Reimagining Charity: The Remarkable Story of Kalyanasundaram

I begin with a confession that I was not aware of the existence of this noble and great man, Kalyanasundaram honoured by US Govt.

Mr.Kalayanasundaram worked as a Librarian for 30 years. Every month in his 30 year experience(service), he donated his entire salary to help the needy. He worked as a server in a hotel to meet his needs. He donated even his pension amount of about ten lakh rupees to the needy.

He is the first person in the world to spend the entire earnings for a social cause. In recognition to his service, the American government honoured him with the ‘Man of the Millennium’ award. He received a sum of Rs 30 crores as part of this award which he distributed entirely for the needy as usual....

It is then that I feel abashed that the India Govt. has conferred 'Bharat Ratna' on Sachin Tendulkar, who seeks and gets exemption of customs duty on a 'Ferrari' which he got free, and who reportedly earns(or earned... dunno !! ) crores of rupees every year. Please duly note that I do have all the respect for the man Sachin is and what he has achieved on the field but just that I am clear where the balance is heavier.

Contrast this with a thought-provoking observation: India's own cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar received the 'Bharat Ratna,' our nation's highest civilian award. Yet, let's reflect on the fact that while Sachin seeks and enjoys privileges like exemption of customs duty on a 'Ferrari' which he got free; Kalyanasundaram quietly sacrificed every bit of his income for the betterment of others. This isn't to diminish Sachin's accomplishments, but to highlight the weight of such selfless contributions.

....Moved by his passion to help others (....and to add a little fun element, perhaps), Super Star Rajinikanth adopted him as his father. He still stays as a bachelor and dedicated his entire life for serving the society.

All our Politicians, Film stars, Business magnates, Cricketers, Press and we all Indians should be PROUD knowing that the American Government has honoured him although many Indians still don't know that such a personality exist amongst us.

Atleast, India if not the whole world  must know about this Great Good Samaritan.

Hat's off Kalayanasundaram... We Indians are extremely proud of you!

Sources:

1. Man of the Millennium
2. 73-year-old Tamil Nadu librarian donated Rs 30 crore to the uneducated poor
3. Simple living, high thinking ~ The Hindu

Free massage: Metro Rush Hour Chronicles - When Chaos Turns into Laughter

Metro Massage ! 

Com'mon...you are not getting a free body massage... this is neither an advertisement. Satisfied?! read on ...

For those who travel in metro, during peak morning hours, rush has a new meaning altogether.
With the introduction of punching system by the new Government, people are in a frenzy to reach their offices in time. Metro of course is the most common choice of transport.

So, these days metros are much more crowded. The main office hubs being at Noida City Centre, Rajiv Chowk and others, there is rush like never before. People get in from all stops leading upto these main hub-stations. Even if one or two passengers get out in between, 10 get in to compensate!! alas, balance is the way of life :P

Now usually there is commotion. People (both Gentlewomen as well Gentlemen) argue. The reason? Oh, damn serious- " He stepped of my feet, get me some room, please get inside,  why are you pushing me and what not"

So as usual I waited patiently for people to get in at Yamuna Bank station from where the entertainment usually starts. Myself taking as little space as possible and taking support of a pole, to avoid pushing or being pushed around.

But, today was different.
There were no fights, no petty arguments, even though people were squeezing in like bees in a honeycomb, or perhaps worse.
Just before the tipping point, a man compressed from all sides and with  hardly a leg on the floor exclaimed - "Wah Yaar, Har Roj Free Ka Body Massage Ho Jata Hai!!" ("Every day I get a free body massage").

(yeah!! Thats more like it !! :D)

And then there was laughter all around. All the tension waiting to be exploded got released. There was peace in the air. And, everyone calmly endured the struggle to get down at their respective stops. All carried the smile up to the ticket punching point  !!


LESSON: "Find humour in every situation to be better & to be in peace"

Short Poem: Sometimes Words Are Not Enough !!!

A short poem: Sometimes Words Are Not Enough !!!

How can sweetness be explained in words,
To one who has never tasted it before.

How can the vastness of the ocean be articulated,
if only a well is all that is seen.

How to use reason,
with one who is drowned in delusion.

How to find peace,
unless the fire of jealousy is to cool.

