i came to this place... a totally new, strange world, really different from where i came.the day i stepped out from the railway station with my father, i was just surprised looking at this huge city and just the thought of having to be without my family here freaked me out.anyway, had to face the reality very soon.the day my father left, i felt completely lost and lonely.joined college, shifted to a p.g. from my uncle's place but none of these really helped me get over my home sickness.it was my will to come to delhi for higher studies but i regretted having taken this decision at all.i couldn't discover the true worth of being here for almost an year.i didn't know what i was doing and where i was heading to.i actually realized that my enthusiasm and spirit was getting down and down every single day.not that i wasn't smiling or laughing at all but i realized it was not me, it was something only superficial.i was trying hard to keep myself busy and involved in activities other than college so that i could feel better, but somehow could find nothing good.
it was like god was watching it all, that he knew that i was sad and low, that i needed a friend, that i needed to do something that would help me recognize my inner-self.it was just by chance that a friend happened to give me a guy's contact, who could help me get associated with some social organization.i finally called him up after few days and fixed a meeting with him.it was through him that i met murphy, the founder of the ngo i am now working with that is called R.O.P.I.O. Foundation.it works for slum kids and women.when i first met him, i wasn't really sure about what it was going to be like.i had stepped into a completely new environment, something that i wasn't familiar with; a large area with some 500-600 families inhibited in it.it was a slum, where murphy and his volunteers taught and helped the kids develop in all aspects.i too went there as a volunteer but soon i found myself hooked up with the place and the people.within days, i could feel the difference in me, i was changing back to what i actually was.i was "happy" after almost an year and was finally satisfied being in delhi.everything changed; the college, the people because i had changed; everything felt happy because i was happy.being with these people, i was helping myself become a better and happier person everyday.but life isn't smooth, there are going to be ups and downs all the time.god keeps testing you by facing you with difficult situations.
i had joined the organization on 15th of november and it was only two weeks after i had joined murphy and his family that i was faced with something i had never even imagined of.the slum of g.point was demolished by the MCD and within two days, all the houses there were pulled down to rubble.seeing people crying all around for their loss, seeing kids shivering in the cold without shelter, seeing murphy shattered amidst all the chaos and rubble, still trying to be strong and calm for the people was something too hard fr me to accept as a reality.it was like a nightmare to me, something i couldn't get over with for quite some time.i cried and felt helpless before all of that, thought that there was nothing i could do for them.my brother then consoled me that crying and feeling sad was no solution, and if i really wanted to do something for these people, i would have to get over my grief first and become stronger, so that i can be there for those in despair and make them believe that there was hope. i went there almost everyday trying to help them in every way possible.i realized that the thing they needed the most was emotional support and love and this was something i could give them.it was after all of this that i realized that all those things i always cribbed about were nothing but mere petty issues compared to what so many people like these faced everyday in their lives.these people taught me to be happy and satisfied with whatever i have and care and share; that it's never the end of the world; that there is always a hope.i am surprised by the fact that in the process of teaching these kids, there is so much more that i have learned and understood.
i feel i have discovered the purpose of my life after after meeting these people.i realize that i would be able to attain the true worth of my life only if continue to help more and more such people and stand so well in life so that i can do a lot more for the cause in future.i would also like to share something with all of you, especially the youth,"if ever you feel sad, just step outside and look around.you'll see so many people who are in worse conditions, yet happier.just try sharing, caring and loving unconditionally..not matter how difficult it might seem..it's worth it, trust me!!
