Holi Celebrations 2011 by Paritraan Team

When Engineers decided to engineer Doctors for the future...

When I started Paritraan – A social service organization, I was alone. Today, Paritraan has over 50 members spread across India, who teach thousands of underprivileged children, the disabled and the old. 

When I talked about Social service, most of my friends thought that this was all a waste of time. But Robert Schuller’s, ‘Success is never ending and failure is never final’ told me something else. It inspired me to dream and inspire others' dreams.

One day I asked the school children to tell me what they wanted to be. They told me they wanted to be Doctors. It was Friday. I thought about it, how could I help them in their dream? How can I inspire them? I am an engineer… What should I do?

I prayed to God for guidance. And he answered. I called my friends, told them I wanted to organize a trip to RIMS – the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. Everyone resented. Filled with self-doubt and negativity, they gave me various reasons for not going.

One said, “What if you meet an accident?”

Another said, “You need permission from RIMS…”, the third said, “We can’t manage this…may be some other time…”

But words of Robert Schuller, Swami Vivekananda, the Holy Bible, The Holy Quran and the Holy Geeta keep echoing in me. They told me that God wants me to carry on with this task. “Help will be provided to those how seek, for those with a noble cause.”

I declared, “I am going ahead with the plan, you are free to join me!”

Sunday was declared to be the destined day. Akhil decided to join me. I met 10 children at one place, Akhil met with 15 others. We booked two tempos to travel from the BIT Mesra campus to the main road. There, I saw a bus. My heart told me, this bus is never here. It’s God’s help. Go ask for it. I thought Akhil is better at dealing about financial matters, so I sent him instead. The driver decided not only to carry us to RIMS, but also expressed that he would bring us back.

We played Antakshari during the journey. Then we reached RIMS. We came to know that on Sunday, the college is closed, but medical students had exams. Akhil said, “That’s why I asked you to take permission. It does not work like this. Now you see, there was no point in coming here. Its all a waste!”

I asked him to wait, and went straight to the Director's Office. I told him who we were and what we wanted. He was so happy he asked me sit down, then appreciated our efforts, asked me to keep it going and ensured he will provide all the help necessary for any future tours. He assigned two Guards, who took us around the campus and showed different departments. 

 

The doctors were also glad to have those children in their campus. They patiently answered children's questions. And to my surprise, these children really asked interesting questions. They asked about procedures of donating blood as they wanted to donate blood. Even the nurses and other support staff contributed with their own knowledge.

The children really enjoyed the trip. Not only that, those who did not join us, asked us to organize trips from them again & again. There was another school nearby, we used to teach children there as well, the news reached them and then they started demanding a trip.

 

That, gave me the ultimate satisfaction, and proved my theory of Goodwill – If you are working for a noble cause, God’s help will arrive. I don’t know if any of those children will become doctors, for they are very poor, but then even if one of them becomes a doctor, wouldn’t it make a difference?

Your Facebook Likes, Tweets and Blog Comments can help to generate funds to buy books and clothes for the underprivileged.

If you would like to contribute, your Facebook Likes, Blog Comments, Digg Likes, Tweets can help us generate funds. How? Here's what you have to do:

1. You have to click on this link The Journey of Paritraan.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Leave a comment.
3. At the top of the Page, there are 4 buttons - Digg, Facebook Like, Tweet and Facebook Share.
4. You need to sign to Facebook, Twitter and/or Digg to contribute. Then Like it, Share it, Tweet it, and Digg it.

In case you are in a corporate environment where security policies do not allow you to visit social networking sites [for obvious reasons] please use the comments in the blog. You can Like, Share and tweet about it when you are using your personal net. To get to the article, you can either visit my blog i.e. www.aasthik.com or simple use Google to search for "the journey of paritraan", the very first result will be the article.


This article was a part of Article Writing competition organized by another Not-for-Profit Organization called TechAloo [their official Facebook page- www.facebook.com/techaloo] dedicated at promoting Social Entrepreneurship.

The article "The Journey of Paritraan" has won the first round. For the second round we need more Facebook likes, Shares, Digg, Tweets and TechAloo Comments. This will help us win Rs. 3000/- which will be used to buy books and clothes for children.

