Principles over Convenience

A face isn't leaving me since past 4 days. It is a face of firmness and determination. Usually my preferred mode of commuting for shorter distances is walking and on exceptional days I prefer a shared auto. Monday was one of such exceptional days, it was drizzling after a heavy downpour and I had just washed my shoes on the weekend, thus was not in a mood to get them even slightly dirty this early. The usual fare to reach near my home is 15 rupees but since it was drizzling, prices spiked to 20. I wasn't aware of this new price hike, I sat on the auto after confirming it's destination only. I heard an aunty in her mid-40s arguing with the auto driver that she will only pay 15 and the auto driver rejecting her request. Aunty didn't look like someone who couldn't afford to pay a 5 rupees hike. Aunty's refusal to pay the extra 5 rupees was based on principle and my sitting in the auto without negotiating or even cross-confirming the fare was based on convenience. Sitting in the auto I felt restless seeing aunty standing in the rain taking small steps back and forth as autos came near her. I tried to garner attention of either aunty or the autowale bhaiyya to fully understand aunty's stance but stuffed in between fellow passengers my small cries of bhaiyya and aunty failed to reach the prospective ears. I wanted to negotiate a better deal, or just the understand the issue and contribute my stance on it. With my additional support maybe the autowale bhaiyya would have accepted our offer of rightful fare, but I was sitting in the backseat confused. While bhaiyya searched for the other passengers, I sat there restlessly watching aunty's every moment, secretly hoping for her to find the right auto. Aunty's facial expression didn't give the slightest look of humiliation, she was firm and adamant on her stance. Aunty's face is somehow registered in my mind and subconsciously her face is a reminder to challenge the unfairs even in times of inconvenience. How hard it is to take stand for rightful when other's regard your struggle as unnecessary and futile. In my own experiences, I have taken several initiatives to get things done like cleaning a public park or getting a public washroom cleaned. Sometimes my efforts are applauded and sometimes I feel humiliated in the process. Only constant remaining in the struggle are suggestions to abandon doing the rightful as it's not my job and just being a passer-by is easier. Aunty validated my struggles. She stood for right even when it was inconvenient. Standing against the auto-lobby isn't easy but if aunty did it, I shall too continue doing it. I guess, it was worth writing this heroic account of aunty's struggle. Until next time, bye.