The world is one family

Jennifer, my young American friend came to see me the other day. She was narrating her experiences of rural Bengal and about its village women's life. Recently she went to Midnapur - one of the poorest districts in India and interacted with rural women of different age groups who were economically depressed and also socially and emotionally struggling. To know the reality of villages of Bengal and the misery and suffering across many-women from many parts of India, where they spend life as silent sufferers. It is true that such a deep rooted problem can not be solved by charity alone. And only by equipping women with education and skill formation can one can take the first step towards reaching the goal of self-sufficiency and empowerment. I admire Jennifer, who with her medical background is always ready to help such people and also runs an organisation to empower women from economically weaker sections of the society. Women are taught leather work, block printing and other skills. Products produced by them are sold in America, bringing good money to them and a sense of purpose if not comfort in their lives. In rich countries, things are mostly machine made and hand-made items are greatly appreciated. And so it is a natural fit between the handicraft of India and the desire for hand-made products in western countries. This is a great formula for uplifting woman’s lives. Vivekananda,s saying is so true. He said - those who serve poor, serve the Lord. A self centered life always tends to become boring, stagnant and joyless. Recently I heard a podcast by a famous doctor, where he discussed the problems of unhappiness among the educated and wealthy urban population. Though they have got everything, but something is missing in their lives , for which they do not experience inner satisfaction or “ santushti.” Comfort and status can be achieved by money, education, family support etc. But to have inner satisfaction, one must know how to give wings to the inner self, and like a butterfly, break out of a self-centred cocoon and be free, experience inner joy, and extend a helping hand to needy people. The butterfly cross-pollinates all around. And by cross-pollinating the needs of India's village women with the desires of hand-made items in developed industrialized economies, the effects of Jennifer's butterflies are fluttering all around the world. The Upanishad says, “ vasudhaiva Kutumbaka” , which means the world is one family. The task now is to share the joys and limit the sorrows of this family.