One Saturday morning I was sitting in my cubicle and staring at the LCD monitor blankly, but something serious was running through my mind. I was thinking about my childhood days, those school days, and then the college days. Everything seemed so perfect with my lovely parents, my sisters and brothers, my grandparents, my teachers, my friends around me. The school and the college I went were the best, the knowledge and the exposure I got was indeed good, even before completing college had a job in my hand so life had been smooth till now without any difficulties. Have I achieved something in life?? First I wanted to know from my parents, so called them up and asked this question to my mom and dad, they said yes but immediately added saying would be even better with an MBA. Now it was my turn to answer the question my self. I said no, because I did not find satisfaction in life some how. Now my mind hovering over the fact, what will give me inner satisfaction? An MBA degree, an MS degree or getting married. I did not know, was in search for the answer. One day I was returning back from office after having dinner with my friend. Two small kids (a small boy and girl) came to me for alms. As a child I have always seen my elders giving money in such situations. Even I have done it several times, but that day my heart refused to do it. For a while I stood, by the time the kids went back dejected, I went behind them and asked whether they will eat something or they wanted money. The kids happily said “didi bahut bhook lagi hai, khana hi dedo” I took those kids to the same restaurant where I had dinner that night, told the manager to pack biriyani for them. Now the girl interrupted me and said “didi mere maata pita bhi mere saath hai woh bhi bahut bhooke hai” I told the manager to pack 2 packets of biriyani, I paid the money and told the manager to give them the parcel promptly. The manager was kind enough to do the same. I could see the happiness on their face. I came out of the restaurant, I saw a couple in poor condition, I could make out that they were with those kids; I went up to them and told that the kids were in the restaurant. Then slowly started walking towards my house. Mean while my mind was pre occupied with the thought that the parents seemed to be healthy and fit, they could earn and feed the children, but they resorted to begging, that too making the kids beg. Kids of their age were going to school studying, playing and enjoying, but these kids were begging on roads. I was satisfied, atleast I was able to provide them one time food, but what will happen after that, tomorrow they are at somebody else’s mercy. This is a vicious circle. They will grow up; continue to do the same what their parents are doing now. They would never become responsible and independent. Now the question comes up, to become responsible and independent what do they need? Education, yes this is the weapon with which one can fight back in life. If the kids are given proper education, then they will become confident and will become self sufficient in life and a full stop can be put to this vicious circle. That incident opened my eyes. Only we learned people can make a difference by imparting education to such under privileged children. I wanted to do something for them. I tried to find out those kids the next day, but could not find them. But inside me there was a burning desire to teach such kids. Suddenly I felt that condition of the kids who have parents is this bad, what will happen to those who don’t have one. I could not even imagine such a thought. I have seen many people going to orphanages to distribute clothes, money, food etc to those young ones. Monetary help is important, but only that is not enough. What is important is to educate them, boost their morale, and interact with them as they are totally cut off from rest of the world. Making them realize that they are no less than the other kids. Such activity increases their confidence. While thinking and doing such works I totally got involved in it, finally found this is what I wanted to do. I don’t know who those kids were, I don’t even remember their faces, but those innocent faces have made me realize what I should do in life. This is just the beginning, miles to go before I sleep.
