~ Srikant Rao
You can take nothing for
granted. Nothing really happens unless we make it happen. Not even the
apocalypse. I'm aware that we as humans are really working hard at that... but
obviously since I'm writing it post 21st Dec 2012, our efforts are not good enough.
So much for the Mayan
prophecy. It served only as an excuse for some over enthusiastic Hollywood
studio to toy with their newly learnt Computer Graphics (CG). Alas! The ships
in his fable too were "Made in China". No wonder, it didn't really
work - both the movie as well as the prophecy.
Anyway, 2012 came and is on
its way out. 2013 is now staring at us. Is there anything we will do? OR will we
wait for things to happen?
2012 as any other year was
eventful. We lost so many artists - and there were jokes about turning the
focus towards the politicians. Meanwhile, Parliament as usual - hardly worked and one of the sporting GODS retired – it was meant to happen someday – but our GOD took his clue from the Mayan calendar and guess what? Our “Sherlock Holmes” generation caught it.
There were scams galore, media was kept busy. There were "exposes" and fake surprised reactions to such "exposes". A new political party was unveiled, as if we didn't have enough. Everyone's learning from the "Remix" generation, I guess.
Obligation
Respect &Freedom
It is the difference and the
true meaning of these three words that are completely LOST. We must understand
and reclaim them.
Obligation: The dictionary meaning of this word is "An act or course of action to which a
person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment"
We as citizens of this country
are obliged for the well-being of this country. Instead we are lost in being
obliged to our relatives, keeping up with their never-ending expectations and
then fret over it. As a society, we have never UNDERSTOOD our obligation - to
keep our locality, city, state and country CLEAN. And I mean CLEAN in every
possible way. It includes muck in the mind - Not just muck on the streets.
Respect: The dictionary meaning of this word is "A feeling of deep admiration for
someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or
achievements."
In most cases, I've seen
people DEMAND respect instead of earning it. The funny part is some people
assume that, because they "command" some respect, others are
"obliged" to act in a certain manner when they are around.
Abilities, qualities and/or
ACHIEVEMENTS... will only assure true respect. And to achieve, we MUST DO something
instead of just cribbing. I suddenly have started to sense that an entire
generation has learnt something from our HISTORY... only I believe it's the
wrong learning... We've all learnt to "PROTEST". Be it for the LOKPAL
bill (that has still not been passed), or for the Nuclear Power plant in Kudankulam (I cannot forget people
flocking the beach with the entire family. Media tried its best to hide the
balloons and the balls but were not entirely successful. All this in the name
of "jal Satyagraha" - what
a joke). And now the candle protest for a girl who was raped and brutally
murdered. Her family will never be able to breathe in peace henceforth. They
had enough grief to deal with, but now, NO one in this country will let them
"get over" this tragedy.
But after all these protests,
what is the achievement? These protests, without results WILL not earn any
respect. It will fizzle out like gas out of a soda can just as all these years
of our independence has.
We now come to the most
misunderstood word of our country - FREEDOM.
FREEDOM: There are two dictionary meanings that I want to highlight
here.1) Absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.
2) The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
While, at an esoteric level,
the first point is achieved (I repeat, at an esoteric level ONLY), the second
part is COMPLETELY abused, misused and misunderstood and hence NOT ACHIEVED
yet.
In India, I do not believe we
are really a FREE country where we enjoy "FREEDOM".
Forget the bigger issues, in
our day-to-day life; we are not FREE to do anything. We are bound by what our chacha / mama will think. What will our "biradari" think? If I do this, will my teacher / boss / friend
/ wife / son / daughter / brother / sister approve of this behaviour? Etc. etc.
I'm talking about basic things
like choosing a curriculum, school, to going out to have a good time. We are
NEVER free to do anything WE want to do without being plagued by these
thoughts. And if at all we do and are caught (which, in this densely populated country is highly possible), we are forced to feel guilty about it for the rest of our lives.
We are always worried about someone else being judgemental about us for every act we do... including breathing (read snoring / bad breath etc.).
And again, we are bound by obligations of the so called "respected" individuals in our lives.
These may sound silly, basic and
you may wonder where the connection is.
Think about it. If we learn to
master these, at an individual level, without being "krantikaari" about it, a lot can be achieved.
I've been practicing these in instalments
all these years, but in 2013, I will renew my focus on these and try to improve
myself (including my immediate family).
Being selfish is healthy at
times. I'm saying this without worrying about being judged.
Have a Selfish New Year!!!
