Onam spirit thrives in the shadow of social distancing

 PC THOMAS

Onam, one of the key festivals, is being celebrated in Kerala or Malayali Diaspora across the globe.  The 10-day festival which started on August 22 comes to close on September 2. The key celebrations are on August 31, the day of Thiruvonam.

According to legend, Kerala had its golden era during the sovereignty of King Mahabali, and Onam marks the King's annual visit to see his subjects. All through the years, Onam has become one-single festival celebrated by all sections of Kerala people. Onam is also celebrated by Keralites with high spirit and enthusiasm even under social distancing.

Onam is a harvest as well as divine festival from God's own country, Kerala. It is the time of the year when Kerala is elated with trumpets, drums, art, dance, music, boat races, floral carpets, lights, colours, rituals and the delicious Onasadya without which the celebrations are unfinished. Onam is welcomed with a various range of activities and celebrated with immense pomp and fervor. The spirit of Onam is worldwide regardless of caste and creed. Read more article PC Thomas

This year, however, the glitter, fervor and enthusiasm for traditional festival Onam seem to have been subdued and restrained in low key-note as the celebrations and merriments are impacted in isolation, due to the corona pandemic. Rising corona cases, social distancing and identification of hotspots clad the season of celebration across states kept the residents in shelter, taking away the festive mood, which our diverse culture is known for.

Indore Keralites are set to keep up Onam fervour amid social distancing due to Covid. The Indore Keraleeya Samajam President Joseph Thomas expressed– “It has been immense joy to celebrate Onam in Indore even with restrictions and social distancing. It reminds all the Rule of Great King Mahabali where Equality, Fraternity & Liberty were practised. Keeping with the solidarity and harmony in mind”.

Arun Kumar PK, the Joint Secretary of Indore Keraleeya Samajam expressed "We observe Onam to honor a glorious past. We all of us desire for a time like that of King Mahabali, a time when success, unity and brotherhood of love uniformed. Be that as it may, so as to realize this dream, let us put forward a creative and sustained energy to keep up"

Let us also follow the message of Onam by Kerala Health Minister K.K Shailaja - “Malayalees should celebrate the first Onam since the COVID-19 outbreak with care at home, celebrate this year's Onam with soap, mask and gap. Let us make ready to celebrate the spirit of the harvest festival Onam in its entire inner zeal and splendor. Let us decorate our homes with Pookalams, listen to the melodious Onam-Songs and enjoy the auspicious festival of Onam!

 

Will local reservation strengthen the unity of India?

 PC THOMAS

While the COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating the economic crisis, an already emotional issue of job reservation is brought to spotlight in Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday, 19^th August, the Honorable Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that all government jobs in the State will be reserved only for the “children of the State”.

While reading the news, I remembered a story in the Bible. In the New Testament of the Bible, we read in St. Mathew’s Chapter 15, verse 21- 28 the story of a “Canaanite Woman’s hope”.  Jesus was going off to the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman who lived in that region (local) came to Jesus and said “Son of David, Sir” she begged. “Have mercy on me, my daughter is possessed by a demon and is in a terrible condition” she cried. To test her faith, Jesus made an apparently humiliating statement. “I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel” – “It is not right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs” (that means Jesus is not bound to help a non-Jew). But the woman’s answer was even more powerful.  She answered “That is true Sir, but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their master’s table”. Jesus was amazed at her faith and said quickly “You are woman of great faith! What you want will be granted to you” And that very moment her daughter was healed!

I do agree that adequate reservation must be given to the children of the State by the respective state governments. At the same time, MP Government has to bear in mind that people from other states living in MP are also contributing to the development of Madhya Pradesh.  Last year, the Kamal Nath government had directed industries in Madhya Pradesh to provide 70 pc reservation to people from the state. In July, the Haryana government promulgated and ordinance reserving 75 pc jobs in the private sector for local people. And, on August 5, the Telangana cabinet approved a policy to reserve 60 pc of skilled jobs and 80 pc of unskilled jobs for the people of the state in the new industries. Read more PC Thomas Article

M.P government has to take into account the current insecurities of all people arising from the jobless situation, especially in the midst of the spread of corona-virus pandemic. Job is needed for all people of India for their survival whether they are sons of the soil or not.

In line with the wish expressed by the Canaanite Woman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government should reconsider its decision and reserve only 80 pc of government jobs to the children of Madhya Pradesh and leave 20 pc to the people from other states. All Indians are the sons and the daughters of Mother India whether they are born in one geographical area of India or the other. Like Covid-19, hunger affects everyone without any distinction or discrimination! If all the State governments follow the policy of reserving 100 pc jobs only for the people from their States, it can lead to tensions and conflicts among the different States of India and the unity and integrity of India could be adversely affected.

Moreover, a particular State may not have adequate number of skilled persons or experts in a particular field and some other State may have excess of experts or skilled persons in that particular field. In that case a policy of reserving hundred percent jobs for the sons of the soil will be harmful to both the States. From the perspective of the holistic development of India and the unity of the nation, hundred percent job reservation for the sons of the soil is not a bright idea.  – Stay Updated with Best Blog PC_Thomas

Let celebrations strengthen unity in diversity

 Indian people want to show the message of communal harmony in festivals, which is very significant at this time of corona crisis..

PC THOMAS

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival which is observed every year to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of fresh start and a new beginning. It is celebrated following the Hindu mythology which says that Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of the Lord Ganesha. Hindus refer to Lord Ganesha as the remover of all obstacles and barriers.  This year, the 10-day festivities start today, August 22. The final immersion of Lord Ganesha’s statue in the river or ocean marks the end of Ganesh Chaturthi that will take place on the 10th day or Anant Chaturdashi day, on 1 September.

