NGO in Mumbai

Values are an integral part of our living. The fact that you ironed that shirt before wearing it, or that you helped someone hold that heavy bag, or even the simplest act like greeting someone good day, all of it constitutes Values. Remember the last time you didn’t let your friend lie to someone, or how anxious you felt after being dishonest? Why did you feel that? What inside of you made you realize that it’s wrong? Values. These have been inculcated in us as a child. Therefore, values are a significant aspect of ‘living’. They are the guiding light to us, especially when we walk the roads of decision-making. They mould our thoughts, and direct our thinking.

Values resolve conflicts

Values are often perceived to be something that helps us identify, and at the same time distinguish between right and wrong. That may be true. But, there’s a flip side to it. We must recognize the fact that every individual has its own set of Rights and Wrongs. For instance, what is wrong according to you may be right according to another, and vice versa. Thus putting two different thought processes to conflict. Values, however, aren’t a point of Conflict, but that of Resolution. Values untie the knots of differences, and helps us identify and practice something that is universally correct, and more so, harmless. They serve as an instrument of positive reinforcement.

A continuous process

Inculcation of values is a continuous process. It does not happen overnight. It needs to be reinforced time and again for our minds to finally recognize, and believe a value-pattern that it is supposed to follow. Childhood, and the formative years of growth, is therefore, the most conducive period for imbibing these. Children brought up in well to do families, and educational institutions are fortunate enough to be taught and guided about values. But the dark realities of society seldom fail to exist. Children far and away from families, those living in shelter homes, with nominal education are barely blessed with values. Their growth and development often fails to fill the gaps in their personalities with values. This takes a toll on their thoughts, negatively impacts their decision making, and ends up taking an irreversible toll on their future.

We, at Muskurahat Foundation- an NGO in Mumbai that works for social causes in India, recognize the nerve of the issue, and make the best of efforts on our part in filling these wide gaps in the upbringing of a child. We have identified a set of 5 core values that are found to be majorly missing in the kids who live in the socially and emotionally challenging circumstances. These are:

1. Respect:

Respect is the ability to admire, appreciate, and regard actions, rights, and choices of another. It is the basic, and the most crucial value that develops a child into a socially responsible citizen.

2. Accountability:

Accountability involves a sense of justification and responsibility for the actions of one’s own.

3. Personal Hygiene:

Personal hygiene is a necessity. It not only promotes neatness and cleanliness on a personal level, but also forms an essential part of one’s appearance as a personality. Maintaining personal hygiene also plays a key role in living a healthy life.

4. Initiative:

Initiative is the foundational stone of Leadership. Taking the responsibility, or charge of things, promotes self-confidence, and helps a child perform his/her tasks independently.

5. Diligence:

Diligence as a value, leads a child to be careful and thoughtful in its actions and behavior. It promotes critical thinking, and makes the child analyses any given situation, to work the best out of it.

Values help in carving a child’s personality, not only for the betterment of self, but society as a whole. Values also foster social-emotional learning, and add to the emotional quotient.  Inculcating these values in Children today will fulfill the society with the best Youth tomorrow. We must not forget- As we sow, we shall reap.