Magical Methods Training Pvt Ltd re-kindled the fire and passion within me to take sessions on Vedic Maths.

Taking sessions for under-privileged children and students of engineering and technology is nothing new for me. For those of you who do not know about me, here’s a brief introduction:
1. I am the founder and Chief-coordinator of Paritraan – a social initiative started by me and supported by friends, faculty and juniors not only from BIT Mesra but from other colleges in India.

2. I am the Chairman of Microsoft Software and Technology Club, India, a club that gives free sessions on Microsoft technologies to students, faculty ad professionals across India. We also organize, from time to time, several national and international events to promote programming and software development. DreamSpark Professional Programming contests conducted in 2010 and 2011 are such examples.

3. I have trained more than 1000 students, faculty and professionals on various technologies & subjects like:

• Microsoft technologies like .NET, SilverLight, Windows 7,   Windows Phone 7, Visual Studio, SQL Server 2008
• Personality development skills
• Computer/Digital Literacy
• Vedic Mathematics

Infact, Paritraan began with my first session in Vedic Maths. However, after joining Samsung Software Engineering Lab as a Software Engineer in June 2011 I was unable to carry out my sessions because of office timings. But then a few days ago, I came across a Facebook Page by the name Magical Methods Training Pvt. Ltd. in which I saw a committed Mr Pradeep Kumar carrying out the task of creating awareness of Vedic Mathematics and  I saw pics of him teaching Vedic Maths and it re-kindled the fire in me to take sessions on Vedic Maths.



In the time of writing this blog-post, I am in Nagpur, in the house of my eldest maternal aunt. She is a lecturer in a junior college and also teaches in a Coaching Institute. I offered her to teach Vedic Maths to her students and she agreed and I began taking sessions on Vedic Maths. Its been 2 days already and tomorrow will the third day. Its a mix batch of students from class 7-12.

I would like to point our the syllabus of Maharashtra board is not at all up to the mark and the children even in class 11 are unable to do simple 2 digit multiplication or 3 digit addition/subtraction mentally. They need to be spoon-fed! Most of them are either afraid of Maths or hate it! Imagine hating such a beautiful subject…



So in the last two days I took 2 sessions of 2.5 hours each and now they have gained confidence and some of them have started liking Maths, I get the same feeling as I get when I convert a Naasthik (Atheist) into an Aasthik (Theist)!




The movie Spiderman had a really nice message – “With great power comes great responsibility!” And I believe being an Engineer its my responsibility to engineer a better society, a better India – A Better Future.

Magical Methods Training Pvt. Ltd. details:
Website: www.magicalmethods.com/
Blog Link1: http://vmfortrainer.blogspot.com/
Blog Link2: http://magicalmethods.wordpress.com/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Magical-Methods-Training-Pvt-Ltd/161663113891616

What do we gain from Paritraan?

Today the society is very-very different from what it used to be a decade ago. Mistrust has grown and people really don’t believe in unselfish deeds. And if you are carrying out something unselfishly, people will have their eyes fixed on you, to catch you whenever they get a chance and say – “I knew there’s was something in it. Social Service my foot! He/She was doing for so & so….”

If you tell people that you are doing Social Service majority of them will raise their eyebrows like you said – “I’m coming from the moon!”

I remember the days when I was 13-14 year old boy and the elderly talked about helping the needy. It was considered a noble deed! But not today… not in the same way.

I don’t know why have we become so individualistic that we have forgotten that we are social beings. We have forgotten that we are citizens of a society, of a nation? Why have we grown so insensitive towards the needs of a fellow human being?

I read a Facebook status a couple of months ago which I cannot forget – “A hundred rupees are too much to give to a beggar but too less to feed ourselves in a restaurant.”

The aim of the Paritraan is nothing but to spread the message of love and humanity. Its about performing your basic duties as a human – to contribute in the development of the society and the people. To lend a helping hand to those who need it! Its as simple as that.

We don’t have any reasons to do this. Its something that comes from our souls; our hearts. It tells us to live a meaningful life rather than a selfish one. We just know we HAVE to do it. Its our duty.

