The Joy of Giving....

Mother India, motherland, and the soldiers of the motherland—they are the ones who truly know the joy of giving. Recently, I visited Jaisalmer and a place called Laungewala Yudh Sthal, where the story of how the Laungewala regiment fought during the 1971 war for our country is depicted. At the museum, they showcased how the soldiers of Laungewala survived with dedication and commitment. There, I saw a portrait with a message written on the Indian flag. It read: "We, the soldiers of our country, dream every moment about our nation. Whenever we die for our country, we should receive the warmth of our Indian flag. We have no other wish than to be reborn in our own country, India." Wow! What a commitment and what a joy it is to give one’s mind, body, and soul for our motherland, India. During the India-Pakistan war in 1971, on the 4th or 5th of December, though only a few Indian soldiers were present, their alertness and dedication to the country resulted in minimal casualties—only two Indian soldiers lost their lives, whereas Pakistan lost more than 200 soldiers. The joy of giving one’s life for the nation is something only our soldiers can truly understand. We must salute them, for it is because of their sacrifice that we are secure.

A mother, whether she is the mother of a soldier or an ordinary citizen, has a great influence on her child. Some mothers teach their children to sacrifice, some teach them to fight for their rights, and some instill only the mindset of competition and comparison. As mothers, we must decide what values we want to pass on to our children. Do we want to make them confident, guiding them toward security and commitment? Or do we want to pamper them and lead them down a path of insecurity, competition, jealousy, and comparison to survive in this so-called universe?

During my visit to Jaisalmer, I also met some incredible mothers and wives of great corporate leaders. They were all deeply committed to their families. One was a cancer survivor who, despite her struggles, was leading a nonprofit organization, storytelling, and spreading positivity. Another mother, despite facing multiple health issues, was still managing to take care of her family with unwavering dedication. One was an automobile engineer, remarkably creative in her work and in the way she nurtured her child. What struck me most was their humility. Despite facing numerous challenges, they embraced their responsibilities with grace and were happily ready to accompany their husbands on their travels. I was truly amazed to witness their joy in giving to their families.

If we want to gain joy, we must first learn to find joy in giving. What we give, we receive. While working with hearing-impaired children, I have learned a simple yet powerful formula: our brain, which processes thoughts, receives signals through hearing. Hearing allows us to understand and think. The better the quality of hearing, the better we understand, and the better we understand, the better we express ourselves. The joy of providing access to good hearing technology has allowed me to contribute to the development of these children, helping them lead a normal life. I have also realized that the advancement of technology, when shared correctly and effectively, plays a crucial role in reducing disability in society.

I recently visited the Nathdwara Temple, where a large number of devotees come to worship. However, nowadays, it is mostly senior citizens who visit for darshan. Many young people feel that they need to prioritize work, their children's education, socializing, going to the gym, or traveling. They often think, "Once we are done with these responsibilities, we will find time to pray, go on pilgrimages, or visit temples." During my visit, I had a casual chat with four senior citizens. They shared that it had been a long time since they last came for darshan. They had been waiting for their children to join them, as traveling alone had become difficult. However, since their children were too busy or unable to make time, they decided to support each other and come on their own. 

They also shared stories about their children and their beliefs in God. One elderly woman said, "My daughter tells me, ‘Give me five years, and then I will go on a pilgrimage with you. I will pray with you, take care of your God, and do seva with you.’" Then, after a pause, she added softly, "But my daughter doesn’t realize… what if I am not here after five years? Who will teach her how to pray?" Another lady shared, "My children say, ‘You pray for us so that we don’t have to worry. You do everything for us—we don’t have time right now.’" With a sigh, she asked, "But what will happen when I am no longer here? Who will pray for them then?" A third woman said, "I have difficulty walking. If someone is there to support me, it becomes easier and more comfortable. But how long can I keep waiting for them? It’s best to trust that God is always there to take care of me. Even if no one else is, He will help me manage."

After listening to all their stories, I encouraged the ladies to talk to their children and share these two important lines with them: "Maya ka das hamesha udas, aur Krishna ka das hamesha bindass." ("A servant of materialism is always restless, while a servant of Krishna is always carefree.") Those who are consumed by their daily routine, without faith in God, are often lost in life. They have no time to think beyond their responsibilities. On the other hand, those who make time to pray and trust in God are always confident, knowing that whatever happens, He is with them. I told them that, as senior citizens, they have realized the importance of living a balanced life—one that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. To achieve this, one must take care of their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. When these three aspects are in harmony, life becomes much smoother and easier to manage.

I believe that if parents today want to give their children the joy of giving, they must first give them the joy of understanding life—with faith in God and the universe. It’s not about finding time for something; rather, there is a time for everything. Positivity is the key to everything. The way you think and perceive life shapes how you spend your time and what you give to your own life. For example, the joy of giving was beautifully demonstrated when Josh, in association with Atos, recently distributed digital hearing aids to 50+ children of Rotary School of Dombivli on the occasion of World Hearing Day. This act of kindness is not just about providing hearing aids—it’s about giving these children the ability to experience the world more fully, helping them communicate, learn, and grow with confidence.

I am giving my best—what about you?