All of us live in our in between time between our birth and final departure! In that in between time, who we are we to others is what defines the mission of our life. This Lily is fading away after it has lived its full life for a week or so. Its life brought richness to the garden and fed the bees and insects with its nectar. Its presence was for others.
The news of the disqualification of Mr Rahul Gandhi from being a member of Parliament came yesterday. He having been convicted of a defaming remark against some people, was sentenced for imprisonment for two years. This disqualifies him from being a member of the parliament.
I remember meeting Rahul Gandhi in 2009, at the Christian Medical College, Vellore when he came to address these students as part of his journey to find the aspirations of young people. In a minute of conversation with him, while greeting him, I asked him, 'what do you see as his future in politics in India'! His response was, 'learn from others and find ways of helping others in need'. I feel he pursued that mission actively. The recent Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir was an expression of that aspiration.
He is now caught in a trap for his impulsive statements. All politicians bowl 'no ball' in the thick of their political life. Most people express regret and apologise when made aware that their words had hurt others. I wish Rahul also had done enough to avoid using language that could be seen as defamatory!
The political climate in India is one of hostility towards the family of Rahul Gandhi. From the Prime Minister onwards, many in the party that he represents use opportunity to have a dig at him, his mother, sister, his late father, grandmother, and Pandit Jawahar Nehru.
When one lives in such a hostile climate, where the ruling party has great control on the affairs in public life and discourse, one has a reduced space for expression and service.
The Lily flowered at a time when the day temperature is above 38 degree celsius. Although it is watered, its life is shortened during the summer months. The flowers live longer during the winter months.
The environment around us in one sense influences our wellness and determines the way we function. I work in a place where I feel overwhelming difficulties. To overcome difficulties one needs inner composure and steadfastness. One cannot crumble or turn aggressive or wanting to be outspoken ! It is in an adverse circumstance one is tested for inner fortitude and gracious attitude even towards those who cause some unsettlement!
A plant that flowers reveals its character of giving!
Giving is to bring a gift of love, regard or help! Giving cannot include hurting, shaming, accusing or defaming!
Giving is to upbuild.
I admire Rahul Gandhi for his unquestionable clarity about democracy, social justice, mindfulness for the disadvantaged in society! I feel for him when he is faced with a crisis in his political career. The language of sarcasm that many TV anchors use at this time when he is vulnerable, make me feel that they too are less than being thoughtful! I find the political leaders of the ruling party celebrate this 'punishment'.
When I see these attempts to make the wound more painful, I realise that we live in a technological world where humans have also developed the machine mindset where we live without feelings. The pain of our enemies is also an experience, in which we can participate by mindfulness. The wrongs we do bring us disrepute. The indifference we show to others who suffer lawfully or unlawfully is a sign of loss of our humane generosity!
Let me wish Rahul Gandhi the overcoming instinct to guide him through this difficult time. He overcame his nagging knee injury when he walked 4000 kilometres during the Bharat Jodo Yatra !
It is his time of preparation to return to public life with a charm that endears him to people of India! Our words when they are sober and be like dew in the listener's ears, we have become thoughtful to care and heal!
Let it happen through what Rahul would do in the future!
M.C.Mathew
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