I have many genuine words of appreciation for the younger generation of today in India.For example,they display so much independence in thought and ambition that was quite unheard of a couple of years ago.Similarly,they have displayed a great sense of responsibility by rising up to the calls for voicing social concerns in very recent past.I can go on and on counting their positives for you,but I am here today to point out a very unique deficiency,which is threatening to undo all their positive contributions towards society-their inability to express gratitude when that's due.
I came back to my blog page after a long time and felt compelled to voice my concern as I felt very uncomfortable with the two things which happened during the day.One was the news of senseless murder of a teacher by her own student of class nine in Chennai and the other was the disrespectful reference to her college by my daughter.I must admit that I myself never held any of my schools or colleges,where I studied,in very high opinion.I used to believe that I deserved some better institution and so never felt the need to express my gratitude for my academic institution or teacher.Today evening,while my daughter and me were busy discussing zillions of things under the sun,some reference came regarding her college and the words used by her for her college authorities were not exactly charitable. It sounded some alarm in my mind.Even as I was explaining the reasons for my disapproval for her emotional disconnect with her college,the news on the TV in the drawing room informed about the reprehensible act of murderous attack on a school teacher by her own student,for some petty grievances. I understand that the development of a child is not the responsibility of the school or society alone, and parents have a major responsibility in this regard.this filled me with even more sense of guilt.
I started wondering about this great virtue called gratitude ,which is gradually vanishing from our modern vocabulary.Imagine how will our civilized society look like in absence of this essential ingredient.Not only is it a desired courtesy to remain grateful to God and his other beings for everything that takes place in our lives,but it is basic need ,which encourages people to do all things good.Today,the means of exchange of information has increased manifold and parents are not entirely in control of such mediums.Therefore a child is impressed as much by the inputs from these independent and unregulated mediums as they may get influenced by the thoughts or actions of their own parents.An Indian home is steeped deeply in terms of courtesy and gratitude and so in isolation,it would have been able to impart such virtues to its wards effortlessly.However,the impact of unregulated information from TV,films and social media has made it virtually impossible now because children spend more time among their peers outside their houses than their own homes.Today,there is so much emphasis on individuality,independence and self that it sounds almost incongruous to talk of something as basic as gratitude.
There is so much indifference and apathy in the social environment in general and its permeating into the DNA of our children.Any logical,leave apart ethical,person would be able to surmise the importance of the role his parents,teachers and academic institution play in shaping up him as a person and bringing him to his destiny.Therefore,it is minimum courtesy to acknowledge the same and reciprocate by expressing heart felt gratitude for these contributions.It does not take away anything from us,rather it enriches us and gives us a sense of belongingness and responsibility.That forms the basis of any civilized society and its absence will fill the society with needless aggression, apathy,animosity & envy.And this will lead our heart to be filled with unbearable burden of isolation and agony.That is manifest everywhere today.Externally,we may pretend to be immensely happy,but internally we all are sick and worried lot.
Recently,I was contemplating ,in a very personal moment,about leaving behind everything to pursue the call of my conscience with all my energy.In the process,I was thinking about all I can count as achievements,in my life and how they came into my life.And then I was thinking about my parents,who toiled day and night to give me such a future,sacrificing everything they had for our sake.And they did so without even a second thought as if they were born here to do this only.Similarly,I thought of my teachers,my schools and my colleges.i might have undervalued them all my life,yet it was their effort which enabled me undertake the journey of my life.Then I realized that even though,I was not conscious of it ,I must be deeply indebted to all of them for contributing so immensely in my life without seeking anything in return.I felt very very small for remaining so arrogant so far in life and since then I never miss any opportunity to express my gratitude towards anyone and everyone,who has contributed in my life in any way or who has given me opportunity to contribute to work for them.That has made me very calm and composed internally,where I am at peace with my current realities and relating to them positively.I have developed a stronger sense of belongingness towards the society in which I live and in turn it has made me aware of greater sense of responsibility towards it.In short,I grew up as an human being in the process and rose higher in my own estimation.
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