A lesson to be learnt from the Sikhs
Swami Gulagulaananda said:
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I came across a very nice article today. It's a short story, but very nice. Go ahead and read it.
A major problem I notice (as would most of you) is that, people are so much into themselves, they don't see the bigger picture. When people are pumping money for betterment, they do so to help their own communities. Which is great - For example, the Gujrathis apparently work in a way where the Gujrathi community has a collaborative fund. Entrepreneurs tap into this fund, invest into their business. And when they are sufficiently successful, they start contributing back to the fund, to help others grow. This is the way to development.
If we are going to be thinking about ourselves all the time, sure, we may be able to grow. But then if people around you don't, it is going to be damaging to you in the longer run. Notice how the Sikhs serve Langar to a large number of people - which is basically serving food, free of cost, to everyone, irrespective of your background. For, society can develop only if society develops as a whole.
As long as we continue to think along the divisive lines of caste, we will never be able to progress. And these dastardly politicians intend to deepen and widen the already existing grooves by introducing quotas and sub-quotas. Ridiculous. We should also learn from the animals, the way in which they unite against common predators. We are all aware of the predators.
Go ahead and do something good. It could be as simple as forwarding a resume to someone. If that person gets the job, (s)he will be very thankful. And there will be development in that person's life, which will naturally lead to an avalanche effect. The converse is also true... Let us pledge today, to do something nice, however small it could be - for the development of the society.
""
I came across a very nice article today. It's a short story, but very nice. Go ahead and read it.
We all love Sardar jokes. But do you know that Sikhs are one of the hardest working, prosperous and diversified communities in the world!
My friend told me about the following incident which I wish to share with you. It has had a deep impact on my thinking.
During the last vacation, a few friends came to Delhi . They rented a taxi for local sight-seeing. The driver was an old Sardar and boys being boys, these pals began cracking Sardarji jokes, just to tease the old man. But to their surprise, the fellow remained unperturbed..
At the end of the sight-seeing, they paid the cab hire charges. The Sardar returned the change, but he gave each one of them one rupee extra and said,''Sons, since morning you have been telling Sardarji jokes. I listened to them all and let me tell you, some of them were in bad taste. Still, I don't mind coz I know that you are young blood and are yet to see the world. But I have one request. I am giving you one rupee each. Give it to the first Sardar beggar that you come across in this or any other city !!!"
My friend continued, "That one rupee coin is still with me. I couldn't find a single Sardar begging anywhere."
MORAL:Frankly, I have never seen a Sikh beggar either. I am not sure about the authenticity of the statistics given, but one should understand the way in which they work as a community.
The secret behind their universal success is their willingness to do any job with utmost dedication and pride. A Sardar will drive a truck or set up a roadside garage or a dhaba, run a fruit juice stall, take up small time carpentry, ... but he will never beg on the streets
Because Sikhs contribute:
* 33% of total income tax
* 67% of total charities
* 45% of Indian Army
* 59,000++ Gurudwaras serve LANGAR to 5,900,000+ people everyday!
& All this when THEY make only 1.4% of the total INDIAN POPULATION.
A major problem I notice (as would most of you) is that, people are so much into themselves, they don't see the bigger picture. When people are pumping money for betterment, they do so to help their own communities. Which is great - For example, the Gujrathis apparently work in a way where the Gujrathi community has a collaborative fund. Entrepreneurs tap into this fund, invest into their business. And when they are sufficiently successful, they start contributing back to the fund, to help others grow. This is the way to development.
If we are going to be thinking about ourselves all the time, sure, we may be able to grow. But then if people around you don't, it is going to be damaging to you in the longer run. Notice how the Sikhs serve Langar to a large number of people - which is basically serving food, free of cost, to everyone, irrespective of your background. For, society can develop only if society develops as a whole.
As long as we continue to think along the divisive lines of caste, we will never be able to progress. And these dastardly politicians intend to deepen and widen the already existing grooves by introducing quotas and sub-quotas. Ridiculous. We should also learn from the animals, the way in which they unite against common predators. We are all aware of the predators.
Go ahead and do something good. It could be as simple as forwarding a resume to someone. If that person gets the job, (s)he will be very thankful. And there will be development in that person's life, which will naturally lead to an avalanche effect. The converse is also true... Let us pledge today, to do something nice, however small it could be - for the development of the society.
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