Friday, February 3, 2012

Ahmedabad Retreat


It started with session with Jeet and Geet Sethi. The main points included the necessity of Consistency, Compassion and humility. The example of Prakash Padukone and the Billiards player who won an amazing game just after the news of death of his father was inspiring to me.
Then I had a feelings map with Jeet Patel, who coordinated a very good time. He shared and set the tone for sharing. People truly shared their struggles and successes. Then I got to know the work of Aanganwadi through Neeta Behen. The slow and steady work of Manav Sadhna had really showed  fruits. Well what impressed me most was the truth and commitment I could see in her eyes and voice. Then there was a dance performance by Ekatva kids. Purely amazing and marvellous.
2nd day was for Flow with Love project. I met a man who was running a small(may be micro will be correct word) NGO as he used to go to village with few friends to help people. I suggested that he might like to join some NGO which he was not ready as he was assured of all NGO’s being corrupt or having to bribe hugely to get donations. This made me realize how many people are cynical.  Then I roamed around Ahmedabad talking and asking for shelter with people. After I lost hope I decided to show some love to beggars, and sit and care for them. So sat and cleaned beggars and saw the insult and poor health and hygiene beggars face.  One beggar was physically handicapped and so became a postmaster due to quota but was suspended 2 years back due to manipulation and cheating by juniors. Unable to find any other job and been in the lifestyle of 26000 per month, he resorted to begging, hiding from his family what he really does and lies that he works in a private company. This made me realize how small I am and how much more of world I have left to see. How hard it is to be not able to share with anyone in your own family what you do for a living. How lonely a person can get in a quest to support the same family. How prejudiced our minds are towards who don’t look good.
Last day was almost to relax. Nothing important happened.

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