HELPING HANDS

In his first years in the field of clinical biochemistry, Narendra Nayak had collected blood specimens from a variety of patients. This had inured him to the suffering of disease. But a recent experience tugged at his gut! His restaurateur friends Ajit and Raja wanted to do something for needy children. His wife Asha suggested feeding children who were in a special home for the HIV positive, in Mangalore.

Narendra wrote about their moving experience with the kids, none above 18, and their predicament of a short life despite the available medication. He wrote about resource deficit at the home and appealed for the generosity of helping hands to support the tender needs of a shunned childhood. The write up tugged strings in many a mind as help started coming in from all over the world.

Some sponsored utility stuff. Others made liberal donations. Vijetha chose to spend her entire vacation with the children. When she realised that some needed footwear, she decided to buy for all so that none felt left out. But the owner of the shop, Alwyn Rosario was himself moved that the generous discount that he offered made it look as if the shoes were being given free. Indeed the circle of helping hands had widened.

Narendra who heads the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) likes to state that ‘helping hands are always better than lips which pray!’ So often, so many of us are moved by the pain of others... but so few extend a helping hand. But it is not enough to extend the helping hand, it would be better to extend the number of helping hands!

For the world to BE BETTER some earnestly pray...

But it is the helping hands that show the real way!

- Pravin K. Sabnis