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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Its now..or NEVER.



Long back there was this incident when I had a lot of dresses in my wardrobe which were either worn out or unfit. I gave it to my mother who donated them to people who couldn’t afford them. Later when I came across a send off party photo from my mother’s college I found a girl wearing that dress which I discarded. It was probably the day everyone dressed their best and that was her best dress. My eyes welled up as I confronted the painful reality of the financially challenged and how destiny doesn’t favor everyone.

My parents were givers and not receivers, in all the two plus decades that I lived with them. Clothes, money, food, moral support, advice, you name it , they gave it. However what they received had always been criticisms and brickbats. But I believe that blessings come from God and not from the thankless mortals we extended a helping hand to. And yes, over the years I have seen my parents blessed by the Almighty abundantly by each passing day  through all the pains and hurdles that befell them.

It had me thinking… which is right? Donating something which you don’t need, or something which you selflessly want another person to have? As per logical and practical conclusions, no deed is selfless in this world, which may be true if we perceive it that way. There are scores of people who contribute to charitable trusts and orphanages by being anonymous. And there are people who pose for photographs and get a receipt from them as a part of their personal finance management and cheap publicity. However I cannot comment or start a debate on this, because, frankly speaking, I do not know. But as per the scriptures, the one who has is expected to give the one who doesn't.

So when I was having a late night chat with my mother, she casually mentioned about her maid, who was so poor that she and her daughters lived in a single room hut. When they went to church on Sundays, dogs and cats would break into their home – which was now closed with plastic sheets as the rain washed away the mud walls- and eat the lunch they made for that day. I fought tears as I heard this. One of these daughters was getting married and this woman was trying to make some money for the wedding. Well, affording gold was out of question, but for good clothing? Any girl, rich or poor would want to look good on her wedding day. It is the single most important day of her life, whether she gets married in a thatched chapel or at a Cathedral. 

I made a decision.

I made some phone calls, and made arrangements with the help and support of my in-laws and parents....and I gave my wedding reception saree to her. This saree, which I wore just once, is not something I would discard. Even though the chances that I will wear it again in my life are very remote, I’d save it, as it holds an emotional value. As a part of this so-called “emotional value”, I would stack it up in a wardrobe and over the years it will be eaten by insects. But today, it could change a woman’s life.

 And so it did.

21 comments:

  1. Wow Anu. That is so awesome. I don't know if I could part with something so dear to me.... Even if I'd never use it. God bless your kind heart.

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  2. God bless you dear... This act alone puts you ahead of 90% of the people I know personally.

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  3. Just reading about this makes me smile, I can just imagine the million dollar smile on your and the bride's face :)

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  4. Lily(mycozylittlenook) : God bless.


    Dr.Roshan : Thanks for your kind words, doc.

    CD!!! - Unfortunately the bride is in India and I wish she liked it. I couldnt be there for the moment.:( God bless her !

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  5. this read dint bring smile to me . but a tiny drop of tear ....

    GRRR BOYS WONT CRY !!!!


    God Bless :)

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  6. Mwa! for being such a beautiful woman. :-)

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  7. God bless you <3 Upar wala sab dekhta hai :) Neki kar dariya main daal...

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  8. Praphul: Ayyayyee KOOO

    Cris: Muah to another one !


    Chintan: Understood the first line, thanks :) I am rashtrabasha challenged and dint understand the second line...but thanks anyway :D

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  9. Well done, really nice of u. N an eyeopener for all us :) God Bless ...

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  10. Wow..God bless you :) My mum always used to ask me to drop in the highest denomination of the rupees that is in the wallet when it comes to sunday offering..She used to tell me exactly what your mom ahs taught you too..that is to give cheerfully when something pinches you not give something because there is extra lying around :) I teared up when I thought of the happiness that saree would bring because of your heart :)

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  11. good job!
    worth an applause ..we need more people like you..and let me tell you its jus becuz of good people ..there are some morals left!

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  12. Donating your wedding reception saree was a huge and selfelss gesture!! As you rightly said, you may not need it again in your life, but it definitely holds emotional value. Guess what, now it holds more value!! :)

    Commendable act!!

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  13. Wowwwwww!! Such a kind gesture Anita..! Awesome..! Just got married.. but hope to have the courage to do that sometime in the near future!

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  14. Dr. Tanveer: Thanks for your good words :)


    Natasha: Yeah...I thought that woman also deserved to dress up for her wedding...like everyone else. We are just blessed and in no way is superior to her. Right na. Thats why.

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  15. Harman: :) You r very kind.



    Binu Thomas: I guess so too.!

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  16. Jenny: You will feel on top of the world if u do so.

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  17. This is such a warm gesture. I really don't know if I could ever part with things holding emotional value but I m sure you are being blessed by the smiles that you have spread.

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  18. I am soooooooooo proud to be your friend Anita.
    And like I do believe, you are a truly lovely human...you have inspired me to do something about the dozen of my own wedding clothes that lie in the cupboards unworn!

    Thank you for being you:-)

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  19. Maithili: Yah it was an emotional piece for me too. But it could be worth more than that for people who couldnt afford. For the emotional bit, I am holding on to my wedding saree :)


    Suruchi: And I am so very proud to have found you and to be your friend ! Your are one of the few gems I found through blogging !

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  20. That was a beautiful gesture Anita.....u knw wht, I'm going to do the same. Actually it's been on my mind for sometime now[esp the white sari] but didnt do anything abt it. Ur post has tipped it...these summer hols my 2 beautiful sarees are going to travel with me to India...:-))

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    Replies
    1. Wow u do that...someone will benefit from the gesture, and you always have the albums and dvds for the emotional value purpose. :)

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