Charity, by definition means the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need. It is one of the most rewarding experiences for the person giving it, as it not only makes the person donating feel good, but also gives a larger meaning to the persons life. But, usually the amount we donate is what we are comfortable giving away, without being financially stressed, and enough for us to get over our guilt for not doing charity. But, then the question that comes up is, are we doing enough to make a difference? I think it does, but not completely. But, there are ways in which you can make a difference, beyond money. Let me share with you three experiences in my life until now that make me believe that there is more you can do to make a difference.
Long ago while I 
was still studying in school, I would regularly accompany my father to an old age home managed by Mother Teresa’s “Missionaries of Charity” in Delhi. On one such visit, to deliver our family’s annual donation of woollen blankets, on a Sunday afternoon, my father and I saw a Mercedes car (not so common in those days) being parked outside the compound and a very unassuming gentleman stepping out and walking in to the building. I could not help but observe, the otherwise sad and gloomy eyes of the inmates’, suddenly sparkle with divine joy. We could not understand why. A sister, who was a part of the team managing the facility, told us that this gentleman would come every Sunday to offer shave for the inmates. I continued to observe very closely as he shaved and went from one person to another. I soon understood the reason of this happiness. Those few minutes he would spend with the inmates – shaving them, gave them both an opportunity to converse.
That’s when I realised that, for these old people, the importance of having someone to talk to and share a few moments of kind words was more important than anything else. This is one gesture that has left an impact in my mind ever since. This is why, probably, I am able to sit and chat with people of all ages, including old people.
The second institution that I remember visiting is a place called Pingalwara in Amritsar, Punjab. Pingalwara was started by a gentleman whose original name was Ramji Das, who later came to be known as Bhagat Puran Singh. His charity started in 1934 when he found an uncared crippled child at a railway station. Bhagat ji took this child home, gave him a bath, gave him food to eat, named him “Pyara” and then continued to take care of him as a parent would. Baghat ji was moved to India and continued his acts of goodness and soon his home was filled with abandoned old people, destitute women and orphan children.
His life was influenced by the two philosophies of Sikhism – “Sarbat da bhala” – meaning welfare for all and “Deen Dukhian di sewa” – meaning service to the needy. When I visited Pingalwara about three times. Bhagat Puran Singh Ji and Pyara (the first inmate) are both no more, but the ideology and vision is being carried on still. One things that moved me when I was there last was the sense of belongingness to the institution, how the destitute women got a meaning by taking care of the orphan children. I am no sure if things have changed but it was beautiful support system that I saw there during my visit. Also, clearly noticeable was Bhagat ji’s courage to give up everything and living a life of a higher purpose, something most of us only talk of. Giving love and working with your hands, taking care of even lepers, is not for the faint hearted.
Third incident is of the most recent visits of an institution called AADI – Action for Ability Development and Inclusion, an institution at Hauz Khas. I got my first opportunity to visit them as a part of a drumming troupe called ODC of which I am a part of and we were invited to perform for these specially abled children on the annual day. The emotion in the eyes of these children while performances were on and their keenness to participate and dance with you in their own manner was beyond words. One could see their eagerness to be included being such a loving expression. You could see in their eyes and converse without words. It was the love of the people around including their teachers, their caregivers, their parents and their peers that was guiding them through life.
The above three opportunities in my life have led me believe the following two (2) things:
- Charity goes beyond money and must include sharing love and time – the things that money cannot buy. Money is definitely important for the sustenance of these institutions and helping them provide the basics, but there is a visible lack of non-tangible yet important things like love and time.
- We must do charity enough to make a difference and not enough to make you get over your guilt of not contributing. If not money, consider doing stuff beyond money that could make a real difference to lives of not so fortunate ones. Mother Teresa used to say, “ Charity and love are the same – charity you give love, so don’t just give money, but reach out your hand instead”.
People are doing their bit in various small ways. Whether it is teaching poor children, providing food to the poor, taking care of the health of those who have no access or can’t afford, taking care of those who are abandoned by their so called loved cones, skill development to help people have sustainable livelihood etc. Many of them are not financially rich, but are able to utilise their knowledge and time to give what most of us cannot.
