He is a refugee.

I know that man, you see,

Filled with grief and misery.

He was forced over the sea,

Like his fellowmen in the history.

While hidden in that boat of hope,

He has known the days of dark.

Journey taught him to cope,

If not, death indeed, without life's spark.

Landed on the shore of scope,

Only to wander from place to place.

He found no home to stop,

And to feel the warmth of an embrace.

After the days of march, he stopped indeed,

Only to realize that he need not flee.

Now he looks for opportunity to feed, 

Embracing that he is a refugee.

KARNATAKA JESUITS

Jesuits in Karnataka have involved themselves in Serving the People in different ways. Specially during the lock-down they were involved in distributing the essential items to the most in need like the migrants and others. They have also posted videos in their YouTube channel called KARNATAKA JESUITS to help people cope up with the psycho-spiritual needs.

You can help their cause by subscribing to their YouTube Channel KARNATAKA JESUITS .

Thank You in advance.

My Days at ‘Médecins du Monde’

During my days in Paris, I had an opportunity to volunteer at the NGO called ‘Médecins du Monde’. This NGO gives free treatment to the people who do not have any official papers and also helps them to get their health insurance offered by the French Government. As I knew Hindi along with French, I was asked to play the role of a translator between the most of the Asian patients and the French Doctors or the other volunteers of the NGO. 

During my days as the translator I had met hundreds of Asians who had come to Europe to earn and send some money to their families in Asia. Most of them had to walk miles and cross the sea on the boat or the flight to get to Europe. From their sharing I realised that most of them felt lonely as they were away from their home and people. Very few of them were lucky to have friends from their own land or country. It can be an alienating experience when you neither speak the language nor understand the people around you. 

I feel lucky and blessed to have had an opportunity to learn the French language and to blend into the French culture. I believe it would not have been possible if not for the Jesuit community of rue Blomet where I lived my days in Paris. It was here that I learned the language and the habits of French. Yet I also had to undergo the alienating experience as I had zero French vocabulary during my starting days at Blomet. But with time I started to feel at home. So much so I didn't want it to end.

As I was doing my philosophical studies I could go only once a week to Medicin du Monde. So, I used to go on Fridays, as it was the day when the most of the Asians choose to come to the centre. For the most of the patients I was the only person who could understand their language. As the result they became very emotionally attached to me. So much so they wanted to keep in touch with me either through Facebook or any other means. Surprisingly none of them contacted me seeking my help. I was very much moved when they invited me for a meal or a visit to their workplace.  

I can never forget the Bengali couple who had no place to stay. They were moving between the shelters arranged by different NGO’s. Moreover, the lady was six months pregnant. There were days when they had to sleep in metro station. Even Though they knew I could not help them, they would call me up just to talk to a familiar voice. Luckily I met another Bengali couple at Medicin du Monde, who too were very close to me, so I had put them in contact with each other, so that they could be of some help. Finally, they managed to find a stable place to stay. To add to their joy, they had a cute Baby Boy. Recently when I had a Skype call with them, I learnt that they have got a job and an opportunity to learn French language through JRS Paris.

I was also inspired by the volunteering spirit of the French people. There were not only retired doctors, but also young people, who spent at least a day in the centre. I felt motivated to be there every week. I felt that we were a team working for the common good. What can be more Ignatian than this? I feel it was here that I imbibed the spirit of collaboration, which the Society of Jesus has taught me.

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Ghost Fish

I learnt to make the ghostly fish in GIMP.

Dog or God!

No vehicle passed by that street. And no street light was on. Savita was walking in the dark.

"Oh! Isn't this the street where Ranjini was murdered? ” She thought.

She trembled with fear, as she heard the footsteps.

“My God I should have stayed at the railway station.”

Her heart beat increased as the footsteps increased.

“Oh God! Uncle promised he would personally pick me up. Goal……."

She was horrified as the footsteps got quicker. Suddenly the barking of a dog was heard. 

"Ha! The footsteps seem to fade away. ”

Barking became louder. She was frightened, when the dog jumped on her.

“Help! Help! ” She screamed.

But to her surprise the dog was friendly. Street lights came on. She was staring into the dog's eyes.

“Now I remember you, Jimmy. You have grown a lot. ”

She was filled with gratitude for Jimmy's presence and whispered, “Thank you god.”

The last of its kind.

The last of its kind.

(I have written the lyrics from the point of view of a person who has never seen a tree, clean water and animals. He longs to see them, but they are no more.)

Walking down the road 

I am looking for a tree

Where is the tree?(2)

I am asking you, you and you all.

Where is the tree?(2)

It's no more here

We have fallen it

Oh! No (2)

What's the matter?

It was the last of its kind.

Rowing down the river

I am looking for a clean water

Where is the water? (2)

I am asking you, you and you all.

Where is the water?(2)

It's right here 

We have turned it black

Oh! No(2)

What's the matter?

It was the last of its kind.

Running down the hill 

I am looking for an animal

Where is it?(2)

I am asking you, you and you all.

Where is it?(2)

It is no more

We have killed it

Oh! No(2)

What's the matter?

It was the last of its kind.

Fart Toy

Fart Toy