Tuesday 25 May 2010

Spreading smiles!

“Yeh dosti hum nahi chodenge…” Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra were singing the song and promising each other to stay together forever, on the 70MM.

“I use to sing this song with my friend Ajay, when I was young. I so miss him. We use to work together in a mill. We use to return back home together, each day humming this song. Her mom use to make amazing Aaloo Parathas. We use to have it with curd and pickle. Sadly I don’t know where he is now!” Emotional Rajendra went to flashback, remembering his best friend.

“I use to dance on this song with my sister! We use to go to nearby temple and dance till our last breath! Our mom use to come shouting at us, scolding for running away from work!” Ranjana in her 60s something exclaimed, looking at Hema Malini dance in the movie.

“My kids use to repeat these dialogs. They use to enact it. One use to enact Gabbar and the other kid as Sambha”, gushed someone from the front. He was very excited and enjoyed every moment of the movie showcased.

The atmosphere became rather emotional. People from varied backgrounds in the age of mostly 60 years plus stayed together at the ‘Home for old age people’. Each face telling their own stories. Grey hairs indicating hard work done by them when they were young and fresh. Each wrinkle on their face narrating different shades of life, the ups and downs they have seen and the hardship they have gone through. Their slow yet steady movements showed their determination, no matter what, they will survive all the odds. The grandpas and grandmaas started sharing better part of their life with us. Time when they were young and restless. They were aggressive and were ready to take on the world, unlike now, where they are dependent on others.

I experienced the above moments of joy and satisfaction at an old age home at my native place. And after looking at their enthusiasm, to face the odds and enjoy their remaining life, with whatever they have, I was deeply touched. Truly, age is just a number. I was sitting amongst people with 60 years plus in their age. Rotaract Club, run by our college, gave me this life time opportunity. We students a group of around 20-25 visited the old age home regularly. Our mission was to spread happiness in the society. We thought that just by contributing money or clothes, we were contributing towards their survival, but not towards their living. We wanted them to enjoy. To laugh and think life is still beautiful and nothing matters more than courage. Courage, to forget the suffering and smile!

We decided to add an entertainment quotient in the life of old age people. Movie screening was one of the events we use to undertake once in a month, selecting the most popular one among them. We also use to conduct competitions for club members and entertain the aged ones. That day, in the evening, we organized Mehndi competition. All the old age people were asked to sit in a big circle in the open area. Our members put mehndi on their hand. They were thoroughly excited. The grandpas and grandmas kept on narrating their experiences while the process of putting mehndi was on. The stories were deep, honest, touching and eye opening! I even thought of recording each story! The feelings I had, I cannot express.

All the members had that satisfying feeling. An effort well taken. A task worth doing again and again. We tried to give the aged ones something beyond money, an experience, something they deserved after toiling for all these years, a smile and a sense of belongingness!

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: There are very few tasks that gives you actual satisfaction. You do it because you want and nothing else. No one to prove, no one to impress, no rating and performance pressure, nothing to gain, nothing to show off. It is imperative to give something back to the society in some form as we keep exploiting it in the journey of life.

PS: The above post is a real account and my recreation for Tata Nano "Spreading Smile" contest.

16 comments:

  1. Too good man...expecting nthing but only the self satisfaction, by bringing smile on the face of these ignored section..its trully the commendable act.

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  2. Ah loneliness and old age..don't we all fear it. Your group has taken up a commendable mission. Keep up the good work.

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  3. What a wonderful gesture...and yes what you have said is soo true..spreading happiness without expectations can be so rewarding.

    Keep up the good work :)
    Bollywood Magic

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  4. Karan that was a heart-warming post!! Although what we do is usually just a drop in the ocean, it indeed fills us with such satisfaction & joy. Keep up the good work. Reading about this made my day truly. Good luck for the contest!

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  5. Great going...we need to instill social awareness in children... compassion and respect for the needs of the underpriveledged should be high on out list...best of luck

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  6. nostalgia!
    hildhood days r so beautiful :D
    nice way of writing!

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  7. Hey Old age home was considered in our society some time ago....

    Now it became convenient for the busy metro youths and NRIs.

    Good work man. So different.

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  8. @rohini: Bringing smile on ignored section...you are right! Thnx a lot! :)

    @Purba: Yeah we do fear such things. We never want them to happen with us.

    @Lazy Pineapple: Thank yo very much for the appreciations.

    @lostworld: You are correct, no matter how small our act may be, it is worth taking rather than just thinking of doing big!

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  9. @Nalini: Yes, todays generation definitely needs to get rubaru with the underpreviledged ones!

    @sakhii: Thnx a lot for appreciation!

    @Jon: Thnx buddy!

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  10. we showed a movie in a old age home and we were so touched by the response of the inmates.
    they actually changed clothes and got ready to come to the auditorium
    we had planned to serve snacks to them so had asked for their preferences and again their response brought tears in my eyes
    they wanted wafers,popcorns and icecream -- the way we all have in movie theaters

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  11. hey just dropped at your blog...must say a great one...keep going...

    Regards
    Niraj
    Masallalemonade.blogspot.com

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  12. It's my first visit to your blog and I glad to here on such a beautiful post :)
    That's a wonderful task you guys have taken up your sleeves...spreading cheer and joy selflessly can be so rewarding and satisfying that nothing else in the world can compare to those moments of pure happiness.

    Keep up the wonderful work :)

    Cheers!!

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  13. @anjugandhi: Its nice to know you are also involved in such kind of projects. It was a touching account!


    @Niraj: Thnx Niraj.


    @Chatterbox: Thnx a lot "Chatterbox"! I found your name very funny! ;)

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  14. siply wonderful...liked it alot...



    namit
    do stop by http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=28218
    ur feedback awaited, n promote it if u feel so... :)

    ReplyDelete

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