Empowering Youth to lead community based solutions for Climate Action

After so many years, I decided to cook chicken korma again, giving my mother a well-deserved day off from the kitchen. As I chopped, stirred, and seasoned, the familiar aromas filled the house, and a sense of nostalgia washed over me. Not only did this act of kindness bring a smile to my mother's face, but it also refreshed my mind, reminding me of the joy in simple, heartfelt gestures.

Last week, I went to the market to buy some groceries. A small child approached me; he was selling wafers and asked me to buy some. I was so happy for him because, despite being poor, he wasn’t begging. Instead, he was selling wafers to support his family. I talked to him and asked which class he was in. He told me that he attends school in the morning and sells wafers in the evening. I bought some wafers from him and offered him a portion of the food I was eating at that time. I patted his head and prayed to God for his better life.

"A single act of kindness sparks another." Months ago, I needed to buy some furniture for my home, so I visited a few nearby shops. At one shop, I found some pieces I liked and decided to buy them. There was an old man who was the only worker attending to customers. He helped me finalize my choices, and I noticed that his shirt was torn. We started talking about his life and family. He had been working there for a long time, but the owner didn't pay him well. Despite this, he had to provide for his family, so he continued to work at this place. I told him that everything would be fine one day. At that time, I paid the token amount and left, but his torn shirt stayed on my mind. That evening, I decided to buy him a new shirt as a gift. I went to the market, bought a shirt, and devised a plan to give it to him anonymously. I didn't want to tell him that I was the one who gifted him the shirt. While visiting a nearby food stall, I saw a small child begging. I called him over and asked for a favor: if he would give the shirt to the old man, I would buy him a plate of momos. He agreed. The child took the shirt and went to the shop where the old man was standing outside. The child handed him the shirt. The old man asked the child who gave it to him, but I had already instructed the boy not to reveal my identity. The old man was shocked at first, but after a while, he smiled and accepted the gift. I was standing nearby, watching, and at that moment, I felt so happy inside. The old man gave the child some money, and the child came back to me. I thanked him and bought him a plate of momos. He was happy, too. I don't know if this is an act of kindness or not, but it gave me inner peace and happiness

Two days ago, as I walked home from the market, a street dog from my neighborhood trotted up to me, wagging its tail eagerly. It nudged my leg, seeking attention. I knelt down and petted its head, and instantly, its eyes lit up with joy. The dog seemed to want to play, so I fetched a ball from home and began tossing it for him. With each throw, his excitement grew, chasing after the ball with boundless energy.Later, I brought out some food for my newfound furry friend, and he devoured it gratefully. In those moments, as we shared play and food, I felt a simple yet profound connection—a reminder of the joy found in unexpected kindness and the bonds we can form, even with our four-legged neighbors.

Yesterday afternoon, I was doing my office work usefully and felt hungry. But at that time, my mother was taking rest, so I did not wake her up and decided to make something on my own.

Today, I went out to buy some groceries for my home. It happened when I was standing inside the shop, selecting the items to put in my bag, and I saw an old man at the billing counter. He was trying to pay his bill using UPI; unfortunately, the server of the bank was down. He tried two or three times but without success. The old man didn't have enough cash with him and informed the storekeeper that he would get the rest of the amount the very next day. But the storekeeper, feeling bound by his duties, resisted saying he had to pay the amount to his owner the same day. Watching the scene, I moved towards them and offered to pay the extra amount. At first, the old man denied my assistance, but I pressed on, stating that he could then donate that amount to someone else who needed it. A warm smile and a thankful heart later, he finally accepted my help. When I paid the extra amount for him, he thanked me sincerely with his blessings. It was a small act of kindness, but the happiness and relief on his face made it immensely rewarding.

My father used to bring milk in the morning daily. Today I got up early and went to the dairy to get the milk. And for a change, it was nice to take his duty over, so that he could rest. The dairy was full of people, and I came across a few kind strangers whose eyes met mine, sending warm smiles and friendly greetings. This little act of kindness made me appreciate the little things my father does every day.

Despite my busy schedule, my pets always look up to me with hopeful eyes, eager for playtime. Recently, I made a conscious effort to carve out some time in the evening to engage with them. The joy and excitement they displayed during our play session were heartwarming and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. This small act of kindness not only brought immense happiness to my pets but also provided me with a much-needed break and a sense of fulfillment. Balancing work with these moments of connection is essential for our mutual well-being.

When my elderly neighbor expressed her desire to visit the temple, she faced a dilemma as her son was out of town on official work. Understanding her situation, she approached my mother for assistance. Seizing the opportunity to help, I offered to take both my neighbor and my mother to the temple. This small act of kindness not only fulfilled my neighbor's wish but also strengthened the bonds of community and compassion among us.

