That's Why I applied Mehendi......

I have never get such pleasure decorating my hand with Mehendi that I got here .This young boy Sonu was sincerely drawing some designs on my hand.Well I was never been so fond of putting Mehendi on my hands though in every celebration and festivals like in Rakhi and Diwali, my Didi and Maa apply Mehendi on their hands ...In our marriages Mehendi is compulsory ...It is believe that the more it will give beautiful deep hue on your hand , the more your husband will love you.I know it is just a myth .The Irony is, it has never ever given beautiful deep color on my hand .it may be because my palms are very soft.If the color does not come well then it does not look good,so hardly I put Mehendi . I remember that 20 years ago for the last time I had Mehendi on my hand during my Marriage. Just a day before of my marriage I landed in my home town ,My didi asked me to put Mehendi but I was reluctant . She did not listen to me and virtually dragged me to the neighbor Marwadi aunt's house who were ready with the Mehendi .Finally my reluctance did not work and within an hour both of my hands get decorated with Mehendi. I was so tired so I slept. When I woke up I got surprise to see that the color of my Mehendi came out very well...how come?Later I came to know that my didi had a sleepless night to put sugar , lemon and Mehendi oil on it to get a good color... I realized the benefit of being a youngest in the family that everyone pampers you. After my marriage I don't remember any occasion where I have used Mehendi...

This time I am doing this for a cause....

It was my off day .I went to a gift shop near my society to buy some gift for the kids of my friends .

The moment I started climbing the steps of the shop two young boys came to me ,shown me some designs of Mehendi and requested me to apply it on my hands.I am not very fond of Mehendi as I said earlier and also I was in a hurry so I refused and ignored them . They became sad....After buying the gift I got down from the shop and was waiting for an auto to back home. I noticed both young boys who were sitting near the shop with Mehendi looking at me as if I may change my mind and allow them to make designs with Mehendi on my hands.

My Uber auto was showing 10 minute to reach.Meanwhile I was feeling uneasy standing over there as I had a terrible pain on my knee.One of them offered his chair and requested me to sit for a while till the auto comes.May be he observed my pain.I asked one of them ,what is your name? I am 'Sonu' and he is Akash" he replied..I felt some connection when heard his name "Sonu" because my daughter's name is also Sonu. How ever I continued my conversation with Sonu...where are you from? You studied up to which class ?Why did you leave study? why you are doing this ? I fired so many question on him without realising that he is a child..Both of them were looking blank ”Pet ke liye kaam to karna padta hai”He replied.Meanwhile my auto has cancelled its trip abruptly and I had to book another one.I was booking another auto .But I was enjoying speaking to them . Sonu was very vocal but Akash was shy. Sonu informed me that he has five siblings but all were married and they left Sonu and his old parents alone.He hails from Bharatpur, Rajastan .He has come all the way to Hyderabad to earn some money for his ailing parents.It was difficult for his family to arrange square meals for him .So he left study and came here just 4 months ago with some of his village men..he said that he has not yet learn the art of Mehendi properly. Sonu (13) and Akash (14) are working under a Mehendi artist .They take Rs 100 for designing one hand .The main artist takes 75 rupees per hand and give them share of 25 rupees per hand.If they don't get costumer then there was no money. Akash informed me that since last few days they could not get good number of costumers and the owner is not giving them money ..so they are not having square meals daily .Sometimes they go to bed hungry. Hearing Sonu 's story I could not stop myself asking both “Sabere se kuch khaya hai ya nahin ” Sonu said “Kuch nahi,sabere se ek bhi costumer nahi mila madam”.I became emotional and offered him 50 Rupees asked him “go and have something” .He refused to take money and replied very politely“Madam hum paisa nahin le sakte,hum bhikari nahin hai ,iss liye itni dur aakar mehnat kar ke roti khate hain”(Madam we cant take this money,we are not beggar ,that's why we have come here all the way from Rajastan to Hyderabad to work and earn money with dignity).

I was touched and speechless also felt guilty that I have hurt their sentiment and self respect. Meanwhile my auto arrived ...Sonu reminded me " Madam aap ka auto a gayaa "... jab jarurat hoga to hume bulana mehendi lagane ko...aapko sikayat ka mauka nahi denge....hum ghar par bhi jaate hain ....I was looking at them, became emotional....I cancelled my auto.. ...The moment I asked them “achha mere haaton me kaun mehendi lagayega???(who will apply mehendi on my hand) . They looked to each other ,their eyes sparkle with joy. Akash asked Sonu to do it.....that's how I put Mehendi on my hand .He took 15 minutes to do this beautiful designs ....I paid him Rs 200/....The least I could do is to ensure a square meal for the day ...Here is their number 09866117230.Requesting my friends,colleague in ETV Bharat Hyderabad, please once try their designs....these two young boys are fantastic Mehendi artist.My Mehendi will wipe out in a few days but Sonu and Akash will always remain in my thoughts....