Being A Karmaveer

A karmaveer is anyone who is doing something for the larger benefit of people and goes beyond his own limited self-interests. Yet, this person is selfish to the core, for the karmaveer is making a difference to the same society he or she lives in. The karmaveer does not dazzle in the misunderstanding and arrogance of rendering selfless service. There is no selflessness really, for the benefit of his work is also his.

She suffered intense domestic violence for years. Like a brave woman she bore it all, till the breaking point came and she set herself free, with hardly any support. Today she is an author of over ten books and champions women's causes.

He retired at 60 and chose to spend his time setting up a school for the underprivileged.

He left a high flying career in the US and came back to his land in Kashmir to live amongst the shepherds and make a difference.

He has dedicated his life to the service of senior citizens, against a career and comfortable life for himself.

These are just few of the innumerable heart-rending yet extremely inspiring stories of ordinary people who are doing extraordinary work. They are the recipients of the Rex Karmaveer Global Fellowship and Karmaveer Chakra, instituted by iCONGO in association with the United Nations. You will find people like them in large numbers every year at The Rex – Ideas For Action Conclive.

The Karmaveer movement, started by Jeroninio Almeida - an activist, coach, speaker and trainer - brings together change-makers on one platform to hear their stories and recognise their herculean and ebullient efforts to make a difference to society. They are not necessarily social workers. They are people who simply go beyond their call of duty and work not just for their personal professional success, but for impacting lives of others. They may be professionals in their own right, but what drives them is the mission and not the commission. They care for themselves, but also for others. They work with an inclusive mindset, not an exclusive one – the highest cause for unhappiness. If need be, they suffer by choice, yet they are some of the happiest people in the world.

I got introduced to the Karmaveer platform in 2014 and have received doses of inspiration impossible to attain through reading books or watching motivational movies. It is my immense fortune that I have been able to rub shoulders with real-life heroes in flesh and blood. They are people who do their work with a spirit of sacrifice, at great personal cost and at times even at great risk.

While some karmaveer is fighting for women's rights, someone else is toiling hard for rural upliftment. If someone is trying to help people in depression, someone else is working for the cause of the elderly. Someone is writing a poem with poignancy for a cause that moves him or her, and not just for professional benefits or personal creative satisfaction.

So who is a karmaveer? A karmaveer is anyone who is doing something for the larger benefit of people and goes beyond his own limited self-interests. Yet, this person is selfish to the core, for the karmaveer is making a difference to the same society he or she lives in. The karmaveer does not dazzle in the misunderstanding and arrogance of rendering selfless service. There is no selflessness really, for the benefit of his work is also his.

A true karmaveer does not just contribute money for charity and claim he is making a difference. Mindless charity is after all a sign of arrogance. A true karmaveer is one who gives time to the cause and is personally involved in the process. He feels the pain of others and wants to make a difference in his own small way. He realises that whatever he may do, his contribution, given the plethora of problems, will remain inadequate. He therefore remains humble and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference. A karmaveer is a patriot whose love for the nation transcends feel-good statements and translates into action. He is enlightened enough to understand that true change can come only through action.

The greatest quality of a karmaveer is the sense of responsibility and ownership he takes. He blames no one, but is driven by a deep sense of conviction and commitment for change. A true karmaveer is the one who believes to make a change, he has to be the change.

The nation needs more and more karmaveers. At the same time, there are many karmaveers who are silently working in one or the other corner of the country, making a difference unknown to the world. The karmaveer movement is created precisely for such people - that they get an opportunity to share their story, pain and success, so that more ordinary people realise their potential to do extraordinary work. The recognition that the karmaveers get at the Rex Conclive is just a byproduct of their invaluable work. They are the true `Bharat Ratnas` of India.

So let us all step out and identify the next karmaveer, and also dig deep into our souls to make ourselves a karmaveer. If we are already a karmaveer, let's try to be a better one.