Today, I decided to prepare green tea for my family, a task my mother usually handles every day. I woke up early, placed the tea bags in the mugs, and poured the boiled water into them. When the tea was ready, I took the cups to the bedroom. My mother was surprised to see me with the tea. She smiled, her eyes twinkling with gratitude and said, "Jinda reh puttar."

Last night, I was standing on my balcony, just enjoying the evening, when I saw two kids playing badminton in the lane below. It took me back to my own childhood, remembering those simple, carefree days. Suddenly, their shuttlecock got stuck in a tree. They tried everything to get it down—throwing shoes, shaking the tree but nothing worked. I could see them getting more and more frustrated. I couldn't just watch them struggle, so I decided to help out. I went inside, grabbed a long stick, and headed down. After a few tries, I finally managed to knock the shuttlecock loose. The kids were over the moon, jumping and shouting with joy. They looked up at me with big smiles and thanked me over and over.

On a Wednesday evening, I went to the market to buy vegetables. Amid the busy stalls, I saw an old lady struggling to carry a heavy bag. Without a second thought, I offered to help. At first, she refused, saying she could manage, but I insisted. She finally agreed and told me she lived nearby. We walked together, chatting about the weather and the busy market. When we reached her home, she thanked me with a warm smile. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction as I walked back to the market to finish my shopping, knowing I had made her day a little easier.

Throwback to the leadership program 'SPARK' from two years ago! I still remember the session where we were challenged to create poetry. This piece was my contribution—born from the inspiration of that incredible experience, filled with hope and determination.

Throwback to the leadership program 'ELEVATE' from two years ago! I still remember the session where we were challenged to create poetry. This piece was my contribution—born from the inspiration of that incredible experience, filled with hope and determination.

I am truly grateful for my incredible team, who stood by our mission, waking up at 7:30 AM and showing unwavering dedication and determination throughout the hackathon and the entire sprint—your resilience and hard work are deeply appreciated.

Last month at a petrol pump, I came across an elderly uncle who had just filled his scooter but realized he forgot his wallet. He had an old phone, so no way to pay online, and going back home would've taken a lot of time — he was already running late. He politely asked if someone could help, just this once. I offered to pay for him — it wasn’t a big amount, but the look of relief and gratitude on his face said everything. Sometimes, small acts of kindness can make a big difference. We all need a little help now and then.

Last month at a petrol pump, I came across an elderly uncle who had just filled his scooter but realized he forgot his wallet. He had an old phone, so no way to pay online, and going back home would've taken a lot of time — he was already running late. He politely asked if someone could help, just this once. I offered to pay for him — it wasn’t a big amount, but the look of relief and gratitude on his face said everything. Sometimes, small acts of kindness can make a big difference. We all need a little help now and then.

A few weeks ago, I was out buying some groceries when I noticed a man standing near the billing counter, talking on the phone and looking a bit stressed. He had already bought his groceries and was explaining to the shopkeeper that he urgently needed to send money to someone online. The issue was — he only had cash on him and didn’t have money in his account at that moment. I was nearby and offered to help. He handed me the cash and gave me the mobile number of the person he needed to send money to. I quickly made the transfer, and once the person on the other end confirmed receiving it, the relief on his face was clear. He smiled, thanked me multiple times, and said, “You’ve really helped me out today.” It was a simple gesture, but one that reminded me how being present in the right moment can truly make a difference in someone’s day.

Last month, while I was at a busy local market, I noticed an elderly woman struggling to carry a heavy bag of vegetables. People were rushing past her, and she looked tired and a bit overwhelmed. I walked over and asked if I could help. At first, she was hesitant, but then she smiled and let me carry the bag for her. We walked slowly together as she told me she had just come from visiting her husband in the hospital and was picking up things for home. Before we parted ways, she touched my hand gently and said, “Thank you, beta. I didn’t expect kindness today, but you reminded me it’s still there.” It was a small gesture — just carrying a bag — but it meant a lot. Sometimes, kindness is as simple as noticing someone who needs a hand.

A few days ago, while walking home in the evening, I noticed a street dog sitting by the side of the road, shivering slightly and looking weak. It had started drizzling, and most people were rushing by, not noticing him. I had a packet of biscuits in my bag, so I stopped and offered some to the dog. He looked at me cautiously at first, then slowly walked over and started eating. I couldn’t just leave him there, so I made a quick run to a nearby shop, got some water and a packet of milk, and came back. He finished everything quietly and then, to my surprise, gently rubbed his head against my leg — almost like a thank-you. I found a dry spot nearby under a shed, placed a cardboard sheet I found for him to rest on, and stayed there for a few more minutes to make sure he was okay.