I had been wanting to see this place. I saw it today.
A booth on an unmarket street where the rich zip by in airconditioned cars.
A booth where the poor can walk to and humbly take some used clothes, or some food. In this case the pair of bananas. While poclaiming to the world their poverty. In shame.
The people of my village will not go a mile near this. Even in their state of malnourishment. Even when what they have is a sheet to lay on the floor and cover themselves with at night, and also use as a shawl in the day. They dio not seek or take used clothes.
The rich of this land have lost it. Completely.
The poor are only poor in terms of money. They have dignity, generosity, strength.
The rich set out to destroy that also.
In their wish to feel charitable. While holding onto every inherited privilege.
Giving is a duty. Sharing of our vast privileges is a duty. And yet there is a way.
It needs taking responsibility and giving in sustained way, factoring in our effort, time and money. Giving with respect.
Annadaanam, in any temple which dot every street in this land. Where the giver gives to god, with gratitude. And where everyone receives it from god. Upholding dignity of giver and receiver.
Giving milk to the malnourished children in government schools. Given daily as the midday meals are given. Accepting the detials that one needs to work with to make it happen. And sustaining it
Not leaving used clothes and cooked food in a counter. For the poor to walk to and take.
॥ शीक्षावल्ली तैत्तिरीयोपनिषदि ॥
ShikShavalli from Taittiriyopanishad ..
ShikShavalli from Taittiriyopanishad ..
श्रद्धया देयम् । Give with Faith,
अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । Give not without Faith;
श्रिया देयम् । Give in Plenty,
ह्रिया देयम् । Give with Modesty,
भिया देयम् । Give with Awe,
संविदा देयम् । Give with Sympathy.
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There is a post floating around about a fridge installed somewhere where the Rich can leave food for the Poor. My village people would never take food from this fridge - that I know.
If the rich want to give, let them understand the dignity of the poor. One route is to give as annadaanam in the temple, That is seen as an offering to the temple. And everyone sits and eats the temple food collectively. Or the rich can evolve other ways. But remember that the poor have the same dignity as they do. Or more.
My village people will not take from that public fridge 
. It is an SC, landless, illierate village.
. It is an SC, landless, illierate village.Let the rich recycle their own food, and give money for the village temple, and get an annadanam done.
Aparna Krishnan I have lived as a neighnour with the 'poor', As a friend. For decades. I know their deepest strengths, their unshakable dignity, their infinite powers to give.
That dignity at all costs has to be respected. Over all we do. It is less enough we do anyway, and that cannot be at the cost of dignity.
ManageThat dignity at all costs has to be respected. Over all we do. It is less enough we do anyway, and that cannot be at the cost of dignity.
Urvashi Sareen its not good to judge them As lazy poor, the only thing when we the urban take out their land from them on the name of factories and buildings, for some times they really face big changes to adjust in fast pace urban environment, where they can’t even afford a small shelter within their budget. And that’s the time they chose begging. Not everyone holds the urban skills and proactive ness, and smartness, some ppl only know 1 kind of work and live very simple life that they can’t grasp what else to chose as a work in urban setup.
Like a snake catcher, like the one who was showing elephant plays in his village.
ManageLike a snake catcher, like the one who was showing elephant plays in his village.
Narayana Sarma Do not know the programme's background.
Is it not about 'not intimidating the taker' and 'promoting true spirit of dana in the giver' ?
ManageIs it not about 'not intimidating the taker' and 'promoting true spirit of dana in the giver' ?
Preethi Sundararaman Oh what my maid does is not the topic of discussion here.. that's a sad way of getting back.
So u never discard ur clothes at all?? That was my question. If u do discard what do u do with it? Throw it in the bin?
ManageSo u never discard ur clothes at all?? That was my question. If u do discard what do u do with it? Throw it in the bin?
Preethi Sundararaman Oh yes.. u see someone shivering in the cold or in need of some clothes and still u will throw urs in the dustbin. What u do at the needy hour matters not textbook logics.