Our eyes will see only wonders
here and now,
Our minds will conceive only joy
here and now,
If only we could accept what is, as is
if only we could forgive...
If only we could love...

Sometimes words are not enough,
to make you feel that ''All is Well.''

Sometimes all it takes is time,
perhaps a touch, a smell, or sound.

Things I can't put them in words,
Hope you can listen through my heart.

Cricket as it is...... From then to Now 

- From the hearts of a spectator

From 60 over ODIs to a week long tests that never seemed to end, cricket is now available in 20-20 format capsules!
From legends like Don Bradman and every Indian fan's heartrob Sachin Tendulkar, cricket has now evolved to produce players who can hit 6 sixes in an over.

The game has changed today, not only in its formats but also in the technology involved.



 Gone are the days when one kept starring at the umpire in anticipation, waiting for his verdict and then debating about his judgement affecting the progress of the match. Today one heavily relies on Hawks Eye and the infamous Snicko, side lining the umpire.



Yes the entertainment levels have now  heightened in leaps and bounds. The cheer-girls are a delight, bringing even the non followers into the game!!


The revenue generated is immense especially in a country like India where parents buy their kids a bat and a ball teaching them to play cricket, the first outdoor game introduced to a child irrespective of their gender.

The folk-tales of India winning the 1983 world cup, the grandeur of 'The Wall', the Sharjah Cup... and others will forever remain a scintillating extravaganza.  

Today, in midst of all this glamour-cricket with all its glitter and rumours there seems as if some essential flavour is missing. And if I can rightly put it into words it would be - " Class "

                                         WHY TO GO WITHIN OURSELVES? 

What if I go inside? Will I loose awareness of the objects, universe, earth, people, plants...?

The objects go. But the goal is realised!

What are objects for?  What is the purpose that objects serve?

A generalised thinking might not help to answer the question.

So, take every object, right in front and around you right now and ask- "What is your purpose?"
The pen, you reading this, your computer, your new branded shoes... What is their purpose?

Take the computer for example. Gleaming in front of you right now. "What is your purpose?"

• It eases our many tasks. How?
• Helps to read, calculate, communicate, learn.... and others..."So what. Why is it important ?"
• I can do my work better also some things are just fun to do. "Then what? Why do it at all."

                                .

                                 .

                                   .

• Ultimately it is for the joy. I am attracted to happiness like bees to honey. I don't know why...but all things I do is to feel that happiness & peace- bliss

So the purpose of all objects and actions we do is to make us feel happy in some way or the other. 

So if I can go deep within me, all that remains is joy. Now, one needs no support(An object, like a television) to bring one happiness. All that remains is courage, peace and cheerfulness.

Bliss absolute.

Smile in the metro, smile like you know.
And, in your office, smile as you go.

Laugh, whistle and sing along the way,
take a minute and enjoy this play.

This beautiful act being unravelled now,
is yet another game that will endow...
inflating joy, if I play it right.
or with plight if I forget my might.

May my role in this grandiose dream
be filled with many joyful tales
with a piece of samba and some sail
set with friends in exalting rain.

The days are gay and bright
not by sun but by delight,
that I choose willingly to light.

May this voyage
be like those of Vikings
who chose to explore in full their likings
confident in life and unperturbed by goals
with courage, strength and full of hope,
yes indeed ! full of hope. 

This journey of life has no end !

Don't be stubborn that you will be happy only if you get 'that' or become 'that'.

You have the power to simply choose to be happy "Right NOW"now for No reason what so ever.
All things will materialize from this Happiness and not the other way round.

This is perhaps the biggest secret or perhaps not.

But it is a truth.

Every great quote that invigorates; Every person who inspires, who persevered and succeeded. Is a testimony that always being hopeful of good and being joyful today no matter what, is real power.

The question is... will I choose this freedom? ...and exercise this power every minute... Staring Now...

I believe how you project yourself to others and how they perceive you is primarily judged in short term by the clothes you wear.

Every one will agree that a well dressed person, with combed hair, looking clean and smelling good will definitely attract more people than others. Yes, a cheerfulness in demeanour will add to the seasoning.

It naturally attracts respect. It creates a sense of class and power.
You will yourself feel a positive vibe!

And this sums it up!

