The Visit by Deepa Kandaswamy



It was an unexpected visit. Mahatma Gandhi in my home? All the books said he was assassinated 60 years ago by some chap name Godse. 

He was standing there smiling in the white dhoti and shawl looking fragile like Ben Kingsley in the movie.

I rubbed my eyes.

"Deepa?," he said smiling at me.

"Yes, Gandhiji." I hesitated.

"I'm not Gandhiji. Call me Mohandas or just M. Gandhi was my caste name and if you remember I didn't believe in caste," he said and broke out laughing.

"Okay M. What are you doing here?" 

I thought to myself. What the crap? Was this some fancy dress prank by friends or was I on some reality show? I looked around for cameras including a cell phone. M? Wasn't that James Bond's boss name?

But Gandhiji, I mean M was smiling at me patiently.

"Yesterday, you wished I was here to help the world. I'm here in answer to your wish. Now you are asking me why I'm here?" 

"Ehh... How did you know that? Did you visit Obama as well? He said he wished he had the chance to have dinner with you."

"Obama...? Who is he? I don't think he wished to see me. If he truly wished it, my spirit would have been summoned. Anyway, how do you want me to help you?" 

"Obama is the President of the United States of America. So he didn't really wish to have dinner with you?! I don't really know where to begin. Pakistan is sending terrorists into India. Then there is Osama who is trying to attack countries in Europe and USA. Africa is in deep trouble with dictators and illegal trade apart from poverty and human trafficking. South America and the rest of Asia have their own problems from drugs to terrorism to swine flu. As if that is not enough, the entire planet is suffering from global warming. No one seems to be at peace in this world. Can you do something about it?"

M smiled and said, "You have already taken the first step - defined the problem. The next is to see what you can do about it as a human being on earth. Every single drop counts or we won't have rivers, seas or oceans. Do your bit and ask your friends and family to do theirs. That is how the people of the Indian subcontinent got their freedom. Stay on the path of truth even though it is a tough road to travel. Mother Earth has been wounded by violence and she will take time to heal. Tell people to start by not wasting money by throwing them in wishing wells. You all have the answers within you," M said with a twinkle in his eye.

Just as I was digesting all that he said, he winked at me and disappeared, just like that!

©2009 by Deepa Kandaswamy