Dadda’s one and a half ticket

After five-six passengers had boarded the last bus going to the village, there was not even room to set foot. Seeing him trying unsuccessfully to balance the statue with his hand while the bus was moving, when the conductor vacated his seat and said, “Dada, please sit here”, he comfortably sat on that seat, holding the statue close to his stomach.

Within a few minutes, that cute idol of Bal Ganesha became the center of everyone’s curiosity and attraction. Spontaneously a few pairs of hands joined that side with reverence.

The conductor, after taking money from the passengers behind, stood in front of Dadda and asked: Where will you go, Dadda?
While replying, he tried unsuccessfully to take out the money from the bottom of the dhoti by moving the idol a little here and there.
Seeing him getting upset the conductor said: Leave it for now. Will give it at the time of landing.

Once again Dadda sat down confidently, hugging the idol of Ganapati to his stomach. The bus had now gained speed.

After booking everyone’s tickets, the conductor stood up with the support of a seat and casually asked them: Dadda, you must have got an idol of Ganesha in your village too, then at this age, after traveling for two hours and running around so much, this Ganesha can be brought from the city. Why are you taking away the idol?

Hearing the question, Dadda said smilingly: Yes, these days, as soon as the festival arrives, shops get decorated everywhere, idols are found even in villages, but not like this. Look how cute and lively she is.

Then he said seriously: Son, there is a story about taking the idol from here. In fact, God deprived us husband and wife of the happiness of children. Did all the treatments, tantra-mantras, then accepted it as luck and concentrated on work.

..Fifteen years ago, both of us had come to this city for work. As the festival of Ganesh Puja was near, I went to the market here to buy the idol and puja items. Suddenly the wife’s eyes fell on one such statue and her maternal instincts awakened. Saying, ‘My child,’ he hugged the idol to his chest.

Years of pain flowed out of his eyes, the sculptor also became emotional after seeing this and I took a promise from him to give me an exact statue of the same mold every year. Bus! Since then this sequence has started.

Till two years ago, she also kept coming along to take her Bal Ganesh, but now she is helpless due to knee pain. I am also getting older, even if it is only for ten days, I don’t want to take away this happiness from her, so I take my child Ganesh home with great care.

By now, a lot of curiosity had been aroused among the people nearby. Some people peeped from their seats and some jumped up, smiled and folded their hands after seeing the statue.

Then the woman sitting on the back seat turned her face forward and asked: Dadda, then don’t you immerse the idol?

Dadda said with a pained smile: Now after establishing the form of God, he worships him with all the rituals and does immersion, but because of this separation during these ten days, it seems as if a fountain of affection bursts from his heart. Due to which our life changes. Even now, having decorated the door with rangoli and mango arch, she would be sitting there waiting for the way.Upon arrival, it takes off the harsh flavor from mustard seeds and chillies. Don’t ask, small pot, glass, plate, spoon all are with our Baal Ganesha. Not only this, she has also prepared a bag of colorful small clothes, so I will keep giving her this pleasure as long as possible, Dadda’s throat choked while saying this.

Hearing this, someone’s eyes became moist and someone’s heart was filled with compassion. The bus was moving ahead at a steady pace and was about to reach Dadda’s village.
Therefore, seeing him standing holding the idol, the person standing nearby said: Bring it, give me the idol!

So after gently placing the idol in his hands, taking out money from the bottom of his dhoti and giving it to the conductor, Dadda said: Here son, buy one and a half tickets.

Hearing this, the conductor said with surprise: Hey, you have come alone, then this one and a half ticket?
Dadda said smilingly: Didn’t both of them come? One is me and one is our child Ganesh.

On hearing this everyone started looking at him with surprise. Removing the confusion of the people, he again said: Hey, why are you all confused? Is it just a statue which aroused everyone’s emotions after seeing it? Is the one whom God celebrates and venerates only dust? Hey, he is more alive than us. We may consider him as God and ask for everything from him, but all he needs is our love and embrace. Saying this, Dadda’s throat got blocked due to excessive emotion.

Listening to his words mesmerized, the co-passengers including the conductor were diving into this unique ocean of compassion and affection when they reached their village and suddenly the bus stopped. After deducting the money for one and a half ticket, the conductor handed him the remaining money and the ticket and opened the door respectfully.

After coming down, when Dadda extended his hand towards the passenger holding his hair Ganesh, everyone including the conductor spontaneously said: Look Dadda, hold on to the idol and like a small child, holding the idol in both the arms, he walked down the footpath with fast steps. .