I am fascinated by some faces, some characters who are incredibly important to me as a learner or as an admirer. Many of these faces are invisible, but their spirits for living life make them invincible. The journey of portraying these invincible characters started long ago when I find out there are certain people who are icons of heroism and enthusiasm. Over and over again, I go back to them, find them out, and by portraying them able to keep a part of these victors with me. If my images bring to life the haunting realities that millions of children face each day, then this is the fulfillment of my work. And if mine is the hand that blocks the scorching sun from their eyes – bringing shade for just a single minute, then there’s value in the work I do.
CHACHA SAIF PHERI WALA is a living example of hard work and greatness. He has been a wanderer for years and I have known him since childhood in my village school. He used to come to my village on cycle and we would desperately wait for his arrival to buy edibles from him. He used to come up with different varieties of things but in summer he only had to come up with ‘Kulfi’ the sweetest of all other things. He traveled all the adjacent villages to earn his bread. Hard work gets you far. He is the walking map of our area.
Today all of a sudden I met him in my village after a long time and he was happy to meet me. I was also very happy to meet him. Even today he is as kind and generous as he used to be. As time went on, he rode his bicycle toward the donkey cart. He is an icon of hard work and he is constantly roaming the villages setting an example for those who do not dare to move forward for fear of failing.
Staying strong in the face of adversity is what makes a person a hero. This is the unending journey of a real hero who works all day long. He has been earning money for the last many years. With this money, he wants to give a better life to his family. He always had a hard life and ran his family with all of his meager income. The story of an anonymous hero who is always making a total effort, even when the odds are against him.
People who show acts of working hard are following God’s teachings. The saddest struggles can bring out the best in our heroes. Being a hero is an active choice, not a passive act. We should never take heroic men for granted. We should appreciate their efforts and try to pave the way for their betterment.
