Ludhiana, the industrial centre of Punjab, India, has some really large-hearted labourers, whose sole dream is to entice their children to read. With the only desire to see their children educated, the migrant labourers of Ludhiana, themselves earning no more than Rs. 10,000/ per month, have contributed towards creating a library.
The library is just a small room where a total of 30 children can be accommodated at a time. Not only is this a library, but also a place where they learn to read Hindi and Punjabi.
WIth parents, most of who haven’t studied past the VIII grade, these children have found a haven in this little library. The labourers, who contributed Rs. 100 to Rs. 5000 towards building this place, have received no help from the Government.
Belonging to the low income group didn’t deter their spirits and they came together for their children . The library is active between 4 pm to 7 pm and has a volunteer teacher coming over to help the children learn to read. An effort that has not gone waste as the children love going there and making new friends as well as learning to read.
This is the 19th post of the ‘We Are The World Blogfest’, where we bring for you heartwarming stories about real-life heroes from around the world; stories that show love, humanity and brotherhood in a world that can often seem full of negativity and hatred.
I learned about #WATWB — We Are The World Blogfest — through my blogger friend, Damyanti Biswas’s blog, Daily (w)rite. She is a co-host for the Blogfest that shares real-life stories of compassion and kindness. Stories that need to be shared as much as possible through social media which is so filled with hate and negativity.
So, in a bid to spread hope and positivity, this Blogfest invites people from around the world to share stories of real-life heroes. Stories that are heartwarming and full of hope and love that we so need in today’s world.
I instantly loved the idea!
Each day, when we surf through news channels or scroll down any social media, all we read are stories full of negativity, hatred, and despair. And, the first thought that comes to mind is, “Where are we headed?”
And, at such times, when we stumble upon a snippet of positivity, a story of hope and love between people, we are filled with a sense of relief. A feeling that all’s not lost, yet! That there’s still hope. A light at the end of the tunnel.
I decided to stay on the lookout for any such positive story I came across so I could share it on my blog as well as every other social media I could, and do my bit in restoring hope and faith in humanity.
This Blogfest is held on the last Friday of every month. All you need to do is share a real-life story on your blog in 500 words. A link to a story that shows there’s hope and love, positivity and brotherhood in our world.
This is the badge you put up on your blog and share the link to your post on Twitter, Instagram, Google, Facebook and any other social media you use to spread the word.
Here’s one of the stories I shared. Do read and share. We all know we could use as much positivity as we can!
Metanoia being an Inspirational Blog, too, I felt sharing such true stories was the best thing to do here.
Would you like to join us in spreading some hope and warmth?
My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge is all about my blog, Metanoia, and my blogging journey from the time I started, 5 years ago. The lessons I learned, the tips and tricks I picked up from fellow bloggers and the guidelines I could have used back when I began.
Imagine this – you get your period and there are no sanitary pads available where you live. Or, worse – the ones available at the chemists are far beyond your means and threaten to burn a hole in your pocket. If you were to buy those pads, your kids go without food! And, thus you settle for some rags, or maybe some leaves, or, brace yourselves, some ash!
Can you visualise yourself in such wretched conditions? We, who take our comfortable lifestyle for granted, cannot even imagine the plight of millions of women for whom even basic amenities are luxuries they can’t dream of affording!
So, when a man comes up with a brilliant idea of a machine that manufactures low-cost sanitary pads, it’s like manna to the women living in the developing countries.
Sharing today, at #WATWB, the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the first man to use a sanitary pad! A school drop out from Southern India, his courage, perseverance and dedication brought about a change in the lives of countless women in rural India, as well as other developing countries.
Do read the inspiring story of ‘The Menstruation Man’, here.
We Are the World Blogfest, or #WATWB, created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen aims to bring hope through stories that spread positivity in the darkness that surrounds us.
Do join in with stories of real life heroes who go beyond the call of duty to make a difference to our world.
#WATWB is held on the last Friday of every month. Share the stories on your blog and on social media and help spread the love!
Replacing the negativity with positivity through social media is the need of the hour. Let us all do our best and focus the spotlight on people who work towards bringing about a change in our society and a ray of hope to the world.
For me and my family, as for countless others, he has been an angel in disguise. For, the ability to not only treat patients of mental illness, but also offer ceaseless support and encouragement to their caregivers with love and warmth is something only an angel can carry out, isn’t it?
