Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Random Acts of Kindness!

Random Acts of Kindness – RAK is English for “neki kar dariya mein daal”.

It means getting 2 cups of coffee from the vending machine and handing one to the first colleague at his/her desk who looks like they could use one, without their asking.

It also means throwing an impromtu invitation to watch the kids for a friend while the couple get an evening out.

It can also mean baking a cake that says “I love you” and cutting it, just like that, to celebrate love…

It also means giving your help a day off, or promising to double up for a colleague at work. A Colleague who has never been nice to you.. no wait, the last one, would not be a RAK. That would be Gandhi-giri.. :-)

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PS: For those outside India, we have a new film here (in India) that shows us how to apply the principles of Gandhi to our everyday life. The movie is a huge commercial success and is actually changing the face of public protests in this country. More and more TV channels report how people use the Gandhian means of protest to try and change the larger system that they are a part of.

Nearly 60 years after the Mahatma was killed by a bullet, a simple comedy movie is teaching us how those principles still ring true, because they do not come from Gandhi, they also come form someplace within us! :-)

19 comments:

Tanvi said...

I liked the 'cutting a cake' idea.One fine day, perhaps, you'll cut a 'happy bloggers' cake and let me have the biggest of all pieces!

Sharique said...

is munna bhai really changing something in india? i though those ideas will be forgotten soon..after all just a movie you see.
i personally feel that the ideas should be followed...believe there is nothing sweet than truth :-)

starry said...

Thanks for sharing.made me smile.

Itchingtowrite said...

this is the best-It also means throwing an impromtu invitation to watch the kids for a friend while the couple get an evening out. wish some one wud do this every weekend for me

Sadia said...

I loved the film and am one of those romantics who believe that people are essentially good and so a movie like this will touch, if not all atleast a number, of people and bring about some change because they are capable from within for such a change:)

Nee said...

Life imitating art eh, with people following the movie :-)
ITW - if only you lived closer, I would happily baby-sit those adorable kids of yours!

JM said...

Random acts of kindess is a good philosophy.

Nabeel said...

many times the naiki comes back at ya with a sting .. what i mean to say is that i have heard of people who stopped on the road side to a hand to the troubled car .. and they ended up getting robbed :(

How do we know said...

Hi Tanvi: You bet!! You just have to be there to get that slice of life.. ooops! Cake!!

Hi Chhotu: Thank you!! Lets hope we make you smile more often.

Hi Sharique: There really is nothing simpler and more difficult at the same time - than truth.

Hi Starry Nights: Anytime! :-)

Hi Aradhna: Have answered u on ur blog. And it really is nice to talk to someone after a looong time!

Hi ITW: Next time I am in Chennai.. promise!!

Hi illusonist: Me likes them thoughts of urs!!

Hi Vibhor: Am glad it has.. and very grateful!

Hi Nee: Yun hi nahi kehte.. Bande mein tha Dum!! Vande Mataram!

Hi Angel: I know.. makes everyone's day!

Hi Nabeel: You're right about that. But usually, the choice is between losing your possessions one more time, or losing your faith in human goodness for ever. So far, I choose to risk losing the possessions and prefer to keep the faith.

Has to be me said...

Hey thats intersting to note abt the movie! And doing RAK anyday is indeed a welcome n good thing! Good post gal!

Anks said...

Do you reaklly think Gandhigiri works... I really wish it does but probably in some other world... But yes we shud make an attempt... nice post

Nishu said...

Hi,

I'm taking a break from the blog world.. but will come back when the dust will settle down...

Yet to see munnabhai-2.

Will tell you soon about why...ssoo....let me come back in blog world... byeee..

Smiles,
(^_^)

Persona non gratis said...

Wah. Neki aur puch puch :)

How do we know said...

Hi Has to be me: Thank you!

Hi Anks: yes, i do believe that Gandhigiri works. But i also believe that there is a time for Gandhigiri and a time for Circuit Giri.

Hi Nishu: Enjoy the break, but dont make it too long!

Hi Shrremoyee: :-) Ok, no poochh poochh, just neki!

stellar said...

even i watched that movie its awesome.. :D..so how have you been ?? was waiting for your comment..i know i'm not writing that good now a days..but i'll try.. :-)..the ideas you shared here are quite nice..coffee,cake,work more to support a colleague..etc.. good job..and keep posting and visiting my blog too ;-)

How do we know said...

Hi Stellar: Revisited ur blog with more comments on that poem.. and u can bet i will keep going back!

Hi Tanushree: Couldn't agree more!! The point of that shot, where Munnabhai realises he has been hallucinating, is not that the whole thing was a make believe, but that, Munnabhai himself was Bapu all this while, just as all of us can be.. :-)

Polite Indian said...

Nice post!

I hope Gandhigiri stays with us for a long time to come.

My 2 cents about Gandhigiri here.

The Phosgene Kid said...

Which Gandhi? I've lost track...

I have alwasy maintained it is up to us to look after each other, there's nothing (or no one)else that will.

Neha said...

i saw this movie again today.. i just love it :) it makes me feel so good everytime i watch it and i leave the theatre with such a warm and happy feeling :)