Inspite Of…

BY DR RAJAT CHABBA

All my life, I have been a stupid common man. I been a man with unusual and idealistic dreams, weird ideas, on the edge lifestyle and zeal to change the world, shared by millions around me.

I crib about my job, the unorganized nature of the development sector, the lack of professional manpower and so on. In totality, I can be easily lost in the crowd but I still continue to do the same so called “unrewarding” job of helping a development organization with an enthusiasm of a child.

Many times I have to counter questions like “All NGOs are fake; NGOs are created to save taxes”. To the world it seems as if I have approached a delightful platter with a poor appetite and apathy. It seems as if I have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. However, as always I have my own reasons and own logics.

Sometime back my mentor told me that there is a statue in Mexico which bears the strange title of “In Spite of.” In the midst of creating this work of art, the sculptor lost his right hand in an accident. Yet, he was determined to finish the work. He devoted himself to learning how to carve with his left hand. And through his persistent effort, the statue was finally finished. As a tribute to his undying spirit, the statue was named In Spite of, a fitting tribute to a fighting spirit.
Although deaf, Beethoven composed songs. Although blind, Srinivasu works with a multinational. Although blind, Thukjay sings and teaches Laddhaki music. Despite losing his right hand, the Mexican sculptor completed the statue with his left hand. As long as we see our shortcomings, we will never do anything since there is no perfect human being (no body’s perfect). We would always say, “I can’t do this because I need to earn a living first. … I’m not good at, so I do not want to serve. “. And there are many excuses which we can come up with when we see our weaknesses. As a result, we forever lose the opportunity to serve. If the above successful people were always looking over their weaknesses, they would have never produced great works. They were successful because they learned to do things inspite of and not because of.
Development sector represents the true spirit of inspite of. Plagued with manpower constraints in quality and quantity, identity issues, ethical crisis and other bottlenecks, the sector still continues to reach out to remote parts of the country. Driven by common men, these organizations are by the people, for the people and of the people. Yes, there are exceptions and frustrations associated with the field. But, one look at the smile of farmer who has regained his pride, grandparents who are able to see their children again, child who has regained his vision and seeing the world for the first time, a women who has become independent and many more such success stories; all the complaints disappear.
We all need to appreciate the work done by these organizations and wake up to the power of inspite of. We have a long way to go…and as always if we won’t who will!!

Dr Rajat Chabba has been writing for us this column, The Other Side, since last more than one year. An alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Rural Management Anand, he brings in unique perspectives and insights from the little known world of development sector. A popular writer with our readers, we hope he will have the same impact in this new layout. He can be contacted at rajat@thesipoflife.com