This story goes back to when I was 8. It starts at a juice corner and continues in the mind of the protagonist till the time she lives, giving her pleasure throughout, whenever she is reminded of the act. Who is the protagonist? Well, there are three, and one of them is me, my brother and a rag-picking girl. And to be precise, as I am the storyteller, I am the main protagonist (not really, hahaha).
One day, we come back from our school in the scorching heat. Following the ritual, we stop at the juice circle and order two glasses of ice-cold banana shake. As it slushes down our throats, giving us the required energy; we pay and prepare to leave.
Amidst all this, a small girl with ruffled hair, face covered with some dust — the dust being the mark of her work — carrying a bag on her left shoulder stood in front of us with needy eyes. Looking at the remaining ₹20 in our hand, we discuss whether we should give money to her, and upon discussion, we decide it would be fair to share the money with her. Therefore, we gave her the money and prepared to leave. Upon receiving the money, we spot a faint smile on the girl’s face which gave us a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction that we had never experienced.
Looking back at this story, I see there has been a significant change in my life. It was an act committed in childhood, but its result and reaction has still stayed with me and will stay forever. It has taught me to be kinder and be satisfied and thankful with whatever I have. This has motivated me to share more and create and add my bit in creating change in society.
It makes me understand how everyone can make a difference by a small act of kindness and make us feel connected to each other. It is here to tell us how I can use my privilege in the sense that I got the best education, have choices to make, food on my platter and a roof under my head; things that many don’t have. I can use this privilege to make life better for the ones who are underprivileged.
Many in our country are deprived of even the necessities: food, shelter, education, healthcare and sanitation facilities. They have to struggle daily to get one square meal. They live in houses that have holes and cracks on the roof. We daily see these people around us in the form the ones who pick garbage from door to door, security guards, labourers, etc.
This story is here to tell you how sharing creates changes in ourselves and the community for the better. It helps us to see beyond our own materialistic needs and look into the hardship of the unfortunate ones who have to struggle for one square meal. Sharing motivates us to help the community and people, which ultimately helps us back, making us kind and happy, filling us with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.
It could be as simple as planting a tree and taking care of it, seeing it grow; teaching or tutoring your maid’s children or brother or sister; feeding the street dog, etc.
Recently we could see the challenges posed by Covid-19. It had individuals and NGOs on their toes to help people to come out or the least lessen the suffering of people. They went out of their way and distributed food, sanitising products, masks and essential products to the needy. They create awareness about how to take care of one in these challenging times, specifically focusing on the elderly and people who have a mental illness.
Social Activism is one key that can lead to social and political transformation. We see thousands of stories shared which are working towards the betterment of the society without any selfish endeavours. It can create a “revolution” in the current paradigm and it is doing so.
There are many individuals and NGOs who are leading examples of social activism. They are working tirelessly to help the needy and marginalised sections of society. Day in and out, we see stories of people who are out there to help people in situations like disasters, domestic violence, sanitation, sex work, education and healthcare. They face many hardships and obstacles like a financial crunch, social backlash and many more, but they are still determined to help people and make life better.
We are living in times where we need this kindness, where all the hardships are becoming unbearable. But this kindness is like the light visible at the end of the tunnel that brings a smile to the hopeful and removes the tyranny of the times.