A few years back one of my relatives got sick and was rushed to the hospital. I booked a cabin for him but he insisted he stayed in general ward as there he could see other patients and forget his own pain. There were five other patients there. In front of his bed was a bed of a girl aged 14 who looked like a skeleton. While breathing she looked in a lot of pain. A middle aged thin lady dressed in rags would sit next to her bed, cry and go away. Two days went by and on the third day I asked the lady what is wrong with the girl? “Her heart is in critical condition and needs to be operated soon,” she said. Why don’t you take her to Gangalal then? She said I don’t have money to pay for her stay and treatment in this hospital so they are not releasing her plus I don’t have money to take her to Gangalal with my only bread earning son dying with cancer at Bir Hospital. I immediately went down to the admin office and found the amount they needed to pay. It was quite a big number for my budget, but I contributed half and collected half from my colleagues at work. I gave her the amount and sent her to Gangalal with my handwritten letter to Dr Bhagwan Koirala along with some extra cash, which was not much, but enough for some injections they could not provide in Gangalal hospital. I also spoke to Dr Koirala on the phone explaining their situation. The doctor told me he would operate her free of cost (I have never met Dr Koirala). Dr Koirala turned out to be real bhagwan for her as he immediately operated her and gave her a new life. I went to visit her two days after the operation, tears in that girl’s eyes, her mother and sisters eyes with twinkle of happiness were my BEST Christmas gift and her calling me ‘mummy’, because her thought I gave her new life was the most beautiful and joyous moment of my life.

— Patricia

I still remember my mother telling me ‘it’s time to bed, go to sleep so that Santa Claus will arrive in the midnight to meet you along with many gifts and chocolates during Christmas Eve’, and to my surprise the next morning there used to be lots of goodies and chocolates alongside my bed which used to excite me as a child. Santa Claus is one such figure who excites, mostly the children, during Christmas spreading happiness.

Every single moment that I have experienced in my life has been memorable. Being an optimistic person, my motto in life is ‘do good so that good will automatically attract you in return’. The word ‘selfless’ itself justifies the true meaning of it so I don’t prefer in telling what I have done for others as the real value of selfless work is getting satisfaction more than a reward. For me the best moments, I experienced in my life for my selfless work, are those when people truly appreciate me, my work, my upbringing, my attitude, behaviour spread a huge smile and there is a sign of satisfaction on my parent’s face. I believe these are the real and valuable gifts for me, which cannot be measured with any materialistic gift, but can be treasured forever in life.

— Tejaswi Pahari, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur

I have been associated with a NGO in Lethbridge that works for promoting cultural harmony among various communities in Canada and fights against any from of discrimination and racism. In addition to several years around socio-cultural activities for the local multi-ethnic communities; one of the holiday activities we organise is Community Christmas Dinner. It is held every December for the economically under developed members of the community, for the homeless and related communities. We work hard to collect donations from the entire society in the form of cash and food to support these under privileged communities in the locality. A few years back, I was working as a volunteer in one such Christmas evening dinner and serving food to the under privileged members. I noticed a young Canadian girl possibly around six to seven years old representing a single parent family. She had come to join the dinner as an under privileged member. The way the little girl enjoyed the simple meal and the joy on her face brought tears to my eyes. She may have been eating the meal after a few days and the satisfaction in her little eyes filled my heart with joy. That has been the greatest present that I received in my life and has been one of the greatest moments of my life ever since.

— Saikat Kumar Basu, Lethbridge, Canada

Talking about my selfless deeds, I consider charity to be the most satisfying one. I have always loved to help the vulnerable ones. Once when I visited Pashupatinath (I usually visit and help the needy ones but this is a memorable one), I had given some money and rice to grandmothers in poor condition. There I received my most precious gift ever — their hearty blessings. One of them was so pleased, she took me as her granddaughter with whom she parted and lovingly showered her blessings.

— Alisa Lamichhane, Narayantar, Kathmandu

A year back when I was heading to pick my sister, I saw an old lady trying to cross the road. I saw my grandmother’s reflection in her and helped her to cross the road. As a gift she gave me her blessings as well a Rs 20 note and told me to buy chocolate from it. Her gesture brought tears in my eyes.

The money she gave me as a gift is my best gift ever. I still have that money and whenever I see it, I recall that old lady and her loving gaze. Sometimes small gift also makes us happy. No one knows where our destiny takes us, but I’m sure I will keep that money with me forever.

