The Reality of Service | Jas Kalra | TEDxHIXS Youth

Key Concepts:

• Abandonment of senior citizens by their children.
• The Earth Saviours Foundation: An organization providing shelter and care for abandoned individuals.
• Service (Seva): Dedication to helping those in need.
• The speaker's personal journey from business aspirations to social work.
• The harsh realities faced by abandoned individuals, including physical ailments and neglect.
• The importance of instilling a sense of service in the younger generation.
• Karma: The principle of cause and effect, particularly in relation to ethical actions.

The Earth Saviours Foundation and Its Origins

Jas Kalra discusses his role as a social worker and his involvement with The Earth Saviours Foundation, founded by his father, Shri Ravi Kalra, in 2008. The foundation's origin stems from an incident where Ravi Kalra witnessed a girl and a dog eating from the same garbage bin, prompting him to dedicate his life to service ("Seva"). He started by building small huts and rescuing abandoned people from the streets, providing them with 24/7 care. The number of residents grew from 50 to 450 over time.

Inheriting the Responsibility

Jas Kalra recounts how, after returning from overseas with a degree, he unexpectedly inherited the responsibility of caring for 450 people following his father's death. Despite initial inclinations towards business and a lack of experience, he stepped into the role. The foundation has since expanded to two shelter homes, caring for 1,300 people.

The Plight of Abandoned Senior Citizens

The speaker details the circumstances of the people they serve, primarily abandoned senior citizens. These are parents who have been abandoned by their children due to old age, illness, or disability. They are often left on the streets or abandoned at hospitals. By the time they reach the foundation, many suffer from severe health issues, including wounds, infections, and disabilities. The foundation provides them with food, shelter, medical care, and counseling.

The Shocking Reality of Abandonment

Kalra emphasizes that abandonment is not limited to uneducated or poor families. He shares instances where children from affluent families, driving luxury cars, abandon their parents at the foundation's gates. He recounts a specific case where a man brought his unwell mother to the foundation late at night, seeking to leave her there. Despite Kalra's attempts to persuade him to care for her, the man refused. The next morning, the woman was found dead, and the son refused to even cremate her body. This case highlights the widespread nature of the problem and the callousness with which some individuals treat their elderly parents.

Personal Reflections and the Importance of Service

Kalra reflects on his own privileged upbringing and education, including studies at the University of Melbourne, Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, and the London School of Psychoanalysis. He admits to not taking his studies seriously. He acknowledges that his experiences at the foundation have given him a different perspective on the world. He emphasizes the importance of service in understanding the direction of society and believes that instilling a sense of service in the younger generation is crucial for building a better future.

The Solution: Instilling Service in the Younger Generation

Kalra argues that the solution to human cruelty lies in the hands of the younger generation. He encourages students to embrace service in any form, whether it's helping the environment, caring for animals, or simply spreading awareness about the importance of respecting and caring for one's parents. He states that if enough people start serving their parents, he could shut down his old age home.

Notable Quotes:

• (Referring to his father) "Everything I've done for myself and my family, it's of no meaning if I don't do anything for the people that truly need me."
• (About the son who abandoned his mother) "Throw the ashes in the gutter, don't call me again."
• "It's service that can truly teach you about the direction our society's heading in."
• "If they can spread enough awareness so that people start serving their own parents, I can shut down my old age home."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Seva: A Sanskrit word meaning selfless service or work done without expectation of reward.
• Karma: The principle of cause and effect, where actions have consequences, influencing one's future.
• Psychoanalysis: A set of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques that have their origin in the work and theories of Sigmund Freud.

Logical Connections:

The talk begins with the speaker's personal background and the origins of the Earth Saviours Foundation. It then transitions to the specific problem of abandoned senior citizens and the harsh realities they face. This leads to a reflection on the speaker's own journey and the importance of service. Finally, the talk concludes with a call to action, urging the younger generation to embrace service as a means of creating a better future.

Data and Statistics:

• The foundation cares for 1,300 people on a 24/7 basis.
• The foundation used to care for 450 people 5 years ago.
• 99% of the deaths that happen in the shelter home, the children don't even come to claim their own parents' dead bodies.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Jas Kalra's talk highlights the pervasive issue of elder abandonment in society and the crucial role of organizations like The Earth Saviours Foundation in providing care for those in need. He emphasizes that this problem is not limited to any particular socioeconomic group and calls for a shift in societal values, urging the younger generation to embrace service and compassion as a means of building a more caring and responsible future. The core message is that even small acts of service can have a significant impact and that caring for one's parents is a fundamental responsibility.