If you can do it, I shall do it!!

Here is an incident or should I say a series of magical moments which took place in two days, that changed my perception. Probably, after reading this bit, it will change your perception too, about many things. Often we hear many inspiring lines, read many inspiring books from different authors about goal, aspiration, passion and ambition. We also watch a lot of different kinds of movies which talk about dedication, achievement, hard work, focus and what not! Have you ever personally known anyone closely who have read such books or watched such movies, and seen a positive change in their own life or goals or achievements? Well this question might be a little tricky to answer and differ in opinion, person to person. 

I have known a lot of people who read volumes of such books and watched plenty of such movies, but honestly, they remain what they are, forever without changing even a bit. Inspiration and zeal does not come into our minds through self-help books or movies with social messages, according to me. I say, they might just momentarily make you feel inspired and enthusiastic. But after a few days, you might even, not remember the author of the book you read. The perseverance and purpose of achievement lies within us, uninterrupted by any kind of restrictions. The obstacles around us are built by no one, but ourselves. We circumscribe ourselves from accomplishing beautiful things in this world.

You must be wondering, what am I arriving at now? Just look at these kids.... 

We (Shristi Adventure Consultants), conducted a programme at Camp Shristi with George Joseph of Ginosko Consultants, for about 54 underprivileged kids of mixed age group. There were mobility impaired kids, uncommunicative and other lesser privileged kids with different abilities, in this group. It was a two-day programme, which happened to change all our perceptions about many things. There is definitely no better learning than the learning which comes out, from your own involvement, practically watching each step towards success and at last, experiencing the sense of fulfillment. The Spastic society of Karnataka along with Ananyaa foundation and Sita school had organized this one-week summer camp for kids, in which fortunately, we were a part of the programme for two days.

The first day, we had lined up some team activities (6 teams) for the kids, from morning to evening. I fall short of words when it comes to describing, how they participated in each activity with high spirits.The different emotions running in every child's mind were totally visible on their innocent faces. The frisky, thrilled kids stretched themselves to the maximum to perform well and be the best. No ordinary performance convinced them, but they always wanted to do things the right way. A big applause to their honesty in following every rule we set and admitting each foul they did.

Though a few elders around were allowing them to commit some fouls, these kids were not ready to take any failure as an answer. Every step was taken as a challenge and they restarted most of the activities several times until they met with success. Somehow, they didn't like the word 'Leniency' or 'Mercy'.


These kids are so adorable, extremely loving and they care for their fellow mates so much, that it is difficult for me and you to get those qualities easily. Hats off to their confidence in everything they do. They could be called perfectionists and the masters of optimism.

After all the activities for the day, each team was supposed to perform a skit in the evening, which was based on the activities of the day which they participated from morning to evening. I must tell you, all the skits were like parts of the great Pachatantram, where every skit had humor, fight, drama, great learning and finally had a message for all of us at the end. As usual, they rocked by not ignoring anyone in their team and giving equal importance to all the characters in their skits.

After they performed all the skits, we instructors and the concerned people from the respective organizations had a discussion about the next day's programme. The assistant director of the Spastic society was very keen on taking all the children for a hike the next day, but my immediate reaction for the request was a 'No'. I told them that the surrounding hills were all rocky terrains and it is really close to impossible to get the kids on the wheelchairs especially to the hilltop. However, even after my 'No', he along with two other people, geared up with his torch and set out to checkout the hill and the terrain, in the dark.

They came back deciding that we are going for the hike the next day.
I was really worried about how to go about it and how to manage with the kids on the wheelchairs.
The next day morning, we started off for the hike and looking at the kids, I was almost speechless!!  To watch each kid help the other kid to proceed by even pushing himself was amazing and courageous. Four kids handled each wheelchair kid and took them safely with full enthusiasm to the top.

Finally they reached the top!! and the ecstasy they experienced was out of the world. All the kids there had played in water, participated in different physical activities, games, art and craft, but climbing up a hill was a first time experience for all of them. The elated and satisfied look on their faces was very much visible. They had felt they had achieved something, and most of them gave a speech each on top of the hill about how they liked their summer camp. Their speech was filled with innocence, simplicity and most importantly, maturity. Truly, it had changed our thought process and had made a remarkable difference in our opinions.

Sometimes, these kind of instances make me wonder, is it that you have to have a story or an ailment, for you to achieve something. Having had all the privileges in the world, what am I doing and what am I achieving? Do I even have a goal in life? Do I even know what will I be after 10 years? Very difficult to answer myself. Let me spend the night thinking of it...