Manage
Ayshwarya Vijayendran Preethi Sundararaman when you buy only so many pieces of clothing that you absolutely need, one may find enough money to spare to buy new ones to others. Vastra Dhaana also sits high on the list of dhaanas.. I remember wearing paavadais out of my grandmothers saree... after I grew out of it, it became scrap/ cleaning cloth.
How many of the affluent will walk into a secondhand shop to buy used, but very well maintained pieces of clothing?
ManageHow many of the affluent will walk into a secondhand shop to buy used, but very well maintained pieces of clothing?
Alwar Narayanan Preethi Sundararaman The questioning of discarding old cloths doesnot come at all in a village. As Aparna Krishnan said, there is no dustbin. If you try to donate to someone, no one will take it. They will find that offensive.
Then what do they do ? Simple. recycle. The old cloths are soft and can be used for new born babies of same family. They are used to make jula. They are used to make quilt. They are used for packing. For making crow scare dolls and so on.....
The whole society was having such cloths that can be re-used. Not the one time use costly sarees of today having chamki fixed with fevicol.
ManageThen what do they do ? Simple. recycle. The old cloths are soft and can be used for new born babies of same family. They are used to make jula. They are used to make quilt. They are used for packing. For making crow scare dolls and so on.....
The whole society was having such cloths that can be re-used. Not the one time use costly sarees of today having chamki fixed with fevicol.
Preethi Sundararaman I think we are talking tangentially here... I know what I have been trying to convey and I know it's purely out of my support of ayyamittu unn. That's the topic of discussion. I know how I treat our maids and I know how I am helpful in my own ways. I guess I will end right here.
Manage
Aparna Krishnan Yes, and that 'fridge for the poor' defence is exactly about how one engages with, or gives, to the poor.
Manage
Dhanwyn Kishore Preethi Sundararaman Perfect... Aparna Krishnan is not trying to understand the what others are saying as her perception is different and our way of giving is different...
Manage
Alwar Narayanan Dhanwyn Kishore, Preethi Sundararaman, Aparna Krishnan, I can understand in a way both the sides. All of you are correct. Aparna is coming from a place of minimal consumption, simple living and hence no wastage at all. Therefore charity doesnot araise from A to B. They share. It is more of sharity, not charity keeping B on par with A.
Urban people consume more and trash more. Everyday the wet and dry dustbins discarded from every home in an apartment will easily weigh 5 Kg minimum. That much trash. Besides there are useful and valueable things like old cell phones, cloths, food that are consumable, but the elite wants to discard. Typical B party would be servant maid. But how much you can pamper the same person. Then comes security guard of the society. But giving it to nameless B and C Parties on the road by placing such booths is a big initiative for them given the constraints. They are happy that this reaches the poorest of the poor. But they keep B and C always below A.
But hey wait. We need to study this in depth. Aparna would advise you to consume less and less, re-use, recycle, abstain from purchase rather than accumulate excess and give away in charity. Can you give your old cloths to your neighbor ? That is Will he accept ? That is the question.
Several years back I was a bachelor taking 500 salary. My MD of the company (a wealthy Gujarati) wanted to give his good condition pants to me. He begged me to take. I refused to take even though i was suffering for a square meals a day.
Charity is between unrelated individuals where C is made poor by A. But in a village everyone are related. There is no C.
ManageUrban people consume more and trash more. Everyday the wet and dry dustbins discarded from every home in an apartment will easily weigh 5 Kg minimum. That much trash. Besides there are useful and valueable things like old cell phones, cloths, food that are consumable, but the elite wants to discard. Typical B party would be servant maid. But how much you can pamper the same person. Then comes security guard of the society. But giving it to nameless B and C Parties on the road by placing such booths is a big initiative for them given the constraints. They are happy that this reaches the poorest of the poor. But they keep B and C always below A.
But hey wait. We need to study this in depth. Aparna would advise you to consume less and less, re-use, recycle, abstain from purchase rather than accumulate excess and give away in charity. Can you give your old cloths to your neighbor ? That is Will he accept ? That is the question.
Several years back I was a bachelor taking 500 salary. My MD of the company (a wealthy Gujarati) wanted to give his good condition pants to me. He begged me to take. I refused to take even though i was suffering for a square meals a day.
