What Can We Do?

Are we aware and responsive to the sufferings of our fellow beings? We need action, not mere words, says Rupa, exclusively for Different Truths.

Indian summer heat is scorching up the land, cattle, livestock, farmlands and people alike. Water scarcity is a major issue for this and future generations. Advertisements, talks, articles, education, awareness are trickling into daily life to be prudently green.

Cricket fever continues to grip avid followers of the entire nation that lives by the players’ scores and rages at losses.

Exams are over, results are coming out and families are rejoicing or grieving or punishing students for performance and grades. Admissions and career paths are being debated, disagreed upon and being finalised.

Modi makes a resounding comeback again causing all kinds of jubilant slogans.

Modi makes a resounding comeback again causing all kinds of jubilant slogans. Added to it is an amazing victory by Smriti Irani toppling Gandhi clan from Amethi.

While life unfolds at its pace, somewhere along the line are we as people losing compassion? Are we as a nation symbolic of being non-inclusive, more entitled, plain apathetic to human pain and sufferings so long as our lives are untouched by ripples?

Why does a son who unexpectedly lost his mother, the sole surviving parent, have to single-handedly carry her body alone to cremate?

Why does a son who unexpectedly lost his mother, the sole surviving parent, have to single-handedly carry her body alone to cremate? A boy from Odisha was forced to do so because of his caste. He carried her body all alone for about five kilometres. No one in the village helped him, according to media reports. Where is compassion; humanity; community; support system among anyone in the picture? Is this the moment to raise ugly heads of class; caste; privilege?

In the elite AIIMS with the best treatment, a common man does not know how to register is forced to stand in queue and lost his suffering child begging for help. A shattered and broken father, a resident of Bihar, had to carry the corpse of his dead daughter for 2Kms. This too was reported in a renowned magazine, published from India. Why? Where are people to help such already anxious, scared family members in such situations? Why is help not provided first and then formalities are taken care of?

An economically backward youth is trying for years to clear his name who was falsely accused. He neither can find a job nor a wife.

Delayed justice equals justice denied. An economically backward youth is trying for years to clear his name who was falsely accused. He neither can find a job nor a wife. He seeks to find justice before his parents pass. Where is guidance and help for such individuals? We are talking about a tribal youth from Odisha, who was described as a modern Shravan Kumar, by the media.

Scan any publication and there are enough stories of silent spectatorship. This is how Hitler led a country of decent Germans carries out atrocities in the name of Aryan supremacy.

We often ask, what can we do?

Jump in wherever possible to help each other, especially the ones who need a hand to tide over that moment of a seemingly unsurmountable moment of pain.

Reach out to anyone who can lend support. Create voluntary groups of like-minded individuals; believe one person can make a difference.

Reach out to anyone who can lend support. Create voluntary groups of like-minded individuals; believe one person can make a difference. Start small, create awareness, talk about possibilities, no effort is too small. Use network, platforms you have access to, make a dent.  Reach out to authorities and ask what can be done? Send letters and petitions to PMO and his representatives. We are the reason they are in office.

Please let us not be silent spectators and let atrocities, perpetrators get away, when we can act to make a difference.

Please let us not be silent spectators and let atrocities, perpetrators get away, when we can act to make a difference. Make it more about creating a better world than about photo-op and publicity. Though please allow yourself to shamelessly promote anything that brings awareness, help and shines a light on issues that need to be tackled.

Let us not wait for tragedy to touch our lives and loved ones because we let it slide when it destroyed the lives of others and we were silent.

Photos sourced by the author from the Internet