Can we strive to put out the fire?

You cannot save the world or solve all its problems. But, you can endeavour to protect and save your corner of this universe – the message contained in the story of the humming bird told by native American grandmothers has lessons for all of us to learn. But, despite being the most intelligent of all earthly beings, we as humans are bent on igniting fires and destroying our habitats. Instead, why can’t we try to put out the fires?

Freebies lead to diversion of funds needed for development and that hampers growth. We should learn from Japan which does not have any programme like free electricity, free LPG etc. Their motto is: “Work for it or do without it.” What one person receives without working for, another person has to work without receiving

Once, there was a big fire in the forest. All the animals fled in terror in all directions to save themselves from the violent fire. Suddenly, a jaguar saw a humming bird pass over his head, but in the opposite direction. The humming bird flew towards the fire. Moments later, the jaguar saw the bird pass again, this time in the same direction as himself. Observing this bizarre behaviour of its coming and going, he asked the bird, “What are you doing, humming bird?” The humming bird answered, “I take water in my beak and throw it on the fire to extinguish it.” The jaguar laughed and said, “Are you crazy? Do you really think you can put out that big fire with your very small beak?” “No”, said the humming bird. “I know, I cannot. But the forest is my home. It feeds me. It shelters me and my family. I am very grateful for that. I also help the forest grow by pollinating its flowers. I am part of her, and the forest is part of me. I know I can’t put out the fire, but I must do my part,” he added. At that moment, the forest spirits, who listened to the humming bird were moved by the bird and its devotion to the forest. And miraculously, they sent a torrential downpour, which put an end to the great fire.

Protect your corner

This story is often told by native American grandmothers to their grandchildren with the underlying message that we must do our part of the responsibility to get miracles. The moral of the story for all of us is: “You have no exclusive responsibility to save the world or find solutions to all the problems – but you can attend to your personal corner of the universe. As each person does that, the world saves itself.”

The story of the little bird and its message conveys that each person has a duty to protect the corner of the planet where he lives. This compels us to do some introspection. Do we protect our habitat? Do we contribute for the betterment of our country? Do we protect our environment from where we get air, water and food? The answers to these questions are very disappointing. Instead of doing something positive, we usually do just the opposite. We harm our planet; we pollute our environment; we injure our habitat; we do things against the interest of our country. We, who are supposed to be wise human beings, do things just the reverse of what the humming bird was doing in the narrated story. Illustrations of such bad behaviour are innumerable.

Manipur is burning

Today, Manipur is burning. It is not a natural forest-fire but a fire created by its inhabitants. Its two main ethnic groups, one living in the valley and other living on the hills, are fighting amongst themselves and killing innocent people and even security people who are posted for their help. The fight is for their preconceived rights, but the ultimate victim is their habitat that is Manipur.

Naxalites impoverish

Take the example of Naxalites, who mostly dominate in the tribal areas of the red- corridor part of the country. They say that they are fighting to help the poor tribals. They kill innocent people, but they believe it is for the right cause. The efforts of the government to connect the poor tribals to economic activities and development are thwarted by the Naxalites. The backward tribal areas are not allowed to be developed by the people who say that they are working for the tribals. Poor labourers who are deputed by the government to construct roads, hospitals or schools are killed. Security people are blasted by placing land mines. The forest areas inhabited by poor tribals are burnt. Instead of development, there remains poverty and lawlessness in these areas. The victims in those areas are the poor inhabitants.

Instead of doing something positive, we usually do just the opposite. We harm our planet; we pollute our environment; we injure our habitat; we do things against the interest of our country. We, who are supposed to be wise human beings, do things just the reverse

Motivated agitations

In recent times we have been seeing frequent coercive agitations like the Shaheen Bagh agitation and the farmers’ agitation which continued for long durations. Innocent citizens get disturbed by such agitations. The agitation continued even when the issue was pending before the Supreme Court and the operation of laws were stayed. Business suffered, Delhi suffered and thus the country suffered by these agitations. And we had no humming bird, like in the narrated story, which could come forward to help the situation.

France burning

Burning one’s own habitat is not only an India- specific problem but happens all over the globe, irrespective of geography. While writing this column, France is literally burning. There are burning houses, cars all over France. The biggest library of Marseille city in France was burnt. The culprits are the people who were given shelter and livelihood when they came as refugees from their countries due to disturbance there. It is a painful mentality of mankind to create problems where they live.

Villains of peace

One big reason for harming the habitat by its own inhabitants is this skewed thinking. Logical and positive thinking often gets derailed due to personal greed and hatred against others based on region and caste. Sometimes economic inequality also works as a trigger. There are some politicians who go and work as villains of peace and harmony in the society. People forget that if their society or state or the country suffers, then that will also harm them. Short-sightedness overtakes long- sightedness. Then reactions against bad actions germinate, leading to a vicious circle. Fake news, rumours and social media also have their role in aggravating situations. There is a shortage of good Samaritans, while anti-social elements are growing, and this also has an adverse effect.

Corruption engenders poverty

Corruption is a demon and it really kills any good work undertaken and causes social fire, if not fire in the literal sense. Corrupt people harm their corner of the universe. It becomes difficult to catch them as the number of corrupt people are large and corruption is also present in the government machinery. Corruption dwarfs the growth of the nation. Peter Obi said, “No country can progress if its politics is more profitable than its industry. In a country where those in government are richer than the entrepreneurs, they manufacture poverty.”

We are a democratic country. We elect the government by casting our votes. An elected government should be honest and hardworking, and then only can we expect good governance. For peace in the society and development of the country, good governance is imperative. It is very disappointing to see that the voters are promised freebies by political parties so as to get votes. These are inducements given to win elections. Freebies lead to diversion of funds needed for development and that hampers growth. We should learn from Japan which does not have any programme like free electricity, free LPG etc. Their motto is: “Work for it or do without it.” What one person receives without working for, another person has to work without receiving. Hence these freebies are triggers for social discontent.