How big is the Why in you ?

Lata Bhagwan Khare is a 65 year old farm labor in a small village in Buldhana district in Maharashtra.

She and her husband worked very hard throughout their lives. They were real poor and the only aim of their life was to marry off their 3 daughters. All the small money which they gathered over the years was spent on these marriages. Now both of them are senior citizens when tragedy struck their small world.

Her husband fell sick. The local doctors failed to diagnose him and advised her to take him to a big hospital in Baramati. So she sold her ornaments, collected all her savings, borrowed some from the villagers to reach the big hospitals.

On the first day, all her money were spent, but that was not sufficient for all the tests, neither any diagnosis could be reached. Doctors advised her to admit him. That might cost her 5000 rupees. She had none left not even for a full night meal.

With a heavy heart, Lata Bhagwan Khare decided to return back to the village without further treatment. For the night meal, she purchased two samosas wrapped in a piece of newspaper, her brows knitted in a deep frown.

There a Marathi headline stared at her from the newspaper wrapper.

“The Baramati Marathon would be flagged off tomorrow morning.” The prize money was exactly 5000.

It was a coincidence.

But then miracles always come with coincidences.

So next day in the Baramati Marathon, among all the teenagers geared up in their sports shoes, cozy shorts and tracks, organisers were shocked to find this 65 years old bare foot marathi lady in a nau-hati saree pleading to run the race.
Who would take the risk if the old lady is going to collapse half way ?

Marathon started, she hitched her saree just above her ankles and ran as if her life depended on it. Others were running a competition. But for Lata Bhagwan Khare, it was the price of the life of someone she was running for. It was a win or die situation.

Her WHY on that day was bigger than the skill and youth of all the other marathon runners of that day. Much bigger.

That day, Lata Bhagwan Khare won the marathon. With the prize money, she admitted her old man in the big hospital. For herself, she purchased a roll of dressing bandage to cover up her bleeding feet.

So when life has got you up against the rope, I need you to do what Lata Bhagwan Khare did.

And yes, if you don’t know “what your Why is” or your “Why is not big enough” you are going to get knocked out every single day.