The Light of Hope

Why in life do we only complain. We force ourselves to be happy. We adjust. We accept the situations as it is and then design our own strategies around it. There is a system in place; I understand. There is a tried and tested way of life; I understand. But, why it has to be what it is. Why we build structures around it. Why cannot we leap beyond our “normal” thought process. Speaking about leaping beyond, there is a definite risk involved. And risk highlights due to ignorance. If the light of confidence can overshadow this ignorance, I guess, carrying the light; nothing in this world should stop us.

We are a group of people who are capable of comprehending the following phrases in totality; being in trouble, being in distress, hoping for a better future, blind belief that one day it will all work out positive, hoping for a better livelihood, etc. The present India is not just an indication of a third world developing economy, it is a force that has emerged into the open with eagerness and hope for a prosperous life. The achievements are simply immense. The sacrifices are beyond imagination. When I speak about sacrifices and achievements, it is only little about those who gave up their lives for us to live free. My major concern is about those little heroes and heroines who are toiling day in and day out, fighting so very hard to just survive and to do so continuously trying to carry a portrait smile on their face.

We’ve had external influences until 65 years before. We have definitely moved ahead from then on. But it was definitely not a smooth sail. We have come out of problems. People living on the streets have managed to build a home for themselves and their families. The families have grown on economy and livelihood and started to venture out. People are less home-sick and more nomadic. At least a portion of the society has become extremely capable. But, the fear back then has not completely died out. Amidst this immense progress, it still spikes. These spikes of fear are so huge, that it is curbing our wavelength and decreasing our frequency. Although the wave is propagating through many hurdles. We go a bit low when we want to create a new wave; when we want to go out of the framework. The spikes takes immediate charge and easily convinces us to stay low. It is just that, we don’t want our future generations, to go back to the streets and feel home-sick.

Now, with these spikes getting generated at every nuke and corner of our lives, it has created a wave in itself. It has spread. It has built a dome around all of  us. I can easily generalize this fact. Not, many are ready to break the dome and jump out. We are content. We are largely self-centered. This is quite natural; understanding the background we’ve all had. With more problems of their own, people will definitely become self-centered. What’s the point in putting a smile on a person sitting next to you, if you yourself are so eagerly searching for one to wear?

With this background, it is definitely hard to leap beyond our normal thought process. There is a way of life that has worked suitably well and we don’t want to take a risk of crossing over it. We start searching for reasons, to stay within the dome. We start giving excuses. We hang around with friends. We go out with family and understand life as it is projecting right in front of us. We are content at the end of it all. As all this and much more is happening, there is another part of our society who is still trying to understand the phrases I have mentioned above.

At, this point let me reflect back to a part of the write-up above, where I generalize certain issues. I have generalized because it is so applicable to the major portion of the society; although my understanding is very subjective and less figure-based, it is very visible. Now, there is a group or a sector of people, who are not a victim of this generalization. People who are going beyond the way of life around them. Their thinking is unmatched. The positive air around them is always fresh even after they have toiled their sweat out in the field.

These are not very different people. They are coming from the same situation carrying the same background as you and me are carrying. These people along with the background carry just one extra thing; the light of confidence. Killing the spikes of fire down, they march silently but prominently. They do not have a proper support system in place. Their livelihood not prosperous. Life, for them holds a different perspective. They are mobilized through discipline. They believe and appreciate facts and figures more than anyone else. This statement might be a bit confusing though. I shall get back to this later for clarity on the same. Emotions are all over the place for them. Gratitude is overflowing.

They want to see the change. They become the change. As Mahatma Gandhi sent across a message to the nation after he successfully completed his task, “Be the change, you wish to see”. The words “Dedication”, “Sacrifice”, “Self-less”, “humanity” etc.,  gets its meaning and relevance through these people. Ideas are born and the most effective ones are executed. A real change is brought. The world under them is definitely out of spikes and is all positive and energetic.

I might be telling all this in a very subjective way as if I am writing an answer to a question in an exam on the characteristics of the change-makers in the present world. I am sure that you will not believe if I am telling that it is all fact based. But irrespective of how my viewpoint is understood, I  stick to the stand that it is real. I have seen all this happening for the last two and a half years myself. It was not at all intended to put all these on paper until recently. I was just completely enjoying every discussion I had, every sip of tea I slurped, every debate and the whole experience I had with Mohan Sir, of Belaku Shishu Nivasa (an Orphanage). Belaku in Kannada means Light. He surely did carry it well. The experience was just beyond measurable terms. This by now I think is very clear. It is sad, that we no longer get to be with him. Only his memory remains. I do not want to justify his stature through numbers on this platform. All I wanted to do is; share the experience.

He never complained, rather he acted. He understood the numbers in the right sense. He knew how many were still trying to get under the light of hope and confidence. He knew his capabilities, he understood his resources. He never stayed contented. Now, to understand this fact is in itself a great learning. And to live by it ourselves inculcating the same values to help us and others out equally well is our responsibility. To do it better, is an achievement.

With the deepest condolences to a man who lived for the prosperity of others and found immense happiness in it, I pray to God that his soul shall continue to rest in peace.