In October, I joined Saleem (COO, ESSCI) in his visit to the ABB Centre for Vocational Education in Faridabad. This was based out of Saidhaam, Faridabad and I was blown away by the spiritual energy I felt at the premise as I interacted with the seniors there.
- I had specifically gone there for understanding the vocational training program for electricians. And, yes, I was not a passive visitor. I observed that the center was showing gardening rubber gloves as the electrician gloves – and not electric gloves of the proper specifications. I recorded and formally informed the center manager that he needed to provide for electric gloves of right specs in his training and remove the ‘show’ gloves and it was a recipe for a fatal accident. Also, I advised him to add proper LOTO safety training in his class. Later- I gave a LOTO kit to the center manager to complete his inputs for proper training.
As I interacted with Dr Beenu, Principal of the school and member of the trust, I realized that apart from the vocational training, they delivered a number of services for the poor in the community, viz,
- The school was charitable, and it provided meals for approx. 2000 children
- They had a healthcare center
- A temple, and
- They performed mass marriages – 25 every quarter across the years (calendar shared in the featured photo), having performed over 1200 of them over the years…
Now those of you who have read my previous blogs know that my brother-in-law in the USA was supporting mass marriages in Sitamarhi for several years now. So, I asked him if we could scale the service to Faridabad. Virender Bhai ‘Saab had some queries, and I facilitated the responses and the links between him and Saidhaam.
To cut the long story short, Bhai ‘Saab echoed my judgment of the institution. He agreed to sponsor the mass weddings of Feb 9th and finally,
- He paid 20 wedding expense (at Rs.40000/- per wedding for a range of gifts to be given to the bride)
- 3 weddings were covered by Soumya Bhai ‘Saab
- Approx 1 lakh was raised thru friends and family towards EECP equipment for the healthcare center
- Another 5200/- was paid for a wheelchair for the healthcare center
- And another 2100/- was paid to the priest who performed the marriages
- 25 silk sarees were additionally gifted to the brides
- And 1 meal for a child for a year underwritten by the family +
- Additionally, books from 1st to 8th class (for all students) from New Age publishers were committed by Saumya Bhai Saab…
We tasted the spiritual high of Kanya ’dan, vidya ’dan, Ann ‘dan and Sewa on that day. It was a pleasure interacting with the trust members and especially, the 90+ year old Dr Motilal Gupta ji. The affection and spirit of Sewa and divine aura that he carried with him was amazing.
Photographs of the event are shared here. Hats off to Virender Bhai Saab and Madhu Didi; and Saumya Bhai Saab for setting the family values high…and to our elders who taught us to give selflessly.
One of the best moments of my life was seeing the young folks delight in the moments that they transited into the next phase of life!
Madhu didi, Vandana and me with Dr Beenu as we moved at the vedi’s blessing the young couples …
Memorable photo with the couples (standing) – Virender Bhai’Saab and I flank Dr Moti Lal Gupta, Founder Chair of Sai Dham Trust in the foreground (Sitting).