— Sonika Lamichhane

Last year I had a chance to attend deusi-bhailo programme organised by the elderly care centre in Kathmandu. We started the programme and the motive was to get some financial support for that organisation. With our small effort we really collected a lot, which was unexpected. That collected amount of money was helpful to run the organisation smoothly for a month for the benefit of the elderly people. For me it was quite a remarkable moment because I was doing selfless work. I also got blessings form the elderly people who have been living without their families.

— BR Khatiwada, Ithari

Two years back when I used to work for a bank, one of the clients came to me with the a dollar cheque of a foreign bank in which Rs 20 had been written. She seemed like she was in a hurry. I was not in the cash department, there was rush in the bank at that time and she could neither speak in English nor Nepali properly. She was a Korean. She tried to share her problem with me. “Park... parking charge outside, purse lost.” I fathomed she forgot her purse and needed the change to pay in the parking. I gave her Rs 20, she smiled and said ‘Thank you very much’. Sometime later, she came to the bank and returned Rs 20 along with and a bottle of cold beverage with a great smile and said, “Thank you for your help.” I didn’t accept it but she insisted me to accept it as an appreciation. I accepted it and thanked her. This was the most memorable moment and a great experience of my life.

— Dhechen Tamang

There are certain instances such as participation in the blood donation campaign, tree plantation campaign, Bagmati river cleaning programme and I am proud of myself to be associated with these. Such selfless works keep us happy and give us an impression that when we do something, we get blessings from a lot of people. In

my opinion blessing from such selfless work is more valuable than from the statues of the temples. Keep faith in god but also engage in social service.

— Prithvi Rijal, Gulmi

Two years ago in Biratnagar I was with my cousin at the main mart embracing the celebration of Dashain. After the treat got over, we were about to cross the road. That night, the traffic was slightly less. Suddenly I heard a sudden crash. It was far, but I could vividly see a passenger in a freight loaded motorbike that was about to tilt. Eventually it fell. People fell off the bike along with their grocery items. Most of the purchased goods were ruined, all scattered in the midfield. Not a single person stopped by to help them. I quickly went near and helped them. In return, I got a relieved ‘thank you’. That moment was beautiful, it makes me able to face myself whenever I look in the mirror.

— Anku Chapagain, Ghattekulo, Kathmandu

I have experienced many beautiful moments in my life because of selfless works. The satisfaction and inner-strength I obtain through the selfless works are my presents and beautiful moments of my life. Recently, I was involved in the cleanliness programme at a village in Kirtipur site hit by April earthquake. The moments I shared with the affected people and their love and respect towards me were the welcoming present I received there.

Also, my involvement in the local youth club in my village brings me so many beautiful moments in my life. The club, I am involved in, is working on public awareness in the areas of sanitary and cleanliness, hygiene and so on. The gradual improvement of life in my village makes me feel gifted, and I enjoy my life.

So, I think, we have to participate in selfless works passionately and celebrate the happiness that emerges through those works.

— Tribikram Rajaure, Kirtipur

I completed my graduation from a college situated far from my home town. I used to stay in a hostel where my fellow batchmates and I got ragged by our seniors. While my angry friends vowed that they would also rag their juniors, I made a resolution of never engaging myself in ragging. I will never allow my juniors to feel the unfathomable mental agony which I had gone through while being ragged.

The following year, the freshers started to get enrolled in the hostel. One evening a new entrant came to my room to introduce himself. While we were having a very friendly conversation, one of my batchmates entered my room and started to intimidate the junior through harsh words. Initially I tried to control myself. But when my batchmate grabbed the collar of the junior and pinned him down to bed, I reacted immediately and sternly made it known to him that no one will be allowed to rag a vulnerable fresher in my room. My batchmate had no other option but to make a hasty retreat.

Almost a year later that junior boy recalled in a group how I had protected him from ragging, that too by opposing my own fellow batchmate.

Unfortunately, for unknown reason, he committed suicide after a few years. He might have been in grief, but my only consolation remains is that at least I managed to put a balm on his heart when it was bleeding as he was being ragged; that my departed junior fellow had remembered my selfless act and acknowledged my principle to stand against ragging.

