If you want to do good, work hard for self-interest

I was travelling to Howrah and a woman with a “Dholak", a type of drum, came to me begging. I have faced such scenes before and most of the time I have been asked by my conscience to pity people and shell out some money. I do not know what this time was different, maybe I was resolutely after a solution or maybe I was sick of it. Women was creating the most pitiful, painful and tearful look on her face to get maximum out of me. I was staring at her but did not know what to do. I do not know what went in my mind after sometime that I moved and touch the feet of the woman with both hands. She was startled. She stopped beating drums and was gaping at me. I heard myself saying next moment that I can never give her more than what she is capable of giving me and given her family and the world. I beg you to not ask me to pity you. I do not want to lower you and degrade you and consequently, all women and men. I did not immediately understood myself the full meaning of my actions. Later my mind cleared & full meaning came forth. When we pity people we lower them. When we pity ourselves, we lower ourselves. Pity in any form lower’s human dignity. The bad effect of pity is seen in charity. Thousands of villages are reduced to begging because of charity. Villagers with charitable institutions & good charity stop thinking that they can do themselves.

If one has to do something good, they should do business. Create market and hire people who can trade, grow & transact money. One should empower people to initiate enterprise which can employ people and give them work. A way to earn money is the most dignified gift a person can give to another.

The best way to do good is to stop thinking about doing good totally. Work hard for selfish need of yours, and deal with people to get work done for your own good. Be courteous but do not abandon your intellectual. Understand motives & interest; align them for your own good. Only through your own improvement, you can realize a progressive society.