What has happened during the recent years is one change- some birds spend most of the day in the garden. They rest in the trees around the feeding station.
The squirrel-bird relationship as seen in the first three photos is often distant. The squirrels behave unmindfully sometimes. When birds see others waiting around for thier turn in the feeding bowls, they give room to share the meal. The squirrels can be possessive and behave indifferently.
During the recent international political posturing of the recent twelve months, what was evident was the dominant posturing of some nations. In the recent two months, the president of one nation being keen to claim the Nobel peace prize is ordering for cease-fire between nations, who have had intense confrontations.
In a meeting of some professionals overseeing the affairs of organisations, I noticed how feeling for each other is replaced by competition!
A retired Tahasildar told me yesterday that there are big houses all around with no occupants. The owners live and work overseas. They were built in the recent thirty years or so from the savings while working overseas. Now they are unlikely to come back as many have become citizens of the countries where they reside. He referred to the 'vanity' of richness and the 'distress of some with nothing to live on'
How much do we need!
Most people after their work life retire to lead a quiet life. Some engage in offering service and some others are forced to seek another employment to take care of their needs.
I have often asked organisations that I was associated with as to why offering post retirement benefits by way of a monthly pension is not normal a practice in those organisations!
Most people live twenty to thirty years after retirement. Who would meet their needs! Having given thirty or so years to an organisation in service, do we leave them unattended when they are older and are no more able to be working to earn a living!
One experience that Anna and I have had is that the birds come to the feeding station to find the provision when food is scarce or are not able to find it!
I remember how Dr L.B.M. Joseph introduced the pension scheme at the Christian Medical College, Vellore in the late seventies, from the resources of the institution to all who worked at the institution till retirement for a minimum of 20 years. While he presented this proposal, he said, 'An employee of the institution is worthy of superannuation benefits for having served the institution'. The health care is at a highly subsidised cost for the retired staff in that institution, often freely provided for!
I feel compelled to suggest that a labourer is worthy of wages as well as care during his or her retirement years!
All organisations that exist for 'non-profit' purpose ought to be responsible for the post retirement support of the staff!
The three phrases Jesus of Nazareth used to commission Peter to his vocation were: 'Tend My Lambs', 'Shepherd My sheep', and ' Tend My Sheep' (John 21: 15, 16, 17).
Tending the young and old, and shepherding them in life is our calling!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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