India took pride when its name shot to international fame by way of a movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. But for the cast of characters, the music and sound mixing the rest of the crew were English. Yet, the three main pillars of strength were backed by our own talents, for which we all ever so rightly felt proud.
But once the fanfare tapered and we moved ahead, we cannot but come to terms and face the reality. We can no longer deny the condition of our country, the slums and the deplorable condition of the children – which has so realistically be portrayed in the film.
One cannot but help think regretfully of the lives of the little ones, who have been taken out of the limelight once the shoot of the film was over. In some way the children who were part of the film are a lucky lot as they did get noticed and will definitely be part of any improvement scheme that the government or NGOs think of. But what about the million other children who are deprived and shunned because they have nobody to represent them? The girl babies in city slums and remote villages that are brutally treated because there is no one to rescue them!
The solution to all this DOES NOT lie in the hands of the politicians or the government. The onus lies on US – “The common man” of India. We have the power to change what ever we set our minds to. Just as it is rightly said that one small step is the beginning of a mammoth journey, all we need to do is reach out in what ever little way we can.
Householders can take it upon themselves to ensure proper education, uniform and books are given to their maids, drivers, people who work for them. Going a step further would be to approach a small school in your locality and sponsor the poorest child on a yearly basis.
The residents of Melur meadows are gifted – I say so because we get an opportunity to do community service by visiting nearby villages and imparting free education, distributing books, taking up arts and crafts teaching for the villagers, to enhance their livelihood and think up of several schemes to light up the lives of the people who toil in the fields, grapple with poverty and are indebted and unable to repay loans.
Each year we hear of farmers and their families committing suicide due to indebtedness. We can go forward, identify these remote villages, do what is required to help out the poor on a personal basis or by forming a small active group.
By choosing to live in a gated community that offers us all the comforts and facilities, we are not closing ourselves away from the real world. By leading a worry-free life, a comfortable life, by being away from the rat-race, we find ourselves more prepared and sensitized to face up to the realities of the world around us.
I would go a step further and say that we are lucky to be able to lead a good life and also have the attitude, energy and intention to do what we can to help and reach out to the needy.
As per Buddhism…
By consciously choosing a place where peace reigns, where tranquility and calm follow us, we are able to rid ourselves of the three main traits or characteristics of low-life existence Which are Transience ,sorrow and selfishness.
Our mind and body are attuned and set to avert the following hindrances that side-track us from reaching enlightenment:
Lust, ill-will, torpor, worry and restlessness, indecisiveness and doubts. Finally the factors that will abet and speed up our self-realization and bliss are – sensitivity and mindfulness, healthy curiosity and investigation, Energy, Rapture, Tranquility, Concentration and Equanimity.
Hoping to see you all at Melur Meadows to “CATCH UP WITH HAPPY LIVING’.