By Darshan Goswami

e-mail: dlgoswami@hotmail.com

Darshan Goswami, a long-time resident here has more than 40 years of experience in the energy field.  He worked as a Project Manager for Renewable Energy, Micro-grid and Smart Grid projects at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in Pittsburgh.  He supports the India Foundation for Children Education and Care, Inc. (www.ifcare.org).

We all know how great it feels to receive gifts. However, the joy of getting is short-lived. Our lives are richer when we share, and that great  inner joy comes from helping others to better their lives. Truly giving from the heart fills your life with joy and nourishes your soul. Giving provides an intrinsic reward that’s far more valuable than the gift. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “To find yourself, lose yourself in the service of others.” True joy lies in the act of giving without any expectation.

Why Give?  When people are asked why they give, the readiest answers include: God wants me to; I feel better about myself; others need, and I have; I want to share; it’s only right.

A group picture of all the girls in the school receivng support from IFCARE taken on the annual day function of the NGO. The adults standing in the back are the board members of IFCARE and some of the parents of the girls in the school.

The question I would ask is how did you feel? I imagine you felt very pleased with yourself and happy inside.  Giving provides an opportunity to look beyond our own world and see the bigger picture. Your worries and challenges may not seem as significant when compared to other people’s situations.

The act of giving kindles self-esteem and brings happiness. After several years of soul searching, I discovered that my unhappiness was due to my want for things to fill the void of loneliness. During this inward journey, I also discovered “The Purpose of Living.”  Yes, I believe that giving makes you happier. But don’t take my word for it—try it out for yourself.

Dr. Gurmeet Singh, MD, President of Astha Vikas Samiti in Rajasthan, an NGO supported by IFCARE is handing over a chcke to Kum. Anjali Sain, a student in the local school.

The Power of Giving:  Giving is one of the best investments you can make towards achieving genuine happiness. True giving comes from the heart, with no expectation of reciprocation. You’ll find that the more you give, the more you’ll receive. The power of giving is manifested in the kindness and generosity that you bestow on someone else. When you give unselfishly, the vibrational energy emitting from your subconscious is at its strongest. A famous American author, Ken Blanchard, declared “The more I give away, the more comes back.”

It’s the joy and love that we extend to others that brings true happiness or union with God. We know that if people give just a little more—of their time, skills, knowledge, wisdom, compassion, wealth and love—the world would be a more peaceful and healthier place.

The rewards of giving are priceless. If you want to have happiness, you need to give happiness. If you want love, you need to give love. It is only in giving that you receive. No matter what your circumstances in life, you have the ability to give. The gift of joy will come to you when you give of yourself to others. Try it!  It works!

Please join me in supporting the India Foundation (IF) for Children Education and Care (www.ifcare.org) to eliminate poverty in India through the education of underprivileged poor children and to empower poor women. Our Foundation awarded scholarships to 66 underprivileged poor children in Rajasthan, India on November 7, 2015 under its “SPONSOR A CHILD PROGRAM.” The sponsorship provides a needy child life’s essentials: school tuition, uniforms, books, school supplies, etc. for one year (100% of the donations go to the cause and are tax deductible in USA).

We are truly blessed and honored to serve humanity and poor children through our Foundation.  We are truly grateful for compassion, kindness, and generosity of our sponsors to make a difference in the life of underprivileged poor children in India.

For further information, contact Darshan Goswami, 412-276-0544; dlgoswami@hotmail.com or Harbans Singh, 301-340-0836; or go to our website: (www.ifcare.org).  ♦