![\"SAM_0901.JPG\"](\"https:\/\/ultrazaps.com\/terryblogg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/sam_0901-jpg.jpeg\")
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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.<\/p>\n
After considering a number of impractical possibilities, Shubhu, in a matter-of fact manner suggested that we all stay in his hut.<\/p>\n
I was stunned by the offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about you?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will be here only for 10 days,\u201d he replied, \u201cMy family and I will stay under those nearby trees during that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
I had no choice, so I accepted.<\/p>\n
And Shubhu cleared out his hut to make place for us.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
All done simply and spontaneously… without being asked. Without expecting thanks.<\/p>\n
About half-way through the camp Shubhu asked me, to bless his hut. I willingly agreed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Quite taken aback, I protested: \u201cYou have given me your house, you have given me so much and now for this blessing you are offering me these thirteen eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n
Once again, in a simple and matter of fact way he looked at me and said: \u201cIf I had more, I would have given those to you as well!\u201d<\/p>\n
I was speechless and pensive for a long time after that.<\/p>\n
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That\u2019s him in this old picture on the extreme left. His wife is on the extreme right.<\/p>\n
The children are around along with some of our student volunteers.<\/p>\n
Over the years I have told Shubhu\u2019s story to many people. And I always wondered what had become of this beautiful man.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s wife was there… and his son Nikhil.<\/p>\n
Shubhu himself had passed away five years earlier.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n