Helping the Deprived: A Path to Divine Fulfilment and Inner Happiness
"The
world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed
without changing our thinking."
-Albert
Einstein
This profound truth resonates deeply in the
story of Abhimanyu Das, a 50-year-old book-binder from Cuttack, Odisha, whose
extraordinary journey of compassion and resilience inspires us to rethink the
way we perceive service and humanity. Abhimanyu Das, a living example of
selflessness and dedication, serving as a guardian angel for the
underprivileged and cancer patients at Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre
and SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, finds his Happiness in
alleviating the suffering of others.
His story captured national attention in 2020
when cricket legend VVS Laxman lauded his relentless efforts through a
heartfelt tweet, bringing his quiet yet powerful work into the limelight.
Behind this recognition lies a tale of immense personal loss, transformation,
and a decision to turn adversity into a purpose.
In 2002, Das met with a life-altering
accident that left him bedridden for eight months. During this difficult time,
he experienced the kindness of strangers who donated blood to save his life.
Tragically, the same period saw him lose his mother to cancer. These events
marked a turning point in his life, planting the seeds for a mission that would
define his future. In 2006, Abhimanyu began dedicating his life to serving
cancer patients. Whether it was providing financial assistance, emotional
support, or ensuring dignified cremations for the unclaimed deceased, he made
it his life's mission to give where there was need. To date, he has conducted
over 2,000 cremations and extended care to countless patients, embodying a
level of humanity that is truly rare.
Abhimanyu Das’s journey teaches us a valuable
lesson: when we change our thinking, we have the power to Change the world. His
story reminds us that even in the face of immense personal loss and struggle,
there is always an opportunity to make a difference. One small step, fuelled by
empathy and a sense of purpose, can touch countless lives and inspire others to
follow suit.
In a world often defined by self-interest,
Abhimanyu Das stands tall as a beacon of hope, proving that true happiness lies
in service to others. Let his story remind us that each of us has the potential
to create ripples of change, no matter how small or unassuming our beginnings
might be. In a world often preoccupied with materialistic pursuits and lofty
goals, the act of helping others can seem like an afterthought, something to do
when you’ve “got enough” to spare. Yet, for those who have experienced a deeper
sense of fulfilment, the act of giving is not just a duty or a Choice but a
divine form of worship. Helping the deprived and uplifting those who suffer
from poverty, hardship, or neglect is not only a way of improving the world
around us but also a means of finding inner peace and spiritual enrichment. It
is an endeavor that goes beyond financial transactions—it requires passion,
empathy, and a sense of interconnectedness with all of humanity.
The True Essence of Helping the Deprived
At the core of Helping others lies the
understanding that service to humanity is equivalent to worshipping the divine.
Many religious and philosophical traditions emphasize that serving others is a
form of devotion to God or the universe. Whether through charity, social work,
or simply offering a helping hand to those in need, the act of giving is seen
as an expression of love and compassion. And we can’t deny that helping others
is the key to true happiness in life
In this context, helping the deprived is not
just about donating money or resources; it’s about acknowledging the sanctity
of human life and the interconnectedness that binds all people. When we extend
our hand to help someone in need, we are not simply offering charity—we are
expressing our gratitude for the blessings we have and seeking to create a more
compassionate world. This is where the act of helping becomes worship—a form of
reverence that transcends the material and reaches into the spiritual realm.
Passion Over
Money: The Heart of True Charity
While financial contributions are undoubtedly
Important, they are not the sole or even most essential means of helping
others. In fact, the act of helping requires far more than just money; it
demands passion, dedication, and a willingness to invest time and energy into
making a difference. Passion fuels genuine acts of kindness and empathy,
transforming a simple gesture of help into a life-changing experience for both
the giver and the receiver. Money can alleviate immediate hardships, but it
cannot address the deeper needs of human connection, emotional support, or the
sense of dignity that comes with being treated with respect. It is passion—the
willingness to listen, to understand, to be present—that truly enriches the
lives of those who are suffering.
Charity Begins at Home
The old adage “charity begins at home” speaks
to the idea that before we can effectively help others, we must first care for
the needs within our own families, communities, and inner circles. It is easy
to look outward, to identify the suffering of people in far-off places, and to
feel the urge to make a difference. However, true charity starts with
recognizing the needs of those closest to us—our family members, friends,
neighbors, and even ourselves.
By cultivating a spirit of generosity within our homes, we establish a foundation of love, support, and care that can then extend outward into the wider community. Helping those closest to us fosters a culture of kindness that becomes ingrained in our way of being. It is through these smaller, intimate acts of giving that we learn the importance of selflessness and compassion.
Moreover, charity that begins at home is not
limited to financial assistance; it includes offering emotional support,
helping with chores, providing mentorship, and even listening with an open heart.
Personal Struggles and a Shift in Perspective
Sometimes, it is not until we experience a
painful or life-altering incident in our life that we are able to truly
empathize with the suffering of others. A loss, a hardship, or a time of
personal crisis often serves as a wake-up call, a moment of awakening that
shifts our perspective on the world. It is through our own struggles that we
come to understand the deep emotional and psychological needs of those who
suffer, especially the deprived.
Such painful experiences can help us break
down the barriers of judgment and apathy. They teach us that suffering is not a
sign of weakness or a result of bad choices but rather an inevitable part of
the human life. When we experience suffering ourselves, we are better able to
offer compassion and understanding to others who are going through similar
struggles. Our personal pain, while difficult to bear, becomes a source of
understanding, allowing us to reach out and help others in ways that would not
be possible without it.
The Transformative Power of Helping Others
Helping others is the key to true happiness
in life, it’s not just an act of generosity—it’s a source of profound personal
transformation. One of life’s Beautiful paradoxes is that the more we give, the
more we receive. By extending a helping hand to those in need, we awaken a
reservoir of positive energy that nourishes us forever.
This energy is not just uplifting; it’s
magnetic. The satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in someone’s life
ignites an intrinsic desire to do more. When we give, we grow. Through service,
we don’t just improve the lives of others—we elevate our own, finding a deeper
connection to life’s meaning and to the divine essence of compassion.
How to
Achieve Inner Happiness in Unhappy World
In a world often overwhelmed by negativity,
conflict, and despair, the pursuit of inner happiness can seem like an elusive
goal. However, true happiness is not found in wealth, fame, or external
achievements—it is found in the quiet, meaningful moments when we help others
and connect with the deeper aspects of Life. The simple act of offering a hand
to someone in need can bring a profound sense of joy and fulfilment that no
material possession can provide.
This attitude of selflessness, of giving
without expectation of return, is the key to inner happiness. It is the one
thing that transcends the temporary satisfaction of worldly pleasures and
provides lasting contentment. In helping the deprived, we shift our focus away
from our own desires and concerns and connect with something greater—something
that is rooted in compassion, love, and shared humanity.
Dear Readers, to conclude, I would say helping
the deprived is not merely a social obligation or a moral choice; it is a
spiritual calling, an act of worship that connects us to the divine and to the
very essence of humanity. It requires more than just money—it demands passion,
empathy, and a willingness to give of ourselves. When we help others, we create
a ripple effect of compassion that spreads throughout the world. In doing so,
we not only lift others out of their suffering but also find within ourselves a
deep well of joy and fulfilment. This is the true source of inner happiness in
an often unhappy world—a happiness that comes from the simple, powerful act of
giving.
