Dissection kit

For every science stream student, dissection kit is an essential item. It is like water to the rain. Without the dissection kit, the science students' life is incomplete. I was a science student who ventured into a paramedical field. So dissection kit was an integral part of my life.

Dissection kit was something that would generally get passed down by cousins, siblings, or friends. In my case, my cousins who took the science stream were over 10 years older to me, so they could not pass down anything to me. My sister and other cousins had chosen a non science stream, so there was no requirement of the dissection kit. I had to buy a kit for myself. I bought the dissection kit from a college stationary shop in my first year of college. When I took the dissection kit in my hands, I actually felt that I belong in the science stream. I felt welcoming. I felt connected to the choice I had made by entering the science stream. I felt like it was a prized possession.

I used the same dissectation kit for 6 years. I used it throughout my college life. After completing my studies, I had no plans to give it away. I had no intentions to pass on to the next generation. Even though it was no longer useful to me, I was not ready to let it go. I had an attachment towards it. I wanted to keep it for me.

After the college I had kept it for over 10 years. During this time I used to often open and clean the kit. I would enjoy doing that. It would reconnect me to all my memories from the college. I would feel younger and more energetic after cleaning the dissection kit. I don't know why but this used to give me a great boost. I would love that boost. So this gave me one more reason not to give it away.

Then one day I heard our house help talking to my mother. Our house help had a son. Her son was bright. He had scored good marks in his board exams. He had chosen science stream. She was able to secure a place for him at a good college. The boy had received scholarship so they were able to afford the fees. Now the struggle was books and other study articles including a dissection kit. She was asking my mother if I had kept any books which he could use. I confronted her and asked her which books were needed. I knew that the books were expensive so I had retained my books too, thinking that someone someday would find them useful.

Next day she came to me with the list of books which her son needed. I had some of those books from the list. While I opened my book cabinet to look for the books, she saw the dissection kit. Without any hesitation she asked me if I can give the kit for her son. That moment changed me. I knew that the kit is no longer useful to me. It was a nostalgia bait. Someone else was in need for that kit. It better be with the needy.

I gathered the books and the dissection kit. Placed them in a bag and handed over the bag to the mother of an aspiring science student. After handing over the bag, I felt an immediate sense of detachment or maybe relief. I realised that I was holding on to an object that I no longer needed. Giving it away made me feel a lot younger and better.

Finally it went to a person who needed it. Today I do not know whether it is still being used or it is now with a scrap dealer. Whatever may be the case, the giveaway made me free and lighter.