CaN I CoNtRiBuTe!?

Oblivious to the macro issues of the world, we are living an ignorant life. A life of just being self absorbed in “my life- my people- my job- my problems- my relationships”! Much centred around our beliefs and our efforts to make it better…

Can we actually make our lives better by just concentrating on our lives only?? I don’t think so……..

A famous author, David Hawkins, said in a book- “every act, thought and choice adds to a permanent mosaic; our decisions ripple through the universe of consciousness to affect the lives of all”. Therefore, each step that I take creates a wave and has an impact on the entire universe. This proves it is rather more important to make attempts towards a better life for self ;-) . Life, with its many shades, mostly grey, presents opportunities and poses challenges for us to live a fulfilling life. We need to make enough efforts and mould our lives according to our desires and it is possible! ;-) Opportunities knock our door more times than challenges but we hear it only when we wish to or should I say when we are more receptive!

Internal strength plays an indispensable role in shaping our contribution towards the society at large………. And I think it probably takes fewer efforts to “give” society than to “give” ourselves a fulfilling life…

The challenges posed by the global environment are more than ever- pollution, climate changes, terrorism, corruption along with the age-old poverty and discrimination….

There is no end to all of this is what my opinion is but does that mean we don’t even initiate a step towards change?? I don’t want to get involved, I have a family to look after, It doesn’t affect my health, Who wants to add to the mess- are the statements I hear from people around (and I must confess I say these as well, at times) :-( but who will, if we wont!? It is our family and we have to have that connection for humanity, if nothing else. It is the bond of being humans that bind us all…….. Doesn’t it?

Developing economies like ours have to confront issues of the highest magnitude and it is of extreme importance that these are addressed, for our betterment and of that of the country and the world as a whole.

Education is the single-most factor which would improve things to a great extent at least for India. From an economy with largely rural unskilled workforce, we are sure to graduate to one of skilled workforce. An hour of teaching per week is what I am sure all of us can do, even the busiest person alive can definitely take out an hour to make a child study, which comes to 1 hour to spare out of 168 hours in a week. That is not asking for too much!! :-) we might think what will happen with just 1 hour a week. Believe me it is all that is required to make that change. When added up, it will lead to formation of a whole generation of educated and responsible citizens ready to represent the world.

Better education would lead to population control and would eradicate the centuries old disease of poverty……..

Well, it looks still feasible to be a catalyst of change for the not-so-privileged lot of the society but the real challenge comes when we think to mould the privileged lot, The Educated Strata of the society. Education bought with it over- confidence and ignorance of the highest order. No offence meant to anyone, but we are too involved with our own lives that we do not even spare a minute for anything else. Too sad- in a country where the Preamble of the constitution of the country says- secular- we still categorise people as Gujjus, Punjus, South Indians etc etc…….. and everyday, communal fights of minor degree but major consequences happen in various corners of the country…….. so sad and equally unfortunate!
Look at corruption- India is one of the leading countries in terms of corruption- nothing to be proud of! But who started it- we believe in passing the buck around- what to do, nothing happens without any connections, money is what talks etc etc … but aren’t we (our past generations!) the ones who started it?? It is the chicken-and-egg story…. But the bottomline is corruption exists because somebody offered someone bribe to complete something or someone asked someone to pay in black to complete something…….. so how do we put an end to it? With the pool of talent, who needs corruption and bribes to be the order to the day! A generation capable of running the entire definitely doesn’t!!

Environment is another area where our contribution is minimal or negative, if I may say so. We can’t even curtail the urge to keep a wrapper of the chewing gum in our car till we get home or till we find a dustbin to throw it!! I mean, really, how much effort would that require!? All that is required is awareness, awareness to keep our surroundings clean and yes, more importantly, a sense of belongingness. We never throw any waste in our bedrooms, do we? Yes, because it is OURS but the city, country is the Governments’, right??

One thought, a little act, is all that is vital, required to make a difference, required to make this world a better place to live in.

YeS, I cAn CoNtRiBuTe… :-)