Vinay Mandir is a historical residential institute for 220 girls of 9th to 12th grade in Gandhi Ashram Ahmedabad. These girls come from very poor tribal villages of Gujarat. The institute is one of the main activities of Ashram trust - founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915. Manav Sadhna (MS) is deeply involved with this institute also.

It has been a pretty cold winter this year even in Ahmadabad! Couple of days back, I found out that the hot water heater had stopped working in the hostel and the repair guy has given up on it. So with my tool bag, I went to the hostel in the morning to give it a try. While I was working on the heater, the hostel mother Manishaben was trying to help. I asked her if the girls have enough blanket? She told me that they have enough blankets but most of the girls do not have the bed sheets and proper floor mats. They all sleep on the floor using the rolls type of cotton beds without sheets. That night, I was thinking, maybe I should call Bharatbhai (adarsh Ahmedabad) for 220 bed sheets and 150 mats. But with the 23 years of experience, the faith was stronger and I decided not to talk anyone about this!

Today, after getting the heater to work, I came to MS for my tiffin lunch with everyone. A couple, from Luster UK, came looking for MS. They told us how they been looking forward to visit MS after watching the Ekatva show and talking to another volunteer from UK. After some introduction of MS, Shirish took them to Tekro and Vinay Mandir. Bhattji and I went to Kalupur wholesale market with 10000 rupees (all that Nayna ben had on hand). After looking in 4-5 shops we liked the price and quality of the sheets and mats in a shop.
The owner asked how many? I said we need 220 sheets and 150 mats! He told us that will be 38000 rupees. I said well we have 10000. He said that will be enough only for 60 sheets. He offered we could give 10000 as a deposit and he will send all 220 sheets and 150 mats to the hostel tomorrow. We will have to give remaining payment to the delivery man. We were looking at each other thinking that we cannot spend that much money without specific donation. The shop owner had the pen in his hand and was looking at us for final number for the invoice. Right at that moment,  Shirish (not knowing about us shopping for girls) telephoned with the news that the couple from UK has just donated 40000 rupees for Vinay Mandir!

Bhattji and shop owner got confused as they saw my teary eyes. I could not speak anything for 2-3 minutes. My heart was so full of gratitude, humbleness and faith. I also felt really insignificant. I realized how God is so far ahead in making arrangements for daughters. Only a couple of days back I found about the girls’ need and was trying to serve, but God (universe) had already done everything and taken care of it when the couple bought the tickets from UK and planned to visit MS in India months ahead! I shared with the shop owner what just happened. He reduced the rate of both the items. The daughters have all the sheets and mats they need now.

On the way back, I shared the full story with Bhattji and for a while he kept wiping the corners of his eyes. Many times this has happened with us while serving. Now we know it is a science but every time, it helps us grow from within.

Posted by Viren Joshi on Mar 1, 2014 | permalink