I was amazed to see that no one has written anything about him. Not to be entirely rude but it seems that we do not care about survivors and just prefer crying over the brave souls we lose. Anyway, this is the story of how I met someone who not only made my day beautiful but also gave me a new perspective of life.
I met Sunil R Modi in an event as a journalist, where he was invited to inaugurate a conference. I expected an Indian-African person with a big ego to walk up on the dias. However, that was not the case.
Modi walked up as plainly as any other person, and in fact, bowed down to the audience in a way that you could feel that he is truly saluting every soul.
Sunil R Modi, the president of Indian-African alliance addressed the gathering motivating them to pursue their dreams. I was lucky enough to get a one-on-one interview with him.
He was a true gentleman. He walked behind me, opened the gate for me and pulled out a chair. These are general manners but anyone who has spend time in India, knows that it is a rare gesture, especially if the person knows that he is important.
Following our discussion about the latest developments between India and Africa, he disclosed various industrial segments where people can associate and contribute to development of both the Nations.
The most interesting part of the discussion was when, we talked about his life.
Modi had a dream to work in Africa, when asked why, he said, "Honestly, there are some things in life which do not have a logical explanation, it was a dream, that's it."
After moving to Africa, he took up a job and worked there with a few Indian colleagues. He connected to people there and related to them on the grounds of humanity.
But then, how was his experience and his life different than any Indian emigrant?
One day, when he went to the gas station in the evening, he was attacked. He said, "I was on the gas station, trying to get gas when a big, dark guy with a shotgun showed up. He held up the gun and asked me to surrender everything including the car. I agreed and took out my wallet. However, he was probably a newbie, poor young boy... because despite my surrender, he was worried and fired away at me. He fired a large number of bullets, out of which 11 attacked me."
The way Modi talks about the boy who bombarded him, it doesn't seem like he has any complaints. Although, it is because of that incident that he still has two bullets in his body and he has to face trouble in everyday commute.
I find that truly amazing, where you don't have to forgive someone cause you never have complains.
Further, talking about his experiences in Africa, he quotes another incident where he was rescued by some mountaineers.
Modi said, "I was going in a car with a friend and we were hit by a truck, which came wrong way. Our car fell through the cliff and we were lashed down in a valley. While my friend immediately passed away, I was left hanging between life and death." He was rescued by some mountaineers who saw the car.
The incident has double sides, he could've been grateful for having being survived or he can complain that he lost his hand because of a careless driver. His hand was detached during the incident and it was reformed by doctors. However, even after reformation his left hand is just a decoration now.
When I asked him about his worst experience in life?
He said, "It was a day that still haunts me in my sleep. It was Christmas eve, and like all my colleagues, I went to attend the church ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony but just after the ceremony, a cannibal tribe entered the church and closed the doors."
In a closed church one minute to Christmas eve, the events took an ugly turn. "They announced- We wish you a merry Christmas, all of you love your God so much, so this year on Christmas day, get ready to meet him." Following the announcement, all the tribe members tied everyone present at the ceremony, except Modi and his Indian friend, by the walls.
They left Modi and Indian friend cause they do not trust their flesh. "They put fire to the entire church in front of my eyes. It was a horrific sight and it was worse when they savored the cooked meat," Modi said.
His experience graved my heart cause I wouldn't imagine someone doing that. However, looking at my fading face, he consoled me saying that, "Life goes on and despite everything if you are alive then you must live."
Sunil R Modi- an inspirational guide and truly successful person.