03/13/2026
Ek Kadam Aur
Sometimes a name itself tells the whole story.
“If you can’t be their eyes, be the hand that guides their path.”
I first heard about Ek Kadam Aur three years ago. Last year, Friends of Sparsh donated $2,500 to support their work. We gave the donation, but if I am honest, I wasn’t truly connected to the cause.After that I received emails, letters, and messages from them, but somehow there was still a distance… a disconnect.
Sometimes in life we only connect when the moment is right.
This year they were back again for their fundraising event, and I was invited to a dinner before the charity show. I went mostly because they invited me. I wasn’t particularly interested.
I even joked to myself: At least it’s a free dinner… worth the $2,500 from last year, right?
So the evening went as usual—
meet and greet, food, drinks, laughter.
my mind was wandering whole time uninterested.
Then the founder came up to speak.
There was nothing flashy about him.
No charisma, no marketing charm, no “wow factor.”
Just a simple old man speaking quietly.
And then I heard — a quiver in his voice.
That trembling voice… I know it well. I have felt it myself many times when speaking about the cause I believe in, hoping people will understand, hoping they will believe.
In that moment I felt his pain.
I wondered — why is this man, who could easily retire and enjoy his life, still doing this work?
Then it became clear.
He had found his journey… just as I had found mine.
He is walking his path… just as I walk mine.
And suddenly something connected.
When I looked at him, I saw a reflection of myself — perhaps an older version of me.
When he finished speaking, something inside me said I needed to stand up for him.
I walked to the stage, without being invited, and spoke from my heart. I shared my thoughts and gave him the only thing I truly have to offer — the credibility I have earned over the last 17 years of serving others.
This is a man who has dedicated his life to children who cannot see the world… yet he gives them his hand so they can keep walking “Ek Kadam Aur” — One Step More.
Friends of Sparsh donated $5,000, and we will continue to support them even more.
I encourage you to look into their work.
Don’t believe what I say.
Believe what your heart sees.
And maybe you will lend your hand too — to make the path a little easier for these children.
These children may never see the sun…
but perhaps you can help them feel its warmth.
Your support can make that difference.
And if you were thinking of donating to Friends of Sparsh this year, I will say something unusual:
Don’t donate to us.
Donate to them.
Because sometimes the greatest thing we can do…
is simply help someone take one more step.
Prakash Saraf
https://www.ekkadamaur.org/
Friends of Sparsh
