March 21 , 2014
Little Guy, Big Impact
Sub-continental culture is a VIP-hunting society, with an obsessive focus on the wealthy and the powerful. In Punjab, they are called “Vedda-banda” (big guy). They are not seen ‘big’ because of big deeds, big thinking, or big learning. They see themselves as indispensable. But, as the old saying goes, the graveyard is full of indispensable people.
Big people are accustomed to having society genuflect before them, and getting goodies on a platter without much effort. But when they depart from the scene, they seldom are missed and quickly forgotten.
On a late cold night in Washington, I got a call from Lahore that my long-time trusted attendant, Ghulam Mustapha, had died in his sleep. Little education, little money. In the existing cultural parlance, he was a little guy.
Little folks are ubiquitous. They attend constantly to your needs. Little attention is paid to them. Nobody ever asks to be photographed with them. But, yet, they matter. Like a favorite tailor, a favorite mechanic, a favorite waiter, a favorite fruit vendor. They are the constants in a changing panorama. Often, they are not noticed until they are gone.
In the household staff of my youth in Lahore, I recall the indefatigable Ibrahim, constantly running errands; Meedan, the cleaning lady, always smiling; Sardaran, poised and dignified, despite enduring unspeakable cruelty of having a daughter burned alive for the perceived crime of bringing insufficient dowry to her in-laws. There was also the tireless washer lady Barkat, the well-dressed Mehboob, and the daring Yaqub. All gone now, but forever in memories, like long-lost family members and friends.
They say: “The best employees work for their employers as though they were self-employed.” And they anticipate your needs. Mustapha was among the best. Bright, honest, and caring. But for schooling – which he hated – he would have travelled far.
The German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, was on target when he said: “Mostly, it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.”
14 centuries ago, outlining the principles of governance, Hazrat Ali put it best, in his letter to Malik Ashtar, Governor of Egypt:
“Remember the privileged few will not rally round you in moments of difficulty: they will try to side-track justice, they will ask for more than what they deserve and will show no gratitude for favors done to them. They will feel restive in the face of trials and will offer no regret for their shortcomings. It is the common man who is the strength of the State and Religion. It is he who fights the enemy. So live in close contact with the masses and be mindful of their welfare.”
The 50 million strong Hispanic population, with roots in Latin America, form the backbone of the US economy, doing most of the rough and tough work, which the mainstream eschews. Yet, they bear the brunt of anti-immigrant sentiment. The movie, “A Day Without a Mexican,” depicted how the US economy would break down if suddenly they were not there.
The little guys form the invisible pillars in one’s life. They leave a big impact. They are actually the big guys.
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