Service Is Not About Appearing in Photographs, but Adding a Little Joy to Someone’s Life: Alka Mishra ‘Minky’s Unique Chhath Mahaparv Initiative

Sikandar Kumar

Nov 13, 2026 - 11:23

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13 Nov 2026

Service Is Not About Appearing in Photographs, but Adding a Little Joy to Someone’s Life: Alka Mishra ‘Minky’s Unique Chhath Mahaparv Initiative

Chhath Mahaparv is not only a festival of faith, worship and offering arghya to Surya Dev, but also a symbol of service, dedication, cooperation and human compassion. Embracing this very spirit, Alka Mishra ‘Minky’ distributed sarees among women on the occasion of Chhath Mahaparv this year as well.

As in every year, she carried this tradition forward with a spirit of service. For her, it is not an achievement or a means of publicity, but a small opportunity to serve that has come through the grace of Chhathi Maiya.

What makes this initiative special is not just the distribution of sarees, but the thinking behind it. Alka Mishra ‘Minky’ believes that when we give something to someone, respecting their self-respect and privacy is also our responsibility. Every person has their own dignity and personal identity, and a person’s needs or circumstances should never become a subject of public display.

It is for this reason that she prefers not to make public the photographs or identities of the women who receive the sarees. She believes that helping someone is a good thing, but a person’s privacy or self-respect should not be made part of a public display in return for that help. In her view, the value of service should not be judged by how many photographs of it are shared, but by how much happiness it has brought into someone’s life.

Alka Mishra ‘Minky’ is a multi-dimensional personality, known for her work in writing, storytelling, scriptwriting, entrepreneurship and social activities. She is working to carve out a distinct identity as an author, storyteller, scriptwriter, entrepreneur and social worker.

An important aspect of her creative expression is connected to self-reflection and life’s inner journey. She regards writing not merely as a medium of words, but as a way of conveying thoughts and experiences to people. She believes that a person’s true identity is shaped not only by their profession or achievements, but also by their thoughts, conduct and sense of responsibility towards society.

She does not see this occasion as a big achievement. For her, it is a small effort born of devotion to Chhathi Maiya and of sharing joy with society. She says:

“The purpose of service is not to find a place in photographs, but to add a little happiness to someone’s life.

As every year, by the grace of Chhathi Maiya, I got a small opportunity to carry out the spirit of service this year as well. I consider it not my achievement, but my good fortune and a blessing.

My only prayer to Chhathi Maiya is that there be prosperity in every home, that every mother’s lap remain full, and that the smile on anyone’s face never fade.

This is not an achievement, just a small devotion of the heart.”

To learn more about Alka Mishra ‘Minky’s literary journey, books, writing, creative activities, achievements and personality, visit her official website: https://alkamishraminky.com/

Jai Chhathi Maiya. 🙏