For most of us living inside a bubble of self sufficiency, a birthday means endless partying , "gobbling" food from the most expensive places , getting sloshed and what not but somehow we forget that in the same society we have people who don't even know when their birthday is, people unsure if they would even get atleast something to eat for the day.
It's been a while since I have been writing as a food blogger ( tasteTube) and "gobbling" food around food festivals but then I realized is it worth it? While I celebrate food , people die hungry. And you don't have to go far to a slum to witness that.. People even die of hunger by those streets and pavements of Connaught place ( One of the largest financial, commercial and business centres in New Delhi, India).
Yes, the same place where you as a Delhites have spent countless amount of money on shopping and chilling with friends. And I don't consider myself any different from how most others are. But then life gives you lessons every now and then. I was taking my education for granted , I reached a point in life where I was denied education since I couldn't meet the finances. [Couldn't afford fees at Oxford]. I cried on my fate but then I realized ,thanks to my parents , I have still a better life than my others in the world , while there are kids who don't have enough even to go to an elementary school. Life gives every jerk a chance to change and this time it was my chance.
So armed with bags full of bananas,cookies,juice packs and homemade sandwiches, we marched to spread some smiles. 22 happy faces on my 22nd birthday ! Never met so many awesome and lovely people before. My darling pair of Bindya-Sindya.
And this gentleman- Kuldeep Singh, one of the most optimistic and educated man I met on the streets. He promised to tell his story about how he- a guy from Amritsar ended up on the streets of Delhi when I meet him again for a cup of tea.
Also you might be asking, why do I have to share my experience with you because probably you already know what I have told you. The reason is we need a little change, lets be little kind. Trust me it feels good. Everyday there is atleast one birthday , imagine if each one of us help and carry out some act of kindness on our birthdays , we would have 365 days of kindness and that too every year.
So I request people on Quora having birthdays coming up, please be a little kind and show some love for people who need help. No one is expecting you to leave all your work and move to social service. Just on your birthday, just one day from the 365 days in a year.
You don't have to be super rich to help. Just a sandwich to one who is hungry will make him/her happy. A packet of bread costs Rs 30 and a bottle of Jam around Rs 100. Total = Rs130 , Come on! you easily spend more than that at KFC or McDonalds.
Trust me there is no happiness like the happiness of giving back something. Also don't expect anything in return, you will find all kinds of people living on the streets. We ourselves had some , who were rude to us. But all other bright smiles and happy faces made up for it.
Just think for once, a party feeding sloshed drunkards or feeding a hungry stomach. (and obviously you can do both :p )
No one has ever become poor by giving. Do it, it feels good !