My Rotary Lakeside Club organized a CHD (congenital heart disease) Camp in a government school a few years ago. I conducted the camp with a couple of club members.  The location was in an isolated area in the interior of the city. It was my first independent camp without Rtn. Richa. I was happy that I’d completed the task well. I booked a cab to return home, and it took a while to arrive; in the meantime, everyone else left. I waited outside the school gate with baggage, two standees, one big chart, a huge bag with register stamps, goodies, etc.

A young boy Raju, was the driver. In contrast to other drivers, he wore a crisp, clean, white shirt and jeans. He willingly helped me put the stuff in the boot/dickie and settled me in the cab. Raju turned out to be an educated young boy actively involved in social work, as unfolded in our long conversation.

Raju: (smiling) You look happy. Where are you taking the flyers?

Me: Oh! I’m going home. Yes, I’m happy. You picked me up from the school where I conducted a CHD Camp for the school children. This is part of our Rotary Lakeside Club activities.

Raju: Great! Rotary Club. Rotary does projects in my area, too. What is a CHD camp?

Me: In a CHD camp, we check the heart to see if it’s alright. Sometimes children have a hole in the heart. Doctors do the checks.

Raju: Aren’t school children too young for such checks?

Me: No…we can do these checks from 6 months baby onwards. We need to catch them young, if they need medication or surgery, then our club helps to arrange the facilities.

Raju: I’m sure your club does a lot of projects. I do my bit by training the children in my area in sports activities, especially football.

Me: (impressed) Wow! That’s amazing!! Sports is such an important area of work. How do you manage the shoes, ball, and other accessories required for the sports?

Raju: I train them for free and provide the children with shoes and other sports gear. For this, I need to raise funds.

Me: That’s a lot of work, that’s social service! Do the children go to school?

Raju: (laughing) I make sure they attend school. They want to learn football, so they attend school.

Me: Schooling is also important.

Raju: You are so friendly, cheerful, and active. There is a positive vibe about you. That’s why I shared my sports activities; otherwise, people don’t appreciate social work, so I don’t discuss it.

Me: Thank you for the compliments, I’m happy you are involved in social service. Keep doing the good work and spreading joy.

Raju had more questions, and we chatted a long way. I explained about Rotary’s projects and how we touch millions of lives. It took me 1.5 hours to reach my apartments. After making the payment, I requested Raju to help me remove the stuff from the dickie. Usually, drivers are reluctant, but Raju helped me and laid the stuff on the ground. I picked a standee and started moving towards the lift.

Raju: (looking at the number of items) How will you take all this?

Me: (turning back) It’s okay, I will take one item at a time, place it near the lift, and then take it home.

I continued walking, placed the standee near the lift, and returned to bring the other items. I saw Raju carrying the bags, chart, and standee. He laid them neatly near the lift. I was surprised at his help. I double-checked the area for the items.

Me: (counting loudly) All the items are here, thank you so much for your help.

Raju: You are doing so much for society; I can surely do this much for you.

As he helped me load the items into the lift, he even offered a helpful tip on unloading them efficiently.

I was impressed with Raju’s commitment to the upliftment of society. His selfless nature and dedication to social causes left an indelible mark on my heart.