Some youngsters also think it could be a time to show the world one cares. Those subscribing to such an altruistic thought process may be in a minority but their uncoventional approach deserves a salute.
Drawn from various fields, these individuals are making an attempt to exploit their professinal expertise to bring a smile on the face of others. We are profiling a few such Metrolife interacted with:
Playback singer Priyadarshini and her parents will ring in the new year by spending time at Samarthanam, an organisation which works for children with disabilities. Her father Ram, the general manager of Tenicas, a chemical procurement construction company and mother Sumati, a homemaker are the co-ordinators of a cultural programme she plans to host there on the day. “I began the last two years this way and want to begin this new year in a similar fashion,” Priyadarshini says. “We make the children sing and dance with us on the stage and they feel really happy. And I really enjoy beginning a new year this way,” she added.
Dentists Dr Renuka Kivadasannauar, Dr Mitesh Kathariya and Dr A V Vikram plan to deliver a talk on oral hygiene and conduct a check-up camp for disabled children. It is the first time the group is trying out such a venture on the new year day and they are still in the stage of finalising the place they would visit. Friends would assiste them. “Every year, we go out for dinner and outings on the day. So, we have decided to do something really different this year, all the more because of our profession.”
Physically-challenged Pruthvuraj Hegde, an accounts specialist at ADC Telecommunications, has ushered in the last four years on a note of altruism. “I am disabled and have tasted professional success. I want to inspire and motivate others like me to succeed in life.” He has frequented Mobility India earlier and will spend this year at Samarthanam distributing cakes to children there and assist in organising cultural programmes there.
Of course, the softies have their own plans. N R Umesh and Neha Agarwal, software engineers at Telesystems have decided to contribute their mite to Asha Jeevan, a home for the aged, based at Bannerghatta road. Neha will make a contribution of Rs 3,500 which will go towards sponsoring lunch for 140 people on January 1. Umesh plans to contribute Rs 4,000 for buying medicines for the elderly.
When queried about his decision to celebrate so differently when most colleagues would be partying out in a big way, Umesh said, “My friends have big plans to do something substantial for society. in future. We are now making a small beginning. I believe I will be much more happier beginning my year this way. Probably this will become a part of our new year celebrations every year.”
A software couple at IBM, Nisha Aloor and Rajesh Nair, plan to sponsor dinner at Bharatiya Grameen Mahila Sangh at Annasandrapalaya.
Commendable gestures indeed that could make some of us rethink the way we celebrate the D-day.
