Lending Hands to Someone is Better than Giving a Dole | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The truest source of happiness lies in helping others. The Dalai Lama emphasizes that our primary purpose in life is to assist one another. This act of compassion and altruism is at the core of our humanity, distinguishing us as a species. Even the sternest of individuals may have extended a helping hand to someone in need at some point in their lives. Helping others is an innate characteristic of humans, although it takes various forms. Some choose to donate to charitable organizations, while others directly offer assistance to the less fortunate. Some volunteer their time for social causes, while others create opportunities for those in need. It is crucial to discern which type of aid is most beneficial for humankind.

As the Chinese proverb wisely puts it, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." This essay explores alternative ways of helping people that prove more effective than mere monetary donations.

Consider the devastating floods that struck Chennai, one of the worst in a century. Life came to a standstill, with public transport, railways, flights, and electricity supply all severely affected. Help flowed in from various parts of the world, with contributions to the flood relief fund. However, due to disrupted transportation, this monetary aid could only be utilized for rehabilitation. It was the goodwill of local residents, businesses in Chennai, and the efforts of tech companies that played a pivotal role in preventing a major catastrophe. Individuals opened their homes, while schools, theaters, and halls provided shelter to those in need. Facebook introduced a Safety Check feature, BSNL offered free local and STD calls, Paytm provided a Rs 30 recharge to stay connected during floods, Ola partnered with the Chennai fire department for safe transport, and Zomato launched 'Meal for flood relief,' allowing people to order free meals for flood victims. Chennai floods united people and spurred collective efforts to combat the disaster. It's evident that the assistance provided by individuals and various companies proved more beneficial to the flood victims than the monetary donations to the relief fund.

This principle extends to our daily lives. Many of us give money or food to beggars, but this doesn't necessarily help them escape poverty. In India, begging is often orchestrated by organized groups, and some beggars intentionally maim themselves to garner more sympathy and money. In such circumstances, genuine help involves offering a source of livelihood rather than providing money that perpetuates their lifestyle. It's more compassionate to purchase items from street vendors, even if we don't need them, as it provides them with a means of earning a living.

Additionally, many of us donate money to welfare organizations, orphanages, old-age homes, and NGOs. However, some of these organizations may be scams, and others may allocate funds inefficiently on administrative expenses rather than aiding the needy. Instead of giving money, it's more beneficial to donate clothing, blankets, food, or volunteer time based on the specific needs of these organizations. Rather than providing monetary donations, individuals can offer their expertise to assist others. For instance, teachers can provide free tutoring to the underprivileged, doctors can volunteer at free clinics, lawyers can offer legal services to the needy, and software engineers can bridge the digital divide. This approach ensures that one's contribution directly benefits those in need.

In democratic states, governments often provide various freebies, especially during election years, such as loan waivers, subsidized utilities, and free electronic devices. However, these initiatives may not address the pressing needs of better governance, timely public services, corruption-free systems, improved infrastructure, a conducive business environment, and reliable law and order. It's crucial to recognize that simply doling out money without improving governance is not a step in the right direction.

Even in international relations, the value of lending a helping hand over monetary aid is apparent. For instance, the United States has provided billions in aid to Pakistan to address the Taliban issue. However, much of this aid does not reach frontline Pakistani units and is instead diverted to counter India, rather than Al Qaeda or the Taliban. This illustrates how aid money can be misused and counterproductive to its intended purpose. In contrast, India's aid to Africa focuses on supporting human resource development, building Pan African e-network connectivity, increasing foreign direct investment, and deploying peacekeeping forces. This approach ensures productive utilization of aid and builds goodwill.

This principle extends to climate change negotiations. Rather than solely providing financial aid to less developed countries to combat climate change, offering them low-carbon technology for sustainable development is more effective. The focus should shift towards technology transfer rather than increasing funding for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Money and financial resources undoubtedly play essential roles in humanitarian efforts. While monetary donations played a critical role in the aftermath of the Chennai floods, they were complemented by the compassionate actions of local residents. Some beggars genuinely need financial assistance, and social security nets are vital, even in developed countries. Underdeveloped and developing nations often require financial aid to address ground-level needs.

However, it's essential to recognize that helping others transcends providing money. Giving financial aid is just one facet of assistance. Helping others should be the fundamental motivation for every human being. This assistance can take various forms, and it's crucial to discern the type of help required. In Chennai's flood example, offering shelter and food was the most appropriate aid. In most situations, empowering individuals to help themselves is more valuable, echoing Henry Ford's wisdom: "Time and money spent in helping men to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving."