Blazing inferno

Priya Tandon

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“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible”  — The Dalai Lama

Fire and rampage at university campuses in Delhi has led to so much misery and damage… so many lives lost and property razed to the ground.

At the same time, the bushfires in Australia have been a cause for concern and have led to damage beyond repair.

The first one is man’s doing. The second is nature’s. Why is it happening? Is there a lesson in it for us all?

Fire is one of the five basic elements that create the universe. It can be a useful friend or a deadly foe — it lights up the stove in your kitchen or burn houses; it lights up lamps in temples; and is used for performing last rites of a human. Fire is the same, only the use and purpose is different.

There is a lot of anguish being expressed over the loss of lives of koala bears and kangaroos in Australia. While the news is extremely painful, I wonder how the loss of these lives is in any way distressing than slaughtering animals to satiate our own desires.

Human is supposed to be the crest jewel in God’s creation. We are the only creatures with a sense of discrimination — distinguishing right from wrong. No one ever says ‘Animalkind’ or ‘Birdkind’? Why are we referred to as ‘Humankind’? Are we presupposed to be kind? But then, are we?

Whatever is happening in the world is not kindness at all.

All living beings breathe in the same air. Have you ever heard of Indian breath or American breath or Australian breath? If we go to a blood bank, do we ask for Hindu or Muslim or Christian blood. No, because blood is blood. Period.

Think of a world where everyone looks exactly the same — dressed identically; same size of face and physique; same language; and same food. Wouldn’t it be terribly monotonous?

Even for the smooth working of a home or an organisation, members have to be given different roles. Work is allocated as per capability and age. A dress worn has to be compliant with the job profile. Diversities in attitudes and practices are natural and should be appreciated. Why should we want one iron-clad, uniform, hard faith? What purpose would it serve?

Last summer, we happened to spend a few days in Mangalore. The Mangalorean cuisine was finger-licking delicious! In the hindsight, I found it extremely good because it was different from my native Punjabi food. A change is always nice. When we go out for a meal, we want to eat something other than the routine food we eat at home. Why? Because whatever is different is attractive!

If that be the case, why do people from different faiths do not appreciate each other’s culture and beliefs? As a child, I remember eating delicious ‘sevian kheer that my father’s friend, Khurshid uncle, sent over on Eid. I can still taste the yummy Christmas cake that Donny uncle brought us. My father’s friends would always enjoy ‘gulab jamun’ and ‘rasgullas’ made by my mother on Diwali and ‘halwa’, ‘poori’, ‘channa’ on Ashtmi.

Those were the happy days. We never felt that our Muslim or Christian uncles were apart from us. They were just different; and that’s what made them nicer!

I wish the camaraderie of the yesteryears comes back. We breathe the same air, we share the same motherland, we share memories, we have the same blood in our veins… Let’s douse all fires together. Be it in JNU, Australia or anywhere else in the world. Let’s douse the fire in our hearts before it burns away the humankind. Let the mayhem end.