Birthdays are special. Aren’t they? The excitement, elation, exuberance of the day can’t be matched with any other day. I have been quite casual on birthday celebrations, and being a studious kid, I was involved in the text books. So, even though people around me kept poking me to get in a celebrating mood, I have been on a different trip always. But, for girls, it means everything. The day should not be less than a fairy tale. It is about new clothes, birthday presents, flowers, etc. They love to get pampered, but this story is about a girl who believed she has received the best gift ever.
Shalini Mathur is a genius student of class 6. She stays with her parents in Mumbai, and enjoys good attention for being the single child. This lower middle class family just managed to earn a simple life in the tough city. Things were going easy with less money but more happiness, until Shalini met with an accident. The little girl lost her eyesight in a tragic accident last year, when she was on her way back home from school. A bike lost its balance and hit Shalini with full force. Everything changed from that moment, the violent incident smashed all the dreams of the little child, and crushed the hopes of her parents.
Shalini’s birthday falls on 2nd November, and this year the enthusiasm was not the same. The disheartened souls did not think of celebrating when the hospital staff gave them a good news. They found a donor, it was really a miracle. Someone just donated his eyes to the little girl, and she could see again. The house filled with happiness, and today, Shalini can see the beautiful world again. Thanks to the donor who gave her a new life on her birth anniversary. Today she is living her life with the same enthusiasm, and vibrant attitude. She says, this was the best gift of my life, and why shouldn’t it be.
Ajith Kozhikote 