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It was Bright evening,and in front of a Tea Stall many children assembled were seen engrossed hearing fairy tales explained by a Retired Soldier Ramdas who owns the Tea stall , Every day he entertained Children of Saraswati Colony in Abids, Hyderabad and ended by providing them with sweets and gifts from his earnings working as Night Watchman in their vicinity.
The whole vicinity respected and loved him as he not only secured their vicinity but also their children.
Ramdas apart from Owning Tea Stall also renders his services as Watchman in the night even after his kin coaxing him to take rest. But his answer was THE SOLDIER NEVER SLEEPS.
Ramdas don in Soldiers Uniform with a hard stick in his hand, and a whistle dangling in his front pocket would March past Saraswati Colony blowing his siren to mark his presence.
Some Youngsters under the inebriated condition driving with high speed used to play pranks on old Watchman by snatching away his stick and throwing back to him , he showed his anguish and vent on them but nothing improved.
But Ramdas never complained about Pranksters to higher authorities or their Parents even knowing their identity, but panting for breath only shouted
” Badmash, Stop pranks or will suffer” and smiled within him, such was his greatness.
As one night when Ramdas was on his night duty, he noticed two youngsters fallen on Roadside bleeding it seems in inebriated condition they fell from their speeding bike, they were none another than Ravi and Prakash who played pranks with him.
There was not a vehicle nor a single passerby as it was almost 11.30pm, Ramdas without disturbing the vicinity phoned 108 wherein Ambulance arrived, after few minutes.
Ambulance Driver in rash tone “Watchman have you lodged police complaint, where are the Police”
Ramdas ” Sir Let us not disturb the vicinity and wait for the police, as the boys are constantly bleeding, let us carry them to the hospital” saying he pleaded at them.
Finally the Driver gave a nod , Ramdas carried both the boys and placed them in Ambulance accompanying them left the place and reached a Private Nursing Home Ashvadama
At the Hospital, Doctors were also courteous they attended to bleeding youngsters, no case was lodged.
The next morning the Parents were informed, who rushed to the hospital and met their ailing children who were out of danger and recovering.
They wholeheartedly thanked Ramdas for his humanitarian gesture and repented for ignoring their Children, and took entire responsibility of the accident.
After Recovering even Ravi and Prakash also felt ashamed for their act and pleaded for forgiveness in front of Ramdas.
Ramdas was Proud and Happy with one humanitarian act he was able to bring in a significant change in Parents and Children.
As usual he continued his Duty as Watchman, but on a tragic day as he was on his duty a Speeding Bolero Car hit him and sped away leaving him badly bruised with blood gushing from his head. After suffering and moaning in pain for few minutes with none in the vicinity to take care Ramdas breathed his Last.
It was a sad day for Whole Saraswati Colony, Children and colony members were in tears wailing for a noble soul who guarded them and their Children for decades, and also the amount paid as Salary to Ramdas was used by him to buy gifts and sweets for children.
The Whole vicinity took the responsibility and bore expenses in completing the rituals of Ramdas along with his family members
Children were gloomy and looked sad while passing by Ramdas Tea stall returning from School. With tears in their eyes each child placed a toffee on his shop and saluted him as a Mark of respect as a due for his greatness in showering love and affection on them every day.
Soldier doesn’t have a holiday or retirement he is on duty 24/7.