As we are now witnessing that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted religion in various ways, including the cancellation of collective worship-services of various faiths and the abandonment of pilgrimages surrounding observances and festivals. Therefore, so far this year, people over the world have not been able to celebrate any festival outdoors collectively due to the pandemic and they have limited themselves in safe confinements of homes with prayers and meditations. Read more articles PC Thomas

States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu generally witness festivities on large-scale during the 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. But, this year, with the virus calling for social distancing, most families are avoiding the act of welcoming more friends and family members at home. People are reportedly making their own clay Ganesha idols this season and online and offline workshops are helping the devout make eco-friendly idols at home.

India is the country where all religions of people are seen. Every one of them celebrates different festivals. Celebrations assume a significant role in our day-to-day life. In our everyday life we will be similar, but in the event of festivals we will be in a unique way. India is known for unity and all people irrespective of religions, celebrate the festivals together. There are numerous celebrations that all of us celebrate such as Baisakhi, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, Ramzan, Muharram and so on. Therefore, India is known as the country of festivals.

Indian people want to show the message of communal harmony in festivals, which is very significant at this time of corona crisis. Yes, India has already witnessed the religious harmony – Last year, in Hubli village of Karnataka State, both Hindus and Muslims gathered at one Panthal, where arrangements have been made for Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram. According to the locals, people in the Hubli village are eager to celebrate all the festivals together, be it Holi, Diwali or Eid al-Fitr !

Ganesh Chaturthi festival of today is an occasion to promote goodwill, unity and solidarity among the people, which will empower us to keep up the harmony and goodwill across states. There is something awesome about this festival – It transforms the ordinary into the extra-ordinary, darkness into light and desolation into ecstasy. A devotee shared his feeling in such a way: “Nothing can supplant the peace and happiness that Ganesha brings to the faithful each year”.  Let all celebrations strengthen unity in diversity so that coronavirus pandemic may be over – Here is wishing you a very happy, prosperous and healthy life on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. This Article published in Metro Vaartha on 22.8.20. Stay Updated- The Best Blog PC Thomas

 

Will Schools be Reopened on September 1?

PC THOMAS

Coronavirus has captured the imagination and thoughts of governments, educationalists, scientists, the media and common man. As businesses revive gradually following the months of lockdown, now the debates about the reopening of schools and colleges have gathered momentum in India. 

In the United States all schools are all set to resume.  In fact, some have already reopened and normal classes started from the first week of August amid rising number of cases. According to a report, it is known that just fourteen days after schools reopened in the U.S, over 97000 children have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This has been a matter of great concern worldwide, indicating that more cautious steps are to be taken before the normal functioning of the schools amidst the spread of pandemic.  However, considering the gravity of the situation and variation of the pandemic across the globe, many countries are at different stages regarding when and how they plan to reopen schools. These decisions will be made by the governments, often in discussion with local authorities.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his address on the Independence Day said that the schools in the Delhi city will not be opened until the Covid-19 situation is brought completely under control. Besides, the Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodia confirmed before the media that the government would be slow on the issue of opening schools considering the current situations, especially the lesson learned from the condition of school children in the US. In a separate statement, he said that if the parents and teachers together with the 16-lakhs students of Delhi would start praying, it is certain we will soon be able to re-open our schools.

Some State governments are also reportedly considering opening schools from September month. On the other hand, the Centre has clarified that it has not yet finalized any specific date for the reopening schools.  It is also reported that the Centre has prepared the modalities and the plan to restart schools and other educational institutions in a phased manner, starting from September 1.

The return of children to school is important and hopefully a welcome step, but parents and children raise many questions. A greater part of parents are anxious about school closure dampening their children’s education, about children missing social interactions and about children staying on track for the next grade.

Governments should make sure that the schools should be reopened only when it is fully secure for students. However, going back to school will be something totally different from what the children and parents were used to before. It is assumed that schools may restart for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on the local context. Nevertheless, in the evolving situation, authorities will need to be flexible and be prepared to adopt safety measures for the protection of every child.

In this time of uncertainty, what should a parent do if his child is struggling to get back into school mode?  Parents should keep in mind that their children may experience stress. In that case, they can create a supportive and fostering atmosphere and respond positively to children’s feelings.

It is obligatory for parents to help children to stick to their regular practice and make learning playful and enjoyable by incorporating other activities such as family reading time or games. Give additional support to your child at home by building a routine around school and schoolwork. This can be of great support if they are feeling restless and having trouble regarding focusing on studies.

We all need to keep in mind that the solution to COVID-19 is no longer only in the hands of the experts. Only God can intervene when God’s people pray in harmony, in suffering situation. The Education Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia’s faith is very much valuable. In line with his faith, let us pray the welfare of the country – If the parents and teachers together with the 40-crores students of India would start praying, it is certain all students of India will soon be able to go to schools safely and comfortably. This article publiashed in Metro Vaartha on 19.8.2020. Stay Updated- The Best Blog PC Thomas

You are the key to your freedom

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SHERLY MATHEW

Even when the Almighty God and the Indian Constitution gave us a lot of freedom, we, human beings are still dependent in many areas of our life. If we want to give something to ourselves and our society, the first criteria we should have in our mind is that - we feel experienced the freedom within ourselves.

What is freedom or independence? ... Independence and dependence are varied in each other's views and thoughts. Freedom is a great gift from God to