Visit to old age home

One of my friends had his birthday and invited me to accompany him on a visit to old age home where they were providing lunch for the day.

It was a gloomy sight to see abandoned old men and women only passing their days. The facility was providing only the basic amenities and some recreation. But what good is all the recreation if you are not in the best frame of your mind? Ill-treated, abandoned or separated from dear ones by acts of God. They probably have no more objectives in life and just living on...

The staff of the facility deserves a mention and a token of respect who are definitely more patient and caring than the ones whom these old men and women bore and brought up: to their own ill luck.

Life has its facets. Got to live with it. All we can do is contribute to make their life a bit easier. I think we all should add this to our lists to do some charity for these institutions. Whenever we feel like throwing a bash, we should also keep aside a small share of our recreational budget to empower these institutions.

I will, are you joining in?

Holi for India but not the humanity

I saw the markets perched up with colors and curious apparatus that are a kid's delight because these toys give them the power to spew colorful water on each other to commemorate what they might have no idea about. Saw eager shopkeepers, curious kids and cautious parents trying, testing, bargaining and buying toys and colors to celebrate the holy festival - Holi.

Witnessing all this was also a mind that was loud aware of latest crisis that has fell upon humanity. Japan's quake, tsunami and radiation. Civil war in Bahrain that happens to be my birth place also and still home to one of my cousins, The war of independence in  Libya and Cholera in Haiti. The Hiranyakashipu has already struck this time and Holika was too late to save Prahlada.

Amidst all these thoughts racing through my mind, I was also wondering if human civilization really shares the suffering across distances? Do we care more about Japan's situation than a mention of awe about the happening? Does being connected with rest of the world means only to be informed. Should it not also raise concern and pain?

My point here is not about acting upon the crisis and running out to help. Although that would be a noble thing to do. Donating and helping always is, but I behold a deep-felt sorrow for a troubled race above an act of donation and charity because latter might be a consequence of ego and pride rather than a sense of responsibility and concern.

I wonder how many of us would postpone the ideas of having fun because of sorrow and grief being shouldered by far away inhabitants of the same kind we are.

Do we really belong to one race? Of do we believe more in living in our own niche and rejoicing, feeling sad and acting about only what affects our own haven?

On a second thought, I think it would be inappropriate to gauge the concern of people participating in the above hustle about the crisis human race is facing from mere participation in shopping for the festival. The shopkeeper might be (or have to) sell for bread for his kids, the parent want the kids to be happy and the kids are still too innocent to be concerned.

[Just a stream of thoughts]