I was provoked into thinking about the subject in terms of
comparisons of achievements. Some of the members of India Redefined,a Citizen’s
Empowerment movement which I started last year pointed out to me that some of
the appointed coordinators do not have the background to justify, in comparison
to Ranjana’s own history of accomplishments in social service.
Firstly, some or all of us, have at some stage of
our lives felt content by our own achievements (even if it was a temporary
feeling) and for even smaller reasons. Our egos permit us, that sense of
achievement and even give us the benefit of comparing this with lesser mortals
who have not put in adequate efforts. I pose this question, as to whom do you
think is in a better position to contribute – the person who has achieved
something and is “content”, or the person who has not tried at all?
In my opinion, for the good of the nation and
India Redefined, in particular, the latter brackets of people are more suitable
candidates for induction, contribution and growth. A person who does not have
the feeling of achievement, at least looks forward to an opportunity to
accomplish something. A person who has “been there, done that” has a sense of
contentment, which gives him the feeling of a comfort zone, which does not
motivate a real solution finder.
Another class of associations that we have been
building up life long has been with “Like Minded People”. We always warm up to
like minded people, be it in our professional lives, personal lives, seeking
friendships, in religion, caste, color, state….you name it. We find our own
comfort zones to remain content. Like minded people form and participate in
political parties – be it Congress or BJP or Samajwadi. Like minded people
follow a particular religion – Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity or any
other. Like minded people get together to start an enterprise or business or an
NGO. While it is good and even important for like minded people to come
together in pursuit of an objective – we often stop respecting the other like
minded people and their objectives, and sometimes even oppose the views of the
others just because they belong to other group of “Like Minded People”. Don’t
we often see that one political party opposing all
that is being espoused by the other political party, irrespective of the
validity or correctness of the issue or action? This is a typical example of
“Like-minded thinking” of one group dividing people rather than uniting people.
History is replete with examples in our nation formation, from Raja’s choosing
like minded people as their minions, to state’s being formed on this
principle….and now also being further subdivided, seeking the same lines of justification!
It is time for us to think about the whole nation
as a set of different-minded people, who want to do something positive to build
this nation, with unity. We need to seek and build on this principle of unity
in diversity. No longer can we think in terms of religion, caste, creed as
divisive factors. Just because we speak same language and have similar food,
does not mean people speaking a different language or having a different
cuisine need to be opposed, made fun of or not respected. “Unity in Diversity”
is what
I was a person who did something for the country
and felt content about it, thinking that I had done my bit. I have seen the
change in perception, after getting out of my comfort zone, in starting this
movement which will take us to a newer horizon, with the combined efforts of
all. Let it not be a dream shared by a few, but an effort, determined by all
India Redefined participants, in driving our destiny, as a nation. Let us get
out of our comfort zones………..and find not just like-minded people, but interact
with all towards our brighter future with anyone irrespective of any ideology,
philosophy, political, regional or religious affiliations. India Redefined asks
to fulfill ISR-Individual Social Responsibility.