Old man from Afghanistan

Old man from Afghanistan

By Shirish Ravan (July 2009)

Experience during my recent visit to Afghanistan. I have special place for Afghans in my heart due to the bond they developed with me during my three years in service in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at Kabul.

It was dusky evening in Kabul. I saw the Driver from one of our field office standing near the main gate of office, the gate that resembles entrance of any big jail.

An hour before I attended his retirement farewell party. He was calm and smiling peacefully through his long white beard. Everybody called him Chacha.

I asked him, "Chacha, How do you feel after retirement?"

He replied,

"I feel very happy and contented...

In two decades of my service, I honestly served the office,

My character is spotless…

Nobody ever called me dishonest person…

This integrity is my faith, this is my treasure, this is my wealth…

God has given me so much, that I can live rest of the my life happily in my small village"

This was amazing.... specially when we all know...

Many wealthy persons attempt suicide just because their ‘so called position’ is threatened in office or society,

Many intelligent people suffer in agony due to broken relationships,

Many people in prosperous countries struggle just to get enough goodnight sleep…

He was old man from troubled nation, whose family suffered from three decades of civil war, he led his past life in refugee camps… Still he had no complain to the life.

I said, “Chacha, your happiness teaches a lesson of life…  how to be thankful to God for whatever fortune we are blessed with. Keep spreading this happiness and wisdom in rest of your life”

He just smiled… again smile full of contentment.

Later when I shared this experience with some of my Afghan friends, they told me something that amazed me more ……..

Chacha has only one leg. He lost his leg in the mine blasts (mines planted by Mujaheed against USSR Army) and all his life he worked with artificial limb.

This little interaction with Chacha revealed simple truth: “Peace and happiness lies within, one can discover it if you refrain from blaming the circumstances”.