Epitome of Inependence

15th Aug 2008 8 AM

All of the India was celebrating its 62nd Independence Day. Everyone was Commemorating the independence of India. At the same time in a small room some where in Chennai some unique celebrations were going on. They were also celebrating Independence. But this was a distinct celebration of some other kind of independence. We all celebrated independence of 25 visually challenged girls of Goodwill foundation. Undoubtedly they epitomize true spirit of independence. Their independence is not about freedom of land from foreigners but it symbolizes the freedom of their soul. Efforts to make these talented girls independent have started to bear fruits which were displayed by the beautiful stage performances by these girls. Everything came up really beautifully.

Let’s experience this unique experience…

Room no 101 of DoMS, which surely is our second home was buzz with excitement. The whole atmosphere was electrifying as well as patriotic with everyone carrying small flag on their white kurtas, which was our de facto dress code. Big red tilak could only add more flavor to our theme. Entry of our 25 visually challenged momentarily altered the ambience of the room. Everyone now was calm and confused with what to expect next. It started with a meaningful welcome note by Shiwani and was followed by lamp lightening ceremony which was made international by presence of our Germans friends . CR sir added his own flavor prodding these girls by assuring his unstinted support to these girls. “Rang de basanti chola” changed everything all over again. With everyone singing and clapping it brought everyone back to high energy levels. Then a performance on Tamil song, which half of us dint understand, captured imagination of everyone present. It indeed was a gem of a performance by our talented young singers. Vipul played the guitar skillfully and I am sure he must have earned few hidden admirers. Now it was the time for our girls to come to the stage and showcase their singing talent. For the next 20 minutes there was an utter silence in the room. No body moved even an inch. Everyone was thoughtlessly thoughtless. Only one thing was playing in every bodies mind and soul and it was being sung by our hugely talented guests…………Without an iota of doubt the best performance of the day or perhaps of the long coming time.

As MBA students a lot of us use to think that when it comes to expressing their idea no one can beat us but all of us were easily proved wrong in the free style elocution competition in which our girls show cased their talent. Someone talked about Gandiji and some talked about Nahruji. But each one of the performer had something unique to offer. It again left us spellbound. Till now all most everyone present must have started to admire these hugely talented and confident girls who have decided to take on the challenge of the life head-on.

Next 2 hours were complete fun when we played few music games. It was extremely gratifying to see them laugh, clap and smile. We ended on a small prize and gift distribution ceremony where every volunteer and faculty present gave away the prizes and all of the girls.

I don’t have words to describe a lot of moments which all of us experienced subconsciously. All I can say is that when I was walking back to my place, my soul was completely at peace. I was completely void of thoughts…

This has marked an end to one phase of our efforts. Now we plan to start all over again. Miles to go before we sleep because a lot still needs to done…. …

Inching towards true Independence

15th Aug 2008 1 PM

It was an effort of more than 15 motivated students of DoMS IIT Madras to make this Independence event a unique experience for everyone involved. Everyone was busy giving finishing touches to the preparation till 1 AM in the morning. From small goodies bag to donation boxes to posters everything was made by all of us. A mere look at all the stuff we made everyone proud. But I must say that it was more of a fun , with everyone sitting in one room working dedicatedly and at the same time doing all kind of crap. Singing (perhaps) sutta and XLRI song gave everyone especially Vyas their well deserved break. Bragdeesh’s hidden talent was unveiled when he sang some strange English song with his melodious throat ;). Everyone now claims that Shiwani has grown up watching TV 24 7. The way she still remembers all the Nirma ads and chandarkanta title song is enough to prove this. Ranjith grew double of his size through his project on the wall. It (size) must have given everyone a heart attack. There were few silent members who truly believe in “Quiet excellence demonstrated”. Rangoli, Yukti, Swarnali ,Yuvraj truly form a part of this elite and not so vocal group. They gave a strong foundation to our preparation. Everyone just wanted one thing and that was to make our guest truly special and privileged.

With only few hours to go it was time to grab few hours of precious sleep…
Aloha

True spirit of Independence

We (Jyotika team) when sit and look back at our journey of one year with Goodwill reactions invoked are nothing but satiating. Achieving milestone was not the idea rather it was the journey towards that milestones that mattered. We definitely were able to leave some subtle prints on the hearts of the young and dynamic souls of Goodwill.

Glimpse of our journey of last one year…

Last year was a mix of every possible reaction humans can experience. Self reliance of these visually challenged girls was of paramount importance. Realizing this, we decided to fund the various trainings like Music, computers, handicrafts that these girls were undergoing. Every related and unrelated person made some wonderful contributions that helped us inch toward our first goal of making them self reliant. Watching them grow, learn, laugh, feel in front of our eyes was a gratifying and enthralling experience. Their appetite and passion to learn amazed each one of us.

