The play/musical by Darpana made me think of the difficulties faced by the physically challenged in this city of ours. I wonder how blind people negotiate roads and footpaths which are dug up at different places each day; and yet I see so many blind people walking on the streets independently, with sometimes a companion, or just a cane to help. So many buildings are still very wheelchair-unfriendly, when just a little imagination could make many more spaces accessible to them.

Almost as if to echo my thoughts, I spotted this message as I passed by on Bannerghatta Road, on the back of what, for want of a better word, I must call a mobile wheelchair. Though primitive in design, these wheelchairs are yet a boon to the people who own them, for they bestow much-needed independent mobility. And certainly, with just pedals and no motors or batteries, these chairs are very eco-friendly too.

I mused on what might have caused this message to be painted on the back of the chair. What troubles have been overcome? Is it optimism about being able to face anything, or pessimism at what has already been faced?

But what struck me was that the profoud message, “What is Next”…applies to every one of us! Who knows what lies ahead of us the next moment, day, month, year! Surely we should celebrate the present!

Thank you, unknown gentleman, for bringing this truth home to me in a most unexpected way.