Though born by sympathy <br />To empathy must rise – <br />Must cultivate a heart <br />That hears the inner cries! <br /> <br />Courage and commitment <br />Passion and compassion <br />Are basic ingredients <br />For success of mission! <br /> <br />No superficialness <br />Sincereness at core; <br />The deprived and the distressed <br />Deserve this ‘service’ more! <br /> <br />With hands, not just with lips <br />With heart, not just with hands <br />Should be this ‘service’ done – <br />Devotion it demands! <br /> <br />First, ‘service to others’ <br />Than ‘service of the self’! <br />Service just for service <br />Not for power or pelf! <br /> <br />More, working ‘with others’ <br />Than ‘for others’ working <br />Will bring in understanding <br />And make the ‘service’ living! <br /> <br />Challenges unexpected <br />And adversities great <br />May come across and hence <br />Must fortitude create! <br /> <br />Of time and resources <br />No wastage or misuse – <br />Management is what <br />Will foster better use! <br /> <br />No complacency still <br />Though much work be done; <br />Keep on striving harder – <br />Be kind to everyone! <br /> <br />Bouquets, brickbats, all <br />Face with equal mind! <br />Focus just on actions <br />On fruits thereof don’t bind! <br /> <br />With austere spending ways <br />With transparency sound <br />(Unstained with corruption) <br />It should be ever found! <br /> <br />These, Baba never voiced – <br />By life and work just showed; <br />These are inspirations pure <br />To all who walk the road!<br /><br />Kannan G<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/s-baba-amte-2008-baba-amte-s-principles-of-social-service/
