A chance reconnect -- Heartfulness of Abundant Joy

 

This Sunday ( 3/2/24 ) , I was at a Federation that supports the needs of People with Disabilities ( Diverse abilities ). It was their District conference and I went there to make connections for my organization and leverage their federation . 

While the meeting went on desired lines  and as it was about to close formally , a young man who had lost both his hands got up on stage – He insisted that he had to speak – I did not recognize him instantly but as I stared at him . a little more intently , i told myself—Wow – I know this  person.  I rushed up on to stage and gave him a tight hug .         now  wind back seven or eight years back …….

------------------------------------------------ Flash back but no music as in movies---------------

Venkatesan the person who lost both his hands in an accident was the person on stage. I got to know him through a Rotary event.  I took an instant liking for him .. This was sometime in 2013 and he was pursuing his PG. With such disadvantage , he wanted to complete his PG and then start working as a teacher. I kept in constant touch and helped him with material and resources to complete his PG.  This included travel outside for his project .

 

Whenever I called him over mobile  , he will not pick up instantly as he needed help from others to pick the phone ( Push Button mobile phones )..   He would call back and then we would have the discussion .  He did complete his PG in 2016 or so  and then was looking for a job as a teacher in his home district Dharmapuri ( a district in TN ) . He did not get a job quickly enough. Towards the later part of 2017 , I lost touch with him. I tried calling him many times but he did not respond at all.. He was in my thoughts but I had no way of connecting with him –   

 

 I was overjoyed to see him – I used to worry at times as to what happened to him during this period – My joy was more as he told me that he had a job as a teacher in his hometown itself  and was married and had two children – He was so happy that he was doing what he liked as a teacher. He told that he lost his phone and with that all contacts etc. And he said , these days because of the smart phones I can pick up calls instantly ( Using the limbs to slide )  , Venkatesan s life  is a story of true grit and determination to overcome odds come what may. Several people work through severe hardships and overcome them . And today , technology is playing a great part in helping these people with disabilities. Lot more can be continued to be  done to help

Actually I did not see him the in the crowd at the event , but he saw me and then walked up stage to ensure that he shared the story of my support for him—   

A chance meeting that really brought  Abundant Joy to me – It is difficult to describe how one feels at that moment --   It just made my day and got my energy levels  so high !

God is always kind 😊

 

Comments

Vimala said…
Inspiring!
12:29 AM
Niranjana Ramesh said…
Great to reconnect
Glad to read abt Venkatesan and his hardwork
A real joy for you

12:41 AM
Sahana said…
Good deeds never go unnoticed Appa! Keep continuing the great work you do, always getting inspired to do better because of you!
12:46 AM
Manoj said…
You are an inspirational to us Sri! Kudos to your great work😊
1:11 AM
S.K.Vadivelan said…
Thanks for sharing, Sri. Good.
1:51 AM
Prasanna said…
Inspiring Sri!!
2:16 AM
Delia Reynal D'Souza said…
Heartwarming and beautifull! You are blessed with a kind heart Sri.
3:43 AM
Praveen said…
Hi Sri, Lovely as the saying goes, The giver is more blessed than the receiver. Understand your joy knew no bounds at the moment :)
9:16 PM
Partha said…
Good one Srikanth
6:52 AM
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