Everything has a purpose. So is this write up! This is going
to talk about an ever optimistic lady and how she takes on her little bit
withered, lost-hope kind of a brother… And finally something that would move
your heart!
Other ranting, if you think what will I get out of this –
Fulfilling experience
Savings
B efore I close this article, let me talk about a small boy
whose education was sponsored by someone like me in Isha Vidhya, Tuticorn
village. A 3rd grade little bud was questioned, ‘What would you
want to become in the future?’ for which came a stunning reply ‘I want to
become a very rich man, earn lot of money.' Hmm... That's not OK the questioner thought and proceeded to know why, pat came the reply, 'I want to sponsor FOUR kids like me!’ His eyes sparkled as he said this... Should
I continue to talk on the impact?!
‘I feel like committing suzu’ [let me explain, his short
form of ‘suicide’] ranted my brother. Now the ebullient sister, who has never
let him down, supported him, never gave him up with anyone, especially with his
parents, tried to make sense which only exasperated him… What went on and what
could have gone wrong! Before you start biting your nails, let your eye balls
graze the below passages J
‘Now what happened? The world is beautiful. Whether you like
it or not, nature has been kind on us. You have a job and you excel in whatever
you do. Gone are those dark not-so-hopeful days. You are independent!’ I pulled
the curtains up for a sensible, initially heart wrenching, later heartwarming
show…
He interrupted, ‘Is this all life about? Given a choice and
looking at how this world is operating, how animals suffer in the hands of
unscrupulous humans, how underprivileged kids are deprived of basic education,
how most rural women endure life with their indifferent, born-to-drink husbands,
would you not wish the world to come to an end!?’ I could understand the depth
and pain in his words. Does that mean I could let him go off the hook? I have HOPE
I could change the world! Now that’s tall, isn’t it?
‘Dear brother, I have hope. You are looking at scores of people
who suffer. I am looking at people whose lives are enhanced, whose lives are
transformed from hopelessness to hope by people of generous hearts like you and
me. We are providing quality education to 5200 kids through Isha Vidhya initiative! Have you seen
the twinkle in their eyes? With good meals, quality education much better than
city schools, love and gratitude, those kids hope they could bring their
families out of the vicious poverty cycle! I want the world to exist for them.
India’s next generation is in their hands and am working for it.’
Looking at the audacity and authenticity with which I spoke,
he further rebuked ‘Oh Come on! How about other kids who don’t get it? I spoke
with a 7th grade government school girl asking her ‘what five
fives are (5x5=?)?’ for which she replied ‘anna, appadina?’ (Brother, what is
that?). I went on to offer her chips. She replied ‘anna, sips vendamna’. SIPS
and not chips?! How is she going to take on this bullying world, you eternal
optimist!’ [BTW, believe me, that’s the standard of government schools!]
He poked my heart with that question (I know these days
poking means fun!). But this one was too painful. I went on to instill hope in
him as always, successfully concealing my anguish and leaving him bewildered at
the immensity of my perception and vision… I told him ‘Today they may suffer. But
tomorrow, they WILL smile.’
I know I am not done!
I am running for a cause. I am running
to educate rural Tamilnadu. I am participating in Chennai marathon, running for
Isha Vidhya. I made a commitment, rather a promise that I would reach out to as
many people as possible.
Dear friend, I need your support. Of course, I didn’t make
this promise without you in my mind. Everyone has the willingness to help. But
the means, genuineness of the cause [does my hard-earned money really reach the
poor and the needy?] are deterrents. But here you know how your contribution is
being spent.
Isha Vidhya need monetary support to construct class rooms, toilets,
hire teachers, to provide food, school buses, book, uniforms, needless to say
for everything. When this initiative was started in Cuddalore in the Tsunami
affected regions, no family was willing to send their children to school. They
thought it was a farce that Isha Vidhya would provide education free of cost.
The children initially came without basic hygiene. Those committed teachers
there even brushed their teeth, combed their hair, provided them snacks out of
little money they had, before they went on with ‘A B C Ds’. Now in all 9 IV rural
matriculation schools, meals are being provided!
I make this promise – ‘Change is on the way, dear child. Don’t
lose hope’
Other ranting, if you think what will I get out of this –
Fulfilling experience
Savings
All I could say is ‘Good deed is contagious’…
Please click on this link
to donate or reach out to me @ abirami.raj@gmail.com
if you are interested. To know more or to become a part of this, please watch
this video
It may leave a small
hole in your pocket, but be rest assured it would fill your heart with love and
purpose!