PLEASE DO READ TILL END
I am sharing this wonderful experience
I recently had in Singapore.
I was invited to one Friday evening event by one of MNC Vendor organization
who had organized the event to raise funds for the visually
handicapped people in a center for blind people.
As usual, since it was a Friday evening, I first thought to skip the
event considering it could be a bit boring and rather spend
the evening relaxing by some other means.
But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill time,
I thought to accept the invitation and registered on line for booking.
Moreover it was free :) which was another motivation to go to the event.
I was looking at the event to pass some time,
meet few people and nothing else.
When I went there, there were approx 40 people from various
industries invited for that event. I found some Indians and naturally
talked to them about how life is in Singapore etc etc. Initially we were
shown a video about the visually handicapped center. What are their activities,
how are they helping blind people in Singapore to lead a more
fulfilling life, etc . It was a short 15 minute video and quite inspiring
that how people from different walks of life spend time in helping
these blind people without expecting anything in return.
They shared the satisfaction and fulfilment they get by helping them.
After the video, we all were gathered in a hall and were briefed
about next event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in the Dark".
And this is the event which turned out to be inspiring and worth sharing.
What is meant was that we all 40+ people were going to have
Dinner in a pitch Dark room !!!! The next 2 hours were completely planned,
organized , directed and executed by three blind youths.
One was a girl ( Leader ) and other two boys were assistant to
her forming a team of three blind volunteers.
The blind leader first gave us tips for dining
( These were ACTUAL STANDARDS THE BLIND PEOPLE
FOLLOW IN ORDER TO MAKE
THERE LIFE EASIER )
1, When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows :
at 3 o clock of your dish : You will find a spoon.
at 9 o clock : Fork; 12 o clock : spoon. 2 o clock : Empty Glass
Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 o clock.
2. There will be two large Jugs circulated to you.
The Jug with plain walls will have water and the Jug with
curved wall will have orange juice.
3. When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to
pour it in your glass. You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so
that when you fill it and the liquid touches your finger ,
you have to stop pouring.
She asked whether everyone has understood .
All said yes but everyone was confused and trying to remember
what she said and confirming with each other. Next 1 1/2 hours
we spent were full of fun and learning. In completely pitch dark room
where we could not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various
delicious food without seeing it.
We all 40 people were taken in groups in the dark hall .
Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sits on a chair
( We were finding it awkward because actually we are supposed to
guide blind people to their destination and help them )
We were Served full five course dinner by this team of three blind people-
Welcome drinks, appetizers, starters , main course and desserts.
The amazing thing was that the team of three blind people were serving
exactly vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were
sitting randomly in the room !!!
While registering on line we were asked question to choose from
"Vegetarian" or "Non vegetarian". I obviously chose Vegetarian ,
being one. We were so nicely hosted that we did not have to wait in
between serves . As we were ending finishing one dish ,
we were served with next without any delays.
After approx 1 and half hours of Dining in the dark , the leader asked
whether everyone has finished eating. After confirmation she switched
on the lights of the dining room.
We left the Dining room with tears in our eyes.
We realized how lucky we are and how we have been gifted with
beautiful eyes to see the beautiful world. We realized how difficult
lives of blind people are ( and other handicapped) without being able to see.
We realized how uncomfortable we were for just two hours without
being able to see anything and how they must be living their lives.
We realized how unfortunate we are , that we do not value such
simple things in life we have and cry
( sometime louder, sometime within ourselves)
and run after what we don't have .................
for whole of our lives without having time to adore for the things we have.
Be cheerful.
Adore whatever you have in life.
You may try for whatever you don't have
but never feel sad about it.
You need to experience it ,
something like I had experienced ,
to believe this philosophy of life.
Unquote
A research team led by professor and head of microbiology and immunology at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, found that dysfunction in a single gene called MADD in mice causes fasting hyperglycemia – one of the major symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
