Category: Miscellaneous

01 May 2024 10:52

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55771

Points:	5

Small empathy does make a big difference

There is a upper middle class hotel on the outskirts of Chennai City. It is strategically located at the virtual entrance of the city metropolitan area. Yes, the city itself has expanded far beyond this point on the Chennai-Bangalore Highway.

Nothing comes cheap here. The hygiene is good and the quality of food and the tiffin items is above average. Recently, I saw an elderly person, easily 70 plus in age, opening the glass door. Just imagine this poor fellow standing there and eagerly saluting every customer, in the hope that at least fifty percent of the minimum 500 customers would give him something.
. I handed over Rs.20 and his eyes lit up. He thanked me and smiled. He not only opened the door but also asked me if the food was good.

We need some small empathy for such people. As such, a 70 plus man should take rest at home. But this poor fellow would possibly be paid some Rs7000 per month, apart from the free food.

When I could part with Rs356 for light snack at 430 PM, I did not mind giving him the Rs20/-. Empathy should ofcourse find expression elsewhere too. I do collect shirts and pants and other dress material from my very rich relatives who use a pant for just five times and then never use it at all, and give those away to those who happily accept it. The rich relatives earn four lakh rupees every month and are in fact doing their bit, as the clothes reach those who can never spend Rs4000 for a single pant.

Inequalities need to be addressed in innovative ways. Empathy is one vital factor here.

#778933

01 May 2024 13:17

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109190

Points:	4

Those who have money and are better off can show such gestures from time to time to the deserving fellows. Empathy is a great trait and people helping the needy and poor show this great quality at times.
But it does not mean that we blindly help these people. We must ascertain it beforehand.
When I am going to get petrol filled in my car then the petrol pump provides us a free tyre air check service. The boy assigned that work appears tired and fatigued by overwork as a large number of cars line up there for air pressure checking.
I, most of the time pay Rs 10 to that boy though he never asked me for it. That appeared a genuine case to me.

Knowledge is power.

#778937

01 May 2024 15:42

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55771

Points:	5

Umesh Sir, in almost one hundred percent of such cases, the concerned people are very poor and do not have anything to eat for at least a few days in a month. They totally depend on the ration rice or wheat for their survival. Their wives and children and, in many cases, grandchildren, pester them to get them costly cell phones, get them to see movies, get the best internet connection and so on. I researched at least forty such families and each of them have debts. They mostly borrow from the money lenders for 36 percent per annum interest or even more. They keep on paying the interest for a very long time. If they do not pay money, the rowdies show up and simply bash them. Their sons and daughters study in Government schools and colleges and somehow make both ends meet to become graduates and then their family situation improves. After 2014, mostly contract jobs are available, even for qualified graduate engineers. In cases where the family owns at least a small house in their native village, the family gets to live a slightly better life. But one major calamity, like a drought or heavy rains or a major illness of a family member, washes away their savings and social security. We hence need more empathy for such people.

#778940

01 May 2024 17:11

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109190

Points:	5

AB Sivakumar, first of all I am very happy that after getting back to normal, recovering from your ailment, you are actively participating in the forum section and I hope that you will be soon active in Article section also.
Coming back to the discussion, there might be many underprivileged people today in our country though you have specifically mentioned about those who are living in Tamilnadu. I also strongly feel that rich or upper class people should help them as far as possible and that is a good attitude but that is only a temporary solution to the large problem.
Until the Govt schemes or progress in private sector creates jobs and engagements for these people, their condition would not improve. Every Govt, Central or State tries to do that but the ultimate beneficiary is not this segment of the society. It means there are still many bottlenecks creating hindrances. Let us hope that Central as well as State Govt become more proactive in this issue.

Knowledge is power.

#778942

01 May 2024 20:23

Joined:	25/11/2014
Level:	Diamond
Points:	43292

Points:	4

The author has indicated an example of how happy the old man was when he received a sum of Rs 20/- from him. It is a good gesture shown against the old man. Being a ripped aged old man he is still doing some job for his maintenance. A mere 7000/- per month is not adequate enough to meet the expenses for the entire month. However, the best part is that he is still continuing some job for the mitigation of his worries.
Let us show our empathy whenever we come across an old man having his frail health. A smiling face of such people will provide us with tremendous relief.

#778950

02 May 2024 06:12

Joined:	20/01/2017
Level:	Diamond
Points:	25422

Points:	5

Many people in our country are helping the poor and needy persons in various ways and it is not only help by providing cash that matters but help in form of material is also an important aspect.
In our area there is a big departmental store where they have placed a big container where people can donate and place their old clothes. That has become very popular because there are some people who buy clothes on a regular basis and want to dispose their old clothes.
Many poor people are coming there to take those clothes for their use and it has become a good source of clothes for the poor people living in the town. So such material help can also be made by people to help the needy.
Another thing I noticed is that some people are offering packed food to the poor and needy during the festival times especially near the temples. That is also a good way to help the needy people.

Thoughts exchanged is knowledge gained.

#778962

02 May 2024 13:10

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145553

Points:	5

I have seen some such people wasting that money on drinking or smoking. Then the very purpose of giving some money with a lot of empathy towards such people will harm the person rather than help them. That is why these days some people offer some food items rather than giving them some case. Oneday I was coming out of a temple. Two female beggars were sitting there. I had a ten rupees note. So I handed over that to one of the two ladies and asked her to give five rupees to the other lady. She took out 5 rupees coin in my presence and offered the other lady. To my surprise, the other lady refused to take it. She asked me to take that from her and give it. I refused and came back asking the first lady to keep ten to herself.
Anyhow I feel empathy is a very good trait and one should show empathy towards other people, especially towards the people who are in difficult situations. Offering food items is much better than giving cash which can be misused.

drrao
always confident

Small empathy does make a big difference

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