Life often teaches us its most valuable lessons in the simplest, most unexpected moments. Sometimes, something quietly witnessed in a forgotten corner of this restless world leaves a deeper mark than any speech or sermon. Yesterday, I experienced such a moment—an incident seemingly ordinary on the surface, yet it made a lasting impression on my heart and mind. It happened right here in Srinagar, and I feel compelled to share it. Within its simplicity lies a powerful lesson for us all.
It was a routine day when I visited one of the largest trading firms in the city. The business is managed by a young entrepreneur from a faith different from the majority community here. He runs a family enterprise passed down by his forefathers—non-Kashmiri-speaking by background—but what I witnessed in his office reminded me once again that humanity, discipline, and respect transcend all religious or cultural boundaries.
We sat in his spacious, well-lit office, casually discussing some work. Though clearly a busy man, he still made time to sit with me over a cup of coffee. One wall featured an LCD screen displaying live footage from his various offices across the city.
As we spoke, a young girl, modestly dressed in an abaya, entered quietly. With lowered eyes and a soft voice, she asked permission to leave work early due to an urgent matter at home.
What the businessman did next left a deep impression on me. Despite our ongoing discussion, he immediately turned to her with fatherly affection, called her “Beta,” and said gently yet firmly,
“No problem, beta, but first call your parents. I need to speak to them.”
She stepped out, made the call, and returned moments later.
“Sir, please speak to my mother,” she said softly.
He took the phone and respectfully addressed her as “Aunty ji,” asking whether it was alright for her daughter to leave early. The mother agreed without hesitation.
I assumed that would be the end of it. But what followed revealed the true character of this young businessman.
He turned to the girl and said,
“Beta, your mother’s permission alone isn’t enough. Please call your father as well. I need his consent before I can allow you to leave.”
I was taken aback. This wasn’t the usual boss-employee interaction. This was a man assuming personal, moral responsibility for someone’s daughter—as if she were his own.
She nodded silently and made another call. A short while later, she returned with the phone in hand.
“Sir, my father is on the line.”
The businessman took the call and addressed him warmly as “Uncle ji.” He explained the situation and asked for his permission, which was granted.
Yet, he didn’t stop there.
He added politely,
“Uncle ji, please give me a call after 15 minutes. By then, your daughter should have reached home. If she hasn’t, let me know immediately.”
In that moment, my heart silently saluted the man. This wasn’t just discipline; it was guardianship—the kind of moral responsibility our restless and often indifferent society so badly needs today.
I couldn’t help but ask him,
“Sir, I truly admire the way you look after your staff. Was there something special about this girl’s situation that made you insist on speaking to both her parents?”
He smiled gently, picked up the remote, and pointed to the LCD screen. It displayed scenes from his other offices, where young women—modestly dressed, dignified, and focused—were at work.
He said,
“Look, sir, I have many offices. Most are managed by young girls like her—hardworking, educated women who support their families. In today’s world, anything can happen. I feel it’s my duty to take every possible step to ensure their safety and dignity.”
Then he shared something even more touching:
“I’ve made a rule—no outsider can meet or approach these girls directly. The moment they step into my office, I consider myself responsible for them. Until they reach home safely, I am answerable to God for their security and honour.”
I sat silently, my heart filled with admiration for this man—someone from a different faith—teaching a lesson many of us seem to have forgotten.
I asked one final question,
“Sir, you have male staff and managers. Why do you take this responsibility upon yourself?”
His response was simple, yet unforgettable:
“When someone genuinely wants to protect women’s dignity and uphold discipline, they don’t think about position or workload. They take responsibility themselves. Mothers, out of love, may become emotionally swayed. But a father often thinks more cautiously about his daughter’s safety. That’s why I always confirm with the father too.”
His words echoed in my heart long after I left his office.
That day, without delivering a speech or sermon, this young businessman taught me a lifelong lesson. He proved that real guardianship, discipline, and respect for women need no slogans—they need sincere, quiet, fearless actions rooted in human decency.
Yesterday, I didn’t just walk out of a businessman’s office. I stepped out of a place where humanity still lives—where faith makes way for character, and where a man showed that in a careless and distracted world, true guardians still exist.
He left behind a lesson for our society, for our business owners, our homes, and each of us.
Author Bio:
Syed Majid Gilani is a government officer by profession and a writer by passion. He shares heartfelt reflections on family, values, and human emotions. Reach him at syedmajid6676@gmail.com.
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