In the ‘Art of Giving’, we cannot
overlook that nature is a great giver and a selfless giver. Wind/air, earth,
and fire without them the world cannot survive.
“The wind raises the clouds to form the
rain, that nurtures the earth to grow vegetation, fruits and flowers, and the
wood that kindles the fire, so we must learn to reciprocate by conserving
nature” The words came from the founder of Art of Giving Dr. Achyuta Samanta,
the famous educationist.
A flower smiles at a plant and spreads
an aroma, but the plant never expects anything from those who see it and enjoy
it. However, some try to snatch that smile by plucking the smiling flowers in
the name of worship, which negates the spirit of the Art of Giving. Therefore,
we call nature a Mother who only gives, selflessly and that is an Art that
cannot be described in words.
“But in the course of material pursuits,
sometimes human beings as the most evolved characters lose this intrinsic habit
and get jaundiced by self-interests and do the damage irreparably” rued Dr.
Samanta during an interaction with this author.
Little do people realize that Hope and
Harmony are the elixirs of peace and amity that transcends the boundaries of
all the narratives in this world.
Art of Giving is no more a mere phrase
but taking it into a million hearts is, in itself, a path created that requires
no acquiescence anymore to walk on.
Looking after thousands of needy who
aspire for good grooming and shelter with food is a remarkable uptick that may
benefit many generations, Dr. Samanta founded Kalinga Institute of Social
Science is a signature evolution in that direction.
“This informs the origin, evolution, and
growth of AOG. We have empowered about two million lives through quality
education and empowerment. I started giving and sacrificing at the age of five,
when I was penniless” an emotional recall of Dr. Samanta. Still, there are
miles to go on this track that is paved with bricks of benevolence and
empathy.
Dr. Samanta says, “This selfless giving
throughout my life culminated in ‘Art of Giving’ to give to the world a
philosophical and action-oriented framework to experience the joy of giving on
17 May 2013, and since then AOG has become a civic movement.”
