Helping the needy and getting the kind act photographed with the recipient has become a fad in recent days. People are so consumed by the craze of taking photos with those to whom assistance has been extended that they don't give much thought to their right to privacy or their feelings and plight of those who are in need.
The trend or craze of charity work being photographed raises doubts about the donors' good intentions and sincerity. To quote Helen Keller, "The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves." A kind act fills both the donors and the receivers' hearts with unsullied joy, but must we capture the act of charity with the helpless in a photograph.
Speaking about donations, the unrest in Manipur has now become one such photo opportunities for donors with the displaced at relief camps, as is in the case of donation at orphanages or old-age homes.
Since the outbreak of the violence in the state, thousands have been rendered homeless and made to take shelter at various relief camps. The times are hard but thanks to the donors who have come forward to extend a helping hand to the displaced people. They do need help and moral support to overcome such difficult times.
Many donors have come forward to donate relief items, including essential items, to the displaced people at relief camps in the state. However, being mindful of the plight of these displaced people, the sincerity of the donors has become doubtful.
There are hardly any donors who simply donate without getting photographed with the victims. Almost every donor, be it individual or organisation, take photos with the receivers during or after the donation. But do we need to flaunt and tell the world the help or relief we are extending to the poor and helpless? Should we speak for our work or should our work speak for ourselves?
What one needs to understand is that the identity of the needy is not important as we are all human beings. What matters is how much we can help those who are in pain and suffering.
Tranquility lies in serving people who are in need and the current crisis in Manipur has made many vulnerable helpless. Those who are reaching out with a helping hand to the helpless need to be mindful of being empathetic towards the needy and promote the general feeling of compassion and humanity and make it a noble cause.
If one truly wants to help the helpless and the needy, the focus shouldn’t be on the giver but to enhance the lives of the one in need of help. As Winston Churchill puts it ,“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.
(The views expressed are personal)
