Hari Om!
Those of us who studied in India know that in our country, on the 30th of January, each year, at 10.55 am the school bell rings, which is a signal for all of us to stand in silence for 5 minutes, solemnly in remembrance of Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi), who left for his heavenly abode on that day in 1948. Every year thus, as children, we were told to remember the Father of the Nation. But for most people this was only a ritual compelled by the teachers, who in turn are instructed to do this as part of their “duty”. Very few actually do this with reverence to Bapu, maybe because physically or emotionally, they were untouched by his deeds and actions.
Tomorrow, i.e. 22nd May 2012, is the first anniversary of PNS parting from physical association with us. However mentally he resides in every one of our hearts, in some cases very prominently and in others, at the back of our minds. However, our memories of association with him are still fresh. That is because, in some way or other, he left an impact in our hearts about certain good values, good thoughts, kindness, love and affection, care and learning. That we cherish these qualities from our association with him is not in doubt. As a mark of remembrance and with a view to reinforcing the impact that he created in us, I propose that we all observe a 5 minute silence between 2.30 pm and 2.35 pm tomorrow afternoon (the time when he breathed his last), no matter wherever we are. During those moments, let us recall all the goodness, kindness, love and affection that we carry in our hearts, not only towards PNS but also towards ourselves, because unless we remain serene and calm within us, we cannot display these qualities outside us. So let us use these 5 minutes every year, as a prayer unto ourselves and unto these qualities within us. That is the best way we can remember PNS.
I am sure there will be memories of time that we spent with him, some of which will bring a smile on our lips and some others probably tears as well. But these memories have an underlying appreciation of how PNS touched our lives. I am not saying these words as the son of PNS; far be from it. What PNS meant to me was far beyond my relationship with him. It is similar to many others, who are not his progeny or who had no relation of flesh and blood with him. So without getting entangled into the relationship dogmas, let use the 5 minute prayer as a tribute to these qualities of PNS.
I am also promoting a PNS Foundation tomorrow; which will be an organization dedicated towards the cause of education, healthcare, talent empowerment and providing succor to the needy. At the moment the path forward is not known clearly, except the intention to create something that can work towards those less privileged than us. As time goes by, I will be able to provide clarity on this. I welcome any of your thoughts on this. I am marking this email as CC to a number of persons close at heart with PNS. If you feel I have missed out anyone, please forward it to them as well. I would not have omitted them intentionally, must have only skipped my mind or I didn't have their IDs.
Please also look at the remembrance section of Times of India tomorrow.
Prem & Om
Suresh
No comments:
Post a Comment