16/09/2025
🌟 Inspiring Reflections by Ms. Kiran Narayanan IPS, Kollam City Police Commissioner
Every Moment is an Opportunity for Service
At the Onam celebrations hosted by the Snehita Women’s Health Foundation on September 13, 2025, Ms. Kiran Narayanan IPS, Kollam City Commissioner of Police, delivered a deeply moving address on the profound value of service, resilience, and living a meaningful life. Her words left a lasting impact on everyone present. Watch the full video at
https://youtu.be/K-A6_Hhm3z0?si=XYUf_4V6WU1dtlCt
🔥 Commitment Beyond Duty: A Personal Reflection
Ms. Narayanan started off with a personal anecdote, sharing how deeply moved she was when she came across the service rendered by Dr.Paul Augustine, not only as an Expert Oncologist, but also as a humanist in his unwavering commitment to creating awareness about early detection of breast cancer to improve the survival rates amongst the cancer patients. Dr.Paul's tireless dedication over the past three decades became a mirror, prompting her to reflect on how circumstances should never dictate one's life state when the task at hand is enormous and meaningful. In contrast, she narrated how her own fatigue which resulted from stress of everyday policing actually felt trivial. She said that Dr. Paul Augustine was a proof that in the realm of serving humanity, “being tired is not an option” and that she was grateful for the chance encounter with him. She applauded the volunteers of the Snehita Health Foundation to be working under the direct guidance of a visionary leader as Dr. Paul Augustine.
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🌺 Pride in Womanhood and the Power of Contribution
In a powerful moment, Ms. Narayanan reflected on a lingering societal reality—where many still pray for a boy child. Against this backdrop, she praised the transformative work of Dr.Regi Paul , stating that her unwavering commitment to women’s health makes every woman proud to be a woman. This kind of service, she said, radiates strength, dignity, and resilience—qualities that inspire generations.
She celebrated contemporary women like Dr. Regi, who seamlessly balance multiple responsibilities—managing a household, leading professionally, and driving social change. She applauded Dr. Regi for leading Snehita from the front and mentioned that her courage was as contagious as her smile.
She described these past years of Snehita as a “great runway” which would eventually take off into a magnificent future for all womankind in the next 20–30 years through the meaningful impact of Snehita's various programmes.
She hoped that Snehita would become a voice for countless, voiceless, faceless women through policy advocacy also in the future.
🤝 Snehita: A Model of Inclusive and Practical Social Contribution
The chief guest also acknowledged the presence of seniormost Retired doctors as volunteers at Snehita. She challenged the notion that the later stages of life are merely “bonus time.”
Every single moment—whether half an hour or fifty years—is invaluable when dedicated to a noble cause.
In this context she paraphrased a famous thought experiment:
> “Imagine you have only half an hour left to live.”
In that time, one would naturally choose to be happy and fully present. She urged the audience to apply this principle to their entire lives. Whether we have minutes, years, or decades, the goal should be to live every second meaningfully and purposefully.
She reminded the volunteers to get inspired from the 70+ retired volunteers at Snehita, Dr.Sulochana Vasu, Dr. K. Chandrakumari, Prof. Chandini Kabeer, whose continued service after retirement stands as a shining testament that true dedication knows no age.
Turning to the volunteers of Snehita, Ms. Narayanan lauded the organization as a vibrant model of modern social engagement. What makes Snehita unique, she emphasized, is its diversity—bringing together health professionals, homemakers, retirees, lawyers, writers, and policy advocates. This blend of backgrounds is not just a strength; it’s a blueprint for inclusive, barrier-free service.
She encouraged every member to take pride in their altruistic work, reminding them that the rewards of giving go far beyond recognition. The act of giving yields priceless rewards—self-worth, pride, and a sense of belonging that no title or salary can match.
To illustrate the value of practical compassion over abstract discussion, Ms. Narayanan shared a Buddhist parable wherein two intellectuals debated the fate of the spirit of a man who lay lifeless on the road, debating whether his spirit would merge with the Divine or remains distinct. The Buddha who happened to pass by, simply offered the man some water—and the man recovered. This, she stressed, is the essence of Snehita’s work: direct, tangible help without any pretense, is far more valuable than endless meaningless debates.
In this spirit of humility, she urged everyone present to leave their professional titles and social identities at the door, fostering an environment of equal human connection where contributions matter more than status.
🧘 Reflections on Service and the Philosophy of Non-Duality
In a deeply thoughtful segment, Ms. Narayanan explored the philosophy of giving through the lens of non-duality. She illustrated how concepts like power and wealth are relational—one is powerful only because others are less so; one is rich only in contrast to poverty. In this light, service is not a one-sided act of charity but a reciprocal relationship that honors both giver and receiver.
This perspective, she suggested, helps sustain motivation and prevents burnout. When service is seen as mutual growth rather than sacrifice, it becomes a source of renewal and strength.
Reflecting on personal growth, she observed that clinging to the same mindset for decades is a waste of years.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., she concluded:
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Ms. Kiran Narayan’s words, blending lived wisdom with profound inspiration, left the audience with a powerful reminder: service to others is the highest calling, and every moment offers an opportunity to make life truly meaningful.
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Watch the full video at
https://youtu.be/K-A6_Hhm3z0?si=XYUf_4V6WU1dtlCt
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