There’s no set definition of a good neighbour. A good neighbour can be somebody who has qualities of a good human being. These qualities are maturity, ability to share, respecting each other’s personal space and keeping our surroundings clean. But the most important of all qualities is being sociable and having the ability to be friendly and helpful.
I am friendly towards the family next door, and, so are they. I try and reach out to them when they are in need. During the pandemic, my neighbour along with his wife tested positive for Covid-19. Our family provided them with healthy food for two weeks when they were quarantined. I made sure they felt alright and not only continued with food supplies, but also paid their utility bills. They reciprocated with a beautiful gift, which is a book from my favourite author.
As neighbours, we try and respect each other’s space. I don’t put on loud music during late nights and early mornings, respecting elderlies and infants in the neighbourhood. I also restrict my pet from entering my neighbours’ premises as it will cause them inconvenience.
We live in a gated community in Mumbai, where we share the cost of community services, including maintaining our park, taking out garbage and paying for the security staff. I make sure we always pay on time and do not hold back. This is the most basic thing we can do for people who are working to keep us safe and our surroundings clean.
Whenever there is a new neighbour moving in, I make sure to get on with the initial introduction. Last year, a family from Chennai moved into our colony. I made them comfortable by inviting them over to share a meal. I offered them the number of the plumber and the electrician and eased them into their new house.
There are times when my neighbours had to go somewhere far off. It would take them the whole day. They requested us to look after their grandmother once. We pitched in together as a family. My neighbours are good people. They did the same for my grandfather when he was hospitalised. They used to bring warm food for my mother, who would stay the night with him at the hospital.
We celebrate our festivals together. We go trekking to the hills on the city outskirts with other families from the neighbourhood. I have realised happiness comes from sharing our responsibilities. As a good neighbour, I try to keep up my end of the responsibility, while trying to offer help whenever I am in a position to do so.