Charity is between unrelated individuals where C is made poor by A. But in a village everyone are related. There is no C.
Write a reply...
Preethi Sundararaman This was started by my senior and I know she has brought smiles and satisfaction among many. It's giving not discarding. I don't think the purpose is to treat people with disrespect or disregard. It has a different motive.
This is the list of items that's accepted.Manage
This is the list of items that's accepted.Manage
Rupa Bajwa I agree, Aparna. I know villagers would rather stay hungry than take something like this. But the homeless, the old and the ill in big cities might take. Since they have lost touch with their community and are quite lost and uncared for, often ill.
The solution of course is to get back to the communities, the sense of belonging, the skills and the farming.
ManageThe solution of course is to get back to the communities, the sense of belonging, the skills and the farming.
Paranthaman Sriramulu In city life, it is was lost long back. People will do anything for money. Temple lands grabbed, murthis stolen, gold and jewels looted. Separate q for rich and poor.
Manage
Aparna Krishnan There are ways that reinforce dignity, and there are ways that reduce dignity.
Manage
Aparna Krishnan A person, a community, a civilization makes a choice. When there are two paths. Considering one the wiser.
To call both OK, is intellectually and ethically unacceptable. We need to choose. In life. Always.
We may however correct our choices later.
ManageTo call both OK, is intellectually and ethically unacceptable. We need to choose. In life. Always.
We may however correct our choices later.
Dhanwyn Kishore Totally disagree and unhappy with your way of thinking without knowing the background of this charitable activity... There is a lot of difference between a village and a city... Please do not compare... Every charity has their own idea. Stop commenting badly on someone's activity and say what you do as a charity or help is the best. I follow all your post and I also have many bad views on many of your post. As I see maximum commercial sales only involved in your post.
Manage
Aparna Krishnan You are free to disagree sir. But dignity of the receiver comes ahead of every thing. Always. Whatever be the magnitude of giving. Here anyway it's very small.
Manage
Thirupurasundari Sevvel Commercial sales for the livelihood of the ladies and there family ! Doing this for the loveky akka and Amma there is far better than - a comment which is just made with no point of discussion and just conclusion ! Always aparna mam s posts end with questions to ponder and open for discussion
Manage
Aparna Krishnan 'Generosity' and 'charity' are structurally flawed words.What we give is a just a duty because we have claimed more than our share of gods resources meant for all.
What we give back has to be anchored in a process based on dignity. Otherwise it is a violation of dharma.
ManageWhat we give back has to be anchored in a process based on dignity. Otherwise it is a violation of dharma.
Arindam Ghosh Yes. I remember a story that one follower of Bahaullah had only one shirt. Someone purchased a new shirt for him but he came across a person with no shirt. His friend told him why don't you give him your old shirt. He got very angry and told his friend how do you dare suggest such a thing. Do you mean to say that I would give the Blessed Beauty (Bahaullah) my old shirt and wear a new one! However, once we start judging another's effort we only feed our ego.
Manage
Narayana Sarma Aparna- dignity IS important. Agree with you there.
But look, rural poor always have some minimum thing to live with: a thatch roof/temple step, some semblance of clothing, some farm nearby to beg or steal some green leaf from, some twig to pick to make fire- more importantly they have their communities to offer minimum support when in need.
But the condition of urban poor is indeed worse. They do not have community support, neither the 'free stuff' they would have access to in a village, add to it vice, pollution, disease and pathetic conditions of living. I do not know these Ayamittu unn people personally, but I can see efforts such as these aim to reduce the suffering of urban poor- to the extent possible- by appealing to the good sense of the otherwise careless Urban middle/ upper middle classes. In this process the middle classes may get sensitised and, combining the theory and praxis, give away new/unused clothing and many things more as well, at some point of time, after due interaction and association with such initiatives.
I am also sure the people behind such initiatives are themselves sensitive souls, and would surely have considered the 'dignity' angle you put forth so succinctly.
Look from the other end Aparna, in an urban context, a hungry rag picker, drain cleaner boy will be glad to be able to exchange his tattered shorts with a better looking trousers, than live without such alms: ugly, yes, but sad reality.
