Together We Can !!

Scene 1: Queens, New York 2008

I remember I was quite tired that day. A long and stressful day at work had ended. My uncle called and asked me if I wanted to come over for a BBQ and some drinks. Though I was drained, I decided to go. The prospects of some good food and an enjoyable time with family beckoned. Though it just wasn't on the cards.

Just as I settled down in a cozy chair on the patio, I saw an old lady (probably in her 60's) wandering in the area around the houses. She was really old, I could tell from her rumpled skin. And she was carrying a huge sack on her back. She'd go from one dumping bin to the next looking for something. I didn't know what. I had never seen anything like that before. I had seen people taking garbage out for families but this was different. She was looking for something specific in those bins. Looking thorough the filth and dirt, she kept filling her sack slowly.

I curiously asked my aunt what this old lady was up to. My aunt told me that she was looking through all those dumping bins for empty cans and bottles that people threw away. She'd collect them all and return them to get 5/10 cents on each and that would help her get some food for the night.

My heart went out to her. I was morose. It was awful. I wondered how much worse could perdition be. Didn't feel like eating much after that.

I'm sure you've all come across similar situations some time or the other.

Should she (at her age) have to do that to feed herself? Turns out she does. And if she does then there is something amiss in our world. Something terribly amiss.

Just think about it. On one hand we have people who live a life of extreme indulgence and luxury and on the other there are those who lead a life of want and privation. Those benumbed by the cold when we are enjoying the warmth of our cozy apartments. Those who go without bread when we waste food at our lavish parties.

Scene 2: U of P, Philadelphia 2009

The last week or so was all about graduation and things related. Lots of nostalgia, lots of excitement and lots of friends. Nostalgia of leaving a place that I love. Excitement of moving to a bigger meaner city. And friends who came in from all corners for the BIG send-off from the university.

Amidst all this hubbub I met a friend after almost 4 months. A good friend and an even better human being. Somebody I could sit and let my hair down with. And that's precisely what I did.

We reminisced. Talked a little about studies, some things about work and a lot about life. I somewhere knew where the discussion would eventually end (going by our past discussions), but what I did not know was that this time around we'd both be willing to take it a step further.

One thing led to another and out came the idea of starting a community and a foundation/charity (hopefully very soon).

So yet another charity you'd say. Well, I do not have any response other than saying, 'Yes, yet another charity. This one is our contribution. This one is our attempt to give back to society'.

Another thing that you may ask is the cause that we are supporting. Well, why don't you guys tell us that !!

It could be anything that you bring to us. Anything from supporting a local school in your neighborhood to providing medical services for the indigent to educating the adults in your area. It's your cause and our money. Well partly our money and hugely the money of people who'd support us ;) And we hope to have lots of both.

We have the support of professors at our university. Mentors and friends working in big corporations. Friends in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey, Korea and the US. And if we have your support as well, we are sure we can achieve a lot.

We'd soon come up with a roadmap for this and also ways for all of us to contribute. Please let us know of any comments, suggestions or ideas that you may have either here or on the following community.

http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community.aspx?rl=cpp&cmm=90235871

We'd soon have a similar group on Facebook and we'd share that link too.

Lets come together for this cause. Lets rise above our personal desires and make a difference.

Lets be the pencil that God uses to write a love letter to this world :) This one's not mine though :)