I was indebted to time to face the changes in my life. I was accepting the truth of life that day when my only son was to leave for abroad after attending the last rites of my wife, who was with me for about a golden jubilee period. He knew that I would be alone in that mere house, which was a sweet home because of his mother, so he emphasised me to be careful regarding diet and health. I knew that my bird had flown forever with the memory of the past.
I had a memory of three generations, sufficient to recall – my childhood with grandparents and parents and life with a devoted wife who was in the photo then, leaving me alone. She had broken her promise to be with me forever to take a last breath together. It was not in our control and time again proved to be a strong ruler.
We had been married at the time when the country was taking strides towards growth and development, to be at par with other developed countries. In those days, a boy, either having a government job or remarkable ancestral properties, was considered suitable for marriage. She came into my life because of my job. We played the music of time together and wrote many memorable chapters for ancestors and self. One day, she wrote a beautiful living chapter to add one baby to the new generation, endangering her life, to be complete to pay the debts of our forefathers.
Time was not waiting for anyone or anything. But many things were changing and many old concepts had paved the way for new thinking, controlled by the outcomes of developments. We were also affected. Those villages, where we grew up and saw less selfishness in relationships, appeared to be unattractive, unhealthy, and backwards, as compared to growing cities. We visited our villages on certain occasions to complete rituals but decided to restrict ourselves to cities for the sake of our son, and better education and infrastructure. My parents never lived with us for a long time due to the village’s attraction and we could not leave the city because of our son’s better future. My parents, one by one, left the world forever for the unseen world and our joint family disintegrated into a nuclear family. All brothers and sisters were scattered in the country in pursuit of a better life and the village’s population had declined. We all met occasionally. Our children could not get time to mingle and they became unknown to each other. Our interests, with the passage of time, became detrimental to many established thoughts and we tried to be part of the show business of society.
We were developing. The wheel of progress was moving. The self-contained time passed at the same pace. One day, our son got admission, in the desired subject, to the top-ranking institute in the country. He left the home for his wings to fly. I got a promotion in my job with more responsibilities and less time for my family. The son was away. I was involved mostly both in the office and at home, paying the price of the job responsibilities. My wife, who had her life for us, became alone in that big home, which was her heaven. She became silent. Her smile was occasional. One day, she lost all hopes to be together again when our son declared his decision to go abroad for a lucrative job. We tried to convince him to stay in the country but he became prey to the brain drain.
History repeated the self. Our son had left the country for a good job. I had left my village for the city for a better pasture. We both had the same attitudes but in different ways. We, barring our parents, became part of the crowd. The development and desire to excel consumed relations. The stories were the same but the scene was affected differently. We were in the nearby city to our village and could go regularly to meet our parents but, in our case, that was not possible. That condition affected my wife the most. It was aggravated by my job’s condition. It had not permitted me more time for family, as if the company was fully dependent on me. My wife became very alone, only active to complete her duties for me. She became very silent.
My home had been a hotel for me and she had been a statue. One day, I analysed my financial needs and decided to leave the job for ourselves. But my request was rejected by the authorities. Even my application for leave was not accepted. I could not give more time to her. One day, her condition deteriorated and she was hospitalised for treatment. All symptoms were related to her anxieties. I knew the reason and called the son to be with her for some days. She recovered fast and I got my wife back in normal condition.
I asked, rather than requesting my son to continue here forever, for his mother. But he logically and diplomatically expressed his helplessness. Once again, history repeated itself when he told that we settled in the city due to a lack of basic needs related to infrastructure. That was also applicable in his case on a larger scale. He recalled the memory of difficulties in getting the work done in various offices. There were no facilities as compared to his present country of stay. I smiled to know the change in attitude. He said that he had seen venomous political debates on channels of TV, wherein everyone tried to be right, dividing the society on various grounds and having strategies for the growth of the country. Most of them had changed political parties many times. Their principles had changed for getting tickets in elections. People did not have traffic sense and respect for children and aged persons on the roads. Ease of living norms was not present even after so many years.
I could not admire his analysis. I guessed that his stay was not possible because of his experiences in a new country. I took a chance to convince him. I recalled the thinking and analytical potentials of our ancestors and valuable literature, full of findings, related to all walks of life from nature to the universe to the almighty, given to the world. Those were useful in the present day also. Because of those abilities, we had the qualities to excel. When opportunities knocked, we grabbed them but other countries were using us in the form of a brain drain, alluring us, as the money mattered and facilities attracted. We had many things to give to the world as a family. Everyone is looking towards our country for peace and cultural richness. You might be missing there in a new country.
I accepted his denial to continue as the fate and destiny of my wife. We, as parents, blessed him with a bright life ahead. I had seen waves deep in the eyes of my wife while kissing the head of her son. She missed him a lot. I took voluntary retirement after continuous persuasion to look after her. We had a memory as treasures.
