Thursday, June 29

Do you believe in miracles?

Doesn't everyone have events in their lives which they forget to remember, especially in their moments of utter dejection?

I had one such moment yesterday. And I don't want to forget.

We were sitting at our Adda, discussing our future projects and how we would go about what we've already taken on. We were wondering how we could fund our ambitious projects. We know we've bitten off more than we can chew. We know that the odds are against us. But we keep dreaming, with some incredible belief that we'll find a way. We will build the bridge when you need to cross the river. We will move mountains, if it comes to that.
That doesn't mean we don't have a contingency plan. When OGH happened, we were not sure how many people would turn up. At the last moment, there were more than 300 people, sweeping the OGH floors. Some of them were people who probably never really cleaned their own rooms. We didn't expect that. We were sure that we would work throughout the day and night, if required, and complete what we'd set out to do. But we got help from people we didn't even know would be around.

There will always be people who will criticize your dreams. There will always be people who laugh at you for "wasting time". Some will even ridicule you and even try to stop you from going into what they perceive is the self-destruct mode.
But in the midst of it all, you will find people who believe. In the power of dreams. In destiny.

6 months ago, we met each other.

Yesterday, we met Joseph Curiale.

When he spoke, we found that our souls danced to the same tunes. It might sound like poetic rubbish at first, but anyone who knows me will know that I do not resort to talking about philosophical jargon unless I mean it. He spoke our words. He was a godsend. He said he'd help us get in touch with an Art College in California, he saw our vision and believed that we would justify what we said with tangible actions.
There are no coincidences. It could be divine intervention. And I say that only because, in the last 6 months, we've passionately kept moving ahead, knowing fully well that all we had were determination and empty pockets.

I like 'The Alchemist'. Sure, it's overhyped. But I like it. Because he said something that makes sense to me.
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it...It's called the principle of favorability, beginner's luck. Because life wants you to achieve your destiny."

Just reach out. That causes a ripple effect and you'll find people willing to sacrifice their lives, if required. All you need to do is ask.

Sunday, June 4

Stuck in a moment

This song encapsulates what I feel right now. I have so many pent up negative feelings and a visit to the Osmania General Hospital just makes it worse.

There is a sense of absolute distress and the negative vibes are too much to handle. It's not just the sight of sickness that you have to endure but the sounds and smells as well. And that's what is traumatic. There are some images which I just can't seem to let go off.

~ an old man sleeping in his own excreta. They didn't have enough attenders to pick him up and take him into the Hospital. No responsible ones anyway.
~ a boy, hardly 9 years old, covered in blood and whose leg had been cut through, by an electric saw or something. They didn't have enough cotton in the emergency wards.
~ the burns ward, with 18-19 year old girls. All dowry cases, apparently.
~ the unending beds filled with people who had bandaged limbs
~ the undisposed syringes, the dried blood.. all in the passage way.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Read my friend's experience at OGH.

This is the hospital which holds the record for treating the most number of patients each day(8000-10,000). Inspite of the chaos, there is a system, some hidden method in the madness and people actually seem to be able to get out of there, cured and alive. There are doctors, nurses and attenders there who work overtime to help the patients everyday. I am astonished at their immense conviction.

There is a way to take responsibility for what's happening at OGH. It's a small start but the beginning of a larger transformation. Visit our OGH page and register for the Sanitation and Awareness Drive.

And beyond everything, keep the faith that change is possible. In our lifetime.