Service through service...
Aadarsh Amdavad is an NGO started by Bharat Uncle under Gandhian influences, and the goal is to make an "Aadarsh Amdavad"-- an ideal city. Very lofty goals, indeed. =) We've been learning a lot about this organization as we are staying at Bharat Uncle's house.
The basics are this... they have 100-130 different projects/activities in mind that would lead Amdavad to becoming "Aadarsh Amdavad". They have got a few of these off the ground already, including acupressure, computer classes for housewives and senior citizens, English classes for those looking for a job, literacy work at schools, and their biggest activity so far -- Yoga. The idea is to provide these free services with all the teachers being volunteers, and all the locations being acquired by Trusts and citizens volunteering their private property. Their is very minimal monetary transacton.
Bharat Uncle says that for their 100 projects, they need 100,000 volunteers in Amdavad. I asked him how does he think that this is possible? He gave his characteristic smile and laugh, and said, "Of course this is possible... there is no doubt." He said, 'imagine a woman has two children and luggage and is trying to board a train. You are also going to board this same train. First, though, you see her and hold her luggage for her, and help her board the train. Won't that have an effect on her, on her heart, on her soul? If she finds herself in a similar situation, wouldn't she then feel like helping another person? She may share this stories with others, as well, right?'
This brought a smile to face as I remembered just a week ago, when
we were on our plane to Mumbai. There was a lady with her baby, and luggage.... naturally, we helped her out on the flight... held her baby, played with her baby (on the right.. I apologize that it's sideways), helped get her luggage from baggage claim, etc. Hearing Bharat Uncle narrate this anecdote, and remembering how our trip started.. I knew it was a good omen.
It's incredible that an entire NGO, and a vision is based on the simple human reaction of being loved and served, and then wanting to love and serve others.
The basics are this... they have 100-130 different projects/activities in mind that would lead Amdavad to becoming "Aadarsh Amdavad". They have got a few of these off the ground already, including acupressure, computer classes for housewives and senior citizens, English classes for those looking for a job, literacy work at schools, and their biggest activity so far -- Yoga. The idea is to provide these free services with all the teachers being volunteers, and all the locations being acquired by Trusts and citizens volunteering their private property. Their is very minimal monetary transacton.
Bharat Uncle says that for their 100 projects, they need 100,000 volunteers in Amdavad. I asked him how does he think that this is possible? He gave his characteristic smile and laugh, and said, "Of course this is possible... there is no doubt." He said, 'imagine a woman has two children and luggage and is trying to board a train. You are also going to board this same train. First, though, you see her and hold her luggage for her, and help her board the train. Won't that have an effect on her, on her heart, on her soul? If she finds herself in a similar situation, wouldn't she then feel like helping another person? She may share this stories with others, as well, right?'
This brought a smile to face as I remembered just a week ago, when
we were on our plane to Mumbai. There was a lady with her baby, and luggage.... naturally, we helped her out on the flight... held her baby, played with her baby (on the right.. I apologize that it's sideways), helped get her luggage from baggage claim, etc. Hearing Bharat Uncle narrate this anecdote, and remembering how our trip started.. I knew it was a good omen.It's incredible that an entire NGO, and a vision is based on the simple human reaction of being loved and served, and then wanting to love and serve others.
posted by Raj Kanani | 11:57 PM
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