SHILLONG: Inspired by the global celebration of the ‘Random Acts of Kindness Week’, the department of Counselling Psychology, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) gave Shillong its own version of the celebration of kindness on Tuesday.
Students and teachers from the department went across the town, pausing to thank and acknowledge ordinary people like taxi drivers plying on the roads, traffic policemen at junctions, nurses, sweepers and cleaners across the town and even the workers at MLCU’s own campus for the “extraordinary difference they make to everyone’s lives”.
The MLCU students, who were dubbed as the RAKIVISTS, (Random Act of Kindness Activists) also visited orphanages to spread love and joy among children, reminding them that they are never alone.
The head of department, Counselling Psychology, Ms Maribon said that the message behind the initiative was to express gratitude to all.
“It’s to make us halt, acknowledge, smile and thank one another for being a part of each other’s lives and the reward for all of us was the heart melting smiles and eyes full of love and gratitude,” added Maribon.
The students of the department divided themselves into different groups and visited several locations like Motphran, Laitumkhrah Police Point, IGP, Police Bazaar, Ganesh Das Hospital, Civil Hospital, Mercy Home and orphanages in the city.
Taxi drivers at Motphran expressed their surprise at being acknowledged by people and also thanked the students for their gratitude.
One such driver Bah Rit, from Mawlai said, “It was a very kind and humbling gesture by the students to acknowledge not just our presence but also our work.”
L Nikhla, a traffic police officer at IGP after talking to the students said that he felt great and honoured about the fact that people acknowledged his hard work and dedication to the job he performs.
“This is the first time ever anyone has come up to us and thanked us and showed us such kindness. This one small act has given us a new wave of inspiration in performing our duty,” added Nikhla.
The nurses of Civil Hospital also lauded the MLCU initiative.
