"The principle difference between a person who wins an oscar and a person who works for the society is that the society requires the latter and the media requires the former."
Jyoti Mehta is an avid social worker and the club president of the Lioness Club of Bombay (West Coast). Team OKIEDOKS wishes her all the very best for her future pursuits. Lets know more about her
Did you always want to be associated with social work?
Yes, I have always been wanting to get myself associated with social work, as I would want to give back all the good things that God has given me by helping the society in whatever small ways I can.
Kindly tell us about your association with the Lion’s club. What is Lion’s club all about?
Firstly, let me tell you about the Lions club. It is the biggest NGO, recognized internationally with around 1.4 million members with nearly 45,000clubs spread all over the world. This organization came into existence in the year 1917 and the founder of this club was Melvin Jones. The main objective of this NGO is to serve the needy. The motto of LionsClub is "WE SERVE" .
I have been associated with this No.1 NGO since 2002 when I became the Charter Member of my Lioness Club i.e. Lioness Club of Bombay (West Coast) which got itself duly registered as an charitable trust this year. Presently, I'm holding the post of the club president with 66 lady members in it. I'm also a Lion member of Lions Club of Bombay Up-Town both these clubs are situated in Ghatkopar Mumbai.
If given the liberty to define social work, how would you define it?
It is the platform for people to help the society reach out to the less fortunate children of God without the motive or objective to serve only one sect or community of people but to the whole of mankind without bringing in any barriers of caste, creed and sex.
Isn’t social work hyped?
Yes, to a certain extent social work is hyped what with so much media involved today, people have seen media blow up small achievements into larger than life achievements, sometimes creating a wrong impression on the people, thus giving less and less support to genuine social workers who are actually trying their level best to help make the society a better place to live in.
Which film celebrity you feel is genuinely interested in doing something for the society?
There are many film celebrities who are interested in helping the society, but then if I were to name one single person it would be Shabana Azmi & Gul Panag.
What motivates you as a person?
The work of Mother Teresa has always been an inspiring role for me as she faced a lot of hardship but remained firm in her decision to help and reach out to those less fortunate people of the society.
Any particular reason as to why more women are into social work compared to men?
Women are more sensitive towards pain and sufferings, thus able to give their dedicated and unbiased service when it comes to helping people out.
If given a chance to change one thing about the society, what would it be?
The mindset of people who think boys are the only ones who can take care of their parents etc and stop the number of female infanticide cases that are going on in India. I would like to strongly spread awareness against female infanticide. “Naari Ghar ka Aur Desh Ka Saubhagya hai.”
In what way, an average middle class person help the society?
Is monetary help the only way that a person can help the society? Then the answer is no. An average middle class person can help by keeping the society clean and helping out by giving voluntary service in their own surroundings as well in their own community. Yet another way is to live in peace and let others live in peace, without causing communal disharmony.
Let’s say, you are writing your auto-biography which has all your dreams, ups and downs, inspirations and everything – what name would do justice to your autobiography?
JEEVAN SANDHYA would be the most suitable title doing justice to my autobiography.
Any message/advice which you would like to give?
Service to mankind is service to God and the best way to serve the almighty is to serve the needy and let everyone live in peace
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