Dark is Beautiful

Darkness is often abhorred as being evil or one that brings plight. But could it be subject to human bias and fear that he treats darkness with utter disgust and hatred.

Looking out from the huge window of the 17th floor of a residential tower at Thane, near Mumbai, I could see the place was in midst of chaotic urbanization. With tall buildings sprucing up from all over, the landscape was also dotted with a lot of old ramshackle buildings and temporary structures ready to be demolished, All in all it was not a very pretty sight with not much greenery in sight. The place appeared dusty and concretized. Scorching summer heat made it even more intense.

But behold your senses as the  evening rolled into night. The buildings were all lit up and one could see millions of lighted dots. The darkness had hidden all the ugliness of the town and the place appeared breathtakingly beautiful. As if on a dark velvet someone had pinched in millions of shining stars of all colours. Red, pink, yellow, golden, white - the twinkling lights did nothing less than amazement.

Most will credit the neon and bright electric for the superb canvas but it was actually darkness that had wrapped within itself all the ugliness of human misdoings and neglect, Not a word of complain and with no appreciation from any 'being' it quietly suffered its philanthropic deed.

Dark is beautiful, It gives light background and a chance to shine and bring hope. Dark is imperfect but its imperfection is its' beauty.

Dark is not ugly; the human tendency to take advantage of the unseen is!

So next time you see light and feel hopeful, do not forget that behind all this shine is the selfless dedication of the dark, the 'unsung'.

Breach of Trust

When Johnson & Johnson accepts that its baby care products have cancer causing chemicals, then it is nothing short of breach of trust. For being trusted by millions all over the world as ultimate care for their baby yet falling J&J short to deliver its' promise  it is breach of trust; for knowing well the dangerous chemicals used in manufacturing their products yet not only keeping quiet but promoting their products as safe for the tender skin of the baby, it is breach of trust; and, above all putting profits before human lives it is breach of trust.

Vijay Mallya for cheating his investors, partners, banks, employees (Kingfisher Airlines) and for stashing away millions for himself before running away from the country leaving others in lingering suspended animation and in a state of flux is breach of trust. from King of good times to the gang lord of cheats - Mallya has brought bad times to many. The law enforcement agencies being so naive so as not being able to catch hold of Mallya before he flees the country is also breach of trust of all those who have believed that the law will take its own course.

From Johnson & Johnson to Vijay Mallya, from US to India, all across the world, today we see so much lack of trust in the corporate sector. Governance is at all time low. 

Is the pressure from the stock market wolves, or a race to the top or a mad rush to make profits? 

Whatever it is, trust deficit is impacting consumer sentiments badly and depleting the faith of the public in general on the corporate and governmental institutions. Long term damages are far greater that might result in disengagement and disenchantment among people.

Time will never forgive the likes of Johnson & Johnson and Mallya.

Neerja, Spirit of Womanhood and the World

Neerja Bhanot, the braveheart airhostess in the 1986 ill-fated hijacked PAN AM flight, who was instrumental in saving lives of more than 300 passengers, while not caring for her life and ultimately dying in the line of duty is in limelight again after 30 years, thanks to the movie 'Neerja'.

A lady who was posthumously awarded bravery awards by 3 countries - India, Pakistan and US is being hailed as a symbol of courage.

There is no doubt that Neerja Bhanot personified bravery but she also personified unmeasurable compassion and kindness.

Her bravery award citations celebrated her incredible human kindness. She was the last to leave the plane but not lucky enough to get out alive. In the chaos that reined when terrorist went berserk and rained bullets indiscrimately on the passengers, she repeatedly checked the plane for anyone left out and finally finding herself between bullets and three kids whom she was trying to evacuate, she chose to come in the way. The bullets pierced her head and snuffed life out of her.

Why will someone do something like that? Which job pays enough for scarificing one's life? The truth is no job description or no compensation for a job in the world can ever explain or describe such behaviour.

What Neerja showed was not only bravery but incredible human kindness that put others, those who are complete strangers, before oneself to the extent of giving up one's life.

Neerja exemplified what womanhood stand for - a strong and brave heart that is filled with unmeasurable compassion and kindness.

As the world celebrates International Women's Day today, it needs much more than ever what Womanhood really stands for - Courage and Kindness...

Courage to stand by the truth and do what is right;

and,

compassion and kindness for fellow beings - treating someone as a human first and not label him by religion, region, colour or nationality.

Neerja is not a person or a movie - she is the spirit of womanhood that can make this world a much better place.