इच्छाशक्ती ६ ~ सेवा

I've stopped usually writing about anything that people might consider as a political view. The idea behind it is just to avoid all negativity that it brings along without any purpose. But today, I want to write. Write about an individual, his selfless and brave efforts in doing something that brings meaning to his life. Write about an organisation, which inculcates these values of Selfless Seva (Service) of humanity.

"Nitin Tamhankar", a childhood friend, actually an year junior from school days. A person who comes across to me as a constant knowledge seeker, a person who constantly strives to do things that add value to the society and give purpose and meaning to his own life in return. 

He has been a part of a volunteer organization which helps collate/analyse data that helps pridict landslides during monsoon seasons. This prediction helps government take appropriate steps to avoid accidents on various highways across the state of Maharashtra.

Nitin is also a staunch RSS worker and has been associated with Sangh for many years. With Sangh he has always been involved in various community services that Sangh takes on as a routine.

But this time, when the world has come to a complete standstill, as it fights a tough battle with an enemy, which can't be seen, RSS rose to the occasion once again. And our friend Nitin being a humble followers of the organisational ethos, has happily agreed to come forward and do what many of us can't even imagine doing.

I must admit and acknowledge that there are many organisations/NGO/government bodies which are doing commendable job in these trying times and my appreciation for Nitin or RSS by no mean undermines their efforts.

So here it goes. Almost all of are aware that Pune is one of the red zones for Covid19 infections in the country and the government is doing all that is possible for them to contain the spread. But in these trying times adequate manpower is hard to find. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) wanted to initiate a drive to test each and every person in the hotspots within Pune City from where most patients were detected and PMC needed manpower support. 

That's when Pune RSS agreed to come forward and help. So with the help of RSS teams consisting 4 people each (1 doctor & 3 volunteers) were formed to be sent to different areas. They were trained for a couple of days to use PPEs, take samples, temperatures so on and so forth and then sent to these areas along with an ambulance.

Their job was to collect samples, data by visiting each home in those slums.

After working in those PPEs almost for the whole day and coming back to their bases, carefully removing PPEs, sanitizing themselves they used to get a glass of water and lemonade.

After completion of his project, he is now spending time away from his family in an isolation facility created by PMC. He will stay there for prescribed time, get checked for Covid19 post completion of this time. Only when all this is done and he's found safe, will he be allowed to go home to his family.

Shere grit of these brave people in making a meaningful contribution to the society, when it's needed the most, is something I don't even have words to praise for. He described this service in these lines which also reflect the motto that RSS lives for:

           - सेवा है यज्ञकुंड समिधा सम हम जलें |

             ध्येय महासागर में सरित रूप हम मिलें ||

Which roughly translates as "We are just a small offering to this ritual of service to mankind and our aim is to contribute to this ocean just like a river does".

I salute the selfless karyakartas of RSS with folded hands and am proud to have a friend like Nitin.