The success of our son in life had bought pleasure and recognition in society. We were judged as the best parents. We had seen proud moments and now we were facing problems. After a few years, my wife left me alone. She, at the last time, was seeing towards the door, waiting for her son. Her son came to attend her last rites, but he was worried about me. I was thankful for his concern but he could not continue in this country. I was not having hope anymore.
After his departure, I enquired in many institutions and old age homes about my stay for the rest of my life. I realised, for the first time, the plights of old people in society. In our youth phase, I gave priority to hay days and forgot about doomsday. I was alone with many problems. Developments took their toll. I felt that life was not financial management controlled by fund managers but it needed a highly devoted service manager. Money in the bank’s account chided me. I assumed the conditions of my parents, the last time when I had become a parent.
FACTS
Everyone knows that status is not permanent. Who will not accept that position or condition may not change? It is also known that time is not multiplied. All such facts we know but in reality, we forget them and repent later on facing the situation. The almighty evolved the life in animal kingdom up to the highest level of humans with developed brains but without languages. The only common language controlled by nerves, continuing in humans everywhere, might be then in existence. All good or bad happenings and habits of the present day are the results of the experiences and needs of humans, faced in course of growth and development.
Human civilization has seen changes from the stone age to the present age of scientific achievements. The changes have been witnessed from mega-sized machines to smaller to nono machines. Developments have been made in many fields. Humans have started exploring planetary bodies and the universe. The weapons have changed from stones of the stone age to modern-day sophisticated weapons. Since then, enemies have changed from visible to invisible types affecting everyone. Most of the changes have been recorded in black and white.
It is also a fact that every new generation has the opportunity to reap the benefits of earlier generations’ developments and achievements without experiencing the efforts made and challenges faced.
One of the facts, I think to be true is the controlling age factor and old age in humans are meant for reviewing life and educating the present generation from their experiences. This age of mine has met a minimum of three generations.
We have seen the maximum changes in social bindings from the combined family to the nuclear family, from cooperative to self-centred attitudes- a deviation from share and care culture.
I remember one incident when I had joined service in a government office where I met the father of my friend. He told about his emotions after receiving his first salary in service. He had spent his salary on the purchase of clothing for his parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. I was surprised to note his feelings because I had sent only half of my salary to my parents. My grandfather had given all his income to his mother every month.
Now, I have grown older and am on the verge of retirement and the new generation is joining the office. I have been surprised to note that most of them purchased costly cell phones from their first salary to show their status without considering the situation of families and moral duties. The new generation has seen from copy to computer and from pen to e-system directly in one go. The earlier employees used to go to their parental houses to reside after retirement. Later, comfort played a role and settlement started in cities. Now the service opportunities are centred in a few places and the concept of ancestor houses is vanishing fast for a new generation.
These changes have mostly affected the old aged persons who have time but no one to share their experiences and expertise of life. When I was in my fifties, I was relaxed, as my father was my advisor and guide for all problems and my mother’s affectionate touch and love were my heavens. I always remained a child for them and enjoyed their experiences. One thing I remember is that in their last days they were like children having short memories and stubborn habits. I became their guardian for them till their departure from this opportunistic world. Now the question is what about me? I have a vacuum. I know the silent, unknown and sad departure of one of my friends because his sons were unable to come to meet him in his dying days. His whole life he had been praising the achievements of his sons for his status in society. We could know about his departure when his body was lying in a closed house, crying for disposal with a foul smell. All statuses proved futile last time without any social security. I am also sailing in the same boat and am worried. I think local common residences or well-managed old age homes may be promising for all aged persons.
Now, the effects of changes are as such that the new generation is not having time for themselves or family. This generation is getting treated as machines in professional life. This generation is mainly active on social media for information, time-consuming likes or comments and relationships after working time. The relations are nearer at the fingertips of gadgets but are emotionally far away due to distress and competition to prove to be excellent and exceptional. Life has been marketed to introduce the best product leading to psychological problems. Their slogan is that this life will not be met a second time, so enjoy it. There should be a new methodology to work free of distress to keep humanity alive. This generation is very sensitive and well-equipped to have an identity.
All problems have not gathered in one generation. We are expecting too much from the new generation without a proper education system and syllabus etc. We are harping on the same string for a long time. We need introspection for the new generation which is more career oriented and wants to be independent of duties towards older generations for lack of ” me time ” and costly lifestyle. We may not make every new generation scapegoat for our faults in teaching them moral, social and spiritual, etc. values and the importance of united families. It is our responsibility for the new world given to the new generation.
Besides, I have seen many changes after the economic revolution, in this one life. We have done more harm than good to ourselves through uncontrolled developments for supremacy. We have maximum adversely affected environments both surrounding and natural. We have seen the extinction of many species of birds and animals. Effects on seasons are also causing more harm to humans through erratic behaviours.
