Mumbai: The fundamental problem with most of us today is that we want to do so much for ourselves as well as others but most often than not, get stuck in the execution and implementation part, unintentionally though.
We may be hell bent and determined to walk on a certain path and aggressively march towards the goal that we have in mind, yet invariably end up losing the vision and let the lack of consistency take over.
When we read about Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, famous personalities and world leaders donating towards a charity, we conveniently assume that they are rich and famous, hence, they can afford to do it.
For example, Salman Khan’s ‘Being Human’ foundation that aids underprivileged children, Shabana Azmi’s NGO ‘Mizwan’ that helps underprivileged children and Rahul Bose’s ‘The Foundation’ that supports different campaigns.
What we miss out on is the fact that money is not everything. Maybe for a second, these celebs’stardom and the finance bit makes a difference, but not all the difference.
Because one may have all the monies in the world yet may not have the heart to do well for others.
This story posted on ‘Humans of Bombay’ about a wonderfully selfless gentleman clearly reinstates that one needn’t be filthy rich to help others, because ultimately, it’s the heart that matters. And this man didn’t just have the will but also had a heart of gold.
Employed as a professor at S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, he noticed that most of the social projects submitted by his students highlighted the lack of education in rural areas.
He was moved upon observing this not-so-appealing trend which disheartened him every single time.
And more importantly, as a teacher, he wanted to contribute to these kids in rural areas.
But before everything worked, he relentlessly wrote to 250 big corporate companies seeking financial help, attended zillion meetings hoping something would work out, but no one came forward to invest in a school.
And then, he began contemplating other options, though there were none.
That’s when the idea struck me that Bombay trains were the one place where I could talk to people and collect money from the people FOR the people.
Still determined to make a difference, he spent the next five years asking money from people travelling in Mumbai local trains. And it worked.
In September 2010, on the train from Goregaon I made my first announcement in the first class compartment and told people why I wanted their money. I then walked through the train with my donation box and on that first ride, managed to collect 700 Rupees!
Despite his honest intentions, the world called him names, yet he humbly accepted all of it.
So there you have it – I’m educated, a professor but still often referred to as a beggar by profession. But I have no complaints…if being a beggar allows me to do what I do, I accept being called a beggar until my last breath.
Sometimes, people will block your way, but it’s important to keep moving.
Kudos to the team at Humans of Bombay who keep inspiring us.
Read his complete story here.
