The 58-yr-aged Ram Kumar LamaRam Kumar LamaRam Kumar LamaRam Kumar Lama’s tale is the ray of hope we can use at this time. Lama, who is an Art of Residing trainer, together with 40 other volunteers trudged together lethal slopes trekking 8-10 km uphill to access out to in excess of 1,070 families in 28 villages in Alipur Duar district of West Bengal, villages so distant that they had been inaccessible by road.
But this is why Lama’s journey is most extraordinary. Lama alongside with his volunteers trekked whilst carrying materials weighing 15-20 kg on their again.
The rural parts throughout India have been just as really hard hit by the lockdown as cities, if not far more. Lama’s journey, alongside 40 other volunteers, has sparked hope in the life of lots of villagers across Alipurduar, West Bengal.
As an specific committed to social welfare and neighborhood outreach, the current pandemic and its implications on the local populace promptly caught his awareness. He learned that “various of these locations cannot be accessed by highway”, posing a substantial trouble for its persons.
On April 1st, only a several days following the announcement of the lockdown, Mr Ram and his group began their journey, their 1st stop remaining Pambari Basti, Adam Hill region. With only 15 households inhabiting the village, Lama initial hand witnessed the comprehensive issues faced by them because the implementation of the lockdown. The absence of right roads intended the villagers wanted to walk an hour to accessibility day by day requirements. Furthermore, their masks were created of torn, aged apparel. Just after hrs of strolling to Buxa Tiger Reserve, Lama and his team managed to efficiently provide food, drugs and revenue to each and every and every spouse and children.
Subsequent Prevent- Tribal Village of Kalchini Block
The following cease on their journey was the tribal village of Kalchini Block, where by common poverty persists, blocking the locals from accessing high-quality education and learning. To this working day, the village has not experienced a one graduate. Mr Ram and his workforce understood the challenges that wanted to be dealt with in this distinct village went outside of just fundamental requirements- climbing degrees of stress, anxiety and worry were alarmingly evident among the locals. As a result, his crew ensured to supply reduction materials and aid to about 50 persons just about every working day, although connecting with the villagers, and examining on their nicely-staying.
Tales of the Villagers
Why did Lama’s outreach issue? Amongst the people that have been badly affected, Lama encountered a 25-yr-outdated younger female, deserted by her spouse. She was remaining with 5 young children, the youngest getting only a month aged. She experienced no way of stepping out to get standard stuff to run the domestic, with out leaving her kids at the rear of. Other heartbreaking encounters included a loved ones with a handicapped gentleman whose wife was not able to arrive at out to him owing to the lockdown. A further household consisted of a partner and spouse each deaf and mute, completely not able to assistance them selves. Lama ensured these people ended up afforded the standard necessities to sustain them by means of the fortnight, in advance of far more help arrived along.
“Our founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar suggests that it is the day-to-day wage earners and inadequate individuals who are the toughest hit by the Lockdown and we had to do all the things we can to guidance them. I experience it really is our duty to assistance them. I received a great deal of aid from Mr Ajad Bhujel, Youth Management Coaching Software (the rural youth progress wing of The Artwork of Living).”
The Art of Dwelling volunteers have been reaching out and working along with the tribal communities of Kalchini Block and Buxa Tiger Reserve for fairly a several years now.
Lama states, the workforce adopted all the social distancing and cleanliness protocol along the journey. “All the group users wore masks and gloves when they stepped out. They positioned the ration outside the house the residences of people. However transportation is a significant problem, we ended up established to reach each individual loved ones, even if we had to go to the similar position twice, carrying the ration on our shoulders,” Lama said.
What drives Lama and his volunteers?
“Faith and spiritual practice are crucial characteristics to my team’s determination and resilience. When you are pleased within, then you will start off considering about others and spiritual methods like pranayama and meditation give us huge electricity and toughness to attain that condition of contentment and company,” Lama reported.
Devoted music ninja. Zombie practitioner. Pop culture aficionado. Webaholic. Communicator. Internet nerd. Certified alcohol maven. Tv buff.