What Are We Heading towards?

Since the times immemorial, from the day of bull carts to the era of jets; we have scaled lofty heights. Technology and goods of utility surround us. By all means we are living in a luxurious present but haplessly we are demolishing our future days on the other side. The absurd curiosity of the new era of technology has rusted our mind and soul as well.

We have lost touch with our earthly beings; the glorious traditions of the past and those refined habits inherited from our elders to show our respect towards out fellow human beings. Most of us now fail to display courtesy towards elders, indicative of our meager cultural gains in a world driven by technology.  We read a lot; yet, it seems, we understand and practice only a little. It reminds me of Kafka’s noble words: “I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for?”

                              

Kafka’s words befit the present times in the sense that need is not to attire oneself first with branded cloths, watches and use of smart phones but to conduct oneself in a pleasant manner. Need is to act with the utmost courtesy towards older persons and especially towards female gender. Much of the time we folks say that zamana bada kharab hai (times have turned bad) but how often do we do some introspection.

We are abreast of the affairs of world by using smart phones or by other means, but we lack the smartness of the grey matter. Among the most threats, the engulfing rise of drug addicts and road Romeo’s has perished the bedrock of our society. And on the other side some bare-faced female folks have bungled the fair name of the valley (the valley of saints). We may become doctors, engineers, authors and the like but utmost need is to become a pious person first that would enhance our mentality and not to land us in the fool’s paradise. Parents ought to remain enough cautious towards their children and not let them resort to wrong activities that are most likely to ruin them as well as the future of the whole society. Lack of brotherhood is another nuisance in our living world. Time is to yearn for real faith, brotherhood and co-operation because we have got trapped in the net of predicaments where our future seems blurred and withered. We are under the focus of dictators who just dream of our separation and incoherence.

Time is to cease all those things which are behind and step forth onto those which are about to arrive. It is time to remember past just enough to shun repeating mistakes and put the rest of it all on the dung heap. Even the Almighty doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as he does about where are you and where are you heading off to. 

A version of this article was also published in print edition of Rising Kashmir on Tuesday, 05 August 2014 http://www.risingkashmir.com/what-are-we-heading-towards/