' A bit of fragrance always clings to the hands that gave them’
The Social Service League is the largest and the most active society of St. Stephen's College, which follows the mantra 'service above self’, and works for the betterment of the underprivileged sections of the society. To this effect, SSL organizes several events and is actively involved in various projects and activities. Regular talks and seminars are conducted throughout the year, inviting people in the field of social service from the Government and non-Governmental organizations.
The secret of human freedom is to act well without being concerned about the result. Each league member shares a kind of oneness rooted in the soil of true compassion, empathy, and kindness. Pursuit of excellence is the soul of our college which is kept unassailable by the majestic red walls. It is this thirst for excellence that a Stephanian imbibes from this cradle of knowledge that permanently etherizes all selfish thoughts from our minds and kindles the light of kindness and empathy that can only be taken from us by the scythe of Thanatos. Hence, the Social Service League in its every breath lends a helping hand to all those who are in need and in suffering.
‘Kalyan’ is derived from Sanskrit which means something auspicious or the welfare of the people. Which term brings out the true essence of the social service league more than ‘kalyan’? In fact it is one of the main objectives of this journey which started in 1912. The Social service League wants to convey a clear message that the only reward for good is good and good only. Many spiritual scriptures define service to the needy as service to God, but we are not indulging in a debate whether God is real or not, we are not theists, atheists, agnostics or deists when it comes to society work, nor are we people like Immanuel Kant who opines that if God doesn’t exist we have to invent one, but we are a single entity soaring ‘above all’ to lend a helping hand.
Most people have a common misconception that social service is all about huge sums of money that are given as donations or the half-hearted visits to orphanages and old age homes and giving them a pseudo ‘ I care for you’ look coated with a considerable amount of mere sympathy is an act of kindness. We say in a voice so strong and united that we are not simply pretentious social workers but a group of young men and women who know that even a smile can bring limitless amount of euphoria to the so called unfortunate. It is not the lavish feasts just 'given’ to them once in a decade service, but a small toffee ‘shared ‘ with a smile straight from heart can be called service. The realization that what you conquered are transitory and the vision that enables you to see your face in place of theirs can take you a long way in this life and in the process, you unknowingly transform the life of many, whose hands are now stained with the grease, blood and dirt of poverty .
Open the eyes of at least a child which are eclipsed by illiteracy .Try karo…we all have experienced extreme happiness in watching that glow from a tear coming from the eyes of the children at vidyajyoti or evening classes and also from the warm greetings from their parents when they see us coming with the magic wands that may take their wards away from the web of darkness that trapped them a long time ago.
As the Bible puts it ’Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth’, and it is these acts of kindness that will go with us to the graves. We, the Social Service League members serve above self and the smile that we get in return gives us eternal ecstasy.
