NRI AND NGO
People in India are very religious and those in southern parts are very conservative too. These people are very god fearing and often go to temple. Temples of south India are known for its cultural heritage, its architecture, the historical eminence and what not. Most of the temples are very huge that it can accommodate several hundreds of people inside the temple itself. Temples also have an attached water tank (kulam), which is a must. It can be used for temple’s daily activities and also for performing holy rituals. Apart from this tank, the temple will be surrounded with separate dedicated passages (mada veedhis) for the temple’s deities to go around and give their sacred presence on religious occasions. This is how, a temple is designed and with this backdrop we move forward to the current scenario.
What is happening today in and around the temple’s vicinity? Is the old tradition being still followed or given up? And one may ask many other questions.
As mentioned earlier, these people are very conservative and they don’t give up their old tradition very easily. But, what is happening around the temple’s vicinity!?
The tank’s premises in which sacred rituals for the temple’s deity is performed, is now being used by hawkers who have established small shops on pavements selling religious items, religious books etc. and sometimes even attract foreigners. It sometimes even becomes a shelter for some of the abandoned elders and people often mistake them for saints and they too become popular and start an earning by that means.
The dedicated passages (mada veedhis) are some how encumbered by the temple’s priests and they build houses for themselves and it passes on to their family. Apart from this the pavements are used by the vegetable and fruit vendors. Even the traffic is opened for general public unmindful of the fact that it is the way through which the Deity comes around. When the temple’s Deity is coming, then the people pave way temporarily and then they carry on with their mundane activities.
The sanctity of the water tank and the dedicated passage is lost. The worst part amongst all is the row of beggars who would be sitting outside the temple asking for alms from the devotees and from those who pass by that side, thereby creating a defamatory image for the whole temple. Some people give alms thinking that, it is like offering to the God and many consider it as a menace.
In one such temple, the beggars menace was so much that it went up to the ears of head trustee who is in charge for that temple and he did not know how to solve this issue.
This temple is very old and recognized as a heritage spot. Often tourists and other foreigners apart from the local people come there. The temple by itself is very huge having many halls where some people sit and do meditation and the whole activities inside the temple resembles to that of a mini city. The temple was recently renovated and it is mainly funded by philanthropic Non Government Organization. The person who funded that renovation is popular figure and is commonly called as NGO by the locals. NGO is a regular visitor of this temple and a staunch devotee of the temple’s God.
One day, the Head Trustee approached him and shared with him about the happenings of the temple and how funds given by his organization were being utilized and NGO was happy to hear that everything was happening in a healthy manner. Before leaving the temple, NGO noticed that there was some sort of agony in the Trustee’s face and went up to him asked him what it was. The Trustee told him about the menace of the beggars in the entrance of the temple and he was receiving many complaints from many devotees regarding this issue. Moreover clearing those beggars using force will bring bad name to the temple and will also attract Government’s eyes towards the temple. The situation is very tricky and if the condition is going to persist the Trustee will be removed from his job. He asked NGO for some ideas to tackle the current situation so that the issue can be solved his job can also be retained.
NGO smiled and promised that he will come up with a solution, the next day itself. The Trustee was waiting eagerly for the next day to come for he always lived up to his words. Next day, evening, after NGO doing his routine prayers inside the temple, he went to the Trustee’s room and said that he has good news for him. He continued, saying that his organization is expanding their activities following the heavy receipt money from Non Resident Indians. The Trustee was looking at NGO wryly and asked in what way it is good news for him. NGO smiled and said, patiently wait and watch.
For the next three days, NGO didn’t turn up to the temple and the Trustee became anxious for two reasons. NGO has not turned up and he is counting his days as Trustee in the temple. The fourth day, early morning, when all beggars, assembled to take their respective places, NGO walked towards the temple slowly with a fleet of vans behind him. He had a mike in his hand and was fifty meters away from the beggars group. Trustee on seeing the whole scene got shaken and was worrying what was going to happen.
NGO got the beggars attention and told in the mike that, he had started a self help group and assured them a proper place to live and they can have a proper earning for themselves. He also promised them to provide medicinal facilities and other amenities. Finally, he asked, who are all with me to live a life with dignity and honor instead of an unrecognized life.