-Don't you see how really bad things are?
ManageBut look, rural poor always have some minimum thing to live with: a thatch roof/temple step, some semblance of clothing, some farm nearby to beg or steal some green leaf from, some twig to pick to make fire- more importantly they have their communities to offer minimum support when in need.
But the condition of urban poor is indeed worse. They do not have community support, neither the 'free stuff' they would have access to in a village, add to it vice, pollution, disease and pathetic conditions of living. I do not know these Ayamittu unn people personally, but I can see efforts such as these aim to reduce the suffering of urban poor- to the extent possible- by appealing to the good sense of the otherwise careless Urban middle/ upper middle classes. In this process the middle classes may get sensitised and, combining the theory and praxis, give away new/unused clothing and many things more as well, at some point of time, after due interaction and association with such initiatives.
I am also sure the people behind such initiatives are themselves sensitive souls, and would surely have considered the 'dignity' angle you put forth so succinctly.
Look from the other end Aparna, in an urban context, a hungry rag picker, drain cleaner boy will be glad to be able to exchange his tattered shorts with a better looking trousers, than live without such alms: ugly, yes, but sad reality.
-Don't you see how really bad things are?
Aparna Krishnan Yes Narayana, I am sure each person behind each initiative had his own genuineness. Which is why understandinsg have to be shared. And discussed.
My only submission is that each engagement has to be deeply thought out, and that dignity non negotiably be factored in. Annadaanam, new clothes shared in the temple space on days, milk for all poor children given as their due in sustained ways.
Not imported concepts of a 'shelf for the poor', or a 'wall for the poor'. I remember a post about this in in some European country. We need to work from our understandings our ways.
Eashwaramma serves each person asking for food with dignity and respect. That is non negotiable.
ManageMy only submission is that each engagement has to be deeply thought out, and that dignity non negotiably be factored in. Annadaanam, new clothes shared in the temple space on days, milk for all poor children given as their due in sustained ways.
Not imported concepts of a 'shelf for the poor', or a 'wall for the poor'. I remember a post about this in in some European country. We need to work from our understandings our ways.
Eashwaramma serves each person asking for food with dignity and respect. That is non negotiable.
Aparna Krishnan (from another post) Culturally, in this land, giving is a daily duty, lived by. That is what we need to understand, tune into, and work with.
Every mendicant is fed in my village, itself lacking food. My neighbour, herself lacking food, goes for coolie and gives rice for annadaanam for all.
The swami in the ashram explains that all have to give, as all are blessed, with rain and sunshine, by the god.
In our scriptures also the pancha mahayagnas are defined. Daily givings.
People live by that daily giving. Than that is the Truth we need to reiterate, strengthen.
ManageEvery mendicant is fed in my village, itself lacking food. My neighbour, herself lacking food, goes for coolie and gives rice for annadaanam for all.
The swami in the ashram explains that all have to give, as all are blessed, with rain and sunshine, by the god.
In our scriptures also the pancha mahayagnas are defined. Daily givings.
People live by that daily giving. Than that is the Truth we need to reiterate, strengthen.
Narayana Sarma Sure, it happens in villages. And it does NOT happen so automatically in urban areas, because people have lost their cultural roots altogether, and also because of the very harsh economic realities of urban life.
Recreating those roots may be what you would like happen, but urban realities are different- there the pressure of keeping people alive is an additional requirement, before one could appeal to community life and dignified living.
ManageRecreating those roots may be what you would like happen, but urban realities are different- there the pressure of keeping people alive is an additional requirement, before one could appeal to community life and dignified living.
Aparna Krishnan "wall for the poor", termed as that ? Beg to differ, Narayana. We are not going to save the poor with our miniscule gestures. Let dignity not be the price demanded.
Manage
Rupa Bajwa The indignity in this case belongs to the giver. A cold and hungry child or an elderly person, who is also probably lonely too in a large city, does not care where the food is coming from He/she is also living with other, bigger demons. Can they knockon flats and bungalows in big cities as they do in smll towns and villages? I will NEVER support this way of giving, but this is not about you or me. It is about them. Let the decision lie with them.
