N. Raghuraman's column: To have a big heart, you need intention, not money!

"It's the last hotel in India. Come, have some tea-samosa, drink cold drinks. There is still a lot of time for the program to begin. I've been to this place many times, but have never heard these words. So I got out of the car to meet the man who raised this voice, Bakshish Singh, who runs a dhaba called 'Baljit Food Corner' in the name of his elder brother. I glanced around. He wasn't lying. In fact, his dhaba was the last before the huge iron gate at Zero Mile that divides the border between India and Pakistan, which is guarded by our Border Security Force (BSF). While sipping tea, people can see the tight-security concrete gates preceded by the two strong iron gates that divide the two countries. This Saturday evening I was at the Wagah-Attari border to watch the 'limited ho gayi' beating retreat ceremony. The ceremony, which was suspended for 12 days due to security reasons after the Pahalgam attack, was resumed on May 20, 2025. I wanted to witness this prestigious event, though the iron doors remain closed and the traditional handshake between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers has also been stopped. Standing 300 feet away from the border, savoring the tea served by Bakshish, I was watching his commitment to the customers. He trades for only 2 to 3 hours a day, when the crowd comes to see the patriotic spectacle at the Beating Retreat and returns as the flag descends with sunset. He knows that the chances of the same customers coming here again are very low. Still, he misses no opportunity to impress customers with a broad smile and hospitality with shining teeth behind his white beard. Even though his makeshift shop is the last eatery selling essential food items, I have not seen him selling any items at exorbitant prices. How confident it is when Bakshish's family takes pride in polishing every glass! Since their dhaba does not use disposable glasses, his family was patiently cleaning every glass of tea. He was even telling the tourists not to litter by throwing empty water bottles bought from him here and there. BSF personnel were also urging people not to litter. Believe me, Bakshish Singh was not earning much. His and his family's clothes were proof that he was just making a living, but his love for the country and brotherhood towards the countrymen was at a different level. There was a thick layer of kindness in his mercantile skills, which is seen in the 'langar' of Sri Harmandir Sahib, commonly called the Golden Temple. However, the intention of making a profit for the household was very low. Even if the customers did not have change of five rupees while paying the bill, he was saying goodbye to them with the same smile. This reminded me of glitzy restaurants like 'Vango' located in the country's major airports, whose display boards say that they serve hot coffee in brass glasses, when in fact they serve it in plastic glasses. Due to which filter coffee becomes harmful. When customers don't have change, the staff at the counter doesn't spare a single rupee, even though they know they have a very strange price of Rs 231 for coffee. I have often seen elderly people who are not used to online payments leaving the place. Those old people did not have a single rupee change and they did not even want to give a tip of 9 rupees by paying 240 rupees. The bottom line is that you don't need a big wallet to have a big heart. A small intention is enough for this.