I met Shubu in October 2001, 16 years ago. I was desperately looking for some place to stay with 50 students. We were to have an SSL 10-day manual work camp at Kubala on the banks of the lake on the far side of the Warkhande dam at Talasari.
After considering a number of impractical possibilities, Shubhu, in a matter-of fact manner suggested that we all stay in his hut.
I was stunned by the offer.
“What about you?” I asked.
“You will be here only for 10 days,” he replied, “My family and I will stay under those nearby trees during that time.”
I had no choice, so I accepted.
And Shubhu cleared out his hut to make place for us.
He, his wife, his five children, cattle, goats, a few hens and most of his belongings were taken out to under nearby trees and the hut was offered to us for the 10 days of our camp.
As if that was not enough, he and his wife kept the place clean for us, re-plastered the cow dung flooring and also regularly brought us drinking water from the nearby lake.
All done simply and spontaneously… without being asked. Without expecting thanks.
About half-way through the camp Shubhu asked me, to bless his hut. I willingly agreed.
The family gathered around one evening for the prayer and blessing. When I had finished the blessing, Shubhu offered me a little basket with thirteen eggs in it.
Quite taken aback, I protested: “You have given me your house, you have given me so much and now for this blessing you are offering me these thirteen eggs?”
Once again, in a simple and matter of fact way he looked at me and said: “If I had more, I would have given those to you as well!”
I was speechless and pensive for a long time after that.
That’s him in this old picture on the extreme left. His wife is on the extreme right.
The children are around along with some of our student volunteers.
Over the years I have told Shubhu’s story to many people. And I always wondered what had become of this beautiful man.
Some years ago (2011) from my campsite at Ashagad, I decided to find out. With the help of another Jesuit (Fr. Blaise) who had a jeep to take me around, I enquired and went searching for that long ago village and that long ago generous man. After quite a search I found the place and recognised the surroundings. The hut had been replaced by a brick structure but it was the same size and recognisable. Shubhu’s wife was there… and his son Nikhil.
Shubhu himself had passed away five years earlier.
It was an emotional moment for me seeing them again and remembering Shubhu and his unstinted and overwhelming generosity towards a bunch of total strangers. The wife and son remembered too and I think they were happy that someone had come back after so many years to visit and pay a long overdue debt of gratitude.
I continue telling his story and for all practical purposes Shubhu will continue being alive for me. He will be an unforgettable example to me of what generosity, charity, self-sacrifice and all those human virtues really are.