But yes, we do get something in return. None of the efforts are ever wasted. God watches our every move. Well, have you seen a smiling child? Imagine seeing such a lovely face everyday. You forget all your tension. You live fully! You get energized. And this is what we have gained from Paritraan.

Imagine when you enter a classroom and you get a standing ovation. Just imagine how does that make you feel? That is our salary.

Imagine walking down 800 acres of campus in BIT Mesra and suddenly a gardner or a peon or a washerman comes to you and says – “Bhaiya, aap ka bahut-bahut dhanyawaad. Aapne hum garib ke baccho ko sikhayaa. Ab wo school jaana chaahte hain. Wo seekhanaa chaahte hain. Bhagwaan tumhara bhalaa kare.” [Thank you very much. I know you teach our children. Now they want to go to school. They want to learn. May God bless you!]

Just imagine that situation! Feel the emotions. That is our reward and that is what we’ve gained from Paritraan. We have gained friends, we have gained families, we have helped to raise aware citizens, who some day will be Dhirubhai Ambani or Ratan Tata or Kiran Bedi or Dr Kalam of India!

Why the name 'PARITRAAN'?

Well, I have been asked this question so many times. Why the name Paritraan for this social initiative? there isn't one answer.There are quite a few reasons for that. The first being I had to have a name for a team!

I first heard of the word Paritraan in the year 2005 while I was in Bangalore. It was supposed to be a political party launched by a group of IITians who were initially into social-service but then got irritated due to the obstructions they had to face during their social service campaign.

I was really happy. It was a time when my hopes were high. I was preparing to appear for IIT-JEE and was really impressed to know that finally educated section of the society is taking responsibility of the nation. The word got printed in my soul.

In the news they also explained the meaning for the word 'Paritraan' which comes from the famous verse of the Holy Geeta-

“यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारतः, अभ्युथानम अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम!
परित्राणाय साधुनाम विनाशायः च दुष्कृताम, धर्मं संस्थापनाथायः संभवामि युगे युगे!!”

Paritraan literally means "To bring relief from the cause of distress".

परित्राणाय साधुनाम [Paritraanaya Sadhunaam] was also used as an emblem by the Chhattisgarh Police. I really liked the meaning it conveyed.

So when I was thinking of a name for my team, which should convey what it stood for and the idea behind it – Paritraan was an obvious choice. Also, it embodied our cultural heritage.

And today I am really happy to say that the word Paritraan is not just a word anymore… it has given meaning to many lives associated with it.

Why should you join PARITRAAN?

DON'T JOIN PARITRAAN; JOIN THE SPIRIT OF PARITRAAN. We don't want you to register with us, all we want you to do is take 2-3 hours per week from your busy schedule and visit a Government or any School with underpriviledged children. Just spend time with them. Make them feel they are cared for.

We at Paritraan believe that - "Even an Animal finds its food, sleeps, drinks and lives life for itself; if there is one thing that distinguishes them from us is the ability for live for others."

Humans are social beings and we will improve when society will improve and the master technique to improve the society in modern context is Education. Education not only improves the living status of a person but also helps them making a human resource that is necessary for country to be developed. It also removes crime and unemployment from the society.

So, we the Paritraan team would like to hear from you if you have any idea that can be incorporated in our mission to improve it or you can participate in this holy mission too. If you want to really contribute something for the society, please contact us and join us in taking this mission to a newer and higher dimension where it will prove to be a factor affecting life of many people and will be a concrete step towards the development of civilised and educated society.

You can send your feedback, appreciation, comments and criticisms at our Official Facebook Page - Paritraan.

The Paritraan Prayer.

Every Society or Organization has some kind of a trademark. May that be a Tag-Line, a slogan, a logo or something else. However, the institutions and organizations related to Educational Activities or Social Services have trademarks in the form of Prayer.

The irony is that, more often than not, Prayer is mis-understood by people in general. So before going through this article, I recommend that you visit this blog-post about prayer.

Many prayers in the form of verses, 'Shlokas' and 'Sutras' exist in Sanskrit and Hindi. There are many really good prayers in English too. I have been reciting many of them, they are just uncountable. Each one of them is special, simply brilliant. One can't say which is better, that's foolish because they are all divine!

However, there has to be something really specific that depicts the heart and soul of paritraan - so here's a poem from one of Dr Robert H. Schuller's Books 'Believe in the God, who believes in you'.

