Challenges are necessary in one’s life as they make the curve of the life sinusoidal. Else, the curve will be straight, and the life will seem dead. Challenges tests us on so many parameters like patience, understanding, presence of mind, collaboration, sacrifice, etc. that one needs to learn to live life in a better way. One of my ambitions was to do something beyond what I have ever imagined in helping others. I believe that life is not just to live for yourself but is to live for others as well. In wondering when I will be a part of someone’s life that I would create an impact, life put me in one huge responsibility as a human to do so.
The challenge that I faced was during the floods in Chennai. I was studying engineering at Coimbatore. As the news started flashing, I immediately booked my tickets and went home as my mother was alone living in Chennai. Luck being in my favour, the floods did not affect much in my area. This made me happy as my mother did not suffer. But deep inside, I was dejected looking at the way people were suffering, floods entering houses at first floors too. My parents have taught me to be helpful for anyone at any time if possible. I immediately took the initiative to help my city people in neighbouring areas as they were the ones who were suffering and were reachable from my home. I requested my mother to start preparing foods for the needy as much as she could and provide them in large number. Immediately left home and called two of my friends and asked them to help me with the same. But three of us were not enough to pull it off. I started requesting help from people of my street with whom I had not spoken before. I was lucky enough to convince them, making them understand the importance of our need for the people in nearby areas. One of my friends’ dad owns a rice mill and they had a load vehicle for the same. I requested him to let us use that for transportation of these foods for the needy. Two hours later, I had almost 150 packets of food with varieties like curd rice, tamarind rice, tomato rice etc. I was so thankful to the people who prepared in lesser duration. We immediately arranged the packets and then left to affected areas. There came a point beyond which we had to walk through the floods which were up to our chests. Not bothering about the clothes, I asked my friends to take few packets and walk to the people and supply one packet per person. It almost took 3 hours for us as it was very difficult to walk through the floods and serve them. At last, managing to help to a smaller group when compared to the population who were affected, inside I felt it was something special for me. Seeing others happy because of us, made me happier than ever. I then took my friends back to our place and thanked each one of them who helped and believed in me to help others and responding back quicker than expected. This was a challenge with so many levels, right from convincing people, taking initiatives at right moment, risking our lives for others, not worried about the after effects of walking through floods for hours, etc. Inside me, there was only one thing that was in my mind, is to act before I regret. Though it was not necessary when considering the issue to be personal, but as human and the values that my parents have taught me, I ended up helping them out along with my friends which I am proud of in carrying the task successfully and leading it from the front.