What is the most beautiful compliment you ever received?
I worked as a Logistics Officer a year back and hence had a fleet of over 300 truck drivers and helpers working under me. These people were mostly school drop outs, some had never been inside a school and many were hard core drug addicts. We used to have sessions on safety every week for them. While my colleagues talked about safe driving and keeping their trucks in good shape, I focussed on their life choices.I talked to them about education. I requested them to send their children to school. One line that I particularly remember saying was, “Educate your children, specially girls. My mother used to say a boy can earn even by selling potatoes, going door to door, but a girl has to work in an office for a decent living. And that can happen only if you send your children to school.” I also offered to help them financially for the cause.Few weeks later, we had an annual event where drivers conducted path (a religious ceremony where they read the Sikh holy book Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji and served food to everyone throughout the day. This was done outside office premises). This was a sacred ritual when even the most addicted would leave drugs and concentrate on being good humans for three days. It used to start with the oldest driver, a very religious and deeply respected man, coming in front and thanking everyone. Now, I knew I wouldn't be mentioned because I had joined only a couple of months back. At best, they would mention my name along with the other officers for a customary thank you.Man I was wrong! He started with me. He talked about how a certain madamji had entered their lives and was teaching them to be good people again, how they had enrolled their children in school who were earlier dropped out, how they have decided to fight drugs with education coz of her encouragement and he went on to repeat the exact line that my mother used to say. I was stumped. I had never thought that a half an hour talk with them would bring about such a huge change.Even today, after leaving that job more than a year ago to pursue higher studies, many of them call up to tell about their kids’ results. The last call was when CBSE results were announced recently. A driver's daughter, studying in a small town, had gotten 91% without any assistance. He said he wishes she would become like me someday. I have never taken pride in myself, but that day, I was proud.
Should we give money to beggars?
Thanks for asking Sravani,NO, we should not give money to healthy street beggars.My dad taught me this with a live demonstration in 2012.I was in my final year engineering. One random day, we (me and dad) went out to get some groceries.Grocery store was nearby so we didn’t take any vehicle. Another reason being, we loved those walk and talk chit chats.So, we got what we wanted and started marching back home. We then noticed a street beggar asking money to every person passing by . His clothes were bad but he was looking healthy with two legs, two hands and two eyes and perfectly functioning ears.I asked my dad, “shall we give him something?”.Dad replied, “Never give money to beggars who can work hard and earn their bread.”Before I asked him “why?”, he went to the beggar and gave him Rs 50 and said, “Have a good meal”. (Back then, Rs 50 was good enough to get a full meal from a decent canteen/mess.)That beggar gave some blessings in return.My dad came to me and said, “Let’s go.”I asked my dad, “Why did you give him money?” .Dad said, “If I said, he’ll waste that money for buying booze, you won’t believe me. Now let’s wait there (next street). Just see what happens.”We waited for 5 minutes in the nearby street. That beggar made his move. Counted his money and went to a wine shop.Dad then said,“If you notice any healthy beggar asking you for money, don’t give him money.”“If you really feel any beggar is helpless like handicapped or old, offer him/her a meal or give them clothes or medicines”“If you find someone saying, I lost my wallet, I need to go to X place, I need some money, offer him a bus ticket. Then you’ll notice he’s a fraud.”However, if you find a known(humble) person in trouble. Don’t think twice to help him out.After helping him out, don’t expect anything in return.