https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/cyclone-yasi-tore-him-down-but-he-picked-himself-u/3901598/ DESPITE establishing a successful business, Raj Sharma’s experiences have taught him isolation can affect anyone — regardless of their standing in life. In 2011, Mackay’s Roshni Indian Restaurant owner had a restaurant in Cairns, which was destroyed by Cyclone Yasi. Without cyclone insurance he was left with $17 to his name and an uphill battle to make a name for himself in the business world. Even last year, seven years after re-establishing his venture, he went through a period of self doubt. It was a lonely feeling, he said, and made him appreciate that anyone can suffer, no matter what position in life they are in. “For me, to be in Australia was an opportunity, and I grabbed it with both hands and never took it for granted,” Mr Sharma said.
“I worked very hard, worked in great hotels across Australia, but at some point in life you feel you haven’t achieved enough. You feel you lack somewhere. “Then you experience external pressure – whether it’s from your family or friends or anybody and they say something derogatory it adds up and adds fuel to your own insecurities. “You think worse about yourself and that leads to a path of destruction.” When Mr Sharma needed to pick himself up, it was his family — wife Jessica Hogan and daughter Lily Sharma — who guided him through. But his experiences made him realise he needed to give back to those who may be dealing with feelings of isolation in the same manner he did. The idea inspired a free Christmas Day lunch, now heading into its fourth consecutive year. The first event attracted almost 80 people. Last year more than 100 came and Mr Sharma expects closer to 200 this year. It is difficult to pinpoint how it makes him happy – on the one hand he loves seeing the impact a simple idea has had on so many people; on the other, the preference is that nobody turns up at all because they do not need to. But its success has been so resounding he is eager to start a foundation that takes the lunch across the country. The owner of several restaurants, he said his annual Christmas lunch had showcased how powerful the connection between complete strangers could be. “It all comes down to humanity. We are all wired to give … we are all wired to love and be loved,” Mr Sharma said. “These few months (leading to Christmas) people want to have somebody they can rely on. “Can you imagine somebody not having someone to rely on, and how lonely that would be? “If we can provide a small lunch for them to show them there is a family in Mackay that cares about you, for all you know we could have saved somebody.” The lunch will begin at noon Christmas Day at Roshni Indian Restaurant in Victoria Street.
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AuthorWith instances of suicide and mental illness increasing at Christmas time, I pitched a series of a page each day for a week covering a variety of mental health issues ArchivesCategories |