The prayer is-

"I offer my life to You, God, for You to live in me and through me.

Here is my face - shine from it.

Here are my ears - hear the cry of hurting persons through them.

Here are my eyes - see the faces of those who need Your blessing and bless them with the healing look that radiates from You, my Lord, through my eyes.

Here's my tongue - speak through it!Speak the words of encouragement! Affirmation!

Here, O Lord, are my hands - use them to touch, hold, lift and steady another human being.

Here, O Lord are my feet - walk where You want me to go. And may those who follow me be following You!"

Please let me know your views on the same. Well, I am not imposing this poem on anyone! Its just that as Paritraan grows (which it continues to) I dream to build my own schools and there I would love to have this prayer. Also, I request all Paritraan  members to go through this prayer and give it a thought.

Paritraan: Our Intentions and How we plan to do it.

This Sunday, on 3rd April 2011, I visited St. Micheal’s School for the Blind, near Bahu Bazaar(Ranchi), with a few of my friends.

I am posting this blog for those people who are interested to join Paritraan, to inform them about the main ideas which lie behind our activities. In short this is a blog about the how and the how not. If you are interested in the why and why not please visit Vishal Gupta’s blog-post.

Paritraan was started by Vishal Gupta, a final year student of Information Technology during his 2nd year Engineering. Back then, he used to teach underprivileged children in his native village. In January 2011, under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Anup Kumar Keshri, of Department of IT from BIT Mesra, Paritraan began to grow in BIT Mesra. Using MSTC's resources, Paritraan got its web-presence. The growth of Paritraan was impossible without the contribution of Akhil Ranjan, 4th Year BioTech and Amritesh Kumar, 4th Year IT (2K7 Batch).

The main purpose of the group is to carry out the works of Social Services in and around Ranchi and spread it across as far as possible. Right now there are about 40 students from various streams and batches working for Paritraan by utilizing their Sundays, Holidays and Half-Days to help those who are not as fortunate as we are.

Apart from Blind Schools visits, Paritraan teams also visit various Government and Municipal schools in nearby villages to provide them proper education. Educational Trips and Digital Literacy Sessions are also organized for underprivileged children.

The main principles behind the successful outings of Paritraan are:

1. It is voluntary. There is no concept of joining. You can accompany us in our trips.
2. Since studies are of paramount importance, we generally skip trips nearer to exams. We are only planning to utilize the Sundays and holidays we usually waste lazing around in the hostel. However, a few enthusiasts still carry out the noble work even during exam times.
3. This is not a club, this is a movement, a social initiative and a Social Revolution. There are no posts like treasurer, president etc. to offer. There is no chain of command per se.However, we do encourage to take advice from Asst Prof Keshri and Senior Members of Paritraan Team.
4. Though there is no concept of donation in the form of money, a few still donate so that we can give something to the blind children. We prefer to donate 2-3 hours of time a week to help. The best example is an incident that happened in front of me. The students of the school wanted books/magazines with paper of better quality for them to write in Braille. A senior suggested to buy the books for them. Keshri sir prompted and said that it would be better if we collected books from the common room than put in money from our pockets.
5. We try not interfere in the management of the schools/institutions we visit. The main logic here is that we have no basis to criticize the work of people who work in these institutions or to tell them what to do. We do not work for these institutions but we work on our own with their permission. At the same time we ensure all the benefits of our labour and contributions go to the people who actually need it.
6. The type of work we do isn't just limited to teaching. We try our best to provide Engineering like solutions to the problems faced by people who are usually neglected by the society. For example we also plan to guide the students of the school about the career options they have after they pass out of the school. 
7. We listen to the problems they are facing and try to solve them with things we can do in our free time. Some students in the school wanted to know how to apply for the position of radio jockey in radio stations or as announcers in railway stations. Our seniors were fast to google out some information on the availability of positions for the physically handicapped in some government organizations.

These are just some of the main ideas behind Paritraan that I have come to understand. As I see, the main goal will always  be to strive to help those who need help and to contribute in such a way that our hard work is beneficial for them.

Paritraan in Sanskrit means "To bring relief from the cause of distress".