Civilising the savaged

Man has moved from primitivism to modernism. From darkness to light. Ho-wever, nature follows a rule. It gives one thing. It takes away an...

Man has moved from primitivism to modernism. From darkness to light. Ho-wever, nature follows a rule. It gives one thing. It takes away another. For every gain, there is a corresponding loss. The civilised man has learnt the use of the wheel. He has lost the use of his feet. He has got a fine watch. But, he cannot tell the hour by the sun. He has reached Mars but polluted Earth. He has created creature comforts. But, he has lost contentment and peace. The civilised man is a selfish being. He pursues his own good. Neglects his neighbour8217;s. Totally.

Today, we have two clear clas-ses of men. There are some who have food. More than their appetite. There are the others. They have a good appetite. But, no food. There are some who live and work in five-star comforts. There are the others, working in the scorching sun. Living in the slums. In the company of stray dogs and hungry cats. Yet, happy and thankful to God.These are the two faces of the civilised society that we live in.

True, life is a mosaic of pains and pleasures. Of smiles and sorrows. But, one side of the face cannot smile when the other side is pinched. The wail in one house is bound to disturb the peace of the entire neighbourhood. The slum in even a remote corner is a scar on the whole city. No one can be indifferent to the mournful cries of a fellow human being. With the growing distance between the rich and the poor, there is a need 8212; nay, a necessity 8212; to subordinate the interests and impulses of an individual to those of the society. We cannot 8220;worship God and torture man8221;. We cannot continue to pray and then look for a prey.

Man must learn to help man. To comfort the man in despair. To give. Generously. There is an old saying, 8220;Scatter with one hand, you will gather with both.8221; Scatter. So that you may gather. Just do not preach. Help the needy. Serve. Do not sermonise. To the man in need, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching. It is human to pity the man in distress. It is god-like to relieve him. Do not be 8220;like a mosquito. It drinks blood and gives disease. Be like a bee. Drink nectar from every flower. Give honey to everyone.8221; The hand that gives is better than the one that takes. There is an eternal pleasure in giving.

And give, just as you would like to receive. Cheerfully. Voluntarily, Willingly. Without hesitation. Do not defer it till death. Posthumous charities are just like posthumous awards. Of little value to the valiant. He, who wishes well of others, has already secured his own future. It is good to think well. It is divine to act well.

There is a short interval between birth and death. We call it life. During this interval, everyone has a niche to fill. A role to play. Some good to do. There are some who would cry over the wounds of others. Only to put salt into them. Some would look for a dice out of the other man8217;s bones. Such a life may be no better than death. But, there are the others. They would live each hour, day, month and year in the service of others. For the good of their fellow beings. They life forever. Even after they are no more. They live in the minds of men and women. For years, decades and centuries. The duration depending upon the deeds.

Life is not a bed of roses. Let us not lead a life of ruses. Let us live a life of love and kindness to others. Let us measure life. Not by desires. Nor by years. But, by good deeds. Let us live a life of patient perseverance. In the service of the society. Of our fellow beings. That would make life sublime.