The true joy of giving is to expect nothing at all in return

India’s festival of giving, ‘Daan Utsav’, being celebrated this week, will see many going in for large-scale collection drives for donation to the needy. To donate

India’s festival of giving, ‘Daan Utsav’, being celebrated this week, will see many going in for large-scale collection drives for donation to the needy. To donate something is not only an act of generosity, it also gives us pleasure.

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Only the generous can give and for that one needs to have a large heart, the right attitude, and the will to part with what one possesses. As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Of course, what we give should be of some use to the beneficiary. There is no point in giving a refrigerator to an Eskimo. Secondly, there is nothing creditworthy to give what you have in plenty. True kindness lies in giving a part of what is scarce at your disposal.

There is a great deal of self-satisfaction if giving is coupled with sacrifice. Giving is equivalent to sharing, which in turn gives rise to camaraderie. The act of giving should be enjoyed by both, the giver and the receiver. It does not matter how much you give but what matters is in what frame of mind you give. If giving is associated or accompanied with getting, or expecting, something in return, then the design is pure selfishness — which can lead to heartburn and may also spoil relationships. Giving should be without expectations.

I feel that “giving” is an honorary and emotional gesture that seems to convey to the beneficiary, “Please accept this. Hope it will be of some help to you.” In the words of Charles Dickens, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal.)