Kindness can be expressed in many ways. Be it in the form of charity work or helping the poor or just by talking to someone who is in need. However, even a small act of kindness needs courage and can also be expressed by just behaving in a normal way to the needy.Recently, I came across a totally different form of expressing one’s kindness. This I want to name as kindness in its silent form.May be kindness in the most simple form.
Last week, while I was traveling in a fully crowded bus, a lady was sitting in the front seat. There were many college girls standing near her seat but no one was sitting beside her. Wondering what could be the reason and as I could not see her face, I thought perhaps she may be sick as she was coughing a bit. Also, was wondering since when we Indians have become over hygienic and smiled internally.
All of a sudden I heard conductor coming from the back of the bus and shouting at her “You cannot sit here. This is ladies seat. ”. Before I even glanced at the conductor, I heard one of the college guys shouting from the back “he cannot sit in men’s seat too” and everybody laughed at his comments.
I looked at her as she turned her face towards the window and then I figured it out as why none of the girls or men was sitting beside her. She was a Transgender. And they are still fighting for their rights in India.
The conductor gave up shouting at her but she did not utter a single word and kept looking out the window. As she was sitting only a seat before mine, I could make out that she became nervous while some people were commenting about her looks as well as on her community.
I didn’t feel good looking at people making fun of her. I felt I should go and sit beside her. But I convinced myself that I already got a seat. However, my conscious told me that I was lacking courage. That little bit of extra courage which can make someone’s day, which can make an impact on others.
Then I saw a lady in her thirties approaching towards that seat by gently making her way in the crowd. She came near the seat, gave a smile at her and sat beside. They didn’t talk with each other but I bet the lady who came and sat beside her knew what she was doing. Girls who were once giggling were also becoming silent and started talking their usual college talk. Everything seems to be normal within few minutes.
I was wondering what this lady in thirties has done that made everybody mind their own business and at the same time made someone so happy. She neither talked to the Transgender nor defended her while others were passing comment. She just came and sat beside her and now the situation has become normal. She just treated her normally to make everything look like a normal situation.
Looking at both of them gave a warm feeling inside me. This simple act of kindness brought a huge relief to the Trans gender. Watching her from the back I can make out that she is more relaxed now and seems to be happy.
Few stops later the Trans gender got up from her seat and while she was moving out she said “Thank you” gently to that lady in her thirties. The lady with a little-surprised look said “Thank you for what? I was lucky to get a seat in this crowded bus.” They both exchanged smiles. In the end, being a close observer of one act of kindness between two strangers made my day too.
We'd love to express our sincere thanks to Ms.Kavitha Arunachalam for emailing us such an eye-opener article and we hope this would definitely change the perspective of our society on Transgenders in future.
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