Change Request

After 3-4 weeks I went to CMP again. CMP is Corporate Mentorship Programme where in employees of my company spend 2 hours a week with kids from two orphanages ...kinda "mentoring" them... wherein we are all addressed as "Bhaiya" or "Didi" ... and our aim is to be that in long run... to become someone they can rely on... probably be an elder sibling who can guide and mentor them. One who is not as strict as a teacher and yet not just a fun buddy.

Anyways.... so today they were being taught "Etiquette"- Table manners, general courtesy, etc etc. Things like:

• Leave your seats for elderly and other needy people.
• Open and hold the door for elders and other people.
• Do not take other's things without asking. Always return back things in good condition and with thanks :)

Hmm... pretty impressive... We should teach kids to be courteous for an ideal, happy society.

But then I remembered an instance from "Shantaram" - a book on real life story by Gregory David Roberts. This man is in Bombay, India and leaves his seat for an old man in a local train and he is scolded by his Indian guide for being an idiot and hence having to stand. He is advised, if you can not see an old / disabled/ pregnant ...in short needy person in discomfort due to standing... do not see... turn your face away... look away. You ain't supposed to give your seat!!! How convenient :) And well ... I am not very proud to say, this is what is actually done. As if your looking away will take the pain away... or in general... if you can ignore something it ceases to exist!!!

I dont remember how many times I have lent books that were never returned or how many pens I have lost that were kept at the desk. I do not see any deliberate intention of theft here, but yes may be we are too careless to worry about minor things... Or may be deep down within we believe in "Vasudhev Kutambkamb" ( treat the whole world as your own brother) and think its okay to be casual in dealing with brothers. :)

We certainly know what is right and what is not. The way things should ideally function. The things that should be taught to kids. But somehow in the long journey of life..from 18 onwards we tend to forget some of the unimportant lessons of life.

I am reminded of an intersting quote, "Conscience is the most flexible material in the world. Today, you cannot stretch it over a molehill ; while tomorrow it can hide a mountain." Sometimes I wish, conscience were more visible, more tangible... some thing like an itch... you just cant ignore it!!!! If you see something going wrong, you cannot help but scratch!!!!! This is one of the change requests I am going to give to the creator when I meet Him ;)

PS... Poulomi... I know your "Little Women" is with me. I intend to return it when we meet next