It is generally believed that volunteering is much more rewarding and educative than taking up too many academic courses and qualifications.

·         What is it that makes volunteering so powerful?

·         Why is there greater dearth of volunteers?

Volunteering as a human gesture has been contributing substantially to rewarding and educating people. Obviously, there must be strong reasons that make it stand out. Unfortunately, this noble gesture is becoming unpopular. Let me see why.

Let me start with the things that make volunteering stand out. As we all know, volunteering is an expression of humility. Firstly, in this world of cut-throat competition, we cannot live without seeking help from others. Everyone has some responsibilities in terms of helping others. In such a scenario, volunteering comes to the picture. This selfless self helps foster both independence and inter-dependence and imparts the ability to deal with different situations. So, volunteering brings people closer to the real world. It makes people more social and humane.    

If we juxtapose these distinct qualities of volunteering with academic qualifications, what we find is a huge disparity in terms of educating and rewarding. Degrees and qualifications are not in a position to challenge the rewards and education one gets out of going the extra mile for others, or to put it in simpler terms, living a little more for others.

However, it is sad to know that the number of volunteers is decreasing. The first reason is deterioration of cultural values generated out of rising material interests. For example, in the bygone days, social, cultural and spiritual values had been respected and promoted meticulously. Moreover, people were ready to suffer pain for others. Now people are busy with their own chores. In addition to these, people do not accept service from others. No wonder, the species called volunteers is going extinct.  

In short, volunteering is a valuable work which people do for others without expecting anything back and the falling number of volunteers is not a good sign either; rather it shows that man is becoming less social than he used to bes.

290 words.

A write up by Ms. Shinitha.

The structure of the write up is altered so as to justify the requirement called task fulfillment.

18/10/2013