Indian culture had roots in ancient Indian philosophy and history of Indian freedom struggle. But of late the culture that is reflected in day to day’s life seems rootless. Austerity, hardships, simple living and high thinking, helping thy neighbor and strangers, honesty, pursuit of; truth, knowledge and peace are fast vanishing virtues. These virtues and human life seems to be losing value fast. Living and striving for wealth and flaunting wealth seems to be the sole driving thought for a common man today.

Everyday our insensitivity becomes headlines for media. Insensitivity too seems to sell. The other day regional channels in Kolkata flashed how a man in distress was left to die and watched by milling crowd and policemen. Accident victims bleed to death. Patients die at doorsteps of hospitals. In the west one can afford to be obsessed with self because state machinery is efficient. You see someone in distress, just dial a number and the state will step in to help out. Here there is no publicized helpline. Though everyone has a mobile in hand we don’t know which number to dial if there is an accident. Also where is the time? Saving job is important than spending an important day saving a stranger’s life and getting harassed by state machinery (police, hospital staff etc) itself.

Neighbours are strangers and strangers are total suspects. So it is just me, my family, my safety, my future, my financial security and my family’s future- the focus of today’s generation. Unfortunately there seems to be no other option either. Everyone is insecure. Everyone is trapped in the trappings of modern world. It is sad in our globalised world where all prices are going up, human life has become cheap and disposable. It is time to rethink and understand our humanitarian duties and set our priorities. If we are sensitive and dare to be responsible we won’t need any external agents for spiritual healing that too for a price!! Opportunity to save a life comes by rarely and it can be our only chance to be god.