22.3 Social Obligation

 22.3 Social Obligation 

Question:

Is there an example for helping a community for a specific period of time? 

Answer:

The wealth of a very benevolent philanthropist is like a fruit tree

in the middle of a town.                                                                             (Couplet – 216) 

பயன்மரம் உள்ளூர்ப் பழுத்தற்றால் செல்வம்`

நயனுடை யான்கண் படின்.                                                                            (குறள் – 216) 

Explanation:

A fruit tree supplies fruits to a reasonably large number of people in a community for a specific period of time. When the fruit season is over, those who need the fruit from the tree will have to wait till the following season. Practitioners of this type of philanthropy provide help when there is money and when there is no money, they wait until more funds are available. Examples of this type of philanthropy would include modern philanthropic organizations like the United Way, Red Cross, and other organizations which depend upon donations from the donors and provide benefit if funds are available and wait until more funds are available to render additional assistance. This type of philanthropy can be called the 'Fruit Tree model of Philanthropy."