Showing posts with label Social cause. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social cause. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 July 2011

Something that I wrote in an interview a few years ago...


People are often asked to write essays during their interview rounds. Among many topics one of the recruiters’ favourites is “what do you think is the single most important problem the world is facing”. Even I had to write once on the same topic, and this is pretty much what I wrote. 

Problems, there are aplenty in the world we live in. Poverty, destruction, racism, pollution, population, the list is endless. If I have to talk about the single most important problem the world is facing, I would say the right for humans to live in peace. Asking for peace is such a dificult thing in today’s world. What attributes to this is debatable.

War and destruction are two words we learn at formidable years of our lives, when we read in schools about ancient kings and their stories of victory. Ironically, what we think is ancient is still so prevalent, probably in a more heinous form. People today still kill people for power, and often, in the name of religion! Terrorism has paralysed the society at large. As a kid I did not learn the word ‘terrorism’, probably because there was no need for it. But today, every kid knows what the word means and they also know a lot about terrorists! Wonder if there are solutions to eradicate the terrorists and terrorism from the face of the earth.

Talking about India, one cannot take a stroll in the park, or watch a movie at a theatre, or just go crazy on shopping without being frisked and being looked at with suspicion. There is hardly any ease of living.

To conclude, I would say that it is the responsibility of each human to ensure peace in whatever form possible, as we already have many other problems to deal with in our lives. If each of us learns to treat others equally, starts to accept and respect beliefs and opinions of others, the world will surely become a better place to live in.

Sunday, 18 October 2009

My Diwali My Way!

The past 8-9 years, Diwali has just been a day when everyone celebrated and I stayed at home. The reason, there were just too many! But this year, it was different, though nothing was planned. Also, this was my first Diwali after shifting to Mumbai.

The whole day Joy and I lazed around at home. Late in the afternoon, Joy went to his office as there was a Puja happening there. While I was at home alone, I quickly packed the diyas, candles and chocolates that I bought for my parents and my sister. I am a recycle freak! People just might start hating me for reusing wrapping paper, ribbons, ornamentations, but I don't care! I am a firm believer of recycling everything that can be recycled.

I took out a rather new looking old basket, and some zari strips, and decorated the basket. It looked nice, at least I found it nice. That's what matters at the end of the day, isn't it? Joy returned around 7 in the evening. Then we lit the candles at home, and a little later, we went to my parent's place.

Since I am so used to doing nothing on Diwali for many years, I really didn't know what to do after some time. My sister is a religious person and visits temples very regularly to offer her prayers. And, she was going to a temple in Juhu that evening too. I had a plan, a plan that has been on my mind for many years. We decided that while she goes inside the temple and offers her prayers, I'll go around the street and distribute some food to the poor.

I found 11 men and women and gave them food packets. I also met one fairly young man who lost both his legs and was seated on a cycle. It was obvious that he needed some money too. In a country where fit educated people don't have jobs, what would a poor, uneducated, handicapped guy do? Does he have a choice but wait for people to come and help? I didn't get a chance to talk to him and find out if there was something I could do to help, but I intend to do that in a couple of weeks. I just gave him some money. Guess the joy of giving is a feeling that cannot always be expressed in words. I just know that when I was coming out of that street I was a happy woman!

After returning home we burst some crackers, me the least! I am just scared of crackers. After many years I had a lovely time with my family, and also celebrated Diwali my way! A little giving, a little sharing goes a long way....

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

GOONJ - A mission I feel strongly for

I'm a tiny part of this huge organisation... yet I am happy to be there!

Visit the following link if you care. http://www.goonj.org/