Its been a while since I have updated the blog & there has been pressure on me to write something. A lot has been happening around me, lots to write about. First there was the General Elections which I was following for some time now. The IPL (Annual Gambling event where cricket is sold by people who are already exceedingly rich) was something which got my attention once I visited my folks (I don’t have a television at home). Friends were getting married, a lot was happening. Work was pretty much the same though, yeah there was more work but the pay was pretty much the same. All thanks to the guy who discovered recession.
But this entry is not about any of these. Instead it’s about a place I visited recently. It was named “Sevika Samajam” & was 12kms away from my home. The place was a shelter for all those who were not bound by relations. They were the free birds of our world; the ones who came into the world to either live alone or were deserted by their loved ones. The shelter was home to more than 40kids & 20 elderly. The main building of the “Samajam” also provided lodging for the kids. The elderly had a building of their own, which was a 10mins hike up a small hill. The whole campus was atop a small hill & had a clothe mill, a bakery, a printing press and a library. The kids were from the age group of 2 ~ 17years old.
We reached the place around noon & upon arrival we were greeted by the caretaker of the Samajam whom the kids loving called “valyammayyi” (big aunt). We were seated in the building adjacent to the main Samajam building. After awhile we were taken to the dining hall where all the kids had assembled for lunch. We served them food & later joined them for lunch. They didn’t forget to thank the almighty for the food before starting lunch. As we sat & had lunch, I noticed the happiness in their faces. Something was different about their happiness, something I never felt. Three meals a day was not something which ever got me excited. In fact it was something we had taken for granted & these days skip to keep "fit".
After lunch we headed towards the building where the elderly were staying. 2 kids guided us up the hill towards the "old age home" block. The welcome we got once we reached the block was beyond words. We met the more than 20 residents of the old age home who greeted us as if we were their long lost kids. I was surprised by the energy they showed even at this age while they were showing us around the place or talking to us about their health & daily activities. We sat & spoke with all of them for quite a while. It didn’t feel any different from a family reunion.
The whole trip made me realize a few things & those were some good lessons learnt. It was really an eye opener when I watched, how the small things which we take for granted every single day, can be like a huge gift for those who are not as lucky. More importantly I realized how even small gestures like spending some time to show care, can mean so much, that it would make even a stranger feel like one of your own. I don’t know when I would be able to visit the "Samajam" again, but I know for sure, that this is one memory I would cherish lifelong.
