COVID19 & Religious Hatred: A Way Forward

The current crisis that the world is unique and something that the world is not simply prepared for. Every day gives rise to a set of challenges. It is not easy at all. Given such extreme circumstances, it is easy for all of us to react adversely. But no matter what we do, we should not endanger the lives and safety of others.

It is in this context that the Tablighi Jamaat incident and the subsequent actions are to be seen. Several thousand persons met at a place together, notwithstanding the COVID19 crisis that the world was facing. This was reportedly in defiance of several legal provisions. Thereafter, it appears that the self-quarantine restrictions were not taken seriously jeopardizing lives of many. Not only those from the Tablighi Jamaat, many did not, and do not, know the importance of self-quarantine.

So what is the way forward?

1) We all should put our prejudices aside and work towards the common goal: getting rid of the COVID19. 

2) We can do that only if we protect ourselves and our family members from getting infected or from spreading it to others.

3) It is not unsurprising for many to doubt or suspect compliance of the lockdown restrictions. We should as parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or acquaintances of such persons (who doubt or suspect lockdown restrictions) inform them the importance of lockdown: this is essential.

4) Every person who can influence others- be it head of family, panchayat head, head of a political party, priest, maulvi, or whoever- should immediately communicate the importance of lockdown and self- quarantine to those under his/ her influence.

5) Such an influencer, along with his/ her team, should ensure supply of essential items to the group and take care of the group's needs, and at the same time ensure lockdown and self- quarantine. 

6) Only by taking steps as per (3) and (4) can we all educate our parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or acquaintances and ensure they comply with the lockdown measures so as to prevent spreading of COVID19.

For the next ten to fourteen days, we need to keep our prejudices away and ensure that we act towards the common goal: getting the world rid of the COVID19.  

Drinking Alcohol is Uncool!

A friend's dad recently passed away due to a smoking related disease. Most of the guys in the previous generation thought smoking was cool and are now paying the price. In the same way, the present generation thinks drinking alcohol is being cool and a teetotaler is considered uncool and a "pazham". Well, please know that drinking alcohol is totally uncool. If you think otherwise, all you would be doing by continuing to drink alcohol is you will make your spouse and children immensely suffer in a decade or two. So stop drinking!

And if you happen to have a friend who's a teetotaler and you're on your way pestering him to drink, please stop doing it. You are doing no good to him; you're not being a friend.

I am lucky that way. During my college days, there is probably not a bar in Mangalore that I had not visited with friends. Yet, not once have my friends suggested that I should taste alcohol. Once, an acquaintance asked me to drink and all my friends were pretty pissed off at him for asking me to drink. I am so proud of my friends that I keep telling about them to everyone.

Friendship is not just about enjoying and having a good time together. It is about ensuring that your friend always goes a step ahead in life. It is fine if you cannot help him or her; at least don't shove him down the rabbit hole.

Perspectives and Environment Matter: But B+

If you think this post is about environmental and pollution related issues, you're sorely mistaken. By environment, I mean the surroundings and the things and perspectives to which are exposed to. I happened to chance by an apt illustration of this point. If you notice government offices in Northern India, especially Delhi NCR, you''ll notice them going for a stroll, which is the sarkari way of attempting to negate the guilt of having gobbled up artery-clogging lunch.

One sunny day, after having eaten as if there was no tomorrow, a colleague from Chennai and I, an artless villager, were walking around our office building. Suddenly, we noticed a bush shaking vigorously. What followed were our observations on the cause of the same event:

Colleague: See! Notice how the bush is shaking!

Me: Yeah! There's a chameleon sitting inside and doing this.

Colleague: Thought a couple were sitting behind the bush.😉

Me: Hey! This is quite common. During summer, animals find shade in the bushes and have a good time doing these things.

Colleague: Its also quite common in cities: just that, couples have a good time in it.

For the same event, we perceived different causes depending on what we have seen in the surroundings we grew up in. 😁

The larger point of this silly incident: differences of opinions is quite common because of this. Instead of trying to establish who is right and who is wrong, we probably need to respect each other's life experiences. We also need to understand that our life experience is only selective and give the world the benefit of the doubt. And Be Positive! 🙏🤘