Selfishness to Selflessness:The resurrection of Activism

"Only a Life lived in service of other is worth living " - Albert Einstein

The 20th century , an era today's tech savvy youth remembers for the history books they hated or the boring lectures they attended ! During that very age thousands of men and women across all age groups had given themselves into a struggle , they left behind everything they had and risked their lives for a dream that they had seen .We don't remember many of them today but even after knowing that their fate might be that of a forgotten warrior they kept going because they had a dream of a free and independent India , and a tricolour in their mind . Whenever need for political consciousness or social activism is brought up, the answer we get from most people is that they are too busy perusing their personal dreams! My only answer is that a 23 year old young man who would have had personal dreams was hanged to death for his fight for independence, and to the shock of the officials instead of being sad he shouted "Inquilab Zindabad" as the rope of darkness was taking his life away . From being more compassionate and working for a better tomorrow for the whole world sadly the narrative has completely shifted to being good placements, a good date etc .  Making things worse is that the place of constructive political discussions has been taken by radicals or anti social elements in today's world . The need to resurrect activism and political consciousness has now become more of a need than an option .

The whole idea of doing something for the society has become obsolete , the idea of social service has become more of a ritual to showcase your big heart . Most people point this as a trend around the world but I don't buy that argument because something does't become correct just because a majority of the people are doing it . For me 20th century was the time of struggles against all sorts of oppression,racism,colonialism,castism etc beginning right from the Russian revolution 100 years ago and all the social and political movements around the world including in India . Sadly during the last decades of 20th century and with the beginning of 21st century the  world started to grow inwards and more selfish with the rapid decline of political consciousness . It really pains me that in a country where even in our religious stories questioning was an important factor , today everyone just lives by an existing way of living and are not ready to risk it to bring a change . When the toppers from prestigious institutes prefer to go out of our country and work for multinationals and you yourself are trying to do the same why are you criticising the way politics is being run in our country? Well you might answer that " Because this is a democracy" 

In a democratic country the history of a country should be written by the people and not by somebody or a group of people . The concept of democracy does't get restricted within the walls of voting instead is a much larger and wider idea . Thousands have given their lives for achieving the freedom we enjoy today and what are we doing ? Built a good home, get a good car ,finally get married and most importantly during your long weekends sitting with your friends holding a cup of coffee or any drink and criticise the way in which the country is being run .  People find it very easy to criticise but  are never ready to analyse the problems or find solutions let alone joining the political system. In a democratic country it is very important to understand the policies being taken and analysing them , the lack of political consciousness is the major reason for increasing radical movements and terrorist problems  . Now don't think that being part of political system means to fight elections or join a party instead it is a much larger concept , for example most people  don't even know their municipal counsellor's name  . Actually you must be knowing him, talking to him on local issues etc . The simple truth most of us forget is the fact that the policies made by the government affects our daily lives and it's important for us to understand them and analyse them. Along with placements, movies, american tv series issues like Agrarian Crisis or Neo liberalism should also be discussed in our campuses. (There are places where it is, I am asking to spread it to a wider section) . When I hear my father's college stories I listen to stories where they had heated debates and constructive discussions till night on social happenings and the ones away from this was a minority and ignored , Sadly today it is the opposite we hear stories of friends  at clubs and the ones who talk on issues are seen as alien and ignored !!! I read somewhere the trend with the youth has shifted from being revolutionary to  being irresponsible . Forget further involvement it is alarming that voting percentage in cities are not very high. The middle class and educated youngsters need to more seriously consider working for the nation by involving in the political system.

So far I have concentrated my writing on politics but Activism as a subject is much larger and politics is just one part of it. The one bright spot I see is the huge rise of Social entrepreneurship projects in our country . Even as I say that the larger problem at hand is  rise of selfish individualism over selfless social thinking . One theory that I have developed over my research into this topic is something I would like to share here , more that a theory it is an idea I would like to put forward : 

According to my understanding the world works like this : 

" Materially Inward and Spiritually Outward " 

By this I mean that we are trying to get every material gains for ourselves while we are searching for spiritual truth or to be precise god in temples, people , everywhere .

I suggest instead we must turn this around :

" Spiritually inward and Materially outward"

By this idea we find spiritual reality within us in a philosophical sense or in a simple sense keep our spiritual affiliations to ourselves and Materially we believe in sharing instead of  running behind personal gains .  With my small world experience I believe with such a complete change in our thinking we can solve many problems we are facing in a simple way .

I am not trying to demonise the idea of personal ambitions instead I am suggesting to bring in a change in the way it is perceived , in other words frame ambitions to suit personal good and good for society at large . Even as we speak there are people who are starving , there are people who are being denied education , there are people being attacked etc , It may sound like a writer's Utopian fantasy dream but if everyone contributes at least in the smallest way don't you think you will be the reason for someone smiling somewhere ?  Let me put it this way if you believe in God , He has given you all this and if you don't use this to help the needy what answer will you give god when you meet him after our old friend death takes us back ??  On the contrary if you don't believe in God or afterlife its even better because then all you have is your life and after death its nothing , in such a situation during your last days, will the amount of money you made or the expensive bag you bought give you happiness or the smile of a person who benefited because of your good heart  give you a smile ? 

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth" - Muhammad Ali

We are said to be the youngest country in the world and it is being said that the next world super power will be our dear country , so don't you think it is necessary that we take everyone along with us on this road towards the dream for which thousands gave their lives? It is possible if all of  us believe it to be possible . Being from state of Kerala which is known to be one of the most politically conscious society in  the country I always had my heart towards political reading and stuff and I am not asking everyone to be like that or to dream of future in public service instead I am suggesting to integrate this dream of social change and political involvement within your great dreams that you already have in your heart...

As I conclude let us decide to walk this narrow and long bridge from selfishness to selflessness and in the process let us resurrect the idea of Activism . 

"It is better to be criticised standing for the things you believe in than to give up your beliefs for wealth or positions"

All criticism here is also in a sense self criticism too as I am part of the young society I am blaming but as discussed in the previous blog Change begins from us and it is a slow process , as an 18 year old college student when I write all this I understand such a future is going to be very tough to achieve but I firmly believe its worth trying for :)) 

I welcome all feedback and responses and if you have't yet subscribed do subscribe to the blog at the top right corner :)) . Good day ....

Let the revolution of love triumph !

Change shall happen .......

picture credits @ pexel