrative career. Full of confidence, he was ready to take on any challenge. But he was also aware that his vernacular medium schooling had generated obstacles in expressing himself in competitive examinations. The very ordinary surrounding near his dwelling was pulling him behind in his every attempt to leap forward. Sanket was not getting deterred by the odds. He was trying hard to excel in a field that he was trying to tread on. To the number of options he was trying to handle, one more choice came to him.

Learning software language and getting mastery over it was the career he started considering seriously. He realized the big world was offering plenty of opportunities in software development. The other opportunities were far away and needed to cover a lot of distance to take on the challenge. But learning languages online and working on them was at the doorstep. There was a big competition but at the same time opportunities were ample as the rapidly developing technology was opening newer avenues.

He started working on Python and quickly gain expertise in it. That opened up a high-speed avenue and he started moving very fast on it. Soon, he had an opportunity to join a multinational company and Sanket was sparkling.

But fate was not with Sanket. He had severe stomach pain. After bearing the pain for a few weeks,  he consulted a doctor. He was diagnosed with a kidney problem. The doctor insisted on a kidney transplant. Since he had a problem with his both kidneys, it was essential to have his kidney replaced.

All his friends who appreciated his social service showed concern over the problem. But no one came forward to donate their one kidney for such a wonderful person. There was not much time to wait for the kidney transplant.

Mr Sardesai, a senior citizen, appreciated Sanket wholeheartedly while he was in his English Speaking class a few years ago. When he came to know about Sanket’s illness, he was concerned. He sought more information about his illness. Mr Sardesai wanted Sanket to get on his feet very quickly. He visited the doctor in the hospital and discussed Sanket’s problem. The doctor explained the situation and told him how someone needed to donate his kidney. One kidney is redundant in a human being. Due to ill luck, Sanket’s both kidneys have failed. For a normal, healthy human being one kidney is enough. But in our society, no one is ready for organ donation.”

The senior citizen raised his hand and said “No Doctor, do not make such a sweeping statement. Only you tell me whether the kidney of a senior person like me will be accepted by Sanket’s body.“

“That we will confirm. But it is a bit risky for the old man.”

“Then Doctor, I am ready to take any risk for my Sanket. “

“Excuse me. How are you related to Sanket?”

“No direct blood relationship. But he is my grandchild whom I love very much. Please, Doctor, confirm the compatibility.”   

“Ok then. Please follow me and come to the testing lab.”

The Doctor then took the blood sample and carried out some tests. After

two hours of taking the test, the results were on Doctor’s table.

“Yes Mr Sardesai, your kidneys are matching. We can transplant one kidney from your body. But first I will have to confirm  with Sanket’s parents.”

The Doctor contacted Sanket’s parents. They told him that they knew Mr Sardesai as Sanket was in his class a few years ago.

The transplant was planned two days later, on 21^st December.

Mr Sardesai was present at the hospital with his wife. She was a little worried. The doctor told her about the risk her husband was taking.

“No Doctor. My husband is very much impressed by Sanket’s sacrifices for society. He always used to mention Sanket’s joining as a Medical warrior during Covid -19 pandemic. Sanket risked his life for society in his youth then how does it matter in our old age? That is what he told me and convinced me to agree with his idea. We both have pledged our bodies after our death. Now, this is a little bit to donate. I am ready for the consequences.”

The doctor was thrilled.

There were many students from the class awaiting the transplant result. They wanted both the donor and the recipient to be hale and hearty.

And the operation was successful.

Everyone was jubilant. Mrs Sardesai wiped her tears. Sanket’s parents were very happy.

Just after three days both, Mr Sardesai and Sanket were at their respective homes.

On the morning of 1^st January, Mr Sardesai’s phone rang. Mr Sardesai picked up the phone.

“Happy New Year, Sir!” Sardesai was extremely happy to hear Sanket wishing him from another side.

“Oh, Sanket. Thank you very much. I am so happy to hear your voice. I wish you a wonderful life ahead.”

“Sir, I want to see you today evening. My parents want to visit you along with me.”

“I will be more than glad to see you in person.” Sardesai agreed.

In the evening Sanket and his parents were at Sardesai’s home.

Sanket’s father put a basket of fruits in front of Mr Sardesai. Sanket’s mother handed over a silver LAMAN DIVA and a sari along with a coconut to Mrs Sardesai. Mr Sardesai was ecstatic.

Vijay Likhite