Near Yet Far: A Pandemic to Remember

 COVID-19 Pandemic has created havoc globally. There are several studies that have been conducted as relates to the physical and psychological effects of Pandemic. Those effects are devastating and will remain for many years to come. Economic devastation is mindboggling and will take years to recover from this economic fall. Ample ink has been spilled on these topics of immediate concern and hence, states and organizations have come forward to address them with almost hastily. Therefore, I would like to focus our attention on two other aspects of human need and they are social and spiritual effects.

The human need to interact and mingle with others is necessary for our growth and evolution. Peaceful coexistence is possible if all persons engage in proper social contacts. The growth of the child largely depends on the society where children learn the traits of life and besides they gain knowledge from each other's experience. Likewise, adults socialize at work or otherwise which bonds them to live peacefully and hence evolve as whole human beings. Spouses and family members feel the effects of social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus. Family members are skeptical to touch each other which is natural because families want to protect each other. These effects are serious and will have a longlasting impact on individual growth. These impacts also might lead to human disasters such as enmity, quarrels, and alienation of others. Persons treat others with less dignity and respect due to distancing. Touch plays a significant role in the physical and psychological growth of individuals. This basic sense of touch has been curtailed due to the virus. It might take years to break this new normal of untouchability. 

Humans are spirit and body. Spiritual needs of humans fulfill other needs that are tangible. Although spiritual needs are not merely religious based but also inner peace emanating from the conscious. For many person spirituality rooted in religions as an impact on human growth and evolution. Worship places have been shut their doors. Persons have been denied access to their worship places by this deadly virus. Their right to a relationship with God has been trampled and destroyed. This will have effects on families and society. The relationship between God, humans, and the environment has been disturbed and will take years to bring them to perfect unity. The distance has been widening as the COVID virus is taking its toll around the world. Many have lost their loved ones and in retrospect, they have asked questions such as 'where is God?, why God is silent? why is God allowing this? is there, God?' 

In conclusion, I suggest that all of us reflect, ponder, and share our own struggles in fighting this virus. Human growth depends on all aspects such as physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental. As our healthcare workers strive to help in combating this deadly virus, I urge everyone to focus on life and growth holistically. Help those who are struggling with their social and spiritual relationships. It is crucial to focus on these aspects so that humans grow and evolve as a perfect human person. The human being is possible only through a blend of all essential aspects. I appeal to find ways and means to bring this blend and help each other in this noble task. 

Democracy in India

The nations have been driven by a non-existent vehicle called Democracy. There’s an inevitable reality of divide and rule in any given democracy. Democracy has become a mantra for the powerful to achieve the agenda that ensembles one’s whims. I have found difficult to believe in democracy. I beg to differ in my view on democracy. Democracy is actually and truly a dividing factor. It leads us to believe that everyone is equal in a democracy. My argument is no alien to any leading political thinkers and is neither foreign to any politicians. Every politician knows exactly that democracy is just a concept that is used to divide to rule so their dishonest agenda could be met.

In recent times political situations throughout the world have shown us that the powerful and big mouthed political party or politician wins the race under the shade of democracy. It’s really an irony that democracy is divisive and fulfils the agenda of the powerful. It is a domination over powerless. I would not hesitate to say that democracy is but domination. It could be called the largest domination country in the world. The United States of America has been the strongest witness when the current president won the election but not by popular vote. In India, it has been a trend for the longest time that big gab can win the elections and indeed under the banner of democracy.

I would like to focus on Indian political situation after the independence. India has been portrayed as the largest democracy in the world. Why has it been called with such an honourable title when India has failed to witness that in reality? I am not pointing my index-finger at any particular party. But I argue that this is only a pretence under which Indian political parties enjoy the ride. What goes for one must go for all. Don’t deduct that I am anti-BJP or anti-Congress as a Christian. That would be immature of a balanced view. I truly believe that I am an Indian and I pledge by the tricolour and I am proud of my anthem. One thing I cherish from my childhood is the national anthem that we sang two times a day during the school days; mind you I went to a Catholic School. My love for the country was nourished right from my early childhood so is yours.

