Aspects of India

Sunday

Maitriratna's Life Story

My first memory is of being on my Daddy's shoulders, walking to the village. I was aged 3 or 4. Daddy loved me very much then; he still does. He never hit me; well, only once. That time he hit me on the ear, not too hard. Other times he used some harsh words and angrily told me what I should do. My mother's verbal abuse was far worse; whenever I did anything wrong. Both mum and dad loved me very much and the reason they didn't hit or abuse me more was because they didn't want me to become a bad boy.

When I was 6 years old my father fell ill and became paralysed. That paralysis has never been cured, despite many hospital trips. The doctor has said he can't do anything about it. When my father was paralysed, I wasn't going to school. People in my village asked, “Why aren't you going to school?”. I replied: “Now Daddy cannot work, he cannot earn the money for me to go to school.”

A little later I said to my dad “i want to go to school.” He replied, “As you wish; I will try to help you anyhow.” I was then admitted to the middle school near our village. I did well at school and have never failed in school. This gives me confidence that I will succeed in all things; though things will be difficult at times.

As a child I killed many insects and some small animals; all of which were innocent. This carried on for me beyond my 16th birthday. As I've understood more about what I'm doing when I kill an animal, I've gradually given up killing. I regret what I've done and no longer kill; I am much happier as a vegetarian now.

For more of Maitriratna's life story -and an opportunity to support him (& the Chakma people), click here