On Friday the 29th evening, my colleague Sitaram told me that they are visiting a place in Palamaner around 140 kms from B'lore to engage/entertain children with mental disabilities. I asked him, if i can accompany and he agreed. It was 30th morning and as usual, my Big Daddy told me if it was so important. I somehow ignored him. So we went to this place under the banner of "TMAD"(To make a difference) - the four of us - kamal, sitaram, koti reddy and myself. On the way, Dad would send me subtle messages - "You are wasting your time". I ignored him again, then he told me "Okay since anyways you have decided, share some of your joy with them". So, when we knocked on the hostel door-promptly came a muslim guy with white cap unlocked the door for us to get in. There were 40 odd inmates. Both Deaf and Dumb, kids with Downs syndrome, kids with paralysis, kids with no families - from all age groups until 15 yrs I guess. This was a new experience for me. They invited us whole heartedly. Dad has a lot of reservation, he wouldn't allow me to touch them. But once i started to mingle with them, it was fun. Took some of their pictures and they really loved navigating on my htc mobile. I never knew Mobile phones have this fan-following(even mentally challenged people seem to like those). Some of my observations.
- I went with a view to entertain them. But they entertained me. They are more happy inwardly then i am.
- I thought my material abundance makes me richer. While outwardly, they seem to be wanting a nice shirt or watch or mobile. They were very happy inwardly and had a great degree of comraderie among themselves. I can show off some of my material riches, but inside i didn't have anything to give.
- After all the fun, when we had to leave - those children so gracefully bid us farewell. I have no words. If i were in their place, i would have been so selfish to let go of a beautiful occasion. ( i waited many times in the movie hall even after the movie was over -didn't want to let go).
- I am very unhappy with an imperfect world and i dont have a place for an imperfect world. But they are at peace with it and they have a place for a perfect world as well.
- I am not okay if i am threatened. These guys are perfectly at ease with it. They are ill-treated at times by the inmates. But after a brief lull, they are friends again.
Kamal needs a special mention here. His organizational skills were awesome. He went about his duty like a soldier in a battle field.
If you have read upto here, you should be wondering who was that "Dad" I was referring to- well, the answer is "My mind".
If you want "to make a difference" to your lives, go ahead and enjoy .. Dont ever think of "making a difference to their lives". They are already happy.
