It was a day at the Social Security Number office at Fresno California – Social security number which you need to get a job, collect social security benefits and receive some other government services.

I was enlightened about the social security number and the Necessity of it with the help of my friend’s passable knowledge who was there to apply for it. It gave me an eloquent comprehension on how people in US need this social standing and for what all benefits.

I was sitting quietly at the “quite please” area where nobody is entitled to speak in loud voice. My friend’s ticket number was called up on and he moved to the window, where he was supposed to be counseled in order to have the number.

Sitting next to me was a mother with her – presumably – ten year old daughter. The conversation between them – which was quite audible to me – let me haul to the fact that the daughter doesn’t want to be at the waiting hall applying for the social security number, rather spending her precious time at her friend’s place.

Mom was irritated and aghast by her daughter’s behavior for refusing to accompany her for an hour or so at the waiting hall.

What energized me more was the conversation between the two. It was hard to believe how the mother was trying her best level to pacify her daughter by ‘forcing’ her to sit quietly. By forcing her? Well not really – she was harsher but in a very urbane polite way and the daughter was reluctant to decipher anything.

But the mother was not using any harsh or irksome language towards her daughter. As the conversation moved on, I came to know that the mom was supposed to take ‘an appointment’ with her daughter before bringing her to the social security office.

Yes, you read it right mom was supposed to take an appointment with her daughter first before fixing time with the office. As the tête-à-tête reflected, her daughter had already fixed some pre-Christmas eve party with her friends, she was not informed ‘well in advance’ for this waiting shrug.

Daughter said to her mother: mom you didn’t took any appointment with me before fixing any time with the social security office. That’s not appreciable on your part. I am quite dismayed with this fact.

Mom replied: I am sorry baby that I was not able to speak to you in advance sine I was busy with my Christmas shopping. So please pardon me, next time onwards it won’t happen and be patient since the waiting procedure will be over soon. 

Welcome to USA, to the people of USA- where everybody has their right to rule themselves. From a ten year old child to fifty year old granny - everybody has right to live their life on their own.

The country is so well-versed that each individual is protected in numerous contexts to maintain a happy and self independent life.

Born with the right, live with the right, die with the right – that’s what your social right is all about.

How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, and having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries?

America's greatest strength, and its greatest weakness, is our belief in second chances, our belief that we can always start over, that things can be made better everywhere – questions remain unanswered - when is the turn for India?