We all have been given a gift, the gift of life. What we do with our lives is our Gift Back.

- Ancient Japanese Philosophy


Dear Friends,

Thank you all for co-creating a wonderful space of sharing and reflections. Thank you Udaybhai for bringing your humble being to the circle and motivating us with your stories and life experiences.

A Nobel path is often assumed to be a path less taken by people leading a life surrounded by social and economic compulsions. A very few walk the talk to leading a selfless life and making a meaningful contribution towards society despite all odds. But we are blessed that through our circles we get to know rare of rare individuals like Udaybhai who despite all the adversity and limitations set by "societal standards" end up living a life that creates new standards. Making that Lil extra effort in otherwise ordinary life, creating an Extra-Ordinary Journey.



Friday's circle began with a brief introduction about Udaybhai and his initiatives - Pay from heart rickshaw fare and service at Sewa Cafe. It was interesting to know about Udaybhai's humble beginnings, of starting his career as a masseur at the neighborhood physio clinic, to volunteering at Kalupur Ram Roti (Food for All NGO), to becoming a rickshaw driver (taxi driver) -Ahmedabad no Rickshawalo. Udaybhai mentioned how through several life-changing experiences he realized that a meaningful life is one which lived in Sewa of others and not the one lived for self. His philosophy "Upkari Nahi Paropkari Jeeva Jeena (don't be obliging but charitable) struck a chord with each one of us. A unique feature of Udaybhai's rickshaw ride is that one never has to pay for their own ride. The fare for their ride has already been paid by the previous passenger with the Pay it Forward or Gift Economy model. So each one pays from their Heart not as per Meter or Rate card for their Ride. Despite such an 'unusual' model, Uday has never felt the burden or pressure to retract from his mission of - Serve All - Love All. Because as he says " Man Ma Bhar Nahi Bhav Rakho" (Don't work with the idea of Fill - in but with Feelings). During his Rickshaw ride his passengers are served with Home Food, Purified Water Bottle, Magazines and books to read, toys for kids to play, and of course chocolates for all. All this facility (usually not even available with economy fare airline ticket) is availed to Udaybhai's passenger under Gift Economy with the sentiment of "Athi Devo bhava" (Guest is God). Udaybhai's effort does not just enrich his passenger's journey but other tenants of the society as well. Udaybhai at the end of each day puts money from the day's collection in a box installed in his Rickshaw - Akshay Patra. Money collected in the Akshay Patra box at the end of each month goes to the needy, especially towards sponsoring meals and education for the underprivileged kids. In his last 10 years of journey of ferrying people from one place to another with a smile, there have been several difficult moments and challenges for him and his family. Some of them even Financial and at times Societal. But during all these times what kept him going in his pursuit of Seva was Love and Faith in the Universal force. Faith that while he takes care of society, Universal force will take care of him and his family. He believes one who has accumulated love is wealthier than the one with the highest material possessions. And Only if you give love you receive love. A single-minded focus on his mission has lead Udaybhai to become key Note speaker at various local and international forums. His gesture has touched and rickshaw ride has been experienced by several tourists including Bollywood Mega Star, Cheif Minister of the State, Respectable Regilious Leader, Best Selling Autor, World Reknown Youtuber, and many more.

In the end, Udaybhai concluded: I mei hurry hai, want mei worry hai aur baki sub mei Hari Hari Hai.



We had some far-reaching reflections and ripples created in the circle after Udaybhai's story.

Nidhi was inspired to share her own experience of helping Policemen and frontline workers with water bottles during the lockdown period.
Trishala found that Udaybhai's story has reinforced her belief in Seva and selfless living.
Lokesh was moved by Udaybhai's Practice of moving from Transaction to Trust and wondered how can he practice the same in his daily life.
Mili realized that listening to Udaybhai has definitely moved something in her and has made her a bigger seeker of developing greater human qualities in the service of humanity.
Anushree shared her story on the gift economy of how she would often provide a lift to a stranger in need whenever she is driving solo on her 2 wheeler. Her way of caring for the environment (2 people sharing the same resource causing less pollution and traffic) and helping the society too.
Kunal has always been moved by love with Uday Bhai's story. His enthusiasm shoots up each time he encounters a living story of Gift Economy.
Khushboo connected with the story and recognized the effort, it takes to operate purely out of trust over the transaction. She also realized the work done from the heart can never be commercialized and that why she could not ever come to terms for selling her Art for commercial value. Because the moment her Art would become commercial its value would somewhere drop in her heart.
Radhika gave us her beautiful gift of listening.
To Gaurang Udaybhai's service reminds him of a perfect example of life which is all about spreading happiness around us and mastering the art of gifting.
Jaimit shared a Nobel initiative that he and his friends started a few years back - Prem ni Parab. A donation box where anyone can contribute money from their heart and anybody in need can withdraw from it as per their requirement. Prem Ni Parab (a Community Jar) is still there at the Vinay mandir, Gandhi Ashram where yet anonymously people contribute or take the money, and the beauty of that it never gets empty.
Raji aunty shared that beautiful concepts like Gift Economy have always been part of our culture and society however we are losing them now. She remembered how her father practiced the idea of Abundance over Scarcity and how there is no difference between the 1st date (payday) of the month and 20th date as it's just a state of mind if you will manage life well within your requirement. She further shared dialogue from a movie, "everyone is doing for themselves but try and experience that happiness when you do for others!"
Krunal shared about his recent ripple wherein in his housing society he recommended using No touch hand sanitizer facilities however people did not respond to it. Krunal moved by the idea of Gift Economy took this initiative and installed those sanitizers himself. By seeing his act one of the manager of society came and asked Krunal if he wants payment for this work or something in return and at that time Krunal responded with the idea of paying it forward over paying back. If his initiatives solved someone's problem, he/she now has the opportunity to solve someone else's problem.



It was an evening filled with stories of inspiration, the impact for which I am sure is going to be felt by each one of us for many days and months to come. There was a certain sense of resolve amongst each of us to transact in trust and take a slice from Udaybhai's life and discover our being in Seva of fellow human beings.

Cheery on the Top was also we also got to meet Udaybhai's life support system - life Partner, Shilpaji - someone whom Udaibhai credits for all his success and achievements and also for the lip-smacking snacks that his passengers enjoy during their Rickshaw ride with him.

RIPPLES FROM THE CALL:

As we were about to conclude, Nidhi had this beautiful Idea of preparing Masks from our Old clothes and send over a package to Udaybhai to handover to his passenger. She has already preparing for it and
some of us are the process of mass procuring old rags for making mast masks.

Anushree too after the call has pulled in all the ropes to prepare Masks and other hygiene items that can be distributed as part of Gift Economy to everyone in need around her community and also share the same with Udaybhai.

And while we were all discussing this, someone who was not even on the call but received Udaybhai's Maitri through gratitude mail, has already rolled out efforts. Jayshree Didi shared this with her flatmates and together they wish to give 50 hand made masks for this beautiful heart touching soul traveling and helping people reach their destination - Uday Bhai.

Jayshree didi's efforts for spreading goodness comes live with the pictures below !






TRULY AN EVENING OF MANY INSPIRATIONS AND CREATION OF MICRO TRANSFORMATION WITHIN EACH ONE OF US !!!!

Smiles and Hugs,

On behalf of Vadodara Maitri Circle Volunteer,