Like Minded youth start ‘Being Social’, with commitment for Social Service
I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive it (the Nobel) in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone – Mother Teresa
Udupi: With a view to conducting social and cultural programmes in a well-organized manner a forum known as “Being Social” comprising of like-minded persons was inaugurated on Saturday, 4 March here at Beedinagudde, Devadiga Auditorium.
On the occasion, activities of the forum were initiated by handing over clothes which were collected through an appeal on the social media network, ‘Facebook’ to the heads of various charitable organizations of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru districts as well as from Kerala.
Prominent political and religious leaders were present for the inaugural function. These included: Veronica Cornelio, Kuiladi Suresh Nayak – BJP leader, Amrith Shenoy – the chief promoter of “Being Social”, Avinash Kamath- young and energetic social worker, Chempi Ramachandra Bhat, Muralidhar Upadhyaya- litterateur, Fr Valerian Mendonca- Parish Priest of St Peters Church, Barkur as well as Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Maulana of Malpe Mosque Imranullah Khan and Advocate Lakshman Shenoy.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Kuiladi Suresh Nayak said that whenever people venture into doing something good for the society, criticism is the natural reaction of skeptical persons. However, if they follow the mission in true spirit, success will follow.
Addressing the gathering, Veronica Cornelio said that many people have a number of things at home which are of no use to them. However, there are people who are in need of such things. Collecting such things and distributing them among those who are in need is praiseworthy work of the new forum. She further said that the spark that is being ignited by the forum would develop into a bonfire for the betterment of the society.
Maulana Imranullah Khan in his message pointed out that according to Islam a socially oriented person is a religious person. A person finds true meaning to his or her life when he or she feeds the hungry and wipes the tears from the eyes of those who are in pain. He further said that humanity in the society can be found through one’s own individual actions.
Fr Valerian Mendonca in his address said that a flower does not blossom for itself neither the candle burns for itself, likewise a life living for oneself is not worth living. Following these examples, and the steps taken by the youngsters in organizing the forum “Being Social” is indeed appreciable. In modern times youth are too busy with technological gadgets and as such, they do not have any time or temperament to respond to those who are in need or trouble in the society. Under these circumstances, it is heartening to know that youngsters like Avinash Kamath have come forward to contribute their time and energy to bring about transformation in the society. Every religion preaches the essence of humanism, but very few come forward to implement these finer values in the society. A person can find the real meaning to his or her life when the spirit of humanism is ignited within that person. This, in turn, would save the society from destructive forces such as communalism, hatred, and terrorism.
Narrating the background of the forum “Being Social”, Amrith Shenoy said that there was an overwhelming response for his appeal on ‘Facebook’ requesting people to donate their unused clothes which would be distributed to the needy persons through charitable organizations. This small step encouraged him and likeminded persons to set up an apolitical and secular forum “Being Social”. This forum would endeavour to undertake many more socially oriented programmes in the future.
During the programme, a number of achievers were felicitated by the dignitaries. These achievers included: Lalitha who has been serving as a sweeper in Udupi Municipal Council for the past 25 years, Upadhyaya Moodubelle-National level Best Teacher Awardee, John Prem Kumar-Renowned MC), Gopalkrishna Bhat-Educationist, Soori Shetty Kaup – Social Worker, Raghu Pandeshwar-Comedian Actor, Venky Palimar- Clay Artist, Mohammad Ibrahim- Social Worker from Gangolli), Dinesh Bhandhavya- Blood Donor, Nikhil Nayak-National level Power Lifter and Janardhan Bhandarkar-Member of Municipal Council.