Charity contributes to the creation of inclusive and resilient societies. UN Sustainable Development Goals focus on eradicating poverty in all forms and dimensions. Realising the goals has the potential to transform our lives and contribute to the betterment of the world. The International Day of Charity is a UN observation day on September 5 and was chosen to commemorate the death anniversary of Mother Teresa. She dedicated her life to undertaking work in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress. There are millions of charity organisations located all over the world. Many serve their local communities, while many others are helping the poor and needy people worldwide. One study reported that in the United States found that as a percentage of income, charitable giving increased as income decreased. Charity is often associated with religion. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism refer to the practice of charity as Dāna or Daana (the virtue of generosity or giving). Dāna refers to investing the same in a recipient without expecting anything in return. The earliest reference to charity (dāna) as an ethical practice is in Rigveda. Several mythological characters like Karna, Mahabali and Harishchandra personified giving charity.
There are many charitable organisations in India. The phenomenal work being done by organisations like Akshaya Patra is amazing, feeding so large numbers of school children, entirely being run by contributions received from many. Equally remarkable is how it maintains the cooking places and the cleanliness it has become known for. Less-known organisations like “Adamya Chetana”, a Bengaluru-based organisation, serve the needy. Setting gold standards in terms of running the kitchens sustainably. While Charity focuses on fulfilling worldly needs like food, clothing and shelter, modern lives pose newer challenges. With the younger generation migrating to far-off places, societies must face the challenge of providing elder care. Being compassionate is another form of charity. Communities would need volunteers ready to give their time to these elders. Spending quality time and providing hope to them. Indian scriptures refer to “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”, which is the need of the times. Removing poverty and all its forms is the greatest challenge around the world. International Day of Charity helps bring our attention back and raise awareness for all the little ways we can help.
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier
Mother Teresa
Charity contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. It goes a long way in advancing sports and protecting cultural and natural heritage. Alleviating the effects of humanitarian crises and supplementing services in health care, education, housing, and child protection. UN Sustainable Development Goals focus on eradicating poverty in all forms and dimensions. SDGs can be grouped into six critical areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. Realising these goals has the potential to transform our lives and contribute to the betterment of our world.
The International Day of Charity is a UN observation day that started in 2013. It aims to bring awareness amongst the stakeholders to help others through philanthropic activities. September 5 was chosen to commemorate the death anniversary of Mother Teresa. The reason for selecting the death anniversary for the observation is not apparent. The initiative of Hungarian civil society led to the resolution being passed by the UN declaring the observation.
Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu) is a naturalised citizen of India. She was born in Macedonia, Ottoman Empire, in 1910 and died on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta. She came to India in 1928 and devoted herself to helping the needy and poor. She founded the “order of Missionaries of Charity” in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1950 and continued working for the poor. Her work was recognised by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. The citation says, “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”
The act of giving dates for centuries. It is reported that Harvard University organised the first American fundraising drive, even before the formation of the United States. The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, became the world’s first community foundation. Some interesting facts about Charity: December is historically the month of the year with the most significant amount of giving recorded. Australia and Ireland are some of the most charitable countries on Earth! On average, women are more likely to help a stranger, volunteer, or donate money.
There are millions of charity organisations located all over the world. Many serve their local communities, while many others are helping the poor and needy people worldwide. The primary purpose of these organisations is to support underprivileged society as much as possible. One study reported that in the US found that as a percentage of income, charitable giving increased as income decreased. The poorest gave away 4.3% of their income, while the wealthiest gave away 2.1%. Studies have also found that “religious individuals are more likely to give money to charitable organisations”. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that the fifty biggest donors in the US were almost twenty-five billion dollars in 2020, with Jeff Bezos topping the list. Temples and other spots for pilgrimage receive the most significant amount of charity and donations. India has an ancient and rich tradition of philanthropy. There are virtually hundreds of thousands of charitable organisations operating all over India. Wikipedia indicates that the origin of the word Charity has long links. It originated in late Old English as a “Christian love of one’s fellows” and remained synonymous with charity. The term originally entered the English language through the Old French word charité, derived from the Latin caritas. It was commonly used in the Vulgate New Testament to translate the Greek word agape, a distinct form of love. Over time, it evolved into “providing for those in need; generosity and giving”, Institutions involved in charity work are called charities.
शतहस्त समाहर सहस्त्र हस्त सं किर
Rigveda
Earn with hundreds of hands and donate with thousands of hands.
Charity is often associated with religion. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism refer to the practice of charity as Dāna or Daana (the virtue of generosity or giving). Dāna refers to investing the same in a recipient without expecting anything in return. The earliest reference to charity as an ethical practice is in Rigveda. dāna can take the form of feeding or giving to an individual in distress or need and taking up philanthropic activities to benefit many. Several mythological characters like Karna, Mahabali and Harishchandra personified giving charity.
There are many charitable organisations in India. CRY, Smile Foundation, Help Age India, Save the Child Foundation, GlobalGiving, and Sammaan Foundation are well-known. The phenomenal work being done by organisations like Akshaya Patra is amazing, feeding so large numbers of school children, entirely being run by contributions received from many. Equally remarkable is how it maintains the cooking places and the cleanliness it has become known of. Less-known organisations like “Adamya Chetana” (http://admyachetana.org), a Bengaluru-based organisation, serve the needy. Setting gold standards in terms of running the kitchens sustainably.
Kindness is the greatest virtue possessed by human beings. Expressing kindness brightens up the lives of people when they are going through difficult times. Every religion professes kindness, and if only all human beings are determined, all the unhappiness in the world can be wiped out.
While Charity focuses on fulfilling worldly needs like food, clothing and shelter, modern lives pose newer challenges. The average life span becomes higher as the quality of life is enhanced. With the younger generation migrating to far-off places, societies must face the challenge of providing elder care. Communities would need volunteers ready to give their time to these elders. Spend quality time with them, giving hope and bringing joy to them. Being compassionate is another form of charity. Indian scriptures refer to “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”, which is the need of the times. Swami Vivekananda said, “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal of humanity is to realise this divinity”. It is time to realise the same.
Removing poverty and all its forms is the greatest challenge around the world. International Day of Charity helps bring our attention back and raise awareness for all the little ways we can help. It reminds us to give back – it is not very easy to live and forget about all the injustices in the world.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill
Toons: Reema
Logs: M. Sai Baba
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