INDIA’S SECOND COVID WAVE — WHAT MATTERS
The second wave of COVID 19 has destroyed and crumbled the whole life in India. More than 300,000 people are dying daily (more deaths were not even recorded). Apparently, the worse is yet to come. Seeing the trauma and pain is heartbreaking and has made me truly realize the mere mortality of any life form — humbling, scary and heartbreaking. A lot of global publications including TIME, FORBES, THE NEW YORK TIMES, OPINION published several opinions — some with fair analysis, more with skewed ignorant point of view and I respect those. I wrote this piece to clarify something important about Indian value system as a whole and what it really looks like today.
Indian value system is not about bullying, capitalistic gains, corruption, classism, ‘hindutva’ or division. India was never about that — it is what we have allowed ourselves to identify with for a few centuries. We have allowed ourselves to be ruled by bullies for centuries that has completely destroyed our true essence! We are Hindustan — indigenous people of the land of Hindus (just like Yogic culture — not associated with any religion but is only a way of life of the people of that land). It’s really about the geography — not religion! As a kid, I remember growing up in a secular India, a democratic and inclusive nation.
The people of India that I see today have suffered because of the oppression and confusion for generations. Our land and it’s people have been inclusive for thousands of years. We say “Atithi Devo Bhava” which means for us our guests are GOD. We still have that value system instilled in many of us. We have suffered because unfortunately it gave a lot of opportunists and vultures to invade us. The same values translated into oppression and exploitation of the people of the land — the current existence is a demonstration of that truth. We ‘look upto’ and ‘idolize’ other fellow human beings (celebrities, politicians) without even applying our own wisdom, without realizing our own power. We allow them to gaslight us over and over again.
Once this fight is over — please take the time to remember who you are and what are the value systems you want to identify with. AND THEN RESET IT. Today the way I see India amidst the second wave of Covid 19, the only thing (except for some opportunists) I see amongst people is the demonstration of kindness, humanity and solidarity above any sense of class, race or religion collectively. Can we let that continue to define us? Because THAT is powerful and THAT is real! That is Humanity!
Let solidarity defeat and crush these systems — how do you do it? By not allowing it to happen again, by breaking the cycle. I am not promoting hate. But I am encouraging you to #UseYourWisdom, to raise your voice and to believe that we are #StrongerTogether as human beings first. We always were!
We don’t need violence and hate to claim back our power! We need a sense of responsibility towards ourselves and others. We need to claim back our power — together! Parents, teachers and my friends — Each one of you has a huge role to play moving forward. Let’s play our part and lead by example so we can live slightly better than this.
Think about it.
#inclusionistheway #Alllivesmatter #YOUarepowerful #responsibilityisabilitytorespond
P.S. — All opinion is personal.
