In these days of selfishness and cynicism, it is heartening and refreshing to come across instances of pure human goodness. I am a firm believer that goodness passes on. Perhaps it has been the effect of one of the most memorable quotes, which I have come across and which has moved me immensely: “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

This is a quote of the famous English Quaker, William Penn who founded the state, which was named after him: Pennsylvania.

I was recalling Preacher Penn . It was there that I heard this wonderful story linking a man stricken with polio and one of the most humane industrialists India has ever produced. The story goes back to some years ago when the gentleman with the affliction, one Mr Desai, was a student and was residing in Mumbai with his parents in Malabar Hill. He had to attend classes near Victoria Terminus station and had to commute every day. Wondering if there would be an easier way for their son to travel, Desai’s parents put an ad in the newspaper requesting a kind Samaritan and a car owner to offer their polio-stricken son a lift. There was just one response.

And so for months till Desai finished his studies, a car would be waiting for him every day and drop him off at his destination. Even on days when the car owner was not in town or not going to office, the driver and car would be there on schedule. The name of that humanitarian: J.R.D. Tata.

I came across another interesting story about a certain Dr Pathan who is now a prosperous landowner and hotelier. Almost two decades ago, when Dr Pathan was doing work in leprosy, he used to be taken every morning at a fixed time to his destination by an auto driver, one Rambhau Murkute who owned the only rickshaw in town.

After some years, when Dr Pathan wanted to start a business in real estate and hotel resorts, he wanted Murkute to become his partner. And he even loaned him `50,000 to invest it legally in the venture as a partner. Now, they are wealthy beyond measure and one could still see the gratitude.

There are many other uplifting stories that I have heard . Not all of them concern the super-rich; indeed most of them are from common folks who fork out from their meagre belongings whenever they see someone worse off than them. So do a good deed, be the change you want to see. And you will be part of folklore.