Unforgettable evening

I can never forget this evening. Had the most awesome and learning walk near the shore with my mentors in full flow - philosophical and introspective.

I don't want to put this up like a status message on facebook. Its something i'll treasure my entire life - so I don't want random comments spoiling my taste.

A continuation of introspection

(probably the last in the series)

We love to believe that people around us think like us - react like us. Or like we want them to. There exist people who can realize and live in an atmosphere of hostility and there are others who'd rather escape.

Everyone is alone in a tiny boat sailing through a huge ocean; holding on till the time waves will eventually take over. And eventually, they must take over. Its just how much time you survive without struggling with the waves; or how much water you are able to displace with your oars.

Looking forward to less serious thoughts in future. I hope my brain's listening. 

...

Often things are beyond understanding. Why should simple things complicate? Why should there be instances when you are held together with people you don't want to represent?

Why should people suspect ulterior motives when there aren't any? Why should you land up defending yourself when it's not your fault? 

Bah. The list is endless - I don't feel like going on. Every time life brings you back to this square - where are you really headed? Maybe some people are destined to get things the hard way. 

Sometimes one feels that it's rather better to go far away from all this than to adjust with people who are okay if you die under their nose. 

People change... or do they really?

A common perception says that time changes people. I really doubt it.

Its a process of evolution and a matter of time before one actually knows the other person. Just as time heals, occasionally time hurts. Because over a period of time, you realize that the pretence of few people has actually fooled you, more importantly, wasted much of your time especially when you really trusted them.

But then, better late then never.

Solution to the problem?

Just move away from them, slowly but surely. It works but definitely brings about a bad taste in the mouth which often really persists long. They are better left alone in their own world of haughtiness and soon you'll be with new people around you, most often for the better rather than for the worse.

An Update

Life’s too mechanical at the moment. Nothing new if you really want to know. 

In a shell once again – till the time life gets a new direction. 

Isn’t it better to keep things deep within you? 

If you can’t donate – don’t die

(This post is written for my college magazine - was rather forced to write such senti stuff)

What you are about to read, are hard facts bluntly put across.

That you still want to read it shows your naïve enthusiasm for some possible creative bravura. Do you really want to know what the best part about this entire page is?

… The fact that you can read it!

This man attending the eye OPD at PGI can’t read it. Because none of us who are reading it can offhand count even 5 people who have pledged their eyes. Is this statement wrong? No – the fact stares blatantly at us.

This patient has a simple question that we cannot answer. Has the Eye Bank received any eyes from any noble donor yet? Sadly, no! He breathes heavily and gives a poignant expression. Is his watering due to the illumination of the slit lamp or they’re just tears? It’s tough to find out and even more heart wrenching to think about. Maybe he has no emotions. He folds hands, bows and reaches out for his stick and nonchalant 9 year old daughter’s hand.

This patient is one amongst many who throng the Eye Centre of not only PGI, but God-alone-knows how many such centres all over India. But he tells me that people like him are few and ‘over’ privileged people with ‘good’ eyes definitely outnumber them. We agree. India has nearly 1.2 billion useless people who can’t help this guy even when they are dead. Offended? Think of living his life for even 2 days.

You know the best part of donating eyes? You don’t lose anything!

Too lazy to go and fill those forms? Disgusting!

It’ll disfigure the sacred body of my kin? Ignorance to the hilt!

So what’s stopping us? Wish we knew.

Getting a bad taste in your mouth? Then go for it, it’ll make you feel better. If you haven’t pledged your eyes yet, pull up your socks. Even if one-fourth of you pledge eyes after reading this, the purpose of this magazine is served. Talk to your family, friends, society and patients. Encourage them, teach them and counsel them.

Dear reader, we hope you got the message. Let there be light in the room even when you leave. You can enlighten the lives of at least two – and as science progresses – possibly more than 2 patients’ lives with your promise. Somebody tells us that if all people dying donate eyes – within 11 days no one in India would be cornea-blind.

We dwell in thoughts that someday this will come true and more people can wake up to a new life.