There is a popular Hindi phrase “Neki kar dariya mein daal” which means – do good and forget about it. But now a days, there is a twisted version of this phrase – “ Neki kar deewar pe taang”
Neki ki Deewar or wall of kindness is a dedicated wall for the needy people where they can get clothes, books and other items. Those who have spare clothes can hang those on the wall and the needy people can take these clothes from there. The motto of the movement can be expressed in two sentences which appear on the walls: “Leave what you don’t need” and “Take what you need”. The idea is to act as a bridge between the giver and the taker without compromising on anyone’s dignity. The giver does not get a superiority complex and the taker does not get an inferiority complex. It is a discreet way to help each other.
This concept was introduced in 2016 in Iran by an anonymous person and the practice spread like wild fire throughout the country. This movement in Iran was covered by Mr Sudhir Chaudhry at Zee TV in February 2016. He mentioned that 3 % of the population in Iran is below poverty line while India has 12 % people below poverty line. He emphasized that there is a need to have more and more of such walls in India compared to even Iran. He exhorted the people to come forward and set up the Neki ki Deewar . Inspired by this news coverage, a couple in Bhilwara , Rajasthan started the first Neki ki Deewar in India. After that it became a movement and walls of kindness were set up in many cities across India. In December 2016, my father shared this concept with me and informed that a Neki ki Deewar has also been set up in my home town.
The concept appealed to me and I thought that we should have this Deewar in Guwahati also. I discussed this idea with my friends who have a space to set up this Deewar at a prominent location in Guwahati. Since there was not much response, we decided to set up this in front of our factory at Palasbari even though that was not the perfect place for this. We inaugurated Neki ki Deewar on 17th September 2017 on the auspicious Vishwakarma day which I proudly claim is the first Neki ki Deewar in the North East. Inspired by the success of this, Palasbari Municipal Board has also set up a Neki ki Deewar in Palasbari market.
It is a simple and wonderful idea; the sort that one wonders why no one thought of before! The Wall of Kindness idea is a charity project that is easy to implement and a great way to make sure that what one doesn’t need finds its way to those who need it.
My dear Friends, most of us share the intention of doing our bit for the needy. But the time and money it demands becomes a hindrance to implement our intention. Neki ki Deewar is the simplest idea that anyone with a small place and the intention can implement. A Deewar like this is the need of the hour in a city like Guwahati where poverty and homelessness stare at us right at our face every day. If any of you have a small place in the front of your house or business you too can be a proud partner of this noble movement.
Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant. There will always be someone out there that is in desperate need of exactly what you have to give.
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