Thiruvananthapuram: Inspired by Gandhi, Facebook group turns to service

Thiruvananthapuram: Yet another Facebook group has taken wings and flown out of virtual space, hoping to be Good Samaritans in real life. The group, named ‘Helping Hands’, was started by a BE Computer Science student, Shilpa G J, of Narayana Guru College of Engineering, Manjalumoodu. The group brought smiles to the faces of a few mentally-challenged children last week when its members visited ‘Amma centre for rehabilitation and training of mentally-challenged’ in the city, with drawing books, paints and lots of sweets.

Helping Hand has 272 members in total, though only 20 plus are active. They include college students, IT professionals, photographers and even media students. The group started off with a blood donation camp some months ago. Later, its members visited the State Institute for the Mentally-Challenged. The members also collect old newspapers, books and other stuff for recycling under a tie-up with the NGO, Paper Man.

The group’s visit to Amma Autistic Centre, Pappanamcode was, however, a different outing, they say. "It was a fruitful experience and nothing like our earlier events. We handed out some drawing sheets and sketch pens and within seconds everyone were busy with the colours. But some found building blocks more interesting; so they got engaged with it. Some others kept talking to us,’’ says Shilpa.

Yet another Facebook group has taken wings and flown out of virtual space, hoping to be good Samaritans.

This time, the group was supported by another like-minded group, Impulse. Headed by Jinu,a lecturer in MBCET, its members had offered all help. "We don’t collect money from anyone. We save it out of our pocket money and from whatever we could get from our homes,’’ Shilpa says.

They say the words of Mahatma Gandhi - the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service - have proved true for them and have been an inspiration. When others chat their time away in FB, the group members have found a true use of the social networking site and are happy that they did.

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