THE ART OF TRUE GIVING

Derived from the Latin word carus and the old French word chariteÌ, ‘charity’ originally meant love and compassion. So naturally, it became an important tenet in every religious text to encourage benevolent action and generous donations to the needy. Whatever be the notion of charity in people’s minds, it is always defined by two words — ‘voluntary’ and ‘giving’ — and therein, lies the beauty of charity.

- BASUNDHARA MITRA

True charity starts with giving up, surrendering the self. If the sense of “I” is a prime factor in giving, then condescension and self-glorification set in. It has been said that when your right hand donates, your left hand should be unaware of it. Serving others with much show and tell, whether in social media or in real life, appears more of serving the self than others. Quiet philanthropy is rare and so are people like Charles (Chuck) Feeney, the “James Bond of Philanthropy” who earned this title for his secrecy in donating every bit of his billion-dollar fortune to change the world.