Baba
Wts: food & care
Namaskar,
Baba places great importance on the study of history as it enables both individuals and communities to learn from past mistakes and thereby progress. Failing that, without the study of history, people commit the same old blunders over and over again. In which case, they remain shackled by the crimes of the past and are unable to advance. So the review of history holds a unique place for the progress of any society.
As Ananda Margiis, we must know the history of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS). In particular, this piece explores the rampant abuse and neglect by Centre with regards to the care, health, and well-being of our Wts. Please read this below letter historical account which was first posted in November 2009.
In Him,
Dr. Gopal
Ananda Marga News Bulletin Moderators
Note: This below letter was first posted in November 2009.
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Namaskar,
Good, earnest workers in need of care and medical support do not get the help they need these days in our AMPS. That is the unfortunate situation. The underlying cause is Wt nepotism, i.e. group leaders only offering help to their cohorts and allegiances, no one else. Specific cases are cited below. However, the Food, Care, & Medical Dept was formed with an entirely different intention in mind: To help all workers based on the feeling of universal fraternity and neo-humanistic feeling.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
For the health & well-being of our Wts
As many may be aware, the Food, Care, & Medical Dept comes under the jurisdiction of the Dharma Pracara Secretary, and addresses the wellness, health, and medical needs of our workers. Whenever hospitalization, doctor's care, or medical attention is needed, the Food, Care, & Medical Dept will intercede, facilitate, and take direct action. And that is exactly what we saw happening in the many years prior to '90. If a worker fell sick, needed an operation, or had to be under a doctor's guidance, the Food & Care, & Medical Dept would ensure that the worker was properly cared for. All the needed arrangements were made. When a person is sick, obviously that is not the time for that individual person to start having to manage their own treatment plan. Being sick is all-consuming, and no ill person has the time or energy or funds etc to oversee their own care, especially our Wts.
Food, Care, & Medical Dept hijacked
So the Food, Care, & Medical Dept fulfills that distinct need. It provides whatever resources necessary to bring workers back to 100% health. In that sense our Food, Care, & Medical Dept is not like certain "health-care" systems, wherein minimal support is provided and the patient is left to care for themselves for weeks and weeks, or even left to die by themselves. Rather, our Food, Care, & Medical Dept provides everything for that sick or injured worker until they are perfectly ready to go back into the field and function at their top-most level.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
That is the very humane and effective way in which Baba designed the department. And for years and years it was running like that. But after 1990 that has not been the case. Since then the Food, Care, & Medical Dept has become politicized etc. To get proper attention, one has to be a "yes man" or bootlicker of Dada Rudarananda; without that one will be left to suffer, even die.
No discrimination when serving others...
Underneath it all, the most important component of our Food, Care, & Medical Dept is a basic sense of neo-humanism. When a sadhaka's heart has been touched by their meditation practice and Baba's love, then they will be ready to help one and all. In AMPS, when we see a sick or hungry person on the street, we do not first ask them their caste or religion and then decide if we should help them or not. To us, all are part of our universal human family, so we extend love and support to one and all, irrespective of their caste, creed, race or community etc.
We never think, "O this person is alien, let them suffer and die." Rather we think this person is the divine child of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji and the veritable expression of Parama Purusa and it is my duty to do everything I can to help them unconditionally. That is our approach in AMPS. And all who do sadhana naturally feel that way.
"A slur on..."
Here Baba has strong words for the likes of those who blatantly overlook the welfare of other workers.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "One who does not come forward to help when seeing a person in distress is unworthy to be called a human being – he or she is a slur on Ananda Marga." (1)
Ultimately the answer lies in (re)creating a healthy Marga order where all can flourish and get the care they need. We should work for this from this very moment.
Collapse of society
Baba warns in His discourses in Human Society that a community cannot last if it fails to pay heed to the welfare of its members. If the common people are not cared for in a basic way and treated with dignity and respect, that society or community will disintegrate.So collective resources must not be abused or misused - fundamental requirements like medical care cannot be allotted for special interest groups while those in need are overlooked. When such a blatant division or disparity occurs in the material sphere then that society is on the brink of destruction.
We should not allow such a thing to befall our AMPS. By raising awareness and taking collective action, by rallying the many good people in our Marga, the situation can be made proper. And our Food, Care, & Medical Dept can become a vibrant example for nations and communities across the globe.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
Leaving the sick man behind? No, that’s inconceivable
Guru's culminating teaching is that life in the Marga should mirror the laws and governances of society. The same recipe that makes a strong society will make our Marga able as well. By caring for those in need and making an ideal Food, Care, & Medical Dept , our Marga will be a model of justice and unity.
