It has been such a long journey for all the atheletes who participated in the Common Wealth Games, especially for those coming from humble backgrounds and from places with minimal or zero facilities. To have won medals in the face of discouragement, social ostraticism and lack of official support is not just an outstanding feat, but a glorious one. They are the ones to have truly contributed to the glory of sport and honour of men.
It has been such a long journey for Mukesh Ambani, from a chawl in Bhuleshwar to the most expensive home in India and amongst the most expensive homes in the world.
It is a long journey for all those who pour into our cities day after day, in search of a better and more dignified life, for all those who stand guard at our borders, for those who build our roads, clean our gutters, man our public places, for all those who are mothers and fathers and grandparents, and uncles and aunts and cousins and friends, for all those who are caretakers of the future generation and of this our earth, for all those who have the courage to dare and to dream and all of us have to remember to tread softly or we may tread on someone's dreams, and when dreams are lost, nothing remains.
It is such a long journey for the Joy of Giving Week, from an idea in the mind to an act in the lives of many. Like those who came before us and hopefully like those who will come after us, we also have had the courage to dare and to dream.
I have promises to keep/ And miles to go before I sleep/ And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost's lines from Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, best describes the journey the Joy of Giving Week still has ahead of it. We have just hosted the JGW for 2 years and as we have been repeatedly saying, it is still too early to gauge its impact. Participation and resource mobilisation have both increased this year, compared to last year, but we do not know whether the motivation to sustain the giving has been kindled. The giving has to endure, not just this year or for just the week, but for as long as we exist. When that happens, then we at the JGW team can rest because we would have reached our journey's end.
Meanwhile, we say goodbye for now and will be back next year. It is such a long journey........
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Step by Step
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and so it is with the Joy of Giving Week. For a festival that is independent of any religion, social custom, culture or ritual, the JGW seems to have earned itself a place in the calendar of festivals in India. This is not an idle boast for the JGW has been successful this year too. But of course we are also aware that it is still too early to gauge the success of the JGW, for we have just co-ordinated the giving week twice. The JGW is therefore still in its infancy and has a long journey to make, but we are determined to make the journey step by step.
That we have begun to make bigger strides is evident in this year's participation in the JGW which saw more than 500 events, spread over 70 cities and towns, (with even rural areas participating), raise over 20crore in cash and kind. Participants have also found numerous ways of giving and have volunteered, fundraised, created awareness for a cause, donated, collected resources and have generally spread the word around with enthusiasm, determination and more importantly with conviction. This last is important for unless one is convinced that there is a purpose to the JGW, participation is rendered meaningless because it cannot be sustained, and the years to come may see dwindling interest. So the challenge before us is to ensure that the motivation to give is encouraged.
You can help us in our mission of drawing more to our cause and sustain the JGW by sharing with us your 'giving' experiences. Your story may prompt someone to introspect and discover a value in giving. Your story may help someone emulate it and in the process discover a so far unfelt joy. Your story may inspire someone to script a better one for self and others. Your story may be the one that helps transform us into gentler, simpler, more humane and thus more joyous beings. So do share your JGW stories with us and join us as we continue our journey, step by step. Write to us at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
That we have begun to make bigger strides is evident in this year's participation in the JGW which saw more than 500 events, spread over 70 cities and towns, (with even rural areas participating), raise over 20crore in cash and kind. Participants have also found numerous ways of giving and have volunteered, fundraised, created awareness for a cause, donated, collected resources and have generally spread the word around with enthusiasm, determination and more importantly with conviction. This last is important for unless one is convinced that there is a purpose to the JGW, participation is rendered meaningless because it cannot be sustained, and the years to come may see dwindling interest. So the challenge before us is to ensure that the motivation to give is encouraged.
You can help us in our mission of drawing more to our cause and sustain the JGW by sharing with us your 'giving' experiences. Your story may prompt someone to introspect and discover a value in giving. Your story may help someone emulate it and in the process discover a so far unfelt joy. Your story may inspire someone to script a better one for self and others. Your story may be the one that helps transform us into gentler, simpler, more humane and thus more joyous beings. So do share your JGW stories with us and join us as we continue our journey, step by step. Write to us at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Verdict
No, this post is not about Ayodhya, though one could be forgiven for thinking it to be. Neither is this about the CWG and its successful opening ceremony. The verdict we are talking about is that delivered by 'we the people' about the Joy of Giving Week, and the verdict is that the JGW is a festival that has come to stay. 'Giving' seems to have permeated into our conscious thoughts in such a complete manner that participation and by extension resource mobilisation has far surpassed last year's and exceeded our expectation. Updates on the actual number of events held, the amount of resources collected, the break-up in terms of kinds of resources, the manner of participation, the places which saw more involvement etc will all be analysed and written about shortly.
But for now we would like to say a thank you to all those who made a successful JGW possible. The celebrities get written about and thanked profusely in public for their contribution. But the fact is that the Joy of Giving Week would lose its impact and would be rendered meaningless unless it is adopted by a large number of citizens. We have been able to attract the common man to our cause and by wholehearted participation, the people have shown that the JGW belongs to each one of us and it is our involvement that has made a difference. So thank you to each one of you for holding out a hand to help, to support, to inspire, to share, to give.