Nothing is permanent. Nature has been revealed through evolution and selection. The fittest always survive. It is the open secret of nature. It is now our turn to cautiously evaluate the progress-related activities for humans’ comfortable existence and sustainability. Otherwise, transformations may be heinous to civilization.
We should observe that nature has distributed all her resources throughout the globe, perhaps with the definite intention of evolving cooperation among all humans, besides geographical differences, for survival and existence. We are witnessing, after the division of land and ocean as properties of different nations that no nation is self-sufficient to survive alone and needs cooperation. We should have progressive scientific thinking to excel.
We have changed. We are changing at our cost.
G A N D H I – Beyond Horizon
A few lines of mine on Gandhi ji, the Bapu, may not define him or draw any conclusion on him. He was the belief and trend setter. He was the beginning and he was the end of thoughts of his time. We have knowledge of Gods and even proof is often asked to establish the truth. I think, beyond proof, the Gandhi ji was God of worldly habits. He lead and lived every aspect of life. Whatever conclusions he drew at different stages of life he applied them timely for taking further actions. He experienced the “truth” in childhood but applied for the rest of life in leading the mass. He even exposed his personal life for the benefits of all.
His life was an open book. The more you read the more you understand the meaning of life and responsibilities.
He had shown the world as to how to live with minimum requirements without disturbing natural ecology and using local resources. His every action was lesson to the world.
He was not having any political background but his only strength was thoughts influenced by religious books like the holy Gita. His message to the world was very loud and clear; that we could win and survive with strong, well thought, disciplined and planned execution and continuous monitoring upto the last result achieved. With these firm thoughts his views of non use of weapons and non cooperation to the mighty empire, helped the country in getting liberation from slavery without shedding too much blood.
His thoughts are still being applied in different parts of the world as peaceful weapons for liberation from slavery. He had proved that weapons could not deter the determination and rule for long period.
His message of non violence should be the moto of every citizen of each country. The world may see the heaven on earth, the nature may flourish and concept of global village may be true, if Gandhi ji is well understood by heart and not by mere theoretical approach.
It should be clear that piling of weapons may not bring happiness and power in country but it reveals the weakness of that country. History is the proof, not a single mightiest kingdom is surviving on earth. Violence shows the sense of fear and insecurity. It has long term effect on humanity.
Gandhi ji had understood that and had analysed the strength of people and mobilised them in India and South Africa.
There are differences on the actions taken by Gandhi ji. Tones of papers have been used to analyse him but It is my thinking that Gandhi ji was a messenger sent by the almighty to show the world the real path of peace and non violence. Further, through him, we get lesson that minimum is sufficient for living a good and self satisfied life.
If we follow them, certainly there will be peace on earth and everyone will be happy. Present situation of wars and lobbying among nations may be avoided. There will not be starvation in the world. The prevailing natural problems may be minimum because of minimum requirements from the nature.
I think, Gandhi ji was a soul to show the world path of heaven by his deeds and thoughts. We should agree that he who walked the talk, was reality.
No one may elaborate him, but adjectives can complain to him for lack in superlative degree, for expressing the extent of his stature and noble deeds. Even, many peace recognising and prize giving institutions or organisations of the world could not bring laurels to themselves by missing him in the list of their recipients. They missed the bus of history because of biasness. Now, they need recognition and explanation, because Gandhi ji was both introduction and explanation in himself.
He was so simple that a continuous single line may depict him without any decoration. Draw a simple line and a long stick on paper or any where, that is our beloved Gandhi ji who made a horizon beyond all horizons.
Every future generation has to read and believe that a torch bearer of humanity was once here on earth, who loved everyone and lived for others and sacrificed his life owing to violence against which he had fought, while he was praying for all. A violent end of peace bearing lamp. Gandhi if you die in memory in any age in the world, that will be indication of dying civilisations and humanity. Still you are an inspiration to every movement for liberation and day to day problems.
Is there any end of writings on Gandhi ji who was loved by enemy too?
Old is Gold
The old one is always gold- most valuable having manifestation of the nature. We should hold his goldenness because he or she is leaseholder, householer, placeholder, stakeholder of our lives. He or She is at the threshold to influence us manifold. His or Her bold face unfolds golden folders of pretold doldrums scolding the time. His or Her foothold has withhold us together. His or Her smile is like marigold.
We sould always be thankful to them as we treat them as our path to begin this journey of life. They should not be neglected rather their experience and guidance may be of great use for the betterment of society. Wherever olds are neglected down fall of the culture and fortune starts early. When they start keeping silent in the home the fate of that family starts deteriorating day by day and doomsday starts early.
We should never forget that history repeats and we have to sail in the same boat and we may reap the fruits of whatever have been sown. There may be worse scenarios. The life is the best teacher and behavior is the path to tread in future to face the music. This is always true. The old one is a living library. They are hidden treasures. Our furure’s golden days lie in their pandora’s box.
santable 