”There is no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery”

The giving week will be celebrated during the week beginning 27 th September.This is time for introspectionand analysis of our mindset in respect of giving that is sharing what we can spare with others.Before that let us look at our heritage and what we were told on the art of giving by way of stories.

The first and the best story that comes to our mind is that of Karna in Mahabharat.Karna as he occupied Anga’s throne,took an oath that when he worships the sun by midday any one approaching him for help will not go empty handed.Indra siding the pandavas in the war with kauravas approaches Karna for his ear rings and the golden armour which protect him.Even after forewarning of Indras deceit,Karna gives away both, knowing well that doing so would make him vulnerable.Karna wanted to keep his word even at the risk of his life.Some one described Karna”koduthu kodhu sivandana kaigal’[his hands had become red by continuously handling objects for giving]Compare this with the current political bigwigs who are specialising in land grabbing.

Onam is just over.Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala every year.He ruled Kerala and was considered wise,judicious and generous.Jealous of his growing popularity,the heavenly bodies approached Mahavishnu whom the king worshipped to dethrone the king.Vishnu disguises as Vamana, a poor brahmin and approaches Mahabali for just a piece of land that can be covered by three steps.The King agrees.Mahavishnu then starts expanding and attains cosmic proportions.The King does not backtrack on his word.With one step Vishnu covers the entire earth and with another step he covers the skies.Afraid of destruction the King offers his head for the third step.With the third step on his head,Mahabali is pushed to Patala the world underground.The brahmin reveals his identity and pleased with the King for keeping his promise,grants him a boon that he can visit Kerala,his kingdom once a year.


Pari vallal who ruled around 300 villages in what is known as Sivaganga district was known for his generosity par excellence.The height of his generosity was demonstrated when he left his chariot near the creepers which were struggling without a support.

Llloyd Douglas in his book Magnificent obsession illustrates the beauty of giving.The doctor, the main character in the story helps some one with money.When this person comes back after years to return the money,the doctor says that he has already used it up.When asked to clarify, he says that when he gave the money, his practice was x pounds per annum but now the practice has shot upto 3x pounds per annum.He advises the person to keep it a secret and help some one else with the money he wanted to repay.


Jane Smith 43,a divorcee donated one of her kidneys to Michael Carter 15.What was the relationship between them.Jane Smith was the teacher and Carter was her student.Carter was a good foot ball player.When he missed the balls too often,Jane Smith the teacher found out that the boy was on dialysis and that he needed a kidney.The teacher donated one of her kidneys after checking the compatibility and taking approval of her son aged 13.This was an outstanding act of generosity but she brushed it aside saying”Teachers are all about children and seeing them to be successful.

Closer home in Royapettah an elderly couple buy and distribute 15 litres of milk everyday to the needy children.They make sure that the milk is given to the children in her presence.
An old lady in ECR In Chennai cooks meals and feeds the stray dogs over a stretch of 10 Kms.
You will often find poor labour feeding stray dogs near building sites and the grateful dogs protect them.Corporate houses have trusts which sponsor education of children.Narayana murthys are famous for sharing their wealth with the needy right from their driver to rank outsiders.Aziz Premji Chairman of Wipro who is himself a big philanthropist says that it cannot be left alone to the Government to take care of the poor.There is a gentleman in Chennai who specialises in giving a decent funeral to the unclaimed bodies.

Many of us donate after making sure that Income tax exemption is available for the donation.What is praiseworthy is when when people who themselves suffer make it a point to share what they have with others.Many say that the cause should be worthy of our help.People who are compulsory donors by nature and temperament say that the trees when they give fruits do not discriminate whether we are worthy or not.When a mammoth crowd was listening to Jesus and the crowd was hungry, he appealed to those who had food and asked them to”share thy bread with thy neighbour’Within minutes the entire crowd was fed.Kanchi Sankaracharya said “ just before cooking keep aside a fistful of rice and a little dal everyday and donate to the needy regularly.A great idea and simple to follow by every one.India is reported to have 30 crore middle class population which is on a spending spree and attracting foreign investment.If each one of this segment donates just two slices of bread every day imagine the impact it will have on eradicating poverty in the country.

The purpose of this article is to rekindle the finer sentiments hidden in each one of us and help plan for sharing whatever we can with the unfortunate and less privileged.

Avvaiyar,the legengery poet said:Ittar periyore,Idadhar izhikulathor-pattangil ullapadi”]Greatness depends on your charity]

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Col</st1lace></st1:State> Sanders said”There is no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery”

We should give according to our income lest God makes our income according to our income goes another saying.

Let us get ready and do what best we can during the week beginning 27<SUP>th</SUP> September and share our experience in our forum so that it becomes a movement in the years to come.I have given adequate time to every one to plan something special during this period and flood IL site with what they did and their experience.JAI HO THE GIVING WEEK.




<SCRIPT type=text/javascript><!--google_ad_client = "pub-6148336175649168";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text";google_ad_channel ="2738087987";google_color_border = "FDFFCA";google_color_bg = "FDFFCA";google_color_link = "CC0000";google_color_url = "804000";google_color_text = "000000";//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT>google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);</SCRIPT>

 

Dear Sindhuja,
I am very happy that you father is helping mentally challenged children.Please convey my regards to him.All of us receive some help from others=need not necessarily be monetary.We have to give back something to society.This will give us inner peace.
Regards
LAKSHIMINARAYANAN

 

Dear SriVidya,
You said it right.Apart from taking care of ourselves let us do something to make this world a better place to live.
Regards
LAKSHIMINARAYANAN

 

Dear Sriniketan,
I am glad that you have started in right earnest-please do share with us how you paid homage to the idea of of joy of giving week.
Regards
LAKSHIMINARAYANAN

 

Dear Kamalji,
I am happy that the incidents narrated overwhelmed you.In the cemetry atleast one can show some difference but not in the crematorium where the pyre is used by the rich and the poor.Let all of us do something to celebrate the idea of sharing with the have nots.
Regards
LAKSHIMINARAYANAN