This is one of the write-ups based on occasional musings by the author. Although the trigger was the World Environment Day, the thoughts are relevant on any given day-Editor
Environment Day is celebrated with much fanfare on June 5th every year by the governments all over the world. Tree plantations, meetings, speeches, melas, special newspaper supplements and articles make headlines. The moot question is whether we are raising trees or forests, or whether we are raising greenery or stimulating grey matter.
An action is actually generated in the mind as a thought, which results in awareness. Awareness, acceptance and physical action are three critical stages in the change process. Most of the conflicts in life, as also societal unrest, arise due to incompatibility in these stages. Often, there is tremendous struggle at the acceptance stage as it means accepting reality; although Reality is Nature and for many Nature is God, this does not seem to ease our struggles.
Like trees alone don’t make forests, a macro environment actually is comprised of a number of carefully nurtured micro environments. For any change to occur and sustain in the macro environment, changes in micro environment are essential. This holds true for both the physical environment we inhabit as well as the mental space we dwell in. For a consummate life, it means integrating the thought in the mind with the thought in action. A symbiotic Man -Nature existence ensures a smooth life journey.
On this Environment Day, here are some thoughts micro environment constituents like us might consider reflecting upon:
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Bureaucrat: What has been my single-most important contribution to improving quality of life of the domain of the people I serve?
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Elected Representative: Although a maverick at mobilizing hordes of people for garnering winning number of votes every time elections are held, how often do I come across a happy face in my constituency for which I can take credit and pride myself?
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Citizen: I pride myself for being born in India, a country of rich cultural and knowledge heritage. Am I able to carry forward the legacy so that I ably hand over to my next generation the basic, intrinsic human values I inherited, such as love, compassion and tolerance? To what extent do I represent the torch bearers of human values of contemporary age, like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa?
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Teacher: How often do I hear of my past students remembering me with love and affection as a mark of my educator’s role in shaping them as citizens that gives me immense satisfaction? What is the degree of confidence I have in my students contributing to a healthy society?
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Doctor: How often do I see a sense of gratitude in my patients, which rekindles my conscience, that sharpens my professional capabilities further, for re-dedication to the service of humankind?
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Mother: How far am I able to live up to my role of nurturing a whole generation as an embodiment of Nature?
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Saint: Am I creating emotions or whipping up passions? Am I building a balanced society or nurturing fanatics?
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Celebrity: How different am I from a drug peddler when I endorse harmful products that tend to degenerate a significant proportion of a generation, mentally and physically? Am I aware of the weakening of the societal fabric due to my actions? What is it that I can do to bring in positive change using my celebrity status?
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Media: Business with ethics or business of ethics- what defines me best? If some thoughts are triggered in me, how do I convert them into positive action? How do I spread this constituency of action-people for larger cause of building a vibrant, energetic, positive environment?
The author can be reached at:
Email: mudrakarthas@irma.ac.in
