A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste

From an unrelated newsletter:

The ancient Chinese hexagram for crisis means both danger and opportunity. But what determines the outcome? Is it in our hands? Do we have the power to choose?

Danger naturally focuses our minds, and when faced with it we instinctively contract, withdraw, or pull-in to protect and defend. Individuals do it, and so do countries.

Already the surge of nationalism towards the country has started weakening. People are once again starting to lapse into their old habits and cynicism (witness Zaheer Khan's outburst at being subjected to security measures).

We should not let the spirit awakened by the terrorist attacks die out. Let us keep the flame of purposefulness - of doing something for the country - alive.

Rights vs Responsibilities

A poem by a close friend. Translation is below:

बड़े जागरूक हो, अपने अधिकारों के प्रति
क्या सोचा है, कर्तव्यों के लिए कभी.
बड़ा सहज है, बड़ी-बड़ी अपेक्षाएं करना,
तो छोड़ो यूँ महज, हरपल उपेक्षाएं करना.
इस विश्व से, हाथ फैला कर कुछ लेना चाहते हो
तो पहले, इन्ही हाथों को बढ़ा कर कुछ देना सीखो.
नहीं तो, यह बोझ तुम्हे दबा देगा
तुम्हारा ही भविष्य, तुम्हे सज़ा देगा.

You are vigilant about your rights
But have you ever thought about your duties
It is very easy to be apathetic on issues
But please stop ignoring everything
If you want to take something from this world
Then first, learn to step ahead and give something
Otherwise this burden will bury you
Your own future will punish you.

So true in the case of India. We have been ignoring our duties and look at the deep shit the country is in.