The Indian ‘festival of lights’ Diwali is being celebrated worldwide now and it has become official event at the House of Commons and the White House. Diwali is a joyous celebration of the triumph of good over evil. However to many it is just another occasion to enjoy life, and the responsibility of fighting the evil is delegated to some god! Today I find a reason and an opportune moment to introspect.
A seven-year old girl, innocence glowing on her face, hands shaking, tears welling up in her eyes and speechless meets her father for the first time, who just got released from the jail. She was born, when her father was in jail. Can you imagine the value of this moment? Yet, we fail to understand the value of life at times. It is like Yudhisthir’s answer to Yaksha’s question on what is the most wonderful thing in the world. He replied: The most amazing thing is that even though every day one sees countless living entities dying, he still acts and thinks as if he will live forever. How often do we think about the value of life, our own and others?
The video clip of the Chinese girl being hit by cars and then rescued by a trash collector drew attention of millions around the world. The release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange of over a thousand Palestinians begs this question: Can one life be equivalent for a thousand?
All ‘home comings’ of their near and dear ones are one of the most cherished moments of a person or a family.
In Shalit’s case, it was Israel national pride, which shows the commitment and love for not just a soldier, a citizen, but for the value of a human life.
But that is not true in many parts of the world, though we call ourselves civilized.
In the US, a life’s legal monetary value is anywhere between $6 and $9 million, depending on the agency. But in some parts of the world, its worth is not even a penny. However Tunisia’s Ben Bouazizi , who ushered in the Arab Spring, is priceless.
British created famines, looted food and wealth out of India; millions died. Darfur has become a symbol of desperation
Millions had put their faith in communist revolutions during the early part of the last century. But yet, the ‘Black Book of Communism’, written by former communist leaders estimates the death of around 100 million by communist powers in Russia, China and other regimes through genocides, extrajudicial executions, deportations and artificial famines. The Nazis used the Russian concept of concentration camp to kill 5 million Jews. And let us not forget that more than 30 millions died in each of the World Wars. People were killed like ants. Nobody knows how many injured became invalid for the rest of their lives. Over 24, 000 Indian soldiers recruited by the British had died in the World War II. One may argue about the numbers both in the Black Book and the data about the world wars, but the idea of eliminating any life is rooted in our animal instinct.
Genocides are still de rigueur in some parts of the world. People kill each other like chopping off a bush. Gone are the days of Crusades. But the Jihads have come back lately in a big way. It started in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Then, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now in Pakistan itself where terrorism breeds, everyday people die due to terror aided and abetted by separatist and jihadist ideology.
Remember the shooting of a man by US Vice president Dick Cheney during a hunting expedition? But the sad yet funny part was that the person apologized for being in his shooting range. This is symptomatic of repression and class conflict, a worldwide phenomenon, including the caste-related ones in India. Blacks and women have been oppressed for centuries.
Recently some ‘Occupy Boston’ members were arrested and some police brutality was reported. Little bit force was used to arrest them. Compare that with Syria. The Syrian authorities are yet to value the life of their protesting citizens, who are being hunted down like animals. Or remember the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989. Several thousands were killed and injured by a rampaging military.
Swami Ramdev, a yoga guru, and his followers were abused and tortured in the small hours while they were protesting against black money a few months ago. Fortunately, police brutality was not reported during Gandhian Anna Hazare’s movement. Ironically, Team Anna’s demands were met for the time being.
Libyans are almost free; the last moments of Cornel Gaddafi were brutal, horrific to his family and friends, yet another oppressor is gone! However, no one is sure if Libyans are going to now live under another form of dictatorship motivated by religious extremism. We also know that the Egyptians are still battling against the military power for their rights for which they fought against Mubarak.
Democracy is believed to have brought a welcome relief for the oppressed. However, the affluent still take advantage of the poor and the weak. In the Indian sub-continent, domestic help is still a prevalent practice. All over the world child abuse is rampant, while domestic violence has increased in past few decades.
On the other hand, in many parts of the world, sympathy for the animals and protectionism for trees and plants are on an upswing. I’ve seen how in the US veterinary hospitals, animals that are dead or undergoing treatment are respected like humans by the staff and doctors alike. Animals are being rescued from the circus companies. Recent killings of 18 royal Bengal tigers which were let loose by the owner of the private preserve in Ohio shocked many!
Thousands of US troops have sacrificed their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. No amount of money or recognition can compensate the loss. The Pakistani authorities during the Kargil war did not even take the bodies of their dead soldiers back for the last rites or turn them over to their next of kin.
We must respect life. And the initiative must come from you and me. If we show examples in our lives, only then the next generation can learn to value life.
This brings us to the fundamental question: who is going to change the mighty and corrupt ones? Which Rama is going to take on the Ravanas? Well, who thought a century ago that the Blacks were ever going to be free? Who thought that smoking in public would be banned one day? Hence, it’s a matter of a critical mass to be convinced to value each life, and then only a child would be rescued instantly form danger and dignity will be sacred for each person. The worldview has to change to make way for such social adjustments, and a scale down in demands for wealth and power. People’s power is the power of the benevolent God.
But for that to happen a paradigm shift is required. Divisive ideologies, based on religious extremism, racism and various ‘isms’, must be dealt with firmly by the current civilization.
But one must take note: being nice is the first step, but it won’t help in saving the world. Being strong is essential to carry on this message. ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ (the entire creation is one family) must start at every household, and not just a publicity banner or slogan. Dharma, and not religion, holds the key to our lives.
And let us not forget: ‘veer bhogya vasundhara’ (the brave heroes shall reap the earth), one who can protect life and freedom is a real hero – one who follows and protects dharma which protects all.
