In this turbulent value-less days, arrogance gets projected as “smartness” and “boldness”! But the fact remains that such “boldness” reflects one’s bankruptness of soul and his/her zealous attempt to hide shortcomings. Actually humility is nothing but an extension or result of supreme confidence, enlightenment of mind and true education (i.e. not mere earning of University degree).
In this context, allow me to share two facts related to two great humanitarians who have walked on this beleaguered planet.
Before getting posted as Governor of West Bengal, the highly respected Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi had played the role of India’s High Commissioner to South Africa when none other than Nelson Mandela was the incumbent President of the Rainbow nation.
In an interview, Gandhi shared his experience revolving Mandela. During a journey within South Africa, Gandhi found himself travelling with Mandela in the same flight. As the aeroplane landed in its destination, Gandhi noticed that Mandela not only folded the blanket (which he had used perhaps to beat the cold) neatly, but also personally handed it over to the airhostess with a bow, gracious smile and utmost respect and humility. When nouveau-riche “highly educated” people display supreme audacity and vulgar economic might while travelling in air and treat the airhostess as their “paid servants” or “slaves”; none other than the reigning President of the country and a living legend of the world used to treat “mere” airhostess with such humility!
It is often witnessed in ‘democratic’, ‘liberal’ India how a Panchayat member, Councillor, MLA, MP, Minister or “VIP” throws tantrums if any security personnel posted at airport, hotel or any public space “fails” to identify him or dares to check him according to rules. But a certain Nobel Laureate named Mother Teresa, whose face was also vastly recognised across the globe, used to religiously introduce herself as “I am Mother Teresa” whenever she used to visit any institution, even if it is located in Kolkata also.
I offer to end my piece by touching another two illustrious personalities – APJ Abdul Kalam and Gopalkrishna Gandhi. We all know how our “nationalist pride” got shattered when a certain Bollywood star was rightly detained in a USA airport and was physically checked according to rules. Not only did the “patriotic” Indians erupt in fury, the cry-baby star resorted to cheap emotional gimmicks by proclaiming that he was “victimised” just because of his “Islamic origin”! But when our respected departed former President had to undergo the very same “ordeal” in USA airport, Kalam acknowledged it with smile and utmost humility by co-operating with the security staff.
And Gopalkrishna had established himself as an extremely popular Governor through his graciousness and deeds, thereby capturing the hearts of Bengali bhadraloks. A bi-monthly Bengali literary magazine had featured Gandhi as its cover story praising his personality, noble thoughts and deeds as Governor. In the next issue, Gandhi (despite not being a Bengali by birth) had personally written a letter thanking the magazine and its writers and readers and stressing that “I do not deserve such honour”! Why don’t we learn a few things about humility, dignity and grace from these teachers of the society? They not only profess, but also practise it in daily life and make this society a better place to live in.
