Yadavji was my driver, but at the same time much more than a
driver. He was with me for more than fifteen years and was an integral part of
my life.
Years ago, he had come to Delhi from Allahabad in search of
a job. He was an excellent driver and never found it difficult to get a job. As
we all know Delhi is the place which drives the whole country and there is
always a need for good drivers.
I had some inconveniences in driving a vehicle and was
searching for a good driver. Luckily, I got Yadavji. He had tried his luck in
running a business and had failed. In a way we both were in search of each
other. He was in his late fifties then, though he never accepted it.
Yadavji always wore safari suits and since I already knew
him earlier there was no need to check his credentials. Still, during our
casual chat it was a statement he made which prompted me to seek his services
immediately. While having his tea he said," Sir, once I join, you will be
my boss. But my first priority will be the car as for me the car is God".
With that statement he gave a different dimension to his work.I was taken aback
with his clarity of thought and the way he perceived his work.
That was the beginning. He was extremely hard working and
disciplined. My work demanded long hours at the office and even unpredictable
travels. He never grudged and was always there at the driver's seat when I
needed him. Slowly, apart from being the driver, he became a part of my life in
many ways.
He had his own land, (though not big) at Allahabad and his
wife was taking care of it. He had a couple of daughters and sons. Since wife
was taking care of the property, he was alone at Delhi.
He found good partners for his daughters and he wanted one
of his sons to help his mother in looking after the property. He brought the
other son to Delhi and I gave him a job in my company. Yadavji always had
longer vision, a plan to achieve it and he executed his plan meticulously.
Yadavji was generally happy and content. Only regret he had
was the lack of education of his children. Later he built a small house in
Delhi, got his son married and settled with them. He was overjoyed when he had
a grandson.
He always reminded me of his grandson’s birthday so that I
could get some good gifts for him. Yadavji had lots of hope on his grandson. He
felt his sons never achieved anything much in life because they were not properly
educated.
One day, he told me that after dropping me at the office he
will go somewhere and will be back only by evening. Normally I never asked him
where he is going. That day I casually asked and he said, " I am going to
meet Amit Shah". He saw the shock and disbelief in my eyes and
clarified," Yes the Home Minister". He understood that i was
speechless and could not hold my curiosity anymore. So he explained.
He is seeking school admission for his grandson at Kendriya
Vidyalaya. He had met local leaders and even greased their palms. Since that
did not yield much result, he met Mr. Manoj Tiwary, who was the state President
at that time. When that failed, he had gone and met Mr. Prakash Javedekar who
was a Cabinet Minister. Obviously,
things have not moved and now he is meeting Amit Shah!!".
Needless to say, I was stunned. I knew he was always
concerned about the lack of education of his children. He did not want to make
the same mistake with his grandson. He wished to give him the best. So, he had
set out, deciding to leave no stone unturned.
Painstakingly, he knocked at every possible door. He worked
his way through the dirty corridors of power and politics. He had the guts,
confidence and audacity to meet the top person. He waited patiently for the
opportunity to unfold. He never felt it is impossible. Such was his optimism.
Honestly, I would never have dared to do it. After that day
my respect for Yadavji grew multifold. Since then, I have shared this story at
various occasions as an example of single - mindedness, perseverance, grit and
an unyielding and relentless pursuit for a larger purpose. What I witnessed was a grandfather struggling
to ensure a bright future for his next generation. Undoubtedly, he inspired me
in many ways. I remembered the day he said - car is my god, and thought it is
not surprising for such a person to go to any length to achieve his goal.
That day I asked him what he will do if his meeting with
Amit Shah also failed. Without batting his eyelids and with terrific confidence
he replied promptly, " I will meet Modiji". Friends, do we have such
undying spirit in our life?
