Talk...thats the only way!

I know I have been silent for sometime, despite my commitment to keep writing here so that the memories of the most heinous act of cruelty on innocent lives isn't lost. Reason was that I thought before I talk more and just keep talking, maybe I should also figure out what can be done and I got a little busy figuring that out.

I thought and deliberated and thought and deliberated. And then I asked myself, why is it that only a few of us have been moved by the events of 26/11. Why is that even fewer of us want to do something about this. Why is it that only a handful of us are willing to take initiative regarding this or anything else that affects our society.

And to my mind it is because it is just a few of us who have been "sensitivised" (that's my own coinage by the way) towards our environment. For better or for worse (especially for some who have had enough of putting up with my notes), I am sort of "sensitivised". There obviously is a lot more to be desired but I think I might well be on the path. However, I don't remember my parents or my teachers or my friends having sat me down anytime specific to tell me how I should be aware and sensitive to the goings-on around me. I don't remember any particular event happening in my life that might have made me a little more "feely" about such things. I guess it just happened and I just am.

It IS important to be sensitivised. Only if we are will we try change the wrong in society. Only if we are will we stand up and take notice. If we are not, we will only continue to lead passive lives of cribbing and still putting up with the shit. Which may be fine by a lot of people, which again is an outcome of how aware an individual is about his own life.

So going forward, I don't think we can afford to leave it to chance and hope other people will be aware and sensitive towards their environment. Maybe I turned out this way like a few others did but at large, such a "sensitive" thing cannot be left to chance.

I am hoping Archish will start spreading the required awareness that I personally feel is important. As for every other "sensitivised" soul, Archish or not, awareness can still be spread.

Awareness can be spread by COMMUNICATION, by TALKING. Now I know I sound pathetically like the Condom ad (something to do with "Say it out aloud") but I guess this is the only way to deal with issues.

We should talk as much and as often and to as many people as is possible. Talk to friends, to siblings, to peers. Even talk to the auto wallas, taxi wallas, the maid, her kids, the left man, the security guy, anyone and everyone. In fact more with the less privileged (than us) because it is very very important that their minds are molded the right way. Like it or not, they form the masses and the masses form the nation.

And if you think about it, it might not be so difficult a task. Next time we are in a public transport, strike up a conversation and you will be surprised at how reciprocating some of these guys can be. When I was in Mumbai, I used to chat up the auto wallas and the taxi wallas all the time (Bangalore is a bit tough with the goons running the show here, autos to be more precise). But out of 10, if even 2 give us a hearing, its a needle moved.