Baba says, "What is society like? It is like a group of people going on a pilgrimage. Try to imagine the scene! Suppose one of the pilgrims is struck down [by disease.] Will the rest of them continue on their way, leaving the sick man behind? No, that would be inconceivable for them. Rather, they will break their journey for a day or two, and cure him of his disease. If he is still too weak to walk they will carry him on their shoulders. If some people run short of food, others share what they have with them. Together they share their possessions, and together they march ahead, singing in unison. In their eagerness to move ahead with others they forget their trifling differences which might have led to angry exchanges and court cases in their families...The essence of cooperation resulting from this collective movement aims at expanding a person’s mind by striking down the barriers of meanness. I repeat that a true society is like such a group of pilgrims who attain a deep psychic affinity while travelling together which helps them solve all the problems in their individual and social lives." (2)
The underlying cause is Wt nepotism, i.e. group leaders only offering help to their cohorts and allegiances, no one else. When their stooges and cohorts fall sick then they will do anything to help them while general wts are just overlooked and left to suffer and even die.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
Per Guru's guideline if one is not helping others then they are slur in the name of Ananda Marga.
Centre's bogus justifications
Here are Centre’s two main bogus justifications and guidelines if one falls seriously ill: (a) We (Centre) cannot pay for anyone’s medications costs; (b) so we suggest you go back to your laokik place for treatment.
However the above stances are completely ludicrous. Firstly, because those in Centre are claiming that they do not have money to cover medical costs yet these same Central Dadas have large black money holdings in their black bank accounts. Secondly, and this is even worse, Centre is telling Wts to go back to their laokik home for treatment yet that goes directly one avadhuta oaths etc. So both of the above suggestions are bogus and useless. Those sitting in Centre are selfish, greedy, and heartless, and that is why they are giving such ridiculous suggestions in workers meetings.
Some may think that this is too much of an exaggeration to say that those in Centre have large holdings of black money. But that is a realistic assessment, not hyperbole. Remember, AMPS is registered international service organisation and there are all kinds of donors from around the world giving money for relief work including the UNO. So they collect a lot of money for relief and philanthropic causes. And that money is often mishandled.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
How Dada K swallowed the money
Just consider this rather common and mundane case. The margii named Amuly jii (Gujurat) gave 95,000 rupees for feeding all workers at DMS etc. But instead of feeding others, Dada Kalyaneshananda swallowed all those funds, and he charged 500RS to all Wts for their food bill. When the matter leaked out then Dada Kalyaneshananda was charged and to escape the situation he gave 10,000RS to two Central in-charges and they intervened on his behalf and supported Dada Kalyaneshananda. Even then the margii Amuly jii of Gujurat had no idea his donation was misused and essentially stolen in this way. Still he may be happy thinking that he gave money for feeding the needy, but Dada Kalyaneshananda swallowed it all without any digestive medicines.
So it is in this way how those in Centre quickly gather huge black money on. Ordinary people work all day and cannot save anything - but these cheats are trusted for their dress and they get huge money and steal most of it. As long as the dogma of the saffron cloth is present in India, these thieves and cheats will enjoy like kings. That is what is going on in AMPS central office. Those new to AMPS may be surprised hearing this, but senior margiis have faced this since long.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
in Him,
Vishal
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, ‘Society’, Point #12
2. A Few Problems Solved - 6, 'The Spirit of Society'
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
"Tumi ámáy bhálobese chile, ámi tomár páne tákái ni..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0801)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, You have loved me and showered me in Your divine blessing, but I did not look towards You - nor care or pay heed to Your affection. You have graciously bestowed everything upon me. But I did not offer You anything in response. Drowned in my own selfishness, I did not surrender my ego. In spite of that, You have immense affection for me. Baba, You are ever-merciful.
The Universal Love Personified Entity, in those deep, black foggy days of my life, when I was feeling helpless, depressed, and lonely, You gently held my hand and consoled me and lovingly kept me along with You - with full care and fondness. In those bleak and stormy days, You became wounded on the thorny path, but I did not apply any ointment to ease the pain. I was so selfish.
Baba, in my sorrowful moments, when in danger, and when my heart is broken, always You console me by pouring nectar and filling my entire being with Your sweet vibration. Even then, in the grand arena of Your divine liila, when You are so busy in a variety of works, I could not become useful in any way. Due to my own lethargy, my existence could not be utilised. Just, I wasted my time. In spite of this, You are so benevolent and always help me in each and every moment - and still You love me.
Baba, You have given me everything; but, alas, I did nothing for you...
== Section 3: Links ==
Upcoming Festival - 12 Feb - #1: Niilkantha Divas
- #2: On this occasion
Other topics of interest
