Sadly, the past year has seen Walsall branch grieve the loss of some of its prominent members. They are missed and many a tear has been shed in their memory. These people have left a legacy, and a way of thinking that will inspire us to continue to work with our members. It will ensure that the Samaj does not lose sight of its purpose and why we all endeavour, through all the tough times, to make it happen.
We all have an idea of where the Samaj is heading, from what we have seen ourselves and what others have told us. Recently, a Samaj member had an interesting way to explain the current situation. We can argue that much like an economy has cycles, with periods of‘ Boom’ and‘ Bust’ or how clothes that were laughed at 15-20 years ago are now considered trendy and fashionable today, our Samaj has its own lifecycle. Turnout and interest will peak at some points, but there will be moments when things will be a lot slower.
If we believe this then there will, in all likelihood, come a time when interest and passion reaches a peak again. But the questions to consider are: how long will these interests last for? And who will be there to cater to these interests?
We all love it when the ice cream van stops near our house on a hot, summer’ s day. Kids and adults are happy, and the ice cream man has served his purpose. But what use is it if, one day, nobody is there to take our order? Or worse, what happens if one day we really crave ice cream but the van is broken down and cannot make it out of the driveway?
The Samaj is arguably no different from the ice cream van. We’ ve got to push on and be there for those moments when the interest comes back. In the end, it will all be worthwhile- when the same joy and fulfilment we once felt is seen through the eyes of our children and grandchildren.
vol. 41 | Prajapati Sandesh 2016 85