To further take the whole Goodwill organization to the next level need for more space was felt badly. At that time we dint had that kind of money. But money is the last thing that could have come in their way. Like manna from heaven Ravi came in contact with Goodwill. He made a small documentary on the Goodwill and sent his nomination in international film festival that was going to be held in Austria. God could not possible have crashed millions of dreams that everyone had. It was the best documentary and prize money enabled us to move to our desired location.

Now we all want to celebrate. We want to celebrate the independence of these passionate and full of life souls. We want to tell them that there are people who are standing strongly behind you and they want all of you to soar high in the sky. So a three hour event has been planned on 15th August 2008 to celebrate their journey of last one year.......

Contact me on my mail id if you think you can contribute in any sense for this noble cause..
vikas.pec2002@gmail.com

Awaken

15th July 10 AM

No one woke him up. There were no alarms, no phone calls, nothing. Nothing but unwilling to sleep more could awake him. Finally this prince of Persiawas awake. "Being Laid Back" was the mantra that was followed all through the day. So no rush what so ever. Slowly but surely, after having some nice breakfast he reached office with a big radiant smile. After fetching the water bottle from the pantry shop he started to look at his “to do list” which looked like this.

Party at 6
Shopping for DoMS
Birthday XXX
Farewell
Letter of Reco.......

This so called bright software engineer had everything but software in his list. Perhaps software was not his cup of tea anymore. Scanning emails took his another 15 mins and his urge go some where, kill something keeps on growing.

11.30 Am

it was tea time now. Friends who all were close to his heart start pouring in. His GYM partner was also waiting for him in the GYM. Nothing but life teaches you the real management. With many things lined up he has to make a choice. This time he decided to go to gym as yesterday nights party was still making him feel guilty for many things, some wanted and some unwanted. Gym lasted for about an hour and company of his perfect gym partner made it a real feat. He succeeded in focusing on the gym despite some surreal distractions in some strange attire around.

1 PM

At this Universal lunch time office food was the last thing on his mind. Few quick calls and he was off some exotic place for lunch. Gyming of 1 hour was proving to be the motivation to go for some thing that can quench his gourmet inclination. A bottle of chilled beer and some nice non veg brought some smile on his face and the party went on till some pleaded that he needs to go back urgently for some crap work, at least that what he thought. Considerate and kindness were this two special traits and off they were, back to the office, his second home.

3 PM

If anyone think that now he will work he is grossly mistaken. This is a gyaan giving time. Time to meet and give gyann to all friends who none the less have some work. Everyone has problems in their lives. And don’t know y everyone wants to discuss their problem with him. At least this is what he thinks. He is with everyone like manna from heaven. Discussing and counceling and dissiminating gyaan all over.

5 PM

This time is reserved for some surreal ;)....

9 PM

Party starts and it goes on till the wee hours

And finally at 1 Am time to go to bed with millions of thoughts lingering in mind...Today he has chased thousands of dreams. Few accomplished few broken. He is happy for the ones he has accomplished and also happy for the one he hasn’t for knows that dreams are dreams. Surreal but nice they are..

Few years back he wanted to have lots of friends. Now with many people around him who love and care for him like anything he feels content. Never in his life would he have imagined that he will get so many gems in his life. They say "You reap as shall you sow".

But with this glittering life style he feels a sense a emptiness, shallowness. He has always lived with some purpose in his life and he has always strived to achieve it. But these last three months have almost passed without any purpose. He could have done a lot as a first step for the new phase in his life with knocking on the door but he was busy living in his dream world, where there was a great luxury, emotional security, love, care and everything which anyone can aspire for. But some thing was missing. Perhaps sense of purpose was missing. But they say sometimes you have to take the things as they come. You always can’t make the things to happen. You have to flow with the flow. But he has always swum against the flow. He has always tried to force the things. Now when his life is flowing smoothly he is feeling restless. He is missing that force which he has always felt swimming against the flow.

But he knew this is going to change soon. Next week he will be some where else. Away from the shell he has been provided with. Shell of utter care, love and affection. He is again dreaming, aspiring, sense of purpose is coming back.

What about the last three months?? Has he lost some precious time?? He knows that something surreal has happened in the last three months which has already changed his life forever. With this welcome thought he is feeling sleepy and finally sleep prevails.....

22th July 3.30 AM

Dynamics of life profoundly changed. Sense of purpose arrived.
His next post awaited ;)...