Helpless

It was a ghastly incident yesterday in Udaipur that we heard and read about, some might have even seen the video being floated of the same.

Now, this is not a platform for discussing what happened and why and what we should be doing about that incident itself.

However, I want to narrate on what happened after that in one of my WhatsApp groups. While it was being discussed intensely and all kinds of meaning and interpretations were being drawn about why this happened, what will happen next, where is society going, etc. There were a few people who dared to talk about the India vs Ireland T20 match which was going on last night as well and got really excited. One of the people from the previous debate made a sarcastic comment “a person has been beheaded and you have interest in a stupid match. disgusting.”

My reflection on this, and there are some stark truths here:

• We live in a society where nothing can be taken for granted. 
• Anything can happen to any of us, our dearest ones, at any moment.
• And regardless of what country we are in, be India, Iraq, Syria or even the US, we are helpless.

Please focus on the last word. We are helpless

Suppose, it is our dearest friend (I am not using the word family, but if u are comfortable, then u may assume so) who is the one who is killed. What will we do?

• File a complaint with the police.
• Write on social media.
• Push the Police for a faster search.
• They may even find the culprit and put him behind bars for a bit.
• Not enough, we will say— he needs a death sentence.
• The guy might get out on bail, there would not be enough evidence, he will file appeals, etc. Forget about the death sentence, he might never even be convicted and he may continue to live a normal life for the rest of his life. Yes. normal. And sorry, but there are people who are living that way, and living quite well. And yes, these are not just in India, but in almost every country we can find cases where the guilty escaped punishment for one reason or the other.
• Some of us might intensify the fight for justice.
• Go from social media to real media, organise protests, rallies, block roads, etc.
• Some might even decide to become a politician and fight for other people who have been wronged. Will that get us justice, highly unlikely, but will give us some more satisfaction, that we did a lot more to fight for our friend.

Some of you wanting to reach the comments section to counter all this might want to wait and reflect on what has been going on in the US with gun violence. Hundreds lose their lives daily due to gun violence. The cases are not even reported in the media for them. They are far too common. So let’s not just single out India here. 

Now you say, what should we do then? 

Just do good. Just think good of people and try and acquire as much love and affection for people as u can. Donate, do charity, mentor people, and give food to the needy. Look at the society around u and there are millions who can be made happy with as little as Rs 100. Yes, millions. You can give jobs if you do not want to do outright charity. You can set up schools, and educate people. You can set up business ventures and employ more people, etc. Just have a noble heart and a clear mind not to harm anyone knowingly.

Will this guarantee that nothing bad will happen to you and that you or your dear ones will not be hurt? 

Then you say, why would you do all these good things, if that also cannot guarantee or happy life?

The answer is plain and simple. It helps you to stay distracted and not get impacted by such news. You feel sorry for the bereaved’s family, you express sympathy to their loved ones, and you might even offer financial support and help appease their pain. But you will not waste your time in pointless debates on WhatsApp groups and hurl abuses at the leadership. You will not waste your energy in sending negative vibes to the people who committed the crime.  You will have the deep satisfaction of having done your ‘karma’ and you will be at peace with yourself and with your God.

Ending here. But there is more to talk about. Wanted this to go out at the earliest, as the thoughts were fresh in my mind.