Joy of giving...

I recently read an interesting article in the newspaper about how Muslims from Bombay are the highest payers of zakat - a must religious practice for any devout wealthy Muslim, in the country. Bombay, being the financial capital of the country and having quite substantial number of Muslim population, millions of rupees bestowed for zakat, is not at all surprising! The article also discussed how some people go to the great lengths to find out people who are in dire need yet too self respecting to ask for any help. I found that act very impressive!

Charity is an important aspect in all religions in India and world over. Since last few weeks, with auspicious month of Ramdan and Shravana and festivals like Pateti, Onam, Paryushan and Ganesha Chaturthi the acts of charity have reached greater magnitude becoming a predominant part of celebrations. It is a very gratifying experience to see even people from relatively lower financial strata of society participate in such noble cause.

Every year, millions of rupees are donated by righteous people observing different faiths in India yet the irony is we find poverty in chronic condition! Isn't it something worth reflecting? Most of us don't even bother to check if the money has reached the right people once we donate it. Some of India's religious institutes are very rich with cash but they are not always transparent about their charitable activities and causes they undertake.

It is beautiful experience to share our blessings but it is also our duty to make sure that our help reaches the right people. Feeding poor people and providing them shelter is not enough no matter how well intended the exercise must be. We need to go beyond that. I feel, what is required is to make a systematic, detailed analysis of conditions of people deprived of basic human rights like food, shelter, healthcare, education and opportunities to work. We also need to make them employable.

It is high time we changed our mindset and approach towards charity. All that is required is a realization that charity is our solemn obligation towards society. We can make it our way of life and there is no need to wait for some religious event or festival to perform it. We can always reach out to needy people in our own little ways everyday and share smiles!