A Stranger With A Cause

It was late in the evening around 8:30 when the entrance gate sounded us about an visitor. A visitor who as stranger. And the first thing he said was, "I am not a salesman, don't worry."

He introduced himself as Siddesh Rane, a volunteer for CRY and an engineering graduate. No he did not work for CRY though he did work with CRY. He and a few of his friends had taken it upon themselves to carry out fund raising activities for CRY's project on protecting and educating the girl child by going door to door. Their reason instead of wasting time on weekends, let's do something fruitful. Moved by the cause they go around visiting one house after another in order create awareness and raise funds. The experience has been good, bad and ugly too. But that has not deterred him or his friends from going about doing their volunteer act on weekends.

In course of our conversation he said "Sir, its your choice to donate or not to donate and what amount to donate. I am not here to force you. My work is to create awareness and raise the funds. Nothing in cash or kind but cheque drawn in favour of CRY and you can claim the income tax benefit too."

At this point I felt bad for still meeting him at the gate and not inviting him in, which I eventually did but he declined for he had to cover more homes too.

I was impressed with his willingness to contribute for a cause at the expense of his personal time which he could have spent with his hanging out with his friends or enjoying himself.

I am writing this to acknowledge the contribution of thousands others like Siddesh who are not just motivated by the cause but also act on it to bring the change. As Gandhiji said " We must be the change we wish to bring about in this world" ... Here was one live example right in front of me....Bravo!! All the best!! and more importantly THANKS for making a difference.

Comments

Day 9 - The Power of Understanding

The words “I understand” hold immense power. In the TV show Two and a Half Men , Charlie Harper often uses this phrase, sometimes with humorous intent. But beyond the humor, these two simple words—"I understand"—carry a depth and magic that is often overlooked. Understanding is the first step toward empathy. It reflects a willingness to connect with another person's experience, their emotions, and their perspective. Yet, to truly understand, we must pause and reflect on what we mean when we say it. Do we really understand what the other person is going through? Are we merely acknowledging their words, or are we trying to feel what they feel? True understanding isn’t about sympathy or offering solutions. It’s about resonance. Do we truly feel the depth of someone’s anxiety or pain, or are we simply familiar with the emotion? Does understanding require us to have lived through similar circumstances, or is it possible to grasp the weight of another’s experience even...

Day 27 - Finding Forrester - A Movie About Finding Yourself And Rediscovering Yourself

The movie Finding Forrester is more than just a story about writing; it’s a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unexpected mentorship. It beautifully captures the intertwined paths of two protagonists, Jamal Wallace, a young, talented writer, and William Forrester, a reclusive Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Through their unlikely friendship, the film unearths what it truly means to "find yourself" and, for Forrester, to rediscover a part of himself he had long buried. At its core, Finding Forrester tells us something profound: that finding oneself is rarely a straightforward process. Rather, it’s a series of revelations, challenges, and moments of courage. For Jamal, a young man from the Bronx, finding himself means stepping into his own power, believing in his talent, and confronting stereotypes. Forrester, meanwhile, has lived a life hidden away from the world, fearing vulnerability after a traumatic loss. As he mentors Jamal, he is forced to confront ...

Day 23 - A Bucket List Is Not A Wait List

Many people craft a bucket list full of dreams, places to visit, skills to learn, and experiences to savor. Yet, more often than not, they tuck it away like an old book, waiting for the mythical “right time.” But why wait a lifetime to live the life you dream of? The truth is, a bucket list should not be a wait list—it is an invitation to embrace life's opportunities, big and small, starting now. The longer we wait to check items off our list, the more distant those aspirations become, morphing into fantasies rather than goals. Life is too short and too precious to wait indefinitely for the "perfect moment." So, how can we turn that list of dreams into reality? Here are some reflections on why now is the time to act, and some ways to start ticking off those bucket list items without delay. Start Small but Start Now The first misconception is that fulfilling a bucket list requires monumental leaps or huge financial investments. While some aspirations may indeed...

Connecting with thoughts - My thoughts and Me

Search This Blog