On January 8^th 2012 the Delhi AYUDH members gathered in Vasant Kunj under the guidance of Br. Nijamrita Chaitanya. Vegetables and other ingredients were purchased from the market and washed and chopped, cylinders, stoves and cooking vessels set up, and the dough made. The cooking began. None of us were regular cooks at home, but through collective effort we managed to cook reasonably well, preparing puris and aloo ki subzi – a traditional Indian dish.

It was fun working together, with plenty of singing, jokes and pranks being played while the cooking was in full swing. We packed the food in packets and left for distribution. Wherever we saw the needy on the roads, we stopped by and gave away the food packets, along with blankets to protect people from the cold winter temperatures in Delhi. All the food was distributed in different areas under the flyovers, on roads, in streets. The activity went well.

At the end of it my fellow members expressed that it was a satisfying and a fulfilling experience and gave them peace. But the only thought I had was to return home and have food. I was hungry (as if others were not!).

I reached home and sat for dinner with the plate in my hands. Just as I was about to begin eating my eyes looked at the chappati in my plate. I paused and looked at it for a few moments. I had never looked at a chappati this way before.

The next thing I knew my mind was having flashbacks of all that I had seen during the distribution:

People looking for food in trash bins, children who did not have woolens to wear in this cold weather, and not enough clothes to cover themselves up. People who did not have a hand or leg or an eye, for whom each day is a struggle to make ends meet; little babies crying for food with their parents helplessly looking at them and yelling at them to stop crying. People would push each other to get that one food packet. That single packet of food meant so much for them…maybe that was their only meal for the day, or maybe for many days to come.

And here I was sitting with a plate full of food, under a roof, with clothes to protect me from the cold, having more than I needed.

Such is the poverty in this world. Countless people go to bed on empty stomachs. Thousands and thousands of people cry and die of hunger.

I have learnt to be grateful for, not just food, but for all that I have. Learning to shift the focus from ”what I do not have” to ”what I have”, to understand the meaning of ‘eat to live’ and not ‘live to eat’.

Interacting so closely with the homeless, I wondered why some are born in poor families and some in well-to-do families. The only explanation I could think of was our karma. As you sow, so shall you reap. This activity reinforced the importance of karma in my viewpoint. We have to learn to be good human beings in thought, word and deed.

God has been kind to give us all that we need. It’s our duty, then, to be responsible and do good in society in whatever capacity we can. Little drops of water make the mighty ocean. Our little efforts, too, will definitely make a difference and help to make this world a better place!

A quote of Amma came to my mind:“In today’s world, people experience two types of poverty: the poverty caused by lack of food, clothing and shelter; and the poverty caused by lack of love and compassion. Of these two, the second type needs to be considered first—because, if we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter.”

AYUDH Delhi is grateful to have had the opportunity and strength to serve the needy and reach out our helping hands!