It’s been quite long that I have been associated with YATN, and the
frequent questions I face are- “Why do you do whatever you do? And how do you
know you are benefiting them?” I have some answers for the second question, but
here, I’d really like to talk about the first one! That’s because I found new
answers while discussing with friends.
When people asked me earlier, I used to tell them that I don’t
know why ‘they’ should get involved with such issues, but the reason I get involved
is subjective and personal. I don’t feel I am doing any kind of service for the
society. I do it because the people living there are my friends. I know them
personally and quite well. I know their problems and can relate to it. I meet
them more frequently than I meet my parents! And so, whatever I do, I do for my
friends. Won’t you do just anything if you find your friends in need? I agree
our relationship might not really be balanced. But so what? We can still be
friends. And no doubt, I have learnt a lot from them over the years.
It so happened that we were pondering upon this very point –
Is this kind of work anyone’s responsibility. And here are some new viewpoints.
Let me start with a story.
Once in a village, there was a severe drought. There were no
crops and the even the cattle had started dying of hunger. So the villagers
contacted the old wise man and asked him for a solution. He pondered and said, “This
very night, everyone shall leave their houses with a glass of milk and pour it
in the well. Indra Dev will be happy to accept your offerings and mighty rains
shall follow.” Young and clever Ramu thought, “So what if I pour a glass of
water instead? Who will know among thousands of men?” And so he offered a
simple glass of water. The next morning while everyone waited for the grace of
Indra Dev, the old wise man reappeared. Everyone was baffled how he could be
wrong. After some discussions, they decided to go to the well, just to find
that it was full of water. No one had offered milk.
This story that amma (I call my mom ‘amma’) told me is one
of the cornerstones of my life. And what amma wanted to teach me is simple.
Whenever there is a problem around you, know that it is not someone’s
responsibility- it is everyone’s responsibility.
I agree we all have priorities and there are so many issues
like corruption (which is the hot topic nowadays) that are there. A single man
cannot get involved with everything. That way, he would end up doing nothing. I
totally take it. All I ask you is to contribute in your own small way. And that
small way shall come only when you don’t slate yourself off from these
responsibilities. If we want a better society, we need to be sensitive and
vigilant. And it starts with your neighbourhood. There are as many laboureres
in IISER Mohali as many there are students. And after all, these workers are
the ones who put together our buildings and give us various services.
I feel that we unconsciously tend to alienate ‘these’
people. For instance, have you ever asked the name of the sweeper you see every
day? Leave that, do you ever even smile to acknowledge their presence?
People also ask me “I want to join YATN. How can I join
YATN?” and I invariably answer “There’s no way!” I’m sure my response baffles
them, but I am glad to do so. I am confidently able to go ahead with these
activities, radical at times; because I know my friends are there to save my
back. And if they see what I see and if they feel as I feel, they will take a
step forward and walk beside us.
