Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Magnanimity is above circumstance

Bala Raksha Mandir is devoted to the care of hundreds of orphan children and desttute women, sheltering them, rendering childcare, family welfare, educational, vocational and rehabilitation programmes. The children are taken care of till they are ready to stand on their own legs.They are trained in multivarious activities like carpentry,tailoring,computer soft wares,mechanical workshop,laundry etc.The institution is managed by a few paid staff and mostly volunteers who offer to work
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The Secretary was in her office room on a Saturday.A slightly bald gentleman in his early fifties entered her room and expressed a wish to work as a volunteer.

“How many hours can you devote daily? What is the nature of work you would like to do? The work here is not a pasttime to while away your spare time and only those who have a passion to serve the disadvantaged people for long period are needed.Would you like a desk job? Do you think you can measure up to this requirement?” asked the secretary rather brusquely
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“I am living closeby. I think I can spare about two hours in the evening.I wish to spend my time with children particularly the disabled ones,teach them,play with them and make them happy.I can also generally help in children’s section”he said

“Thank you.You may start coming from Monday.We will be watching your work for sometime to see whether you would fit in.I hope you would not mind” she said.

It was three months since he started working.The Secretary was checking with her deputy and the supervisor in charge of children’s section about the new volunteer.What she heard was something she could not believe.It appeared he was silent by nature..He was always punctual at 530 pm daily and left around 7.30pm.This was the time the children looked forward to eagerly daily.It was fun time for them.He regaled them with stories with moral,made the sessions participative with special attention to the disbabled children.He kept them very near him,prompting them to join.We have seen a dramatic change in some of the children who were morose with a lost look otherwise wearing a smile these days and even managing to speak coherently.He always brings with him some knicknacks,candies,toys,educational equipemnts..He must be spending a sizable amount every month, Madam ’the deputy said.

The supervisor added” I have never seen even one day his getting ruffled.He is always patient and listening even when they repeated the same things.We are fortunate in getting a volunteer like him”
Two days later, the secretary saw from behind a window the session the children had with the gentleman..She was amazed at the joyful atmosphere in which they were taught to learn, to play, to speak,to sing and to dance and the total abandon with which the children participated.As soon as she entered the hall to congratulate the volunteer, a deathly silence fell with all childen becoming very quiet.”Why, what was wrong with her? Afterall they knew her longer than the gentleman.Why was she missing the magic of the volunteer in enthusing the children?” wondered the secretary She left the hall soon after exchanging pleasantries with the volunteer but did not fail to hear as soon as she came out of the hall the peals of laughter and the bonhomie returning in the hall.

A month later the deputy one evening came to the Secretary and said”Madam,That new volunteer had not been coming for a week.The children miss him and keep asking me daily.There is no intimation from him however.I thought you may like to send someone to ascertain the reason”

“No, it is not proper to send a messenger.Let us go together tomorrow evening and find out” the secretary said.

It was a palatial bungalow with big gates guarded by security.There were three gardeners working.The secretary even wondered whether she had come to a wrong place.After a few minutes wait ,they were taken inside to a large living room where the volunteer was sitting by the side of two children.

When he saw them ,he took them to the drawing hall and asked for coffee and snacks to be brought.He said”I am sorry I should have kept you informed about my absence.But things at my home are not good.The two children of mine as you might have seen are not normal.The elder girl is dumb and deaf..The younger boy is mentally retarded.We have tried everything but we have to live with it.My wife has became a nervous wreck .She had some surgery and is in the hospital.She will be back home in a week’s time.

.I come to your place only to get peace of mind and to be aware that there are many unfortunate children like mine and poorly placed.The two hours gave me lot of confidence and mental tranquility that money cannot get me. I will be joining for duty once things stabilise here. I wish to bring my two children also along with me.It would help them also.Can I do so?”

The secretary could not control the tears flowing from her eyes.Here is a very affluent man who has everything except peace of mind with two abnormal children.Yet he found time and money for a cause by bringing happiness to lots of hapless .children.The secretary was overhelmed by his magnanmity, his compassion and his positive approach.To serve others when one is himself under stress is incredible and this thought humbled her.



12 comments:

  1. Well written Parathasarathy. We all need something to cling on to our hopes and to avoid despair taking over our life. We all may have lot of things, but how many of us really confirm that we are in a mind-set to enjoy those good things in life. We all have problems and want an escape to drain our burden.

    T N Neelakantan
    www.neel48.blogspot.com

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  2. Dear Partha,
    Good Morning!
    This post carries a wonderful message!Today is Budhha Poornima!A good day is begun reading a good story!
    My second brother was the treasurer of a charitable institution in Thiruvanathapuram.We had visited the place.The girls were excited when Maza and My Little Star engaged them creatively!
    We used to take eats and istribute clothes!The inmates were eager o listen to us!
    Thanks for reminding me all those kind gestures!
    Wishing you a lovely day ahead,
    Sasneham,
    Anu

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  3. In fact during Deepawali 2009, I took all our street children in Melagaram, Tenkasi to a nearby Ashram where they take care of more than about 50 children and we spent wonderful time distributing sweets to those parentless children, singing with them and trying to know them. It was a pleasant experience to our street children too as they came to know first hand the kind of privileges they themselves enjoy at their home and how so many miss those privileges. It was a good learning too.

    T N Neelakantan

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  4. hI, Trying to catch up as much as I can...it was a wonderful story..instead of wishing for wealth and luxuries one should wish for peace of mind, contentment and happiness..these help a person whereever he or she may be.
    Thanks for the inspiring story!!

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  5. just brought the memories of Pune back... me used to visit AIDS care centers for sex workers ...

    these people are so delighted to chat, to just see an'outsider' among them just to talk...

    some of them just wont let us go out of their place and would talk and talk...

    so nice of you to put up such a post...

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  6. It was wonderful to read this story..so inspiring..really mo sorrows become very small when I see the world.

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  7. Very interesting story :-)
    Its a clear message ...
    Nice to know more
    about your country !!

    :)
    :)

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  9. Could not stop the tears in my eyes...
    It is really difficult to get true peace of mind.. If one can find such a place its fortunate, but one should know what will give them peace.

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  10. Money is no guarantee for happiness and peace of mind. But a noble heart can achieve that and so much more... not only for self but for others it serves too.

    I see your stories getting better each time. Blessings to you and your family.

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  11. a very touching story kp...

    i am reminded of my daughter who told me once when she was just yet a kid and could only feel pity with minorities passing by our house, she told me "Mom, when i grow up and i will become rich, the first thing am gonna do is to give money to charities, see those kids Mom, they dont have slippers n they keep walking on a stony road? tattered clothes? hungry looking?, i fell pity for them". i was speechless.

    young as she was, she already knew how to do with her money when she would get rich.

    i did not discourage her and til now she has stories of old people she sees on the street begging and her heart goes out to them, i feel like she doesn't want to see poverty around her.

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  12. a very touching story kp...

    i am reminded of my daughter who told me once when she was just yet a kid and could only feel pity with minorities passing by our house, she told me "Mom, when i grow up and i will become rich, the first thing am gonna do is to give money to charities, see those kids Mom, they dont have slippers n they keep walking on a stony road? tattered clothes? hungry looking?, i fell pity for them". i was speechless.

    young as she was, she already knew how to do with her money when she would get rich.

    i did not discourage her and til now she has stories of old people she sees on the street begging and her heart goes out to them, i feel like she doesn't want to see poverty around her.

    ReplyDelete