— Kajal Chatterjee, Peerless Nagar, Kolkata, India

This incident is about a year ago. My sister was back from Australia and she wanted me to join her for shopping. We went to New Road. While returning it was already dark and there were very less vehicles on the street. After a long wait, we got a vehicle. We hopped in it and were talking and laughing because she was leaving the very next day. The bus was so packed and a lady (who was my mother’s age) was standing in the bus. I think she was returning home from work. So, I stood up and offered her my seat. She was so overwhelmed that the next thing she did was a surprise. She gave me a gel pen as a gift. I hesitated to take it in the beginning, but later she told me ‘because you offered me your seat I am offering this’. I accepted that pen, looked at my sister, and smiled.

— Bishon Thapaliya, Koteshwor, Kathmandu

It was the month of November, by then Nepal had already been affected with unconditional hazards of economic blockade. In that particular day, I was waiting for safa tempo in New Baneshwor after my classes to get back home. It was already 5:00 pm and I was pretty much hopeless. Fortunately one grandpa came nearby and stopped his bike. I thought of asking him for help, but suddenly I saw one pregnant woman who was also waiting for vehicle like me. Our condition was different though we were standing there for the same reason. I thought I could at least walk but it would be hard for her. So I asked the grandpa to give her lift. Coincidentally that woman’s home was on the way to grandpa’s home. Her last word ‘thank you’ was really precious for me.

— Swekchha Luitel, Dhobighat, Lalitpur

As I am a Hindu and a student I am a great follower of Goddess Saraswati. I believe distributing and spreading knowledge is the best way to get blessing from the Goddess so I always distribute my old books to the orphanage. The children become very happy with the stuffs which I provide to them. I appreciate their feelings and their smiles make me feel great. I have never expected anything else from them expect their charming smiles but one day I was called by some children in the orphanage. I was unaware why they had called me. When I reached there they surprised me. They had made an attractive and beautiful card for me. I was so thankful to all those children who created such a memorable moment in my life.

— Ruby Shrestha, Bouddha 6

When I was passing through a crowded road, I saw an old woman struggling to reach to the other end of the road, but was unable to do so. I went towards her, caught her hand, and helped her cross the road. She gave me a broad smiled and her ‘thank you’ was greater than any gift.

— Jiya Thapa, Lalitpur

Recently, when I was on my way, I gave lift to a person and I was awarded with thank you, which was my precious present for my selfless work.

— Abhinay Jayaswal, Baneshwor, Kathmandu

I was blind to narcotics, perhaps due to my isolation, depression, anxiety for more than a year. But the best part is I always wanted to be clean and sober as I was clear about its demerits. I still remember I used to pray and ask for help day and night. Later I found a lady who gradually made me a real man. I am now clean. It was my self-esteem, but I do mention her for I am grateful. Maybe god sent me to her, this is the most cherished moment I have ever experienced that brings me happiness, a lot of happiness.

— Bigyan Bal, Dharan, Koshi

During my stay in Nepal, our team visited different earthquake affected areas. We were trying to get familiar with different types of housing and were doing various surveys. While conducting one of the surveys, I still remember one family — despite not having much to eat and living in a temporary shelter — offering us food and drinks. Nepalis are well known for their hospitality and we all have heard from foreigners saying Nepalis are warm hearted, and we found it true. Even in that difficult moment they were welcoming, making us feel comfortable. I got to know different people from whom I learned how to be strong even in difficult times, which is truly a precious gift they gave me which I will remember for the rest of my life.

— Ulina Shakya, Arizona, USA

One of my best friends, Annu Thapa is out of her home town Palpa since three years as she has been studying nursing in the Valley. About three months ago, on the occasion of her sister Amisha’s birthday, she requested me to order a birthday cake and deliver it to her home on her behalf. I obliged her request and fulfilled her desire selflessly despite the emotional turmoil and busy schedule in my life.

Realising this she gifted me a flamboyant costume, which is quite special for me. Last month I received crimson elegant woollen sweater from her as a present. She assumes our amicable and never-ending relationship to be one of the reasons for gifting it to me. I wore that a lot while visiting places and my happiness knew no bound making this the most memorable moment of my life.

— Sanjog Karki, Tansen-6, Basantapur, Palpa

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

New year comes and goes. With each new year we choose things that we want to change to better ourselves and our living standards. However, in this New Year what are the things that you don’t want to change and what are the habits or events you wish would remain the same that would be a part of your life in 2016? Illustrate.

­Send your replies in not more than 200 words by Friday, January 1 by 2:00 pm to Features, The Himalayan Times, e-mail: features@thehimalayantimes.com