I don't know why Adv. M.L. George decided to invite me as the chief guest for the 115th medicine distribution function of Jeevan Raksha Charitable Society. Anyhow, I accepted the invite, and promised to be there, refused (as usual) their offer to send a vehicle. Reached there on dot.
I was impressed.
Living in Kochi, and being in kind of a furnace in the past couple of weeks, I am reminded of 'qayamat' again - we are closing in on the judgement day! However, remembering the great father Abraham (of blessings!), how he pleaded for sparing the town of Ninevah from God's wrath, and he didn't succeed, because not even five just people could be found, I feel consoled. That Kochi is being spared everyday, because there is an assured 450 people (and even more) who are just by their activities of Jeevan Raksha. It fits so well within my frame as a Catholic priest, with a mandate given by Christ 'to give life, and that in abundance' (Jn.10:10).
It is a great work that is being done, there is no doubt.
However, as individuals and collective, we ought to go beyond.
We have the live examples of Vijayan maash and Mr. Parameswaran the secretary. . (Now as I complete this note after almost 4 years, I realise that Vijayan maash, is no longer there amidst us, but for his persevering spirit. Zindabad - in fullness of life!).
We recall Gandhiji's indictment of the modern medicine (also law and railway). That medicines seek patients; so in the heart of hearts, medical companies desire people to be ill (unhealthy) so that their medicines might sell and they derive profit. (So too with the lawyer profession - who seek disputes and fights between people, so that they might survive. It is unethical in its very existence as a profession as it seeks sustained problems of the people for its own sustenance. I am yet to get the clear logic behind his opposition to the railways - unnecessary travels, polluting land and minds? The railways have divided the land and its resources, affecting the life-lines (water channels) of the land quite adversely. It has also made the entire country a litter bin, by the thousands travelling the length and breadth of the country and littering the land indiscriminately.)
But the issue to be tackled by Jeevan Raksha is life itself - it has to focus on health, rather than healing after illness. We may not be able to neglect that aspect, but stress should be for healthy living - implying healthy air and water and healthy food. The first two demand that we keep the planet pollution and waste free; that we tread the planet softly, leaving no adverse effect, no heavy footprint - almost like the old dictum: kaavu teendaruthu!
The last one demands our engaging with our common home in producing healthy food. That we become responsible for producing food. And that we honour and hold in esteem those who are in that profession. Our solution is organic farming, by families, even if you can access just one cent of land - that too in pieces, where sun shine falls, you can be an effective producer.
For after all, we are dependent on the earth!
manne nampi naamirikke - we are dependent on the earth
namme nampi mannirikke! - and the earth (soil) is dependent on us!! (Yes and no! So long as we are there, it is made to be dependent. But if we are not there, I trust it is much better off).
No comments:
Post a Comment