As a normal human being I wish for basic things in life; food, shelter, clothing, education and security in the same chronological order. First three have been the requirements of the man from time immortal. As we have developed personally and socially, we have added more to this list. The latest added is security. Security can mean personal, social and financial. A complete man is one who is satisfied with all what he has. A nice house, choice of food and clothes, loving family, a good paying job, and independence in social circles
A few years back one could find plenty of such people around. You could find them everywhere. In the elevator or the office buildings, your neighborhood, the one in car in front of you in the signal, around the corner every next person you bump into would be happy. At least with basic things. You could smile and nod at them and they would reciprocate. If you dint have exact change at a shop the keeper would smile at you and say… “It’s ok, pay later”. Once a Samaritan paid my ticket when I realized I forgot to carry my purse. How many times have we saved pocket money by hitching back home from college! The people giving lift would always do so with a smile. And the very gesture of humanity would bring a smile onto one… which would continue the chain of brotherhood…
All of a sudden things changed. First the extremists were conceived. For personal and political gains innocent people were indoctrinated with hate. Hate of religion, of region, of language, of life… and they were awarded with weapons; in material and matter. And then chaos reigned. Demolition of places of worships, in retaliation there were terror groups formed, organized crime rate increased hundred fold, more weapons were required, narcotics and gold was exchanged between borders of states, nations, and affected last need in the hierarchy. Our social security was compromised. We started looking at every other person with suspicion. We started getting reluctant to help an accident victim because we were wary of the bag he was carrying, or of being involved in police case. Every person with long beard and robes were stared with contempt. New tenants in the society were asked numerous questions. And the friendlier one behaved, the more the fear was fueled.
In turn the ripples were felt in the financial circles. Huge amount of assets made drastic moments with little traces of their paths. Markets and investments collapsed and so did trust in people, companies, establishments and countries. People lost their holdings overnight. And then we lost our financial security.
Lately after 26/11 in Mumbai, we have finally lost our personal security. With terror agents entering our homes, and eateries and man slaughtering us, we are now in a state of turmoil. The veil is lifted and the face of death is finally exposed. And that is even more terrifying; sending shivers upward our spines… because it is a face of common man. Terrorists are nothing but one among common people who are brainwashed to do and be so. We can’t distinguish the devil from humans any more, resulting in disarray of social system and personal way of life.
We have finally realized that the four basic necessities in life are in no way complete without security. It is security which brings peace to society and mind. And slowly we are coming to terms of the fact that security cannot be entrusted to governmental organizations, private eyes, or blame anyone. It comes from within. Each one for all and all for one is the slogan raised in the streets. Candle light vigilances and awakening of self is catching up. Being alert and rising up to any given situation is the need of the hour. Each one has to take up the onus of leadership, if not of the society or family than at least of the self. And lead.
That is the only way we can finally attain the fortitude of the righteousness; and be an average man with proportionate circle of mind, emotions and body which will then lead to a square material existence in the world and universe as a whole. By being a Vitruvian Man; is the only way we can live with honor and die with dignity.