Most of them, having tears of joy and moved by his rousing speech, started moving towards him slowly. Old ones, physically challenged and even mentally challenged ones too started because, their group were moving towards one person and it is none other than NGO. Public soon gathered to witness what was happening and some started praising NGO for taking such a bold initiative. But there were twelve rigid beggars who did not move and make any sign and started making sarcastic comments upon NGO. They told that, all these are eye wash and temporary and tried to pull back those who left the place. From no where police came and told them that they have been occupying the temple’s property and they have been receiving many complaints. Police also told that it was a second chance to re-live their life, either with NGO or in the jail. On hearing this, they fled in all the directions and NGO smiled. Police went away.
Those requiring medicinal treatments and those who are physically and mentally challenged were accommodated in separate vans and were taken to the Government Hospital for immediate treatment. Others were taken to the Self Help Organization.
Later, on that day, NGO went to the temple by evening and the Trustee was waiting to receive him with a garland. NGO humbly requested him not to make an issue of this. He said that, he did what he could do within his powers and requested him to see to it that there after no new set of beggars come and sit there or any where around the temple. The Trustee said that he was very thankful to him, and he will keep a vigil over this beggar’s movement. Since many people knew NGO very well, they started asking him, how he is going to manage these set of people, for which NGO replied that everything has been put in place for them to rehabilitate them to a normal set of people.
Days went on, and those in the hospital got discharged and some of the mentally challenged people were to be kept in permanent hospital care. It was indeed an emotional moment for the whole group. Later, that night Das, a physically challenged person in his mid sixties, who joined NGO’s self help group, went to meet NGO in his office. He greeted NGO and told him that his name was Das. NGO replied that he knew and asked what the matter was. Das told NGO that those set of twelve beggars who were resenting on that day when he came to the temple were their group’s leader. NGO smiled and asked him to continue. They used to collect their daily collections from them and torment them if they do not ask for alms and moreover they have tie ups with local politicians and police force. NGO asked Das that, what he was trying to tell. Das slowly asked him regarding, how did he bring the police force into the scene to clear them up.
NGO laughed out loud and told him that they were volunteers of this organization in the guise of police to frighten them. NGO also told Das that, he was aware of those twelve notorious people and their tie ups and he had been watching the activity of each and every person of beggar group including him and Das was astonished. In the very first conversation, NGO developed a liking towards Das and enquired how his health was. Das replied that in the hospital, they amputated his right leg, below the knee, because it was causing lot of trouble to the rest of the body.
As promised, next morning, NGO gave small jobs to these people and trained them regarding personal hygiene and he asked if anyone could volunteer to take the responsibility of taking attendance and supervising the jobs being done. Two people raised their hands. One was Mani and the other was Das. NGO quickly picked Das and promised Mani that he will be given the responsibility of cashier. NGO further reasoned that, this job will fit Das because, this job was to be done in sitting posture for longer hours and he did not want to deny chance to Das and at the same time convinced Mani that the job of cashier is more responsible one and he would be held accountable in case of any embezzlement of cash. Das was very happy for getting the job.
Months went by, and many people in the Self Help Group started learning how to make agarbathies. A separate group was involved in packing of turmeric powder in small boxes and one more team was specialized in packing beatle nuts. Das was supervising all of them and at the end of the day, both Das and Mani will report to NGO regarding the happenings and the money collections. On seeing the performance of this group, NGO was amazed and wanted to make them autonomous from his Non Government Organisation as this group was growing in leaps and bounds and he opined the same to Mani and Das. Both of them did not agree for the proposal as they always wanted to be together as a family. But NGO, bluntly saying that the matter would be put forth for a discussion in a meeting, on next Sunday.
Before the meeting itself Mani spread the news about the meeting, but Das on hearing NGO’s proposal became pale. Meeting was held amongst the Self Help Group, chaired by NGO and he presented his proposal of making the group autonomous from his organization as they are more profitable. The whole group of “rehabilitated” folks started shouting back against the proposal. Many complained that, they would rather go for begging instead of being separated from NGO. NGO was taken back by their resistance and then came to know that Mani had told the proposal well ahead of him and had asked them to resist. He also suspected Das, but he was not present in the meeting. The meeting was a complete chaos and NGO had to call off the proposal.
