Anna danam maha danam. While things like clothes and shelter affect the quality of life, absence of food can snatch away life itself. Feeding a starving man is the greatest service to mankind. Providing free food to the hungry and needy is the noblest of all donations. It is the only fete where the beneficiary says ‘enough’ on his stomach becoming full. We were longing for a day of feeding the needy. We were lucky enough.
It was my grandson’s birthday. We decided to celebrate it in a way to make the day meaningful. Unanimously, we decided that the celebrations should be in the midst of the young inmates of the Balika Bhawan, a coastal home for the poor, helpless, forlorn and forgotten at Thirumullavaram, Kollam. For their evening treat, we prepared upma, sambar and chutney; vada, banana and chocolates enriched the menu. When our auto reached the centre with snacks, the children received us with enthusiasm. Even kids aged four or five displayed their readiness to help us offload the paraphernalia. The sister-in-charge was active, leading the young ‘scouts’.
After prayer, the children wished in chorus my grandson, the birthday boy. Now it was time for refreshment. The sister was kind enough to give us the privilege of serving the children ourselves. We were all in ecstasy when we were asked to join them for one or two mouthfuls. How kind and loving they were towards us. What an immense stint of love, kindness and affection the mother in white robes does exercise towards her fond ‘flock’! Even biological mothers can be arrayed only behind her. After a couple of glorious hours with these little hearts, it was time for us to leave the heaven on earth. Even the thought of parting made our hearts weighty with emotions; anyway we were destined to vanish from these human roses, smelling sweet by proximity and even by thought. The children bade adieu to us all waving their hands. Yes, we left with atma thripthe (soul satisfaction) that we have done something making a day in our life meaningful.
Taking the forefront, I have hosted many a family function; I have seen hundreds of guests enjoying the feast at different functions and celebrations. But the joy and contentment enchanting us while we were feeding these young dignitaries of the home knew no bounds. Now I have only one prayer. Oh God, do bless us. So much so that we are gifted with the fortune of feeding, as often as possible, such God’s own children.
Email: esrlingam@gmail.com