One Life

"I don't take things for granted, because everything feels more fragile. It's made me wonder about mortality and how long you've got somebody in the world. I'm more fearful than I used to be." ~ Robin Gibb

     Over decades and centuries mankind has progressed, socially and culturally. And now, we question God's prowess through our actions, empowering ourselves in decisions pertaining to life and death. I've not turned over a new leaf by re-organizing my faith or delivering sermons. It's just that the past few days have left me disturbed and distraught.

      For over a month, my access to the newspaper and news channels were limited. Initially, it left a vacuum from my daily activities, but I was at peace with myself. Since the time the services have resumed, I've made it a practice to read the news as soon as I'm up everyday. And everyday, I read about my fellow beings taking their own lives. Is the human life following suit with the Indian Rupee?

     I've not been a farmer in rural India, indebted to wolfish money-lenders. I wouldn't understand the pain and grief that runs through their veins or the moment of madness that results in handing over the dues to their family. But by ending their lives, do they render a favour or complicate things further? In the pursuit of achieving greater heights in their next birth (in India, everything is associated with previous or next birth), don't they cause sacrilege for their current one?

      Quite recently, even the previous illustration seems old-fashioned. The current trend is to commit suicide with the pretext of having lived a content and meaningful life. In short, to avoid further hassles in life, choose the path of cowardice. A couple, educated couple end their lives in Goa. Adding a note, "We have lived a very eventful and happy life together. We've travelled the world, lived in different countries, made more money than we ever thought possible, and enjoyed spending as much of it as we could on things that brought us joy and satisfaction. We believe in the philosophy that our life belongs to us and only us, and we have the right to choose to die as much as we have the right to live."And it makes the news in style. Someone writes about a resemblance to Darwin's theory of evolution.  For their parents who are alive, it's a blemish that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. We fight against feticide, to grow up a generation that doesn't respect the value imbibed in their lives.

      Before I end this post, I wanted to introspect. About a sexagenarian unable to find a kidney donor. About the millions who fight every second, minute and day of their lives in order to live the next one. Wouldn't suicide be the easiest option for all of them? Are we setting the right example for our future generations? Perhaps, they might not even look up to us as the ideal role models.

"If all human lives depended upon their usefulness - as might be judged by certain standards - there would be a sudden and terrific mortality in the world."

P.S: I intended to add about a 12-year old who set herself alight for an argument with her mom.

P.P.S: A reminder that Corruption is not our biggest worry - about a 15 year girl who was impregnated by her classmate.