THE EMPTY BALCONY

My balcony looked empty that evening (when I saw it for the first time). It was saddening indeed. After all , for a villager like me to accustom to the big apartments of Delhi is harder than it looks.
Later...Things change...
This balcony has helped me thrive, feel alive. From this vantage point, I could look into the front garden, know my inmates (whom I recognized later but they didn't).
The refreshing balcony helped me realize that I was immured inside the four walls of my apartment. It became my rostrum when I wanted to achieve; my friend when I was impeccable yet punished; my only listener when I was deserving yet deceived. It has heard me groaning, sobbing and laughing. I am a man, a common man indeed. I can cry only inside but not outside. Yet, my balcony knew to prefix 'HU' to the 'MAN' in me. (hu + man = human).
I was looking at the world standing high (literally) with the sky above to grow up high. It reads my obscure mind before me. You know, my balcony is very inviting. It invites me with freezing fresh mornings only to the displeasure of turning into sizzling hot noon. I dessert her to the fate of scorching Sun, but she holds me back, romantically, drenching herself in the sudden heavy rain. My balcony looks sexy! Unlike others in the street, I can play that splashing game without drenching myself for I have a roof above with gutter that keeps me safe and sane.
Recognizing my tiredness, she switches off the lights unasked. The canopy is then decorated with lamps like stars, not too dim, not too bright but just to serve the purpose right, making me light. I don't fear when she offers herself to be enjoyed with my will and wish throughout the night. In her every move closer to me, she has taught me to be pragmatic. She has taught that change is the only thing constant!
With all these memories and lessons, tomorrow, I am moving to another city, another house with a new Balcony. I will make that house my home and that Balcony my new friend. 
After all, my balcony has taught me that 'HU' must be grouped with the 'MAN' in me to be complete.

MY EXPERIENCE AT VADAVALLI COMMUNITY CENTRE, COIMBATORE

 I am a part of the BHUMI , an N.G.O, for a few months now. The journey began with an orientation session. The very next week I started taking Computer classes under the 'KANINI' programme for children in an orphanage. It is such a relief and the satisfaction ever lasting. It has helped me develop as a better personality and most importantly it helped me realize how gifted I am. That very fact urges me to be of some help to the underprivileged, I had only read or heard of the miserable conditions of Government Schools. Teaching in the orphanage introduced me to the pathetic educational status of those students. They are not to be blamed. They deserve good education ass much as we do. Even students in class 9 or 11 find it difficult to read English, to understand and communicate in English is a dream so far. They lack guidance , motivation and the basic needs. It hits me hard every time, I put myself in their position. It pricks me making me guilty of taking supportive parents, financial strength , good schools, encouraging teachers and my abilities for granted. And here they are full of excitement and inquisitive but denied everything.

   As a part of the 'kanini' programme , I go to the orphanage in Ondipudur every Saturday to teach them the subject 'Computer Science'. In the weeks to come, I will be joining this cause in a community centre in Vadavalli . I went there yesterday for the first time. Children there asked me to introduce myself, where I hail from, my 10th and 12th marks. I interacted with them for about two hours. They are curious about everything around. I explained them a few concepts from the encyclopedia they had.

  Those touching interactions started with the girl named Catherine who aspires to become a Scientist. She was so inquisitive, to know the reasons behind cancer, heart blockage etc. It was very saddening to know that 3 girls in that centre have a hole in the heart. The cost of surgeries and mediation are met by the donations various clubs make. They looked so mature for their age.At a tender age of 14, a girl looks after her 5 younger sisters after her parents passed away. A sweet, innocent girl there has accepted that both her parents are no more. They know our lives are temporary but not our soul. It was so touching rather inspiring to see Catherine making fun of her unseen dad, the man who was always busy with alcohol for his family. Her mother is her symbol of strength and purity. Not only this, every child there has a different story. Spending time with these children gives me strength, encourages me to meet the challenges life presents, never complain and the faith to win someday. 

   All these circumstances make them hopeless. One question that deeply touched me was the one that Catherine asked, " Why do we even have to study hard when our lives end up only this way?".

    We, well privileged people always have had a strong support system or guidance that never let think of life this way. Probably, we all go to school, then college and most likely go for some job with fair salary. Our parents start saving for our education, marriage etc right from the day we step into this world. Not only this, we have parents , always beside us to lend a shoulder during the lows in our lives. Yet, we are all unsatisfied , complaining and in the same place. With all these resources in hand, shouldn't we have done something worth it? 

   The inequality gap is increasing each day. To render them a helping hand is not only a service but also a huge responsibility.