Sharing is caring, caring is loving and loving is living
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is celebrated in our college ever since its inception as a day to dedicate ourselves for the betterment of our unfortunate brethren. Voluntary donations are collected by students and charity is organised for the underprivileged, the leper colony or the old age home. It is an endeavour to teach students to show charity towards all beings. The students visit inmates, note down their requirements, arrange the essentials and undertake proper distribution. They forge a bond of affection during subsequent follow-up visits.
The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the absence of students on campus this year meant a low-key affair. On top of it, the caretaker of the old age home politely declined any offer of help. I was left perplexed so he led me to the storeroom. All sorts of blankets, shawls and woollens were piled up neatly, almost touching the roof. The pantry was packed with grains, grocery, vegetables, fruits and what not. The register too was full of bookings of kind people desirous of offering meals on auspicious days such as birthdays and anniversaries. He said that people made donations, took receipts and returned home elated at having performed charity and salvaged their souls. With folded hands, he declined any form of donation.
With a crestfallen face and dejected heart, I returned to college and shared my predicament with principal Ujjwal Sharma. She lifted my spirits in a jiffy. “Let’s do something different, something no one does. Let’s share love and affection. Inform the caretaker that we will come not to give anything but to receive blessings of the inmates, learn from their experiences and spend time with them.”
The offer was instantly accepted. Next, she suggested making panjiri, the winter staple delicacy. Best quality ingredients were purchased and the panjiri was prepared personally. She suggested students stitch carry bags out of old bedsheets, using creative ideas. With love and care, individual packets were made by the enthusiastic students.
With a smile on our lips and hearts brimming with love, all of us trooped into the old age home on the cold, foggy morning. Chairs were arranged in the courtyard, the table laid out and as is the practice, the caretaker rang the bell. The principal immediately forbade him and asked each one of us to visit the inmates and invite them personally. We were to knock at the door, seek permission, wish them respectfully and request them to come. Slowly the inmates came out, well attired and smiling; assisted by the students.
Many an anecdote and life lesson were shared and abundant blessings showered; a rare bonhomie of youth and age. The young all set to savour the vibrancy of life and the old having lived through the vagaries of life. It was an amalgamation of the harsh reality of life and the joy of sharing and caring.
The sun shone bright and the fog disappeared.
PEOPLE MADE DONATIONS, TOOK RECEIPTS AND RETURNED HOME ELATED AT HAVING PERFORMED CHARITY AND SALVAGED THEIR SOULS. WITH FOLDED HANDS, HE DECLINED ANY FORM OF DONATION.