Neglected Duty: Rahul's Game and Ramu's Ordeal

Based on a true event reported in a Malayalam newspaper portal on July 15, 2024.

Ramu and his son Rahul lived together in a house. Ramu had to visit a Government Hospital for a checkup. He was running low on his mobile balance. Before leaving for the hospital, he asked his son Rahul to recharge his mobile. Ramu did not know much about recharges and he used a basic phone, not a smartphone. Rahul said he would do the recharge and then started playing games on his mobile.

Ramu left for the hospital. After his checkup, he needed to make a few phone calls. His mobile charge was also low. He took the lift from the second floor to go downstairs and return home. The lift was in a corner where few people noticed it. Unfortunately, after Ramu entered the lift, it got stuck in the middle. He pressed the lift alarm hoping someone would come and help him. But no one came. He pressed the alarm many times, but still, no one came. He tried to make a call on his mobile, but it had no balance. He realized his son had not done the recharge. He tried to use the phone in the lift, but it was not working.

Hours passed and no one came to use the lift or knew he was stuck. Ramu had hoped his son would recharge his mobile, but it did not happen. His mobile charge ran out and he had no phone to use. He made noises inside the lift to get attention, but no one heard him.

Ramu spent more than 24 hours in the lift, tired and without food or water. The next morning, a lift technician found the stuck lift and saved Ramu during his routine work.

After getting basic treatment from the hospital, Ramu went back home. He saw his son sitting on the sofa playing a video game. Rahul asked, "Dad, why didn't you come home yesterday?" Ramu put his mobile to charge and realized that Rahul had still not done the recharge. Little did Ramu know that he would not have survived another two hours if the lift technician had not found him.

Neglecting responsibilities, no matter how small they seem, can lead to serious consequences for others. Always prioritize important tasks and take care of your loved ones.