Lending a helping hand knows no border

In the marathon of life where many want to reach the pinnacle first, we just don’t like to stop and cherish little acts of humanity, which are otherwise a source of eternal happiness and help us become better human beings. One is remembered for good deeds and there is no better deed than selfless service for humanitarian causes. The examples of Mother Teresa, Bhagat Puran Singh and Baba Amte are before us.

Humanity transcends barriers of religion, caste, race, colour and land. These barriers have been created by humans as the following anecdote shows.

During our trip to Turkey, we went by bus from Istanbul to Edirne, a business hub and a historical town bordering Bulgaria. The hotel we booked was said to be at a walking distance from the bus stand so we did not hire a taxi. Few locals spoke English, making it difficult for us to locate the hotel. Fortunately, we met a man who spoke English. He was headed for the bus stand with his wife and young children. He spoke to his wife in his native tongue, seated the family on a roadside bench and led us to the hotel.

“I don’t know the exact location but have a faint idea. Come with me, it shouldn’t take long,” he said.

By now we understood he was walking the extra mile to help us. “Thank you for your help, but we’ll manage. Your wife and children are alone. We are overwhelmed by your spirit of service,” my father said.

“It’s my duty. Please don’t worry about my family. Nothing will happen, it’s a safe place. Moreover, we are on leisure trip today being Friday,” he replied. After 15 minutes, we saw the board, Hotel Lemon, and with big smile thanked him profusely for the trouble he had taken.

During the time we were together, we tried to get to know about each other. He was from Bulgaria and working as a doctor at Edirne. We were convinced that humanity is all pervasive as is the air we breathe. The best thing is that most humanitarian acts don’t call for spending money. Caring and helping others, whenever and wherever possible, by being ready to forgo personal interest for a while and having a mindset that God has given us enough to share with others, is all that one requires to be humanitarian.

But the feeling that we as part of any particular religion, race, caste, state or country are more humane than others can be an obstacle on this noble path. The right attitude is to tread the path with humility and gratitude for an opportunity to help others.

CARING AND HELPING OTHERS BY RISING ABOVE PERSONAL INTEREST IS ALL THAT’S NEEDED TO BE A HUMANITARIAN