But for now we would like to say a thank you to all those who made a successful JGW possible. The celebrities get written about and thanked profusely in public for their contribution. But the fact is that the Joy of Giving Week would lose its impact and would be rendered meaningless unless it is adopted by a large number of citizens. We have been able to attract the common man to our cause and by wholehearted participation, the people have shown that the JGW belongs to each one of us and it is our involvement that has made a difference. So thank you to each one of you for holding out a hand to help, to support, to inspire, to share, to give.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Year 2, Day 7, Oct. 2nd
The last day of the Joy of Giving Week and even as one writes this, events are still being held across the country to conclude this week of giving. Updates on the auction for Lunch with Amitabh Bachchan, resources raised during the Styles for Smiles to be held later this evening, will be posted in the coming days. In the meantime, it is worth asking ourselves how our participation has made a difference to us and to society as a whole. We at the JGW team really do not know what your experiences have been and more important whether these experiences of giving have left behind an impression either positive or otherwise. Introspection is necessary because it will determine not only your participation in further editions of JGW, but will also influence partly the path you choose to follow. Are you going to continue to give because you think that is the only way forward towards a fair society or will you revert to a consumerist and selfish culture so common today ?
The birthday of one of the greatest men to have ever walked this earth is a good time to remind ourselves that a single step can and has shaped history. The Dandi March with a handful of salt, Rosa Parks refusing to vacate her seat for a white person in a bus, the Boston Tea Party, are all immensely significant in determining the future of men and nations.
In this context, we believe that the Joy of Giving Week is but a small step but has the potential to change our world. Charity and philantropy are no longer mere words but a part of our waking thoughts. A single act of giving every day will surely turn us into happier individuals and when that happens, we are more than ever ready to face challenges thrown up at us and that in turn will lead to a stronger, more equitable and sustainable society. To enable such a society to come into existence, we all need to contribute and what better way to do it than by participating in the Joy of Giving Week.
The birthday of one of the greatest men to have ever walked this earth is a good time to remind ourselves that a single step can and has shaped history. The Dandi March with a handful of salt, Rosa Parks refusing to vacate her seat for a white person in a bus, the Boston Tea Party, are all immensely significant in determining the future of men and nations.
In this context, we believe that the Joy of Giving Week is but a small step but has the potential to change our world. Charity and philantropy are no longer mere words but a part of our waking thoughts. A single act of giving every day will surely turn us into happier individuals and when that happens, we are more than ever ready to face challenges thrown up at us and that in turn will lead to a stronger, more equitable and sustainable society. To enable such a society to come into existence, we all need to contribute and what better way to do it than by participating in the Joy of Giving Week.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Year 2, Day 6, Oct. 1st
Day 6 of the Joy of Giving Week and the week is unprecedently successful. Total collections have surpassed that of last year and are still expected to go up. With over 400 registered events and participation from all corners of the country, the JGW is well on its way to turning into a truly national festival. What better way to remember Gandhiji than to live the values he espoused.
Mumbai played host to the Treasure Trove yesterday, while Chennai had the Battle of the Buffet and the resources raised between them has been substantial.
While major corporate events do attract publicity, it is the small contributions made by individuals in their private capacity that really transforms the JGW into a festival for all. We have one such story today where Sankool Shah from Capgemini, has decided to cycle 40km to work during the JGW and donate the money saved to charity. A passionate advocate of an unpolluted environment, Sankool believes that each one of us needs to do our bit for protecting our earth.
Then we have the story of Pragya who has asked family and friends to set aside Rs10 each time they eat out and this money would then be donated. The money people like Pragya and Sankool raise may not even run into thousands, but let us not forget that the thought behind is what counts. Ultimately what will change our world are efforts like these. By considering no contribution too small or no effort as too insignificant, we are bringing about a change, a change for the better that we hope will help us turn into a more equal society. For those who have yet to make a beginning, we say, start now, in this the Joy of Giving Week.
Mumbai played host to the Treasure Trove yesterday, while Chennai had the Battle of the Buffet and the resources raised between them has been substantial.
While major corporate events do attract publicity, it is the small contributions made by individuals in their private capacity that really transforms the JGW into a festival for all. We have one such story today where Sankool Shah from Capgemini, has decided to cycle 40km to work during the JGW and donate the money saved to charity. A passionate advocate of an unpolluted environment, Sankool believes that each one of us needs to do our bit for protecting our earth.
Then we have the story of Pragya who has asked family and friends to set aside Rs10 each time they eat out and this money would then be donated. The money people like Pragya and Sankool raise may not even run into thousands, but let us not forget that the thought behind is what counts. Ultimately what will change our world are efforts like these. By considering no contribution too small or no effort as too insignificant, we are bringing about a change, a change for the better that we hope will help us turn into a more equal society. For those who have yet to make a beginning, we say, start now, in this the Joy of Giving Week.
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