Little deeds of kindness do make a difference

Thirukkural with the Times explores real-world lessons from the classic Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’. Written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Kural consists of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each. This text is divided into three books with teachings on virtue, wealth, and love and is considered one of the great works ever on ethics and morality. The Kural has influenced scholars and leaders across social, political, and philosophical spheres.Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.We have all been taught that little words of love and little deeds of kindness make the world better. But who has the time for these? We get so caught up in everyday struggles that there is neither time nor the wherewithal to do anything else.I too thought so. But two people changed my perception.Annalakshmi akka runs an idly shop on the pavement of my road. Her husband has a disability, and her only son was killed in a liquor shop brawl.Akka arrives on a cycle each day at sharp 7.30 am. She is huge with a red 'pottu' on her forehead and is always loud. As customers trickle in, Akka takes out hot, jasmine-white idlis from the white cloth laid out and serves them hot with chutney and sambar.As soon as the shop opens, a few men, looking parched and hungry, gather around. Akka tells them they already owe her money and threatens to pour hot water on them if they block the way.However, when the shop is about to close, she invariably serves them without charging anything. She could never eat with hungry faces watching her. Annalakshmi akka is an amazing example of how one can navigate a tough life without letting go of a sense of compassion.P G Wodehouse is one of my favourite authors. Who hasn't slipped into his world of puns and metaphors where hatred was restrained, and friendship always triumphed?A British national, Wodehouse was living in France in the 1930s. Like several French men of those days, he did not expect Germany to advance into France that rapidly. The Nazis imprisoned him, and finally locked him up in a mental asylum.After his release, Wodehouse instructed his US publisher to send $5 each to certain people in Europe, and to mention them as a ‘gift from Wodehouse'. Only much later did the publisher find out that they were families of those imprisoned with him in Germany. The communication from Wodehouse would be an indication to them that the men were alive. He risked severe punishment but managed to evade the German censor.After the war, he wanted to return to Britain. But his own fellow citizens accused him of supporting the Germans, and he had to move to the US in the post-war period. When asked if he hated the Germans and the British, he replied that he found it impossible to “hate in the plural”. “Doing good in our little ways lifts our courage and will to face a difficult life,” he said. Little good deeds, done along the way, lift a fallen world. A word of appreciation to a subordinate, a thank-you note to a spouse, a hug to a family elder, a free meal to someone in need, support for a student—there are many ways in which one can make the day better for someone else, even if it is a bad day for oneself.Thirumanthiram—the great Tamil book of hymns, mentions these lines as a daily prayer:Each day, a leaf for the LordA marcel of food for the cowA handful of rice for a hungry personA kind word to someoneValluvar has spoken about this quality. As a practical person, he does not ask one to do grand deeds but asks to do as much as possible as one goes along with life.Ollum Vagayaan Aravinai OvaadheSeyyum Vayellam Cheyal(As much as possible, in every way, incessantlyContinue good deeds)Audio Production: Sahil Gupta