Assignment 4... My little contribution to “Our Om Ashram”

I am so called Trustee at Om Ashram but I hardly find time to go there... Proud of Geeta Shankar who single handedly manages the show with support from our dedicated staff members:)

I had decided to dedicate last week of my Sabbatical to Om Ashram... It was so happy feeling to get so many blessings and My Baba accompanying was a huge topping. I took few biscuits for each Elderly and am remembering how every Granny Grandpa were asking if it was my Birthday on distribution of the same. Surprised to see this misconception that we only go to Old Age homes etc to celebrate special occasions and not otherwise... It’s only when more and more people join hands and volunteer regularly that this misconception would be cleared. Nothing wrong in it but it’s strange that mostly it’s only on special occasions that we take this special step...:) I had lovely time chatting with all Granny and Grandpa’s... All were very happy to see me visiting and were curious to know when I would visit them next. Unfortunately due to All India Bund and ill health I couldn’t go for 2 days and when I went there the next day again everyone had so many questions and stories to shareJ Everyone wanted me to have lunch with them, checked if I ate breakfast and cameJ I spent some time with Geeta understanding some future plans for the organisation. Based on our discussion we then decided to start a project in partnership with iVolunteer... And the project was “Grandparents Wish Collection and Fulfilment” We hadn’t yet finalised dates but just felt why not do a Grandparents Wish Collection and Fulfilment not just for collecting or fulfilling wishes but also so that then many of us will go there, spend time with them and chat with them for a whileJ Next day I decided to be in Om Ashram office to understand ECS system and any other urgent requirements of the organisation. I am happy to have taken a step to enrol for ECS where once we give standing instructions automatically some amount (we commit) would get donated to the organisation (hassle free at the same time some commitment to the causeJ)... I thought many a times we spend so much on movies/pop corns/food at restaurants (do waste food too and end up paying much more than required;)), so why not commit a small sum to organisation where I can’t give as much time as required.... Today while I am blogging this I checked my Bank Statement and saw that my first transfer is done todayJ What a day to blog thisJ

While on my way in bus to understand more about requirements I thought why delay the Wish Collection and Fulfilment because life is so unstable and we mustn’t regret for have unfulfilled few most cherished wishesJ We rolled out the email to volunteers and got good responseJ This was my last day of Sabbatical break... There were many who showed interest and turned for the event. Grandparents were sleeping as soon as we reached so I took this opportunity to brief volunteers on collecting wishes. Few wanted to leave bit early. Very interestingly the Auto Driver Murali (about his story on how I met him could be found at Experience of kindness from strangers (Super Auto Driver Murali)) And to my surprise he infact collected more wishes than any of usJ Also at end I found that all those who wanted to leave early were so engrossed in their discussions with Grandparents that they totally forgot they had to leave earlyJ Finally we collected and compiled all wishes and believe me wishes were as simple as sweets like (Chirote, Doodh Pedha, laddoos, orangeJ) fruits like (jamoon, banana, pineapple, Watermelon etc), headphones, a Telgu movie, a walk to temple or garden close by and so onJ What a lovely end to the Sabbatical break of one month with many small little take aways like learnings and loads of blessings and happinessJ J Thanks a ton Geeta and all staff for your dedicated service and passion to the cause of Elderly... Not many can do it...

Few captured memories:

My Sabbatical’s little contribution to “Our Om Ashram”

Wish Collection Part 1

Wish Collection Part 2

Thanks again to Shalabh Sahai and Rahul Nainwal for allowing me to take break to Volunteer for whole month and to all who were part of this super memorable journey actually or by giving moral supportJ J Thank you!!! Means a lotJ