What is most important to you in life? When I ask you this question, please do not look at the immediate gains. Look at the bigger picture – Is it good health, happiness and safety of yourself and your loved ones? If it is not, it should be – especially now more than ever. It is time we gave up on our selfish goals of doing what best suits us now, for the road that leads to a better tomorrow is not a straight easy one (Like the ones that we have been building in our State by cutting down hills and trees) but rather a narrow and meandering one where we can see the sites and smell the flowers along the way because herein lies our life for a healthy, happy and safe future.
Covid-19 is just a warning bell that our actions have an equal and opposite reaction. We need to co-exist if we need to live. We are not the only ones in this planet though our myopic vision, most of the time, leads us to believe so. We have to make our choices wisely even though our politicians do not do it for us. It is very tempting to take the easy way out and look the other way, but each and every action has a telling effect on another if not today it will definitely be there in your courtyard tomorrow. If it is happening in Brazil, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh or Goa; if it is the North or the South of this state that is being affected, we are all in it together. The words ‘development’ and ‘progress’ are the most scary words today because they are completely misused by the powers that be. There is nothing sustainable about it.
There is no better time to emphasise how united must we all stand against the forces that are making us believe otherwise and blinding us to the reality that is a going to be devastating tomorrow. It is heartening to see groups of people cleaning the beaches, trying to grow trees and helping the needy in my own home state of Goa.
It keeps me wondering sometimes – so why exactly do we need people sitting in high chairs dictating terms to us? Are we just being bought or brainwashed? You may be a Hindu, Muslim, Catholic or from any other religion, that is your prerogative, but most importantly you are human being brought into this world to do good, just as everything else, be it birds, animals and trees. We have a purpose, let it not be a selfish one. Let it not be immediate gratification, but a long sustainable one. Choose wisely your friends, your children and people you love depend on the decision you make today before it is too late.
Let us stand united and do the right thing even if it means sacrificing the now for a more healthy, happy, and safe tomorrow. – Remember, we are all connected so don’t shy away from your responsibilities. Today, if it is me. Tomorrow for sure, it will be you.