Image courtesy Google (pic by Prassanna)
I met Dr. Anand Nadkarni around 20 years ago. He treated my mom-in-law, who was a patient of schizophrenia. The anxiety I experienced on learning about her condition eased quite a bit after I met him. The most important reason behind it being, I knew he would always be there to help us and support us as we traversed the rough terrain life can be with a sick family member.
But, the instance when my belief in him grew profoundly was when I discovered my hubby suffered from bi-polar disorder. I remember we were out of town when hubby had an attack. He had been suffering since some days, but I was not aware of the storm brewing in our lives.
I called up the good doctor at an ungodly hour from the resort we were staying at, and he made all the arrangements for hubby to be treated by another doctor at a hospital where hubby had to be admitted, till he himself took over hubby’s case.
Dr. Nadkarni not only treated hubby, but ensured I went in for counselling as I was under enormous pressure. The fact that I am here today, sane and stronger, is all thanks to Dr. Nadkarni.
Dr. Anand Nadkarni has been practicing psychiatry since 30 years now. He began his journey towards bringing the concept of mental health in the spotlight 27 years ago. He established the Institute of Psychological Health, an NGO at Mumbai, where mental health professionals work towards treating mental illness patients, as well as organise support groups and conduct community projects that help spread awareness regarding mental health.
He not only consults patients, but also conducts training programs for corporate executives, and mentors young athletes, artists and players to optimise their performance. He conducts training for elite commando forces and is also the founder and trustee of Muktangan, a de-addiction centre at Pune, Maharashtra. He is also a prolific writer with 17 award-winning books to his credit.
For a man who is so deeply immersed in his work, it will come as a surprise to many to meet this warm, friendly person, who has the knack of putting you at ease the instant you meet him. The time he gives you as a doctor, a counsellor, or even a friend/guide, is all yours, without any distractions whatsoever. I would like to add, simplicity and humbleness are this wonderful man’s forte!
I remember pouring my heart out to him – how I feared losing my sanity from all the stress I went through at home – to which he smiled, kindheartedly, and said, “You are doing absolutely fine, my dear. And, you really need not fear, I am here for you!” These words – spoken almost 15 years ago – echo in my mind as I type this post today.
A man who has spent so many years of his life working towards sensitising the public about mental health; who has made it his life’s mission to bring awareness about mental illness deserves to be called a Hero, isn’t it?
The Mumbai locals (Railways) may be the lifeline for millions in the City of dreams, but they also happen to be the bane of the lives of its travellers, especially the women. Imagine travelling in crowded compartments, from far flung suburbs, to work and back, spending almost four hours doing so each day.
Now, add to that the everyday torture and harassment by perverts who pass lewd comments, molest, harass without a fear in the world, and no one to guard you, or assist you in fighting the rowdies off!
A nightmare, isn’t it?
Law enforcement officers often (sadly) turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the protests and the complaints made by some women who gather the courage to come forward. So, whom do they turn to? Or, do they go about their lives, living in fear each time they step onto the train?
Fortunately, for them, there are a few brave hearts , who put their lives at risk and come forward to help. They know what it must be like being at the receiving end of all the abuse. They have female family members/friends who travel and complain about the daily fight they have to put up with.
Like Mr. Dipesh Tank, from Mumbai. The man, who has taken it upon himself to nab molesters in Mumbai local trains and do his bit to help the police.
Dipesh Tank
DIpesh, who began working at an early age, saw how perverts teased and harassed women in local trains. It reminded him of his mother who had to travel at odd hours to work. And, that’s when he decided to do something to help.
He bought a special pair of glasses with built-in HD video recording camera to record and nab the perpetrators and report to the police. He began a campaign in 2013 along with his friends, WARR (War Against Railway Rowdies) and collected evidence to present to the police.
In the past six months, the police nabbed around 140 eve-teasers, all thanks to Dipesh’s efforts.
It is not an easy task Dipesh has set out to do. But, he persists in doing it, each day, every day. The one thing he rues, though, is women’s reluctance to come forward and file a complaint, or raise a voice each time they fall prey to the molesters which encourages the perverts to carry on with their sickening ways.
Damyanti Biswas co-hosts the We Are The World Blogfest on the last Friday of every month to share a snippet of positive news that shows our essential, beautiful harmony, and restore our faith in humanity.
Do join in with a real life story that speaks of something positive in a world that can be quite a scary place with all the negativity we see around.
