Notes on RYTHM

A lot of people assume that RYTHM is related to melody, music or drums. The actual fact is yes, it is, in an esoteric sense and yet no, it’s not musical, in the practical or physical sense. Esoterically, RYTHM is about the rhythm of life, the rhythm of the universe. It is also derived in part from Mahatma Gandhi's reverence and reliance on the BHAGAVAD GITA as his primary scripture and guide. The Bhagvad Gita in its direct translation means 'the song of life'. Hence, it is about this always subtle connection to the heartbeat/divine melody of life that is both within us and around us.

In the practical sense, RYTHM basically is derived from an anecdote.

This anecdote was told to me when I was still a university student. And it’s one that has been attributed to Mahatma Gandhi.  Apparently an individual approached the Mahatma and said to him, “Bapuji (as he was lovingly called), I wish to serve you. I wish to dedicate my life in service to your mission. Please accept me.” 

To which Gandhi  supposedly said, "what do you have to offer?" 
The man replied, “I am unemployed and penniless.” 
To which Gandhi’s answer was, "Are you educated or do you have a skill?"
The man says, “I have none, Bapu.”
And Gandhi then literally snapped at him, “Go out, raise yourself, achieve something, and then come back. And then we will talk about serving Mankind!”

This anecdote gave birth to the concept and its acronym RYTHM, or Raise Yourself To Help Mankind, and signalled a whole new era that has now since spanned a decade. That concept has now reached out and touched almost five million souls across the planet today. It is the corporate heartbeat of the QI Group of Companies. It is the purpose of our existence. It has continuously moved us on to higher standards and higher goals. It has kept us together while defining us from the rest of the planet. 

RYTHM Foundation however, is in principle the manifestation of this mission in its practical sense. The Foundation was conceived not to primarily be a donor or a charity, but instead to be a catalyst to innovate, inspire and implement new synergies that would allow people to stand on their own feet as opposed to looking for aid. In the words of the founder of Body Shop, the late Anita Roddick: ‘Trade, not Aid is our objective.’

It is essentially our purpose to help people restart their lives after economic or manmade catastrophes, to begin anew when faced with natural calamities, and to just rebuild and reenergise, while giving birth to new hopes and new aspirations on a global scale. Hence, our objectives have taken us far and wide across the planet from rebuilding villages in Thailand after the 2004 Asian Tsunami, to getting fishermen back on their feet in Sri Lanka, to educating children, while providing home and shelter  to both homeless children in the Philippines and mentally challenged children in India, as children remain our sole hope for the future.

Ultimately, RYTHM in all its forms is about recreating the message of Gandhi which began half a century ago.  So, to all of you who have contributed and who continue to contribute to this cause, I extend my fervent gratitude on behalf of the Foundation and to all those who come seeking to join us, I welcome you to this great family of ours. Unlike corporate entities that target billion-dollar thresholds, our goal is inherently simple... we seek to touch a billion hearts.  Join us in RYTHM.

Yours,

In Service of RYTHM

Vijay Eswaran

Read also: Joseph T. Bismark's Notes on RYTHM