The first time a volunteer enters our organisation we do remind them -"Sankalp is not a bed of roses. Join us if you are ready to walk on the thorns."
These small things that we do, which sometimes feel like the small rituals that have started defining us in some sense, time and again show up their face. Things happen which explain why in the first place were such things introduced in this organisation and why they live on.
Being a Sankalp Volunteer is not just about working. No doubt work is very important and a volunteer is expected to be a person who can convert dreams into reality by the power of his/her work. There are more subtly, more complex things around which will test you time and again. It's not just about work.
A Sankalp Volunteer may not realize the importance of scoring well in exams sometimes. The dream of being able to contribute to the cause of this nation is a very delicate one. People spend their entire lives with great accomplishments and yet they have a hollowness inside. What you do and what you can do,is an honour and an opportunity unequaled. However, you must realise that you are the ones who are responsible for safeguarding this opportunity. Bad attendance in class or bad grades in exams will sooner or later catch up with you. When that happens you will have the biggest support of yours - your family - question you in strict terms. If you do not take adequate care, you are likely to face immense pressure which may eventually shatter the dream.
We are not the people who can see urgency only the world forces things on us. We are the people who study when the time for merrymaking reigns all round. We are the people who attend classes when we can. We are the 100% attendance guys. We are the people who write all the internals in the first two shots. We are the people who do not apply for casual leaves casually.
Professional aspects are just on one side. Please also remember that what you do and how you do it will not have the complete approval of the society around you. You will be accused of being a bad friend when you skip a party to work. You will be accused of being selfish and mean when you refuse to join in the class trips for some urgent work. You will find yourself being scoffed at, rejected and lonely at times. Social pressure is one of the biggest causes I have known for highly keen revolutionaries to break down.
Please note that not all the time that you have is spent on work. Never underrate the importance of spending quality time with friends. Learn to identify people who are truly your friends and get rid of those who just care about whining away their time one way or the other without any regard to your friendship. In an hour of emotional crisis there is no better medicine than a caring hand of a friend that you can hold and walk. Cherish, celebrate and strengthen your friendship.
No change can come from people who are unwilling to change. Remember that if you are to implement what you have set out for, you have no scope of seeking shelter all the way. You will have to face hardships, you will have to stand tall in front of problems and you will have to be prepared to do what it takes! Anything less and nature will start counting you as a less deserving candidate to serve.
When you come back bent and broken after a tough day, if at all, try to find comfort in the fact that your comrades, your co-volunteers, your own men and women, all of them, are on your side, inching their nation to glory and prosperity with the blood, sweat and the tears, they happily shed.. doing what it takes. ..
Keep walking!
VandeMataram!
Inquilab Zindabaad!