Finally after traumatic exams, i was so relieved to make the most out of my 12 day break from college, which actually suffocated my growth. i started receiving mails from couple of volunteering groups. i picked out Chennai Volunteer group, to volunteer for Wipro Chennai Marathon. It was good knowing my friend Aum, would accompany me to it. Unfortunately he couldn't accompany me since he was tired as he came back to Chennai from a vacation just the night before. i did receive a volunteer t-shirt but i didn't have any plans to dropout.
i must admit it was a really good decision i made. though i not at all a morning person, i drove to the start point at 5:30 AM. Driving through the cold is quite a challenge but still quite cherish able. having reached there, i hardly knew anyone but quickly realized i wasn't alone. Surrounded by strangers but soon it turned out like 'working with friends'. i happened to meet Shamina, one of the event managers from the event managing company. the work was unexpectedly hetic but working with the group was actually fun and got to knew some good people. Most of the volunteers though were from a sports group or self made group. Of course college students dominated the group, guys and girls alike.
Recently i came across an article, by which apparently India has a high number volunteer groups. it was fantastic to know the volunteering scene has shot up significantly. A social responsibility among the group. we worked for a good time, and obviously we had time to know each other and share our experiences. it was great interacting with them. Shamina, who was the manager went through the most details of planning of such huge event. it did leave me in awe.
What was more amazing for me, was to see people take the 'RUN'. Its absolutely awesome to see people run. Professionals, amateurs, group runners, 80 year old to 15 year old, foreigners, people with a sore knee and whats more is people who were physically challenged also participated. it instilled a sense of grittiness in me, i asked myself, "There can be no better inspiration to a human than his fellow beings. if all these people, who push themselves and run why cant i?".
"You simply have to lift your lazy bum with a positive and determinate mindset. That's all, everything is in your mind," said a gentleman, who completed a 10 KM run, looking around 70 years old with a heavy strapping on his knee.
"Sure sir, things around seems to be so intresting. soon i guess i will do a 10KM." i replied confidently.
Shiva and Muhammed another two friends i happened to meet. Both were final year engineering students. Shiva was associated with Chennai Volunteers group for over an year. He sought to explain me how the organisation worked and what benefits one could get doing so including scholarships. He seemed a very dedicated person. We happened to park ourselves beside an orphanage and then a group of kids started yelling out shiva's name. i was suprised like other volunteers, later he told he volunteered for sapling planting, lunch donating at the ashram recently. it was very sweet to see the way the children spoke to him.
"So why are you into this volunteering thing any specific reason, bro?" i asked.
"i grew up in very hard conditions, Shaan. i really want to give something to the society in some way. " Shiva replied.
It was a legitimate reason while few others said it was some passion within them which drove them.
" Getting to speak to different people mostly liked minded people is one great advantage, it's great fun actually, " Shamina said. I could easily agree with her.
We had a good breakfast on the grassy ground even though most of us weren't hungry. Had it been my normal routine Sunday, i would surely have woke up at 9 AM had breakfast and doze off again. Haha.
Overall the morning was well spent and that too for a reason :)
Satisfied with myself.
Do ping me to volunteer for any events, there are many opportunities to do so.
mail id : ssnoor27@gmail.com
