Those we label as differently-abled have much to teach us about living life with grace and contribution. This week's song is a dedication to one such humble hero who inspires us to transform our adversities into opportunities for service.
Click below to listen (you can also download here):
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A few months ago, we found ourselves in a 4 hour interaction with Bhavesh Bhatia, who has had an truly inspiring journey. He lost his eye sight completely early in life, and decided that he wanted to live as independently as possible.
What started out as an small step in early 90's with Bhavesh selling his hand made candles on a push cart on the streets of Mahabaleshwar, today is an inspired small scale social enterprise called "Sunrise candles" where over 90 visually impaired folks work together to help create a shift from darkness to light.
When one of India's top industrialist heard of this work, he promptly sent in a donation of Rs 25 lakhs as his support. Bhavesh humbly sent back the check with a note that he would rather have a corporate order for the same amount to engage his friends with rather than free money. He feels that free money without work leads to wasting away of the human capital. Long story short is that the same industrialist has been ordering diwali candles for his 28,000 staff for the last 7 years.
Bhavesh's backbone is his lovely angel of a wife named Neeta who takes care of all the admin and running around that needs to be done. While on a vacation almost 18 years ago to Mahabaleshwar, Neeta a typical Mumbai girl met Bhavesh selling his candles. So intrigued and inspired was she by this man, that she ended up spending her whole week with him getting a deeper insight into his "vision" for a better world for others like him. At the end of the week, she knew in her heart that this was the person she would be spending the rest of her life with. After huge resistance, both frombhavesh himself and her family, love prevailed and today they have a happy 16 year old son.
In a touching moment, Bhavesh shares: "Whenever we are out walking, and if there is a pothole or stone in the way, Neeta, will say that there is a obstacle ahead and we both need to be careful of it".
Bhavesh is an incredible poet, philosopher and guide to many people all over India, being a sought after inspirational speaker and I pray that you too are touched by his "vision" one day!
“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it,
bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry~
Ye mat kaho Khuda se, meri mushkilein badi hai.(2)
Ye mushkilon se keh do, mera Khuda bada hai.
Don't tell God that your troubles are big
Rather, tell the troubles, my God is Great.
Aati hai aandhiyan to, kar unka khair makdam.(2)
Tufan se hi to ladne, Khuda ne tuje ghada hai.
Let the storms come, welcome them with smile
God has made you strong enough to face storms in life.
Ye mushkilon se keh do, mera Khuda bada hai(3).
Agni me tapke sona, hai aur bhi nikharta.(2)
Durgam ko paar karke, Himalaya koi chadha hai.
Gold becomes pure when it is heated by fire
Only by crossing rough terrains, one can climb Himalaya
Layegi rang mehnat, aakhir tumhari ek din .(2)
Hoga vishal taruvar, wo beej jo pada hai.
Your efforts will bring fruits, ultimately one day
The tree will grow & bloom for sure, as you have already sown the seed.
Ye mat kaho Khuda se, meri mushkilein badi hai.
Ye mushkilon se keh do, mera Khuda bada hai(3).
Wo sarva shaktiyon se, jab sath hai humare.(2),
Har kam uske rehte harroj hua pada hai.
When HE is with you with all His Light & Might
Your every act will bear fruit in his company
Kabhi harna naa, himmat ka kadam badhao.(2),
Hazaron kadam badhane, wo samne khada hai.
If you take one step of courage towards Him, He is ready to take a thousand steps towards you, in your direction"
Ye mat kaho Khuda se, meri mushkilein badi hai.
Ye mushkilon se keh do, mera Khuda bada hai.(2)
Mera Khuda bada hai...(3)
