Lakshmi’s father works as car cleaner and has been cleaning many cars,
including ours. A work that he starts early morning. He is determined to
educate his daughter, Lakshmi, and wants her to study till she wants. He has a
cycle and daily drops Lakshmi to school, though the school is not far from his
house. He proudly says, ‘I will clean more cars and do other work sir but
education of Lakshmi will not stop’.
We have been asking him about the education of his daughter since the
final school result had come-out. He informed that she has passed
satisfactorily and is now in class-I. After repeatedly asking, Lakshmi father
informed that he has not been able to get the books for his daughter due to
sudden expenditure pressure. May be he would buy after the summer vacations and
till than he would save money.
Lakshmi has been asking for books from her father almost daily. Carrying
empty bag to school, for a child who is keen to study, is very disappointing
and discouraging, he informed.
My fear was that in all this financial crunch education of Lakshmi
should not be left and the school should not remove her from the school.
This is when we decided to buy school books and other school items to
Lakshmi so that she is sure of her continuation of school.
Adhering to the “Khushi” philosophy, giving cash was never considered.
So I decided to go to the school myself, call Lakshmi and accordingly buy all
the books and notebooks to her.
Today perhaps was the day. Lakshmi was called by the Administration Head
of the school and she came with an old water bottle and an empty school bag.
Neatly dressed she was quite, wondering what is in store for her. I told her
that she would get books and notebooks and all other things that she requires
to get good marks right now.
Lakshmi smiled and smiled and smiled.. also wondering why I was buying
for her.
I requested the Administration Head to kindly get the books-notebooks.
Lakshmi constantly kept looking at the Office Assistant who was to get the
books. Honestly, the books did not cost much.
The Principal of the school asked me, ‘how was I related to this matter’. I explained him the objective of Vedanta’s “Khushi” and told him that ‘I did because I could’. ‘Someone else would also do, if he could too.’
The Principal of the school asked me, ‘how was I related to this matter’. I explained him the objective of Vedanta’s “Khushi” and told him that ‘I did because I could’. ‘Someone else would also do, if he could too.’
I experienced a satisfaction of doing something for a needy child who wants to study.. and for Lakshmi, it was a bright “Khushi” on her face, a priceless “Khushi”.
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