RADIO
RUHANIYAT. 05-03-14: Episode 349
Wonderful Experience! Appreciating Life!
On Ruhaniyat today, we’re sharing this wonderful experience that someone had in
Singapore.
Someone was invited to a Friday evening event by one of MNC Vendor organization
who had organized the event to raise funds for the visually handicapped people
in a center for the blind.
As usual, since it was a Friday evening, he first thought of skipping the event,
thinking that it would be a bit boring and that he’d rather spend the evening
relaxing by some other means.
But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill time, he decided to
accept the invitation and registered online for the booking. Moreover it was
free :) which was another motivation to go to the event. He was looking at the
event to pass time and meet a few people.
When he went there, there were about 40 people from various industries invited
for that event. He found some Indians and naturally talked to them about how
life is in Singapore. Initially they were shown a video about the visually
handicapped center. What are their activities, how are they helping blind people
in Singapore to lead a more fulfilling life. It
was a short 15 minute video and quite inspiring that how people from different
walks of life spend time in helping these blind people without expecting
anything in return. They shared the satisfaction and fulfilment they get by
helping them.
After the video, they were gathered in a hall and were briefed about the next
event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in the Dark". And this is the
event which turned out to be inspiring and worth sharing.
What is meant was that all the 40+ people were going to have Dinner in a pitch
Dark room!!!! The next 2 hours were completely planned, organized, directed and
executed by three blind youth. One was a girl (Leader) and other two boys were
assistants to her forming a team of three blind volunteers.
The blind leader first gave them tips for dining (These were actual standards
the blind people follow in order to make their life easier)
1. When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows :
at 3 o clock of your dish : You will find a spoon; at 9 o clock : Fork;
12 o clock : spoon.
2 o clock : Empty Glass Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 o
clock.
2. There will be two large Jugs circulated to you. The Jug with plain walls will
have water and the Jug with curved wall will have orange juice.
3. When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to pour it in your glass.
You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so that when you fill it and the
liquid touches your finger, you have to stop pouring.
She asked whether everyone has understood. All said yes but everyone was
confused and trying to remember what she said and confirming with each other.
Next 1 1/2 hours were spent full of fun and learning. In a completely pitch dark
room where they could not see ANYTHING they were enjoying various delicious food
without seeing it.
All of the 40 people were taken in groups in the dark hall. Each one was
directed by a blind person till he/she sits on a chair (They were finding it
awkward because actually they are supposed to guide blind people to their
destination and help them).
They were Served a full five course dinner by this team of three blind
people-Welcome drinks, appetizers, starters , main course and desserts. The
amazing thing was that the team of three blind people was serving exactly
vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were sitting randomly in the room!
While registering on line they were asked question to choose from "Vegetarian"
or "Non vegetarian". He obviously chose Vegetarian, being one. They were so well
hosted that they did not have to wait in between serves. As they were ending
finishing one dish, they were served with the next one without any delays.
Approximately after one and half hours of Dining in the dark, the leader asked
whether everyone has finished eating. After confirmation she switched on the
lights of the dining room.
The guests left the Dining room with tears in their eyes. They realized how
lucky they were and how they have been gifted with beautiful eyes to see this
beautiful world. They realized how difficult lives of blind people are (and
other handicapped people) without being able to see. They realized how
uncomfortable they were for just two hours without being able to see anything
and how the blind must be living their lives.
They realized how unfortunate they are, that they do not value such simple
things in life that they have and cry (sometime louder, sometime within
themselves) and run after what they don't have... for their entire lives without
taking out time to appreciate the things they have.
Be cheerful. Appreciate whatever you have in life.
You may try for whatever you don’t have but never feel sad about it.
You need to experience it, something like he had experienced, to believe this
philosophy of life.
Writer Unknown; Contributed by Suresh Sabnani.