Experience The Joy Of Giving With Daan Utsav

I have been a volunteer for Daan Utsav for the last 3 years and cannot believe that I have not been doing this all my life. It is such an amazing way to engage with different members of the community, involving them to experience the joy in giving. Most of the time people do not really know whether what they do can make a difference or they do not know at times where to start. Inspiration can come from the most unlikely place.

One of the volunteers I take inspiration from works with Zardozi artisans’ families in chowk and I really admire the unselfish way in which he comes forward to connect with different people during Daan Utsav, sharing information and being present whenever required for meetings and coordination.

When people have got to know about Daan Utsav, they have celebrated with acts of giving as easy to do as taking the children of your household staff out to a movie. When children from an orphanage enjoyed watching the biopic Dhoni on screen, for most of them the first time in a cinema, the experience of those who took them was amazing. When organizing seva melas in rural areas sometimes a simple treat like an ice cream can be something that a child eats for the first time. Imagine if your child can be involved in such an experience, it will be a memory for a lifetime.

Organizations like Rotary and Inner wheel who do so much for community development on an ongoing basis can also join hands and celebrate this joyous festival. This year like before several inner wheel teams will celebrate in communities where they live with inclusive programs. It is as easy as spending a few hours out of your comfort zone. Each one of us has a skill we can impart which can make a difference to someone else.

Especially for children who grow up in private schools, seldom experiencing what life is like outside the safety of home, school or the places they visit for activities, it is an eye-opener and it makes them empathize with and want to make a difference.

One 9 year old whose mother has been an enthusiastic volunteer in Kanpur since last 3 years is sponsoring 10 first libraries for children in village schools from her own pocket money. To experience the joy of seeing your children actively participate in the joy of giving is a good reason for you to want to celebrate this festival too!

As more and more people question the way to find meaning in life and how to achieve happiness, this is a sure fire way to connect you to your path in inner peace and happiness.

The best way to lifelong emotional well-being is to feel connected—to family members, friends, members of your immediate and extended community. How better to connect than to participate in this fabulous festival of giving. Celebrate Daan Utsav this year from 2 – 8 October and every year!