Manage
Narayana Sarma I do no know what you mean by this 'wall for the poor', Aparna. But I see urban poverty is a reality we can not ignore. Suffering there is horribly real. Question is what all can be done there.
Efforts such as annadaanam and Langar are going on for centuries, and even they fall so short of the need today. Every problem is getting so scaled up- no wonder every gesture is limited, is only a miniscule.
Proper solutions may emerge when people seriously question this inequity: How is it that some people get to live in mansions when some people set their dignity aside to accept used cloths from strangers.
Till something like that happens, one has to do with these miniscule gestures of kindness. Like Rupa said the indignity today is that of the giver, not of the taker- however unfortunate it may be.
ManageEfforts such as annadaanam and Langar are going on for centuries, and even they fall so short of the need today. Every problem is getting so scaled up- no wonder every gesture is limited, is only a miniscule.
Proper solutions may emerge when people seriously question this inequity: How is it that some people get to live in mansions when some people set their dignity aside to accept used cloths from strangers.
Till something like that happens, one has to do with these miniscule gestures of kindness. Like Rupa said the indignity today is that of the giver, not of the taker- however unfortunate it may be.
Aparna Krishnan There was a post on the "Wall for the Poor". Where people can hang up their old clothes on nails there, and the 'poor' can take them.
Till fundamental questions are asked, yes, little enough will result. Let that little be done which is rooted in dignity. That is all my submission is.
ManageTill fundamental questions are asked, yes, little enough will result. Let that little be done which is rooted in dignity. That is all my submission is.
Arindam Ghosh They who are possessed of riches, however, must have the utmost regard for the poor, for great is the honor destined by God for those poor who are steadfast in patience. By My life! There is no honor, except what God may please to bestow, that can compare to this honor. Great is the blessedness awaiting the poor that endure patiently and conceal their sufferings, and well is it with the rich who bestow their riches on the needy and prefer them before themselves. – Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 229.
Manage
Arindam Ghosh In the US these are typically called Goodwill Stores or Thrift Stores. And actually the items have small prices on them. We have purchased from them as well when we were poor students. Yes it has its own problems. I am not saying that this is a solution to strive for.
Manage
Arindam Ghosh The time for individual civilization has come and gone. The coming civilization is a global civilization which will be rooted on universal human values and respect for every individual. If you continue to pit one against the other that will not lead to progress. But that is my personal view as you have yours
😀.
Manage😀.
Rupa Bajwa I was replying to Arindam Ghosh. We can follow both our dharma and our way of giving according to our culture. It is difficult for me to grasp at times because I live in both the worlds, with close relatives and friends in villages as well as cities. But I learn everyday.
Manage
Rupa Bajwa Conflict as in conundrum. Langar is community based. It doesn't have to be done at a gurdwara. You can basically start cooking and serving anywhere. And people gather to volunteer. And to partake of the langar. It is lovely. The children participate too. 
:-)
Manage:-)
Arindam Ghosh Yes I am all for Langar. It happens in US also. People get together and cook meals at Thanksgiving for those who may not afford. Culture is not static. It evolves and merges. All the individual cultures indian chinese european etc. will merge in the next 1000 years.
Manage
Rupa Bajwa Not disagreeing at all. But Annadanam and langar also come from the sense of community. If people are eating in restaurants where the bills come out to be 4000, how many langars can be organized in places like the NCR? 
:-(
Manage:-(
Aparna Krishnan Everywhere. There are spaces.
Paranthaman Sriramulu These all are replica of west models.
People don't know the simplicity and efficiency of our culture. Look for solutions from west forgetting plenty are there already.Paranthaman Sriramulu Anyway something is better than nothing.
ManagePeople don't know the simplicity and efficiency of our culture. Look for solutions from west forgetting plenty are there already.Paranthaman Sriramulu Anyway something is better than nothing.
Paranthaman Sriramulu In city life, it is was lost long back. People will do anything for money. Temple lands grabbed, murthis stolen, gold and jewels looted. Separate q for rich and poor.
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