John Jaani Janardhan .. does religion have a place in today's world ?

I still remember the song so well from Naseeb..
John Jaani Janardhan Tara rara rum pum pum..
Sahib ne bulwaya ..haazir ho mein aaya ..

My story begins the moment I land in Rameshwaram station. As usual I am being scouted by autowallahs .. I told one autowallah and before he could negotiate his phone rang and he got busy .. next autowallah same story .. and I was wondering is this a coincidence..

Next I was escorted by another autowallah and I told him my hotel name and he said a price .. I asked him " Is it the correct price? " (I have stopped negotiating with people who sweat their way to earn.. I just ask once this question) 

He said "Yes" 

I boarded the auto and was first surprised to see this sticker of Jesus .. Mecca and Sai ..

I was happy and surprised and I asked "what's your name ?" 

He said "John" 

"And why did you post all the three religion pics ?" I asked 

"There are 3 seats and there is a place for all three in my auto?" He replied 

And we became friends.

Since I had 2 days I asked how much will you charge for a full day tour of Rameshwaram?" 

He told a price to which I asked the same question. He replied affirmatively and I agreed. 

The next day I checked out of the hotel and was at his disposal to let me roam around Rameshwaram and then drop me at the bus stand for bus to Chennai ( couldn't get reservation in train ) 

I wanted to check-in the baggage at cloak room but he said "Put it in the auto I will take care of it while you roam." 

Was I apprehensive yes for a moment .. but then I remembered .. have faith ....

It was a wonderful tour .. he made me visit all the temples and especially the ride to Dhanush Kodi was replenishing. 

There is a straight road to Dhanush Kodi and on both side is sea .. the most beautiful part of it was that on my right side the sea was excuburant .. full of energy. . white foam waves over lapping each other .. and on my left side sea was calm and peaceful.. the yin and yang coexisting .. it was breathtaking ..

We reached back early so he dropped me at the hotel where I waited in the lounge and I asked him to come back to drop me to bus stand. 

Meanwhile I learnt about his family of 2 kids and wife and his 2 brothers who worked in Dubai..

He came at 7 to drop me to bus stand and when we reached there the bus had not arrived .. 

A new place to me and unknown language and it was dark .. so I reconfirmed how will I know where the bus would come ..

He helped me talk to customer support in their language and when he found that I was helpless he said these reassuring words ..

" Don't worry bhaiya I will see to it that you board the bus ." 

I smiled ...

He said let's have tea and we sat in a restaurant and shared tea. The tea was really good .. 

Sometimes happiness comes in small cups 

As we again waited for the bus I asked " There must be lot of churches here ?"

He asked me "What bhaiya?"

I asked again .. "You are a Christian na .. so you must be having lot of churches here." 

He said "No bhaiya I am a Muslim !!!!" 

And I was amazed and surprised.

"How come John then? " I asked 

"My dad named me like that." He replied ..

I just wondered "Does religion ever exists or it is just our creation ?" 

We became greater friends and we took selfies and we also connected on FB (Yes he has an FB account ) and I promised to him that whenever I or my friends come to Rameshwaram we will take your service ..

My bus arrived and I bade him good bye .. carrying back lots and lots of memories..

#JaiHind