On November 12th, 2012, at 11:57 PM, Vyom's phone rang. He had gone upstairs to get some sleep, as he always made it a point to be home for Diwali, the most popular festival for many Indians. Some view it as the festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, while others see it as a time to please Goddess Laxmi and seek a prosperous year. For Vyom, it was a time to reconnect with friends and family.
By the time he reached the phone, the ringing had stopped. He picked it up and was heading back to his room when it rang again. It was Gautam, a dear friend of his. Vyom wondered if Gautam was planning a prank for Diwali eve, but it seemed unlikely. He answered the call, and the urgency in Gautam's voice caught his attention. Gautam asked for Vyom's blood type, explaining that his friend's grandfather was critically ill and in need of blood. Vyom agreed to donate at 7 AM the next morning.
Within a minute, Gautam's friend, Manish, called Vyom and asked if he could donate immediately for a platelet transfusion. It was an emergency, and they couldn't wait until morning. Vyom hesitated but eventually agreed. He had donated blood a few times before, but this was a new experience for him.
After discussing the situation with Gautam, Vyom left his house without informing his family, fearing they would worry. Manish and his father picked Vyom up around 12:30 AM, and they drove to Chirayu Hospital in the city center. The lab technicians explained the platelet donation process to Vyom, and he was initially apprehensive about the size of the needles and the duration of the procedure. However, he overcame his fears and completed the donation.
While the platelets were being extracted, Vyom chatted with Manish and learned that the doctors had not been able to diagnose his grandfather's condition. Manish's family had spent a significant amount on medical expenses, putting a strain on their finances. Vyom hoped that his donation would help save Manish's grandfather, and perhaps a miracle would happen—it was, after all, Diwali.
Vyom returned home around 4 AM and went to bed, reflecting on the words of a friend living in the States: "What worth is the life of a man in India?" A couple of days later, Gautam informed Vyom that the doctors had given up, unable to determine the ailment, and advised the family to fulfill the man's last wish by taking him to his village.
Ye hai aaj ki Diwali jahan ek parivaar 15-20 hazar ke phatake jalata hai aur wo ye kabhi nahi sochte ki shayad unke ghar me kaam karne wala naukar saal ke 15-20 hazar hi kamata hai. Ussi me khata hai, jeeta hai, apne bachcho ko padata hai... khair in sabse humne kya lena, hamare paas hai paisa jalane ko hum jalayenge bhale hi hamare aankhon ke saamne log bhuke mar jaayenge.
Anar ke rang, bomb ki awaaz jo maja dete hai, wo kisi gareeb ke khushi aur uski hasi kahan de paayegi. Kalyug me Diwali aisi hi manai jaayegi.
