Meeting Olivier Sedile

Last 15 days was 'only work' for me. We were meeting deadlines for the submission of the Company's Tax accounts on time. Within that busy schedule, I had two trainings to attend and a couple of visitors. But the best part was that amidst all that running against time I had a chance acquaintance with a French boy Olivier Sedile. We intend to carry on with the friendship.

Vijay, our senior colleague from Manila was in Mumbai. One evening around 7, we were in front of our office looking for a taxi for Vijay. After spending some time in futile search, an auto-rickshaw stopped in front of me and I could see the sole passenger, a young boy, was gesturing with a piece of paper. I was more interested in the auto than the paper. I made the guy get down and Vijay board it. There were already three other takers for the auto at that point.

Vijay gone, I concentrated on the visitor. The address he was trying to reach was ‘Western India Money Transfer’ situated in our next door building. On starting a conversation I realized that he was from Paris and that he wanted to draw money. Immediately a couple of thoughts crossed my mind. How was the guy going to cross that one way road where traffic was in full swing? Then there were potholes all over and in that drizzling ill-lit lane he would break his leg. And it was already past 7. The chances of getting the place open were not very bright. So I took him to the place. As expected the office was already closed. But the man at the counter informed us of another branch some distance away which operated up to 9 pm. Slowly we walked to the other place and he got his money.

Now comes the climax. His next move made me think of so many things which made that event so interesting. What did he do next? Any guesses!!

He took a 500 – rupee note from his bag and offered me the same. Not bad by any standards – if helping people for 10 minutes would make me earn that much, I would work for 24 hours. Why did he behave like that?

I have got a couple of answers:

1. He must have felt very happy inside. So he wanted to share his happiness with me in his own way.

2. While in Paris, we had tried to get help more than once with pieces of paper. Every time we were shooed off. Most of the Parisians were not ready to help. The guy coming from Paris must have found it a bit strange that someone was walking that extra mile to help out a stranger.

3. Walking all the way with him and getting his work done must have come as a surprise to him. So he must have deduced that the man must be doing it in expectation of something. So he must have thought that rewarding such a man was not a bad idea. So he offered me the tip.

Later, extending it further another thought came to my mind. He might also have felt that having seen the sizeable amount being drawn, I might try to take it away from him in that dark roadside.

Whatever, I quietly returned the money. The bigger challenge for me at that point was how to send that guy back to Powai in that office traffic. I got him to my office. But by that time all the Powai guys were gone. Another colleague got him an auto-rickshaw.

Next day he sent me a ‘thank you’ mail. We plan to meet soon.

Again - this was an opportunity provided to me and I did not let go. Helping out others is the best thing possible. As I have repeatedly been saying, it comes back many times over. A man from Kerala helping out my son in Christchurch in an otherwise trying circumstances is a potent example.