26/11

It has been three years since we saw the 26/11 attacks. Sources say that killed 164 people and wounded at least 308. The attack was certainly a major tragedy. How did we react? We shed tears, sent good wishes to the victims, and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace. We lit candles, spoke about it, and the anger, the sorrow, and the zeal was prevalent for quite some time. Even people not in Mumbai were extremely angered by the attacks. And we did pity them - from the heart. We typed "Jaihind" on a few online forums, social networking sites and blogs. The attack was condemned. Did we think of them after Feb 2009 – even 3 months after the attack? Even if we did, did we hope for their well-being from the heart? Even if we did, did we stand up and take some action? Did we decide to join hands and ensure that such an attack does not take place again? We hoped that such an attack would not take place again - yes, we only hoped. But what gave us the hope to hope? Three years after 26/11, Mumbai residents say city is still unsafe (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/251915) ..what must we do now?
There are things that the public cannot do. The government has to. But what is it that we can do?
The base for anything is to be under one umbrella, called India, instead of living in shambles of language, religion, state and stuff. Let’s get together. We are one country. Let us get united, throwing away any prejudiced attitude about another state.
Let’s stand together, and fight it.
If a crow is hurt, the whole lot of crows around comes to the hurt bird and helps. This is the unity and compassion shown towards a single member of their species. And what is the unity we show towards mass members of the same country? These creatures may not be able to talk like us, may not be able to think like us. But they have in them all the qualities that we say are characteristics of “humanity”. They have in them compassion, unity, the attitude of sharing – even if it is just a small piece of bread.
When terrorists know that we are together, they will not have the courage to make any such attacks. When they know that when one person is hurt, the whole country fights for him and helps them, they will be forced to forget the idea of hurting us. This is the unity we need to develop. And this appears to me the only way by which we can avoid such attacks. We should not let another 26/11 happen. Never again.

“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking”
-Mahatma Gandhi

Jaihind

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Poverty in India

Rich and Poor - That's a unique contrast we happen to see in the country. Whether out of legal means or not, we find so many rich men in the country, walking on the streets with dignified clothes, or better yet, sitting on the back seat of a mercedes. On the other hand, we have those poor people on almost every busy road, wearing worn out clothes and selling the national flag or wiping the cars that have stopped at the traffic signals, or selling petty things like ear buds and safety pins, striving hard to earn a living. On a worse state, are people who have lost hopes - the ultimate state of poverty is seen on the platforms. People with a piteous face and body, with unkempt hair - all knitted, wearing clothes that are all in rags. Mentally disturbed because of their state, and physically not cared - that is the pathetic state of a beggar in the streets. These are the people who are prey of homelessness, harsh climate, hunger, illiteracy, joblessness, and anything and everything that's evil. Who's fault? No one knows - Each one may have a different story. Some might have lost everything in a disaster, some due to being cheated, some due to cruel reasons we can't even dream of. You and I, sitting in front of a monitor spend hours, happily wiling away time. Computers, TV, books - these seem like inevitable parts of life. Let us, for just a moment, think of those beggars who don't know what these words mean. 'fan', 'bed', 'medicine', 'book' - aren't these alien terms to them? Additional luxuries like tv, air conditioners and the like are out of question. In fact, unfortunately, a 'house' is something alien to them. If all the rich men bother about these folks, each rich man can adopt one beggar - and the country could probably become free of beggars. But unfortunately, every rich man cannot or does not do this. Some have the money, but not the heart; some have the money, but not the time; some have the money, but not the intention; some have the money, but don't know that being a beggar is difficult ...we never know what the rich men lack. Fortunately, not all rich men are alike. There are noble people - rich and not so rich - who really work for the society and help the beggars. There are also charitable trusts like CRY, Udhavum Karangal, Banyan, Akshaya, etc., which (I know) are genuine. These trusts work for various causes including feeding the poor, working for the children deprived of their basic rights, working for orphans, etc. There are various other trusts that I have not mentioned (I have mentioned the ones I know are true).

Ultimately, we come to a point that no one is poor by choice. Every poor person (by wealth) has a compulsion to be so. It is upto the citizens to show the love and express brotherhood (It's not enough if we just say in the national pledge "All Indians are my brothers and sisters" - if we really take the pledge from the heart, let's rethink "Can we see our brother or sister sit on the streets, begging for their basic needs?"). We need to show compassion and help them - either through such trusts, or through simple means of charity. It is not the amount behind charity, but the thought behind charity that matters. I agree, there are limits for everyone. Not all of us can adopt a poor person. We can only donate as per our capacity - but let's do it. Let's start now. Not through alms in the hand and curse in the mind "Let me give this beggar this rupee, only then he'll go away from here" - even if you're giving a single coin, give it with the satisfaction - and trust me, they make out. I don't know how, but they do - and they really feel happy when we give from the heart. And that happiness gives us the satisfaction.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
-Mother Teresa

Jaihind

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