'Karmath'

This is an adjective I've known since my 10th standard days. Any one who was studying hard, finishing homework on time, was called 'karmath' albeit mockingly so.
'karmath ladki' or 'karmath ladka' or 'karmathta ka prateek'

Recently while on the run in a Mathura market, I saw a frail old guy with a small board and bag sitting on the bank of a gutter.
It said 'fatey puraane note badaley jaate hain'. I was there for just a minute and saw him strain his eye over a two rupee note. The noun came back to me after so many years 'karmathta'. Quickly took his photo and moved ahead.
And then I looked up 'karmathta' on the dictionary. 'Diligent', yes, bravo my memory. Thats what I would want to call.
Musing further I wished I'd taken time out and spoken to him.
The small bag and black umbrella, his handy checkered duster. I wondered what his life must be like. 'kahaa rehte ho dada?, ghar pe kaun kaun hai?, khaana kahaa khaate hai?, aapka pasandida khaana kya hai?'. Some of the questions I would've asked.

Sigh. Damn. Why didn't I stop!

Now there's gonna be a million stories, a million alternate universes about  'dada's' life that my brain would spin.
It always amazes me to notice the pinnacle of someone's life, the most important chunk of his life, which is their job...is so unusual... How did he travel to the gutter every day? What must he be earning? How must he be spending it? What were his priorities? A daughters marriage or a pint of alcohol?

I wonder if I missed an life inspiring story.
I guess since a picture speaks a thousand words, I'll take it.
And begin spinning my own version of 'karmath dada's' life.