At Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai we recently recruited a dozen management interns and the Human Resource department arranged an extensive orientation program for them. My cousin Pavi and I do a reading session together each morning and the HR head thought it would be great to include the interns. Pavi was away becoming the first Indian "Final Cut Pro" pro. So I took on the "job". The recruits participated enthusiastically and the early morning reading/discussion sessions had us thinking about our purpose and goals and life itself and how to integrate all of it in our journeys. I had so much fun preparing before each class that I wonder if I benefited most!
Before they knew it these interns were ‘tagged’ with the smile cards! We gave them each a scroll with an Inspiring quotation and a smile card. The interns were asked to use the cards and help/touch/make a gesture of caring and bring the experience back into class.
The next morning they each wrote out what they’d done/been/felt and then we jumbled the papers and had them randomly read out for the whole class to hear.
The exercise was a great success and the stories that came in were touching/funny/inspiring and special in their own way. The interns were also really excited to know that we’d be sending these stories back to you! (As many of them don’t have regular access to the Internet we promised we’d send them in on their behalf).
Here is a handful of the stories they shared:
I brought some fruits for the old couple who are caretakers of the hostel. I hardly know them but this gesture of caring for these old folk brought me so much happiness.
I was taking the bus to work when the bus broke down mid way. One college student traveling with me had an exam to get to in 20 minutes and no money on her. I hired an auto rickshaw and dropped her in time for the test.
When I was waiting for the bus an elderly man asked where the free hospital was. I led him to the building and showed him the way.
When I was at the bus stop, a young child came begging for money. I gave him five rupees.
On my way to work this morning a small boy go on with me. When the conductor came around to collect the fare, the boy realized he hadn’t brought his pass. The conductor excused him but enquired what he would do for his way back home. I offered him money, which he refused at first. I slowly coaxed him to take the money calling myself his sister and distracting him with questions about his family and school.
For a long time I have been helping a little boy who lives near my house. He doesn’t have a father to support him so I help out whenever he needs some books or shoes etc. He in turn is in charge of waking me up for my morning prayers.
My mother-in-law had been ill since yesterday. Because I have to be at work at 7.30, I woke up at 3.00 in the morning and finished all the household work so she could rest during the day.
I was taking the bus home yesterday when an old lady got into the bus. She couldn’t find a seat and wasn’t able to hold on well to the bars. Though I was very tired I gave her my seat. Her face was full of happiness. She blessed me and offered to hold my bags.
One of my neighbors, in my village, was seriously ill, last night. A few others and I helped his family to arrange for transportation to the hospital.
When I was traveling on the bus an old lady standing next to me fainted. I couldn’t catch her in time but those around her helped and I offered her my seat and got her some water to drink.
Thank you all, for making it possible for all of us to pay-it-forward in such a fun way!