In the long run only ones character and quality of work pays, but for day to day engagements... looking good matters.
        It does not mean being obsessive about clothing and accessories. But just wear clean clothes, well ironed and that looks good on you. Also, be mindful about the occasion. Feel free to be funky in parties or informal gatherings but do have a gentleman's look in formal gatherings or if doubtful on what to wear.

The great South Indian saint-philosopher-reformer Shri Narayana Guru said that his main intention behind installing new temples was that people would take a bath and wear clean clothes for the sake of entering the temples. He said that one of the reasons behind untouchability still prevailing then and the widespread diseases was lack of cleanliness. Which was true to a great extent. He said that if people were clean, healthy and wore clean clothes then no one would dare to shoo away the so called 'untouchables' or disrespect them.
    He Succeeded !!

            PS: I have always seen that highly successful, well respected people whom I adore and who inspires me well dressed, looking good..... Have you seen otherwise ?!

LESSON: Don't Manipulate things. Be simple and straight forward. Notice and enjoy the peace it brings.

        An open dance camp was announced in the month of April. A boy who was really loved dance got to  know about this. However, his parents had already planned a vacation which overlapped with the programme. Now the boy really wanted to attend the camp so he tried to get around the bush and told his parents that he had some study works so he'll have to cancel the camp. Also he said that he no longer wanted the vacation as he did not like the destination. After much mental turmoil he made similar arguments. Some lies and some though true were said with an ulterior motive. All this thinking that his parents won't approve him attending the camp.

      Now hearing the dilemma of their son they cancelled their vacation. Later they heard that there was an open dance camp too. They readily agreed for the same and also joined it with their son.
They all had a great time. "Such a wonderful vacation!!" they all proclaimed in unison....

Many such incidents happen to us in our lives. We want to do something but proceed to accomplish by manipulation and hiding the real truth. Sometimes fearing disapproval and sometimes fearing embarrassment. We feel that others might not understand us and might discourage us. So, we say all lies and make up unrelated arguments. We even get arrogant just keep our guards on just in case we face any disapproval.

But, is the mental turmoil worth it?
In many if not all cases we get the needed approval and support if our intentions are pure & not harming.

If we are just more straight forward and true about our intentions then all would have be much joyful.
Lets not think what others might think or not and then not say or act to tailor our 'might be' fantasies.
Truth is the essence of life and frankness in words its beginning. Notice the peace it brings!

A person who does not stand up for something; falls for everything

I was recently working with an assignment that involved verification of documents for some registration purposes. The work had to be done meticulously there was to be little scope of error in it as we were playing with values nearing crores of INR. I'll spare the details. However its numbers soared high. When a large box of documents came I was taken aback. I wondered how I will complete the task and that too in time.

But then my colleague and senior simply started verifying the 'papers'. I helped with a sceptical mind. We worked for some hours everyday without burdening ourselves nor procrastinating.
Within three days we completed the first part of our task. This was just the beginning but now I am confident of success.

The problem was in mindset which was intimidated when encountered by an unknown. The mind it seems to always do so with tasks never done before but most importantly which have not even been started.

I was recently reading Richard Branson's Autobio- Loosing my Virginity. This business magnate started from a small students' magazine and later was playing with millions of dollars pursuing passions and beliefs without much support from 'people'. He always landed in success. There were no failures, only obstacles that were surmounted. Just his belief and passion caused him not to be intimidated.

LESSON: Do not be intimidated by situations, people or others... no matter what. There will always be a solution if we are ready to find it and act on it. 

LESSON: 'Witness' the events 'Today'

Now.. this is gonna be subtle...

I was watching the movie PK sometime back. It was funny how I laughed on the events that unravelled one by one in the movie; the romance, the satirical comedy and Amir Khan with that strange eyes wide open-never blinking was fun to watch. Although we relate to the main character-the hero of a movie or novel we enjoy even if they are made fun of or if they do something embarrassing.
I was wondering if each one of us can witness and have fun with the best character of this world-our well loved hero- "Myself"

When we do something funny and people around us laugh, why not laugh at this body & its actions along with others? I believe that the solution lies in witnessing  the incidents of our every day life.
Yes it is 'my' life, 'my' actions.... contrary to Amir Khan's life in the movie which is not even real. The movie will end, but think......so won't our life ?!

So witness the incidents that are happening now... your character is acting and be elevated with this awareness.

Let me summarize with two quotes one very famous and the other equally profound.....!

"All world's a stage and all men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his life plays many parts.."
--William Shakespeare

"....King! Tell me now. Is this lapse into sorrow a hereditary virtue? will it result in sin if you do not indulge in it in this occasion? Or do you hope recover your loss by such grief? King think well and tell me what you gain by sorrow..."
--Tripura Rahasya

I know a guy. Young and sportive. I usually travel with him and another friend my same age 24.
All of us were talking about things and suddenly I got to know that this guy was married... a shocker and that he has an eight year old kid ... double shocker !
Not because he was married but because he looked so young. I agree we have film stars who look young enough for their age like Salman Khan who is now nearing 50. But this guy is not a person who follows a fitness regime, hours in gym or eats low fat food with green tea. I was curious to know his secret. There was none.
 
    However on taking with him I had a glimpse into his mindset/attitude. He was person who had an aim of having fun. He used to simply leave home during his younger days to places like Goa with friends.
Not that he is not responsible but that he doesn't let strings to be attached to him.
 Long story short he has clear goals- very few and not ambitious as per standards of an educated urban person but clear.
I know of people with a similar worry-free attitude with lot of passion and love for things they like to do who look astonishingly younger than their age.



LESSON: Have an attitude to have fun in every endeavour that one undertakes. Have ambitions that clearly lead to holistic joy in the end. Take interest in the world around you.
If being extrovert & having gigantic goals like most people around you is not your nature so be it. Just keep moving forward... always keeping a cheerful mindset.

      AAP won the Delhi elections yesterday. It was a momentous one. A complete majority .....67/70.
Things were not their way when they won their elections with a meagre margin in 2014 and then resigned after 49 days. It invoked big criticisms. Some prominent figures of the party left and then joined the erstwhile rivals BJP. But not to blame them, PM Modi Ji did a good job when he became incumbent. He gave hope to the people of progress. He inspired youth with his slogans of 'Make in India'. His persona probably was the reason for BJP's victory in Maharashtra and Haryana.
 
                     Coming back to AAP, their chances of victory seemed slip. People who supported AAP with all their might now attacked them with the same vigor. However, the party itself did'nt succumb to any pressure. The gone members were replaced and campaigns were launched well before election dates were declared. Somehow it seemed they were oblivious of all attacks on them.
         
                  As the date of elections closed they also started making more and more promises to the public- free WiFi in Delhi, buttons on phones for women safety, reduced charges of electricity and others. Perhaps this is what gave them a totally unexpected victory.

      Now, as Subramanian Swamy said - "I am very interested to see how AAP is going to give free WiFi to whole Delhi, also they said they'll completely remove corruption...     I would like to see that in the municipal corporation, and if they can do that they'll have my vote"

LESSON: Simply persevere with smart work and pure intention and you will succeed.

             

Went kinda ... offline for a while.

But what goes comes back around (well... if its really meant to be).

I joined an office. My first. I had many apprehensions but now all have been settled at rest.

There is a great culture going around here, and it is worth mentioning. Celebrations are a big deal here. ''Small or large, the idea is to celebrate things to stay motivated'', says my desk neighbour.

        Also once every couple of months the company celebrates all the by gone birthdays. The CEO, HODs and General Managers attend this event. A large cake is cut. Haldiram snack boxes are distributed to the former birthday boys and girls. The birthday boys and girls have to do something to entertain the rest. Those confident enough sing, others can get away with a joke or can simply smile and enjoy the performance of others!

Finally a gift is given to the birthday boys and gals. All this is done at the company's expense !!

Now this is a practise worth remembering and duplicating. It creates a feeling of belongingness and oneness within the organization. One does looks forward to celebrate. Every one gets to live their birthday- a day when they feel extra special - twice !!

LESSON: Celebrate the smallest joys in life ! It gives one the skill to appreciate the good one already has leading to a more grateful and contented life. And it also motivates one to be, do, achieve better.

New things are often invented or done unexpectedly.
My starting this blog was unexpected too.
Though I wanted to start a blog I never expected that it would be so simple and so quick.
I just wanted to see how it works and bOOm... here I am writing my first post !