A difference

Yesterday, our Hon. Swamiji arrived in Bangalore for a fortnight-long camp at our Math here. In His holy-speech, Swamiji made a mention of a very touching incident: During the camp conducted for youngsters in Shirali last month, the disciples were taken to the beach one evening. Dr. Gaurish Padukone, a veterinary doctor who takes care of all the cattle belonging to the Math in Shirali, had planned and arranged a unique activity for the youngsters. During this time of the year, turtles from the sea come out on the sands to lay eggs. Most of the time what happens is, these turtles are caught and taken away by the fishermen, as turtle meat is considered a delicacy. The freshly hatched baby turtles which are orphaned even before they come into this world, keep flapping their tiny limbs instinctively trying to reach the water. This sight is heart rending.Padukone Gaurish had collected hundreds of such fledgelings in baskets. The disciples were asked to collect these in their hands and set them gently into the sea. What a beautiful way of teaching values to the young minds!!

The moment I heard this from Hon. Swamiji yesterday, I was reminded of the following 'forward' which I had been wanting to send you..... A man was walking down the beach at sunset. As he walked along, he saw another man in the distance. He noticed this man kept bending down, picking up something and throwing it out into the water again and again. As he went even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach. He was throwing them back into the water, one by one. Puzzled, he approached the man and said, "Good Evening. I was wondering what you are doing." "I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide and all these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the ocean, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen." "But there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. And, don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast? Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?" The man bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and threw it back into the ocean. With a smile he replied, "Made a difference to that one !!!"

Just remember, no matter how small the deed, it really does make a difference. Make a difference today.

- Sender Dr. Chaitanya Gulvady (Disciple, Chitrakut Math, Karwar)

Original post : Entry for June 15, 2007