Democracy has been adulterated by conceit and egotism of a few influential people who invariably use the Democratic process to achieve hidden agenda. The people who jump on the bandwagon have been like people in Plato's cave. They break open the chains to see the reality outside the cave. Formerly, they thought the cave and shadows protruding in the cave was their reality. The ego and pride of the influential are fed with some realities like religion which has nothing or very little to do with politics. It has been baffling to witness how religion has become so crucial to Indian politics. For every politician, religion is the point of departure and a perfect entry into success because religion is divisive. The politicians like to feed on something that helps them to climb the nasty ladder. I was deeply disturbed and deeply concerned at how the sheepfold or followers of different religions have taken advantage of the faith to entertain the political gimmicks. There is an attitude of hatred towards others purely based on religious beliefs.

If Hindus think that they are the majority in India and it’s a Hindu nation, I am certain that the party they support will certainly win for the rest of the existence of India although it might not be Hindu state because I believe that Hinduism is a way of life; a life of prosperity and harmony. Hinduism must help everyone to live a life of integrity. If Muslims and Christians think that they need to come together to oust another party so that India is truly a multi-religious nation, I think we are heading towards hating Hindus. Let us not be fooled by the rhetoric that it is a complicated issue. No, it is not complicated issue rather it is truly a simple gamut. Think of your school days or think of the village that you lived where Hindus, Muslims and Christians lived together almost as a family. Why is that sentiment from school or village is messed with hatred? Isn’t it the politicians and party workers divide us so that they achieve their goals of success. This success that they look for is not for the development of the nation rather it is the success of their own development. Each of us needs to reflect on where we are heading with this kind of political disasters. We must not allow democracy to die in the hands of the powerful dictators.

The democracy that is not popular is a dictatorship. Recent elections in Venezuela where Maduro has shown that democracy is a dictatorship because he has proved that he is indispensable. He has the complete autonomy to choose and elect himself for democracy has failed. It might seem like a democratic election. I wish this doesn’t happen to India. This could be a possibility if people think that the leaders they adore are indispensable and cannot be changed. In which case, the political leaders will go to any extreme to come to power, extremes such as manipulation and rigging of elections. This detrimental to the well being of a Nation. If BJP or Congress thinks that only they can save the country, they are wrong and we have guard against these political tantrums which are for the gain of a select few.

Religion without humanity is legion; a legion of evil people who want to bring discord among different faiths. Humanity should be the culmination of any religion. Honestly speaking, the people who spew hatred towards others religions by saying that their true religion or this nation belongs to that religion, I am certain that they have no knowledge and experience of God in their religion. In other words, they know very little about their own religion. We must be able to challenge them to study to know and experience the beauty and goodness in their own religion. No religion teaches us to hate other religion. But it seems like humanity is kept out of the equation. I am a Christian but I try to draw inspiration from other religions because they offer meaning to my life. Religion is a way to God and not God himself so let’s get it right now before it’s too late. God is in every religion and every religion must indicate a pathway to God.

In conclusion, I want to mention that I grew up as a small boy watching the great epic “Mahabharata” on Door Darshan channel in late 80’s. We didn’t have television at home so our church priest used to show on his television. I never considered it as something only Hindus must watch but it was a great experience to watch one of greatest epics of India. In Mahabharata, there’s reference to Bharatvarsa in which Bharata tribe lived with the same plurality of caste, religion, culture, language and lifestyle like today’s India. This is why India is called Bharath. So, when we utter the chant “Bharath Matha Ki Jai”, let us keep the plurality at the forefront. This is why India is considered to be the greatest nation on the planet with it’s diversity in every regard. I grew up learning Tulu language which is predominantly spoken by Hindus and I am proud of it. This doesn’t mean that I give up on my mother tongue, Konkani. These two languages along with Kannada gives me a specific identity as an Indian. I appeal to everyone, especially our political leaders to work for unity and respect for each other’s beliefs. Let us bring humanity back to our religions. Let the democracy enjoy its sanctity. Let us pay heed to the silent scream of democracy and reach out to keep it sacred.