A picture is worth thousand words. And when you extend this, a movie clip is 1000x(frames per second in the clip)x(total length of clip in seconds) words :P
So see this video clip here because it says what I want to say much more beautifully.
Today in the afternoon, the sweeper of my hostel wing came to my room. He said something in a low voice which I could not hear. When I asked him again, he repeated. He said he wanted Rs. 50 and said that he would return it by 12th. And all the while, he was too unsure and diffident. He works here and I know that this guy is a simple man. So, I did give him the money.
And then I thought about what is the value of 50 rupees for me. It is what I spend on my single visit to the canteen when I don't want to eat in the hostel mess. Just to think of it, this small an amount for me could be so much consequential in some other person's life is a bit discomforting. I wondered what important need could he have had for which he had to borrow the money and which could be fulfilled in 50 rupees. But then I didn't think too much into it for things which we take for granted may mean a world to some other person.
To tell you all the truth, when I gave him the money, I felt that I didn't want it back. I am no philanthropist and he might not be that needy but still I had this feeling. I have bargained with a riksha wallah or a sabji wallah for 5-10 rupees. But I just didn't want a person to be occupied with this thing in his mind that he has to return back 50 rupees to someone. I don't know whether some other person can relate to this feeling but this is what I felt.
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4 comments:
I would have said "Nice one Kala" but that would undermine the message that you want to give. Seriously, I think those of us who went out for jobs this year can relate to this experience in a very different way.
You might remember that during the last semester I had developed a habit of picking up one pineapple juice every time I went to canteen and every time I would think I am spending too much. Now, I don't think twice about buying the same juice but I do think twice before buying a novel which earlier I wouldn't even think about. People are always the same. Their perceptions differ.
Did u see the comments on that video ? Some people were saying that the prosperous people should spend more(though donation is still better) as it wud result in more money flowing in the market.
So spend more.. Drink more real.. Buy more novels :P..
But the best thing wud be to donate whatever u spend on these things to needy :)
May be sometimes you need to know how and where you spend .. probably the rationality would differ for different people but spending needs some valued intention...
A donation with the motive of pomp and show is merely a facade...
Not expanding much your deed and intention reflected you as a good human being..
nice post...
Thanks for the appreaciation..
Yes, such a donation is a facade.. But it is still a donation.. And thats what counts..
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