GIVING — LESSONS FROM LIFE

(1) His name is Dhairya, age about 7 months. I have not even seen him. But he is in my list of Gurus! His mother is a C.A. One morning she called me, and conveyed that they are opening a bank account for Dhairya; and that the first cheque to be issued from his account will be for charity! Dhairya has taught me that one is never too young to start giving! I learnt that one can start giving at any age. The mother also taught me how children should be given sansakaras.

(2) Her name is Naseema Hurzuk. They fondly call her Naseemadidi. She became a paraplegic when she was barely 17. She must be 61 years old now. In spite of the terrible tragedy, she courageously built up her own strength and decided to help other handicapped persons. Her organisation is called ‘Helpers of the Handicapped’. She has by now helped over 8000 persons. Her autobiography ‘NASEEMA — THE INCREDIBLE STORY’ brings tears in one’s eyes. What touched me most is that even when she was in that dire state, she started donating blood! I learnt from Naseemadidi, that one’s handicap is no handicap in helping others. One only needs courage and, of course, the grace of God.

(3) His name was Behramjibhai Irani. He died several years ago. A middle-aged Irani musician, who played mandolin in film orchestras. I walked into his house on 2nd floor in an old building at Grant Road uninvited. I wanted to learn to play mandolin from him. He was making his living by playing in film orchestras, and earning only 30/40 rupees per day as and when he was called to play. I went to him for a few years, but anytime I asked him for his fees, the answer was “Go out of the house and down the stairs! I am not teaching people for making money.” What was extraordinary about Behramjibhai was — he was totally blind. Here was a blind musician, making a living by playing in orchestras, but teaching me a young man from well-to-do family and several other students free of charge and refusing any fees.

I learnt from Behramjibhai that even a blind person can make you ‘see’ and give you a vision of life.

(4) His name is Pandubhai Maganbhai Mahala. He is an adivasi. He lives in a small village located far away in Dharampur, a backward area on Gujarat-Maharashtra border — on the bank of a river. A few persons from Sarvoday Parivar Mandal were dreaming of putting up a school there. The question was of getting resources for buying land. Pandubhai — a poor adivasi very graciously gave away his land! Despite being poor, giving came effortlessly to him! I learnt from Pandubhai that one need not have lot of money in order to give. One only needs richness of the heart.

I cannot help recalling an article called ‘Madhuri and Pushpa’ about two girls seven years of age. It is my favourite one, because it is written by Mahatma Gandhi, ‘The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi’ (Vol. 23 : 6 April 1921-July, 1921 pp.330-333) and also because Madhuri in this episode is my mother. It is a great example of how during our freedom struggle even children contributed wholeheartedly. This is also a reminder to the present generation as to how millions of selfless sacrifices of young and old, rich and poor, were given in the fight for our independence. Readers can view the article on:

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth . . . .”