Can Gratitude Be Enforced?

India Salutes To The Corona Warriors

 On April 20, the burial of Dr. Samuel Hercules in Chennai was disrupted by violent protesters. On April 8, two resident doctors of Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital were allegedly assaulted by a neighbor who accused them of spreading coronavirus infection and a week before that, two doctors and their team were pelted with stones during the screening of Covid-19 patients in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

These incidents are a mirror of reality showing the country’s attitude to the warriors of this unprecedented battle. The plight of the health care workers doesn’t end here. The bigger challenges are the substandard protective gears, poor meals, long grueling shifts and above all their own vulnerability to the novel pathogen. Facing all the challenges the medical team is leaving no stone unturned to reach out and help the infected people but instead of acknowledging their tireless work and selfless service we welcome them with abuse and stones. 

In the wake of persistent attacks on health care workers, the Centre has approved an ordinance to make such attacks a cognizable and non-bailable offence.  But it will not suffice to give assurance to those who are bravely battling Covid-19 on the frontline. The amendment in the Epidemic Disease Act compels us to think something very deeply and raises a question. Why do we always need a law to be enforced to become a better Indian? Why do we need a law to allow our daughters to open their eyes in this world? Why do we need a law to keep our surroundings clean? Do we really dream of a country where we require laws for everything? For reverence?  For thankfulness?

We live in a nation where the atmosphere of intolerance, mob violence, avarice, drudgery and complacency is grinding down the country’s splendid achievements. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown but we have forgotten the gracious sense of integrity which can enrich and strengthen us as a civilized society and each of us believes that integrity and gratitude cannot be enforced; these are within our hearts and should reflect as a virtue of our own. Just as gratitude is the queen of the virtues, ingratitude is the king of the vices.

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Let’s never forget that the beauty of the Indian people lies in their spirit of tolerance, sharing and respecting each human soul and value even the smallest effort made to ameliorate the country’s present situation. We have to follow our instincts to reinforce the values that can build a greater nation with everyone practicing self-discipline and self-reliance. As Emerson has asserted, “…if the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.”

Doctors have always been considered as God and during the fight against coronavirus pandemic it seems as God himself, clad in white, has appeared on earth to provide succour to people in distress. Today, God is not confined to temples and mosques but could be felt in those serving humanity. The frontline Health Workers must be treated in a dignified way in view of their selfless service to society and nation. And to beat the drum we shouldn’t require any law, the respect and gratitude is within all of us. That must come from within each and every Indian.

Let Lord Mahavira’s Teachings Combat COVID-19

How Jainism Can Help Us Fight Corona Virus

Swinging between hope and despair amidst the rampant spread of coronavirus, the entire world is trying to invent preventive measures to combat the deadly virus. But what should be taken into consideration and how such threats to human life and existence can be avoided have still remained questions for all of us. Can we really overlook the fact that a crisis never emerges all of a sudden? It has its reasons and grounds underlying and most of them are known to human race itself.

We have suffered three pandemics since 2000 viz. SARS-CoV in 2003, H1N1 (Swine flu) in 2009, and now Covid-19. SARS Coronavirus is thought to be an animal virus from an as-yet-uncertain animal reservoir, perhaps bats that spread to other animals like civet cats. It originated in Guangdong province of southern China. This global epidemic ended in July 2003 but SARS reappeared four times- three times due to laboratory accidents(Singapore and Chinese Taipei), and once in southern China where the source of infection remains undetermined although there is circumstantial evidence of animal-to-human transmission. The pandemic H1N1 or Swine flu spread from an intensive pig farm in Mexico and lasted from January 2009 to August 2010 affecting 700 million- 1.4 billion (estimated) people across the globe. The fatalities were estimated to be 284,000(Centers for Disease Control). Not just these outbreaks are a major threat to the human existence but we have been endangered by other diseases also like bird flu from poultry, the Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) from camels, Ebola from monkeys and pigs, Rift Valley fever from livestock, West Nile fever from birds, Zika from monkey and Nipah from bats.

The root cause of such frequent outbreaks of viral and bacterial diseases in the 21^st century is the rapid and unhealthy changes in human life style along with man’s deteriorating relationship with Mother Nature. The gradual environmental destruction, deforestation and ludicrous cultural practices are largely responsible for such global pandemics. The latest coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China is an example of human violation of nature’s law and a lesson for the mankind to contemplate over the havoc humans are creating on the earth. After the outbreak of SARS in the year 2003, it was proven that the culture of eating exotic animals in China and some other countries is no less than a nuclear bomb. The prevailing fatal situations will be soon waiting for the impending doom if we do not change our methods of living and treating our planet.

It is crucial that we introspect on how to adapt the measures to accomplish the task of revaluing nature and bring back the harmony and peace between all living organisms on the earth. The Jain Philosophy and the tenets of Lord Mahavira present an elaborate and pragmatic analysis of how a harmonized system of living can be established between the humans and nature. The solutions and preventive measures for all the challenges and threats the man is struggling today have been incorporated in Jain Philosophy and Jainism. About 2500 years ago, Lord Mahavira had envisioned the agonizing future of mankind owing to the indiscriminate exploitation of the plant and animal kingdoms. The code of conduct suggested by Lord Mahavira has a great relevance in today’s scenario. ‘Live and Let Live’ is the basic mantra of Jainism which encourages vegetarian diets keeping numerous infections and other lifestyle diseases at bay. The research has proven that the vegetarian diets are the best of all for both the angles- physical health and spiritual upliftment. Elimination of meat from the diet reduces the dangers of animal-human transmission of virus. Increasing population of non vegetarians promotes animal farming on larger scales which causes viral diseases. Bird flu and swine flu both have their origin in intensive animal farms.

Jainism teaches non-violence which is the foundation of biodiversity existing on the planet earth. Each organism has a right to live but whatever is happening today has compelled us to ponder, have we failed to appreciate and acknowledge the importance of the smallest, invisible living beings on the earth? Have we become so cruel that we forget to understand, what environment, ecology and ecosystem is to man or vice-versa? What takes precedence- environment over man or man over environment? 

Non-violence is the basis of Jainism and to kill a living being is considered to be the greatest of sins. Practice of non-violence is not just limited to humans or animals but is extended to all forms of life. As Cesar Chavez rightly said, “Only when we have become non-violent towards all life we will have learned to live well with others.” Jain scriptures motivate people for minimal consumption and emphasize upon restricting their unlimited consumption of natural resources. Practicing a minimalistic approach to life yields abundance for each one in the community and thus develops harmony between human life and nature.

Enriching Read: Self-Isolation OR Self-Adoration?

To resolve the crisis of such global pandemic, we need to follow the practices of Jainism which are based on the principles of scientific vision, spiritual mission and religious consciousness. It preaches compassionate empathy for all forms of life particularly for all sentient species. The scientific and religious perspectives of nature are never contrary to each other, as we believe they are complementary to each other. Lord Mahavira expounded the significance of the combination of both these perspectives to lead a peaceful life. Lord Mahavira focused on this synergy, which emphasizes on man’s responsibilities towards his environment and lays down directives for the preservation of nature. The world therefore, needs to follow a universal code of conduct suggested by Lord Mahavira to prevent such pandemics and environmental destruction. Let’s worship nature and its myriad manifestations and be thankful for what we are bestowed upon.

Self-Isolation OR Self-Adoration?

Isolation is a secret door to creativity & rejuvenation

As we all have been alienated from each other due to the Covid pandemic, self-isolation practiced with self-adoration is the only way to merge with life. ‘Isolation’, a word, very common and frequently heard these days, defined as “the complete separation of a person from the society,” has its different roles in different lives. Though it sounds gloomy and dark but can we change our perception for a while to observe the beauty and productivity of its brighter side?

 Thought Provoking Read: What the Global Pandemic has Taught Us?

This question is to awake our inner self for a moment and empower us to turn social distancing into self-evolvement. Surprisingly the lockdown has brought positive changes in many lives. Still confused? Give it a try; haven’t we started spending little more time with ourselves and our loved ones during isolation? Haven’t we started opening the old bookshelves to find something to read? Haven’t we learnt how to manage with minimum resources? Haven’t we realized that luxury is not a basic human need?

Many of us have started finding solace in creative indulgence during lockdown; painting, singing, reading, writing, cooking, or any activity which was left undone or half-done due to our constant pursuit of the lofty goals of life. It’s a tryst with one’s own unfulfilled wishes and desires and makes us fall in love with our self. This isolation can be a much awaited process of assimilation of one’s thoughts, plans and strategies for a future endeavor as many great leaders and politicians had dedicated their period of isolation to great works of literature and transforming themselves into stronger-than-ever personalities and Nelson Mandela is one of such leaders.

Let’s unlock this lockdown with more love, recognition and admiration for self. Let’s not forget to be resilient enough to be lively in any situation. When we limp out of this lockdown period the life and living will have changed radically. Take this solitude as a blessing in disguise and explore your happiness; the time for self-isolation should be spent in self-adoration.  Be happy with your strengths and weaknesses, be fulfilled with your emptiness, be perfect with all your imperfections, be proud of what you love to do and make the most of your endowments with verve and vigor. 

Negativity and Sarcasm on Social Media

Let's Avoid To Be Negative & Sarcastic On Social Media

Winding up the day’s work Natasha was all set to book a cab for her. While waiting for the cab, lost in her thoughts and the argument which she just had with Ashmi she was prompted to update a sarcastic remark as her social media status, failing to realize what it would result into.

When you use social media to release your angst, frustration, negativity or sarcastic opinions you unknowingly fall prey to the mercy, mockery and criticism of the people around you.

When you target a person on your status while making an attempt to just be the finisher of an argument or you have recently had confrontation with, you actually reveal your vulnerable side to the people who actually don’t read your words but your personal Life and start assuming that you are undergoing very difficult and galling phase of your life. They never concern the person or “the people” whom you address but they try to delve deep into your mindset to traverse through the gamut of all your emotions.
An innuendo or a sarcastic post quoting a personality trait often makes you end up being an object of mockery for many, surprisingly to not just those who read it directly but the ones who receive the screenshots and start rattling their brains together. “What’s going on in her life?”, “Is everything fine between the couple?” “Is she releasing her frustration through this post?” These are few common questions which arise in the minds of the people who claim to be in your friends’ list but unfortunately not. Updating an innuendo impulsively leaves you as a victim of screenshot abuse which can harm you at a later stage. Such screenshots revealing innuendos put a question mark on your job of engaging into all this.

Everyone’s entitled to have an opinion and you can’t convince them think and observe life as you do. If you have a disagreement with a person, do not make it public, better talk to him/her in person. Pick your battles. Ask yourself if you really want to start an argument with someone? Is it worth the energy and time? Whatever is argued or proven today will it even matter tomorrow? If you find the answers as NO there is no need to post such vitriol which reveal your unstable mind and brusque attitude.

Enriching Read: Let's Simplify Life

Anger is just an emotion just like happiness, joy and exuberance and everyone has the right to release it but social media proves to be the worst platform to express anger and dissatisfaction related to your personal life. There is nothing wrong in discharging the flow of such negative emotions from your mind and heart due to any circumstances or confrontations, but choose the right place and selected people. Have Real Friends and true well wishers around you whom you can confide in, own a shoulder you can rest your head upon and cry till the last drop of your tears flows down. Sit with a true friend to share your plight over a cup of coffee and just empty your heart to rejuvenate and to prepare yourself for the awaited challenges. Let’s learn to be equipoise in all the situations and maintain a composed demeanor on your social media account.