We are still unable to come to terms with inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance. We conflict over religion. We debate about our national language. We have forgotten to piece the jigsaw puzzle together to make a wholesome picture that we can all be proud of.
We have a wonderful example of
different kinds of trees coexisting and contributing to our eco system
unanimously.
It is amazing that in a “friends”
chat group, we have to refrain from anything political or religious. Opinions
can cause massive rifts and boycotts even if they are rational discussions.
Everyone walks on egg shells. Truth is multipronged! There is no single root.
This is nothing but intolerance. The deep need of conversion also is perhaps
rooted in people feeling threatened by any kinds of different belief systems
and therefore, wanting clones to co-exist, to create a comfort zone for
insecure people.
Culturally, earlier, we supported
one code of conduct which everyone had to follow, and that body of principles
made us a strong and cohesive body of people. This had no bearing on the
religion people followed. It was a set of principles for a creation and
sustenance of human harmony.
We are now paying a high price for individual egoism. The “I am right” factor. Gone are the trends that brought and kept people together. It is all about “me and myself”. We see this seeping into group activities, too.
Basic respect for everyone, no matter how different they seem to be on the
surface would start the peace process.
I have a question.
Those who are judgmental and non-accepting of others … do you accept yourselves
?
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
