Four Incidents That Changed My Life!

Everyone has those key moments in their lives which change them for the better. These incidents have had a profound impact on me and it has taken me a while to come to terms with some of them. Here is how this naari-tive of mine goes:

1.    Children touching the ground before entering school.

Often, we take the things we have for granted, assuming they are basic necessities that we inherently deserve. It is easy to overlook our privileges and the struggles of others, especially when we have never experienced them ourselves. Less do we realize that what is a necessity to us is a luxury to thousands of people out there who are not as privileged as us.

Teaching for CRY at a government school was an eye-opening experience for me. One evening, as I was observing the children, I noticed a group of them touching the ground before entering the school, as one would do before entering a temple. This seemingly small act of reverence left a profound impact on me.

It made me reflect on how much we take for granted, and how different our experiences can be based on our circumstances. For these children, education was not just a means of gaining knowledge, but a precious opportunity to change their lives. It taught me the importance of valuing and appreciating the opportunities we are given, and to strive towards creating a more equitable society.

This exact moment, Sevam was born in my head. I knew I had to do it for these people who needed me. And till date, this incident keeps inspiring me when I feel low.

2.    A girl who gave up her job solely to stand by her morals; and her abba happily agreed!

The story of a girl who left her job in Assam despite having a family of seven to feed, is one of immense courage and determination. I met her when I was working as an HR. while she sat right opposite to me, she had a smile while she narrated her story to me.

She worked at a company that involved scamming people, something that went against her morals. Though it was a difficult decision, she eventually decided to leave the job and her hometown, in search of a better, more dignified life. She had moved to Gurgaon to look for a job that did not require to kill her self-respect every day. It was a bold step.

Moving to Delhi was not an easy transition for her. She faced numerous challenges, from finding a job to managing the expenses of her large family. But she persevered, taking on odd jobs to make ends meet. Her struggles, however, did not go unnoticed.

We offered her the job because we knew her story was a testament to the human spirit and the power of integrity.

3.    Reading the Shree Bhagavad Gita; and its pretty cool

The impact that reading the Shree Bhagavad Gita had on me was immeasurable. It helped me develop a deeper understanding of the world around me. It helped me appreciate the importance of duty, morality, and devotion in our lives.

One of the most significant lessons I learned from the Bhagavad Gita was the concept of detachment. It emphasized the importance of performing our duties without attachment to the outcome. This teaching resonated with me, as it motivated me to work towards my goals without the pressure of any sort of result. The Bhagavad Gita helped me realize that the process of performing one's duties with sincerity and dedication is more important than the result itself.

Furthermore, the text helped me appreciate the importance of balance in life. It taught me that one must strive for equilibrium in all aspects of life, including work, family, and personal growth. Reading the Bhagavad Gita had a significant impact on my outlook towards life, and it has helped me find meaning and purpose in my daily activities.

sukha-duḥkhe same kṛitvā lābhālābhau jayājayau

tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṁ pāpam avāpsyasi

Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin.

(Chapter 2, Verse 38)

We will try to talk more about The Gita in the following editions of this newsletter because absolutely in no way can I explain its vast knowledge in one paragraph.

4.    This one I am particularly ashamed of

We had a standing steam press and while the maid was cleaning, the pipe fell on the ground with a thud! My instant thoughts were: Did it break? Can she not clean with care? After all it was an 8K worth product, my concern was legitimate.

Then she spoke with a smile, ‘back gaye didi’ (got saved)

Obviously I thought she was talking about the device. And that made me angrier.

She then continued, ‘sir pe gir jane se’ (from it falling on the head)

At that moment, I felt an intense wave of shame wash over me.

And I was instantly regretful for thinking about the materialistic thing before her. It made me question my own thought process. And that changed me. It made me more humble and empathetic! 

Now here's the news bulletin for you all!

I am incredibly grateful for the love, support, and encouragement that I have received from everyone. It's hard to believe that in just six months, this newsletter has reached 10,000 readers - a dream come true! Your engagement and interest mean the world to me, and I appreciate every single one of you who takes the time to read and engage with my experiences. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sevam Foundation has been my life long dream. It is finally enabling me to create an impact that is not short lived but is long enough to actually help someone grow! And I couldn't have done it without the support of everyone who came forward to help and conduct these drives with me. We, together, have created an impact. We have shaken the equilibrium and it has started to show! Thank you everyone for coming forward and making it a reality.

If you like reading about my experiences, please subscribe and stay tuned!