A Portion of Thyself.......

Someone had said “The only gift is a portion of Thyself”.

Project Rainbow is the name of the initiative taken by HLL with the help of Doorstep school, an NGO working towards informal education of street and slum children.

Few workshops were planned to teach the kids some life enhancing skills like card making, lamp painting, paper lantern making and making paper bags. Just to help them earn a decent livelihood.

The initial response from volunteers was overwhelming. About 40 of them had confirmed their willingness to contribute to the cause in any way they can. Well, all we had to do was spend some time with these kids, to make them aware of a better way of living, about hygiene, about the country of their birth and its culture. Was it asking for too much??

Yes, it seems like it was very difficult to make time for someone in today’s fast paced life, especially when there is not much for you to gain. So only 5 of us reached the venue of the programme.

And friends, was I in for a surprise?!! You bet!! Though these children lack in formal education, they are rich with experiences that they have learnt from life at such a young age. They were a bunch of bright and enthusiastic kids, innocent and honest, eager to learn and absorb.

All the kids were given a kit consisting of card paper, gold and silver colour pens, stencils and crayons and were encouraged to use their creative skills to make a Diwali Greeting Card….M F Hussians in the making ;-) heh heh. It went off well except for one boy of six who was so fascinated with the glue stick that he went on cutting every piece of paper he could lay his hands on and sticking them on the card paper…..finally I took over and did his card for him ;-)

Each one of the kids had a dream, to reach somewhere. Some wanted to be Doctors, some Engineers, some Policemen and some Teachers and yet some wanted to be Actors. One cute little girl wanted to be Preity. Yes, Priety Zinta. I have no doubt that she can and she will be an Actress like Priety Zinta, maybe a better one. She has equally cute dimples, you see ;-)

The most important lesson I learnt that day was that these kids not only need monetary support but also love and acceptance of our society. Touch their cheek, ruffle their hair or just smile at them and see them glow with happiness.

So friends, lets try and contribute towards upliftment of these kids, the future of our country, in any way we can. But remember, the best gift would be “A PORTION OF YOURSELF”.

This poem I had read somewhere sums it up so beautifully.....

Today I smiled and all at once
Things didn't look so bad.
Today I shared with someone else,
A bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song
And felt my heart grow light,
And walked a happy little mile,
With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had
And longed for nothing more,
And what had seemed like only weeds,
Were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more
And complained a little less,
And in the giving of myself,
I forgot my weariness

My First Day!!

My first day of yoga class. Had to reach Marine Drive at 6.30am from Powai. Set the alarm for 4.30am. Had tried to go to bed early the previous night but couldn’t sleep till late night due to excitement…..

The alarm rang on schedule. Got up, had packed the stuff I need to carry at night itself so it was just about freshening up and leaving home. Left at 5am. It was still dark and not a soul in sight, atleast visible ones. Not even ubiquitous dogs. As I passed my neighbouring apartment block, the memories of those who had committed suicide came to my mind. I started walking faster, saying silent prayers. The dry leaves making crunching noise under my shoes.

Reached the main road. No street lights near IIT campus. Only headlights flashing by passing vehicles. Almost got hit by a passing truck (maybe the driver was sleepy or drunk). Walked some, saw live people, milkwalas. It was still dark.

Reached the bus stop. No red buses for a long time. A lone rickshaw waiting for passenger near IIT Gate. Took the rick even though the driver was wearing white clothes (like ghosts!!). Ah!! Railway station in sight finally. Fortunately the train came in few minutes, yet again hardly any people….what’s wrong with Bombay??!! I had expected atleast the train to be full, not brimming with people but a decent enough crowd!!! Tried to doze off till Dadar, but couldn’t. Few more women got in at Kurla. One of them was ready to have an argument with anyone at slightest pretext. She wanted the fan switched on, and she did. Then she looked expectantly towards me for atleast a whimper of protest. I closed my eyes and pretended to doze off.

Took a slow train from Dadar to Charni Road. Yipppeeee!!! Reached class on time. Selected a good place for myself under a tree, yes the sessions will be held in open space, under grey blue sky and cool breeze blowing from the sea.

Looking forward to more such sessions!!!!

The most touching moments of my life......

When my mom had to carry me to the doctor (next block from our building) since I couldn’t walk due to acute stomachache. I was eleven years old and taller than her. She was half carrying me, half dragging me with her but she didn’t give up until I got medical attention....

When I saw my grandfather suddenly appearing at our college gate one rainy morning with an umbrella for me and a raincoat for my brother. He had walked all the way from home to our college (about 25 mins) in heavy rain to ensure that we reached back home safe and dry....

When I had to stay back a little longer than usual at my part time job one evening and didn’t inform home about being late. My brother and father walking the road from my home to workplace, looking for me. My mother and sisters at home, praying for my safety....

When my elder sister, who hates being hugged, hugged me close to her all night to keep me warm in freezing Himalayan mountains when I thought I was going to die of cold....

When my Prince Charming called me from a far off country on hearing that I hadn’t got admission to the course I was looking forward to since long. To share my sadness and to cheer me up....

When I felt lost and lonely just before a Talent Contest and my friend Nisha offered to help with my costume and makeup, even without me asking her.....