Mandala
June 2024
Mandala
Trading pleasure for peace
In the lively streets of Gujarat, there’s a story that’s spreading warmth and hope.
A couple once had everything money could buy but still felt something missing in their lives. They worked hard and became wealthy, living a life of luxury and comfort. However, despite their riches, they felt a yearning for something deeper—a sense of purpose and fulfilment that money couldn’t provide. Eventually, they discovered Jainism, a belief system that emphasises kindness, compassion, and selflessness.
This discovery changed everything for the couple. They realised that true happiness doesn’t come from having lots of money but from living a life of meaning and kindness towards others. Inspired by Jain teachings, they made a bold decision—to give away all their wealth and start a new life as Jain monks.
The couple’s resolution surprised many because they were leaving behind their luxurious lifestyle to pursue a simple life focussed on spirituality. But for them, the choice was clear: they wanted to find inner peace and live in accordance with their newfound beliefs.
This courageous act by the couple has touched the hearts of people around the world, reminding us all of the importance of values like compassion and generosity. Their journey serves as a powerful example of how true happiness can be found in acts of kindness and selflessness.
As they continue on their path, the couple inspires us to reflect on our own lives and consider what truly brings us joy and fulfilment. Their story teaches us that no matter how much wealth we may have, the greatest treasure of all is a heart filled with love and compassion.
A tale of true grit
Cancer afflicts many, but very few turn this adversity into a saga of strength, renewal, and inspiration. Jagriti Verma, 68, a resident of Gorakhpur, not only beat cancer but went on to learn Kathak as well as martial arts, defying the belief that sickness and ageing can destroy your dreams.
Jagriti’s life has been a journey filled with ups and downs, but through it all, she’s shown incredible resilience and strength. Born in 1956 in Faizabad, she grew up in a loving family with five siblings. Her early years were happy, but as she grew older, she faced challenges that would test her spirit.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jagriti says, “One of the toughest challenges I faced was my struggle with health issues and my inability to have children. I underwent eight abortions, which brought me immense sadness and heartache.” As if that was not enough, in her forties, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Not the one to give up, Jagriti fought back resiliently and was declared cancer-free after endless rounds of treatments and chemotherapy. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she decided to uplift others who were in a similar condition.
Jagriti says, “Helping others has always been my passion. I found solace in serving cancer patients and providing them with emotional support, practical assistance, and a compassionate presence.” Her experiences with the illness enabled her to connect with patients on a deeper level, offering them hope and encouragement during their darkest days.
Through selfless seva, Jagriti earned recognition from organisations like the Indian Medical Association, highlighting the profound impact of her service. But her journey didn’t stop there. In addition to her work at the hospital, she kept on learning and adding new skills to her repertoire. She learnt Kathak and karate, which boosted her self-confidence. Jagriti shares, “I found that martial arts became a form of therapy for me. It helped me channel my inner strength and overcome the physical and emotional toll of my health struggles. Today, I continue to pursue my passion for martial arts. I find joy and fulfilment in every kick and punch.”
Jagriti also teaches children martial arts in her free time, imparting them the invaluable lessons of grit, determination, and resilience in the face of hardships, along with self-defence.
Jagriti’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and strength to be found. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and perseverance, inspiring others to face their own challenges with courage and determination.
The Chrysalis of Education
I was impressed when I came across Anandalaya Public School which works diligently to improve the mindset of young people. I volunteered to teach English online to their teachers in Jharkhand and I found them to be very committed.
In the process, I learnt that they wish to engender a change in the mindsets of the underprivileged and remove the caste bias that is still prevalent there.
They are associated with PIDT (People’s Institute for Development and Training). The institute and the school are influenced by Nai Talim of Gandhiji and nature connectedness of Gurudev Tagore. It works on a unique pedagogy, emphasising learning through doing as well as developing empathy for others. Apart from studies, it conducts extracurricular activities on agriculture, music and dance every Saturday.
Their goal is to promote meaningful interaction between individuals and contribute to societal development, aiming for a positive impact across all domains.
This certainly seems to be happening, slowly but steadily. One boy from the Santhan community is doing his post-doctoral studies in South Korea. One orphan has become an RTI activist. Many children have become engineers and teachers. Two children became doctors one has completed his mass communication. Another example is that of Irshad, the son of a small shopkeeper with no educational background in his family. He joined the school and is now an established software engineer in Bhubaneswar.
The school was established by educationist, banker, social scientist, artist, visionary and charismatic leader Late Prof. Subhachari Dasgupta in 1980. It was established to continue the work initiated by NIBM (National Institute of Bank Management) under the rural action programme to bring financial inclusion to the poor. In this system, social workers spearhead team members trained in development communication. They initiated an action plan in 29 districts in nine states. They certainly seem to be doing so with diligence and passion. Ashish Pandey a teacher who is working from them since 2017 says, “I am happy that I able to use my teaching skills to make a difference.” At a senior level, Prof. Indira Dasgupta, Director, PIDT says, “The school is a chrysalis from where the children emerge as butterflies to pollinate the world.