The next day, NGO called both Mani and Das to his office privately. Das was pale and silent. Before NGO asking, an agitated Mani started the conversation stating that the whole group believed that they are all together with NGO like a family. While speaking, tears started flowing from his eyes and he continued saying that, such a sudden separation after being together like a child and mother is completely unfair. NGO then patiently asked Das, if he had anything to say. Das did not utter any word, but nodded his head, negatively. After taking a deep breath, NGO reassured that the issue has been dropped and everyone is a family. On hearing this, Mani became jubilant, but Das was still pale. NGO noticed this and kept mum.
Month end was approaching, and by the end of the month, the Self Help Group would be completing one year. NGO was organizing a small function amongst themselves and had also called people from his Non Government Organisation and few close friends and the temple’s trustee. Moreover, NGO took care to arrange for a small memento for each member of that group. On that day, everyone turned up except the trustee. Still the function went on well and it was marked as a memorable day in the diary of the Self Help Group. NGO, as a token of encouragement for Das had arranged for an artificial limb, which would enable him to walk with less support.
The next day NGO went to temple as usual and while leaving he went to trustee’s room to ask, why he did not turn up for the function. The trustee replied that a man of his status would not be attending beggar’s meeting in an impolite way. But NGO patiently told him that, they were not beggars any more. He also continued saying that they were earning their own livelihood. The trustee shot back saying that, still the fact remains that they were beggars. He further warned NGO that one of his “so called” rehabilitated men, named Das, comes to the temple daily by morning and was trying to enter the temple. He continued saying that, his menace is so much that he had to shout at him every morning saying that temples cannot be accessed by beggars.
On hearing this NGO was shocked. He went to the Self Help Group swiftly and summoned Das. Das told him about all the blasphemies which he had faced every morning from the trustee, when he attempted to enter the temple. At this point of time, Das requested NGO that, he was getting older day by day and he expressed that he wanted to go inside that temple at least once and worship the deity. He pleaded NGO to use his influence to get him inside as Trustee was a barrier. NGO promised him to take him inside, but told him that he would not use any influence. Then NGO asked DAS if, this was the issue that had made him go pale. Das nodded his head positively. NGO asked Das to keep on going to temple every morning and try to persuade the Trustee to allow him inside with a purpose.
As usual next morning Das went to the temple, walking slowly. Trustee invited him at the entrance with harsh words. Das asked him to speak politely. Trustee shot back asking, why he should respect a beggar. Das hung his head low and went back. Later, that morning NGO came to the temple and the Trustee told him that his pet beggar came and his bold attempt went in vein. NGO smiled and told him that he had news for him. He told a NRI is coming to his Non Government Organization and he is a philanthropist. He was one of the founders and this time he had donated a hefty sum to their organization. Trustee asked NGO that he was about to tell a news. NGO smiled and said that, the NRI was interested in donating a fat sum to this temple as he was born and brought up in this city and his forefathers were holding high posts in this temple. Trustee’s face became bright and asked NGO for the date of arrival of that gentleman. NGO replied that he would be coming in a week’s time.
Next morning, as usual Das approached the temple and he was not using his crutches any more. Trustee identified him and made a mockery of him saying that, even if he is going to fly and come he would be caught like a firefly. He was so ashamed that, he went and complained this to NGO. NGO said that he had no time to listen to his cribbing, for he was expecting an NRI to receive and he asked Das not to disturb. Das did not expect such a reply from NGO. He was determined to complain this matter. But he did not know, to whom to complain. The next day, he went to the temple, without bathing, with lengthy hair and beard and trustee saw him. Trustee did his routine shouting at him and told him that a NRI is going to come to the temple and asked him not to show his face thereafter because, he resembled the Das as he used to be in the “olden days”. Saying this, the Trustee laughed at his face and said that, still if he was going to come, he was not at all a human being and went inside the temple. Das fell down on his knees, for he had no more tears to shed. He could not go back to NGO, because he was interested upon an NRI and the Trustee was also interested upon the same NRI. Finally he thought that perhaps this God must also be interested upon this NRI because, he was the one who was going to give donations and he concluded that even these days, Gods are money minded and why should they care for a man, who lived as a beggar in his past life. Slowly, he raised and stood up and walked away. He was no where to be seen.
For next two days, Das was not found either in the Self Help Group or at the temple’s premises. Trustee was happy that he got rid of Das at the right moment. NGO was busy with NRI as he had arrived one day before schedule, and hence he was not curious about Das’s whereabouts. People in Self Help Group began to search for Das. Meanwhile, trustee made all possible arrangements to make the temple to look impressive on the arrival of NRI.
The next day, people from Self Help Group rang NGO to ask if they could lodge a police complaint, regarding the whereabouts of Das. But, NGO pacified them and told them to search and wait for two more days. They all obliged. Later, that evening, NGO took NRI to that temple. Trustee was awaiting their arrival. They both got down from a high-class car. On seeing NRI, Trustee was perplexed. He was wondering, how a rich man was so simple and down to earth. NGO introduced Trustee to NRI. NRI politely asked Trustee that, why had he made big arrangements for an arrival of just one man. NRI’s voice was so soft and serene that Trustee kept on praising about him to NGO. NRI was slowly, but steadily walking inside the temple and was watching at each and every hall inside the temple, the architectural marvellence, the paintings and the people around them. Trustee took them to sanctum sanctorum, which was made free from crowd exclusively for them. All the three of them worshipped the deity to their heart’s content and then they were slowly walking inside the temple premises. NRI did not talk much, but Trustee was nagging NGO, whether would the temple get any donation from him or not, for which NRI could not tell anything.
All the three of them slowly came towards the temple’s exit and NRI walked along with NGO towards the car. Trustee stood perplexed, as NRI did not give any donations as he was expecting. Then NRI opened the car’s door, took his cheque book and gave a cheque to Trustee, with a smile on his face. Trustee on seeing the amount, was flabbergasted. NRI apologized and said that he was dumb struck with the beauty of the temple. Trustee did not know how to react and quickly opened the door for NRI to get inside the car as a gesture of respect. NRI left along with NGO to the meet the people of Self Help Group. NGO managed to call everyone and introduced NRI. Some of them were mumbling that when Das was missing, who wants to see NRI. NRI asked who was that Das for which NGO gave the necessary reply. He also told everyone that, Das has been found and he was safe. Everyone started to ask about his whereabouts, but NGO did not reply.
Next morning, NRI bid goodbye to Non Government Organisation members and the Self help Group members and left. Later that morning, NGO went to temple as usual and offered his prayers and came out. He saw a familiar figure standing out and it was Das. He called the members of Self Help Organization to come to temple in order to see Das.
On seeing Das trying to enter the temple, Trustee resisted. The members were assembling behind him one by one. The trustee said that the whole beggar group has come to the temple to ask for alms in a sarcastic way. The whole members shouted in single voice. Das asked them to remain silent and said that he wanted to talk.
Trustee, looking at Das said that he was looking bit decent because he had shaven his beard and hair, but the fact remains that he is still a beggar. Das said that he is a rehabilitated man and he can be allowed inside the temple to worship the deity. Trustee said that still he was a beggar only and beggars are not allowed inside the temple. Das replied saying that in front of God, all are one and the same and all are His children, for God knows no distinction. He continued saying that, he wanted to go inside the temple to worship the God and not to beg. Trustee said cynically that he and his group did not understand certain things. He said that if, people like him enter, then the sanctity and the purity of the temple would be lost. There was a huge uproar behind Das on hearing this. Das turned towards them and pleaded them to be silent.
Das finally took a breath and looked at Trustee’s eyes and said that still he needs to be allowed inside his room which is in temple, if not the Sanctum Sanctorum. Trustee laughed and asked him that what on the earth had he to do in his room. Das smiled and said that he had forgotten to sign the cheque which Trustee had kept in his room the day before. Trustee was shivering and sweating. Suddenly, one person started to clap and it was none other than NGO. Every one started to clap along with him and the whole crowd slowly marched inside the temple. Das was standing firm on his one and a half leg. NGO came to him and asked why he not went inside. Das replied that he had a very good dharshan as an NRI the day before and told that he would once again go inside as an NRI only and both NRI and NGO laughed together.
