(s - Baba Amte - 2008) Baba Amte’s Principles Of Social Service Poem by Kannan G

Though born by sympathy
To empathy must rise –
Must cultivate a heart
That hears the inner cries!

Courage and commitment
Passion and compassion
Are basic ingredients
For success of mission!

No superficialness
Sincereness at core;
The deprived and the distressed
Deserve this ‘service’ more!

With hands, not just with lips
With heart, not just with hands
Should be this ‘service’ done –
Devotion it demands!

First, ‘service to others’
Than ‘service of the self’!
Service just for service
Not for power or pelf!

More, working ‘with others’
Than ‘for others’ working
Will bring in understanding
And make the ‘service’ living!

Challenges unexpected
And adversities great
May come across and hence
Must fortitude create!

Of time and resources
No wastage or misuse –
Management is what
Will foster better use!

No complacency still
Though much work be done;
Keep on striving harder –
Be kind to everyone!

Bouquets, brickbats, all
Face with equal mind!
Focus just on actions
On fruits thereof don’t bind!

With austere spending ways
With transparency sound
(Unstained with corruption)
It should be ever found!

These, Baba never voiced –
By life and work just showed;
These are inspirations pure
To all who walk the road!