Colourful presence!

I counted eight shades of colours in this croton plant. 

It is a plant which grows on its sown, needing least of attention. It is naturally colourful as long it stays  open to sunshine. 

Th sunshine creates this array of colours. 

We become more than what we can be naturally, when we let the sunshine of God, friends, colleagues and history touches us. The leaves stay open to the sunshine.

This comes to me as a challenge!

What does it mean to stay open!

There is  a asynchrony between our inward thoughts and outward actions. Th dichotomy is the opposite of this, that there is a contradiction between what we are inward and what we proclaim outside. 

I feel the pain of this while watching many instances in our national political leadership. There is a language of inclusiveness, welfare, and equal opportunity that the Prime Minister of India speaks about even on the Independence day. At the same time he seems to be less tolerant of others who differ with his ethos, style of leadership and approach to domestic and international issues. He does not just oppose them, but humiliates, intimidates and trivialises those who have a different points of view. When ever there is an opportunity, the present Prime Minister targets with malicious intent the former Prime Ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajeev Gandhi. It is the history of this nation the Prime Minister despises, by mocking the earlier leaders. Is he promoting a hate culture!

Th colours of life in our national life seem to be becoming sterile and pungent!

In a democracy, plurality of opinions converge to form the popular opinion. Now it is the majoritarian view that defines and prescribes the colours with no inclusion of differing opinions for consideration. 

I agonise over this!

Think of a croton plant with no colours!

Are we to give up or keep expressing our concerns!

The Hong Kong protesters give us a message! We have a role in deciding the destiny of our political process! and ethos!

The government of India celebrated the 73rd independence day while about 400 political leaders are in preventive imprisonment. Would the voice of reason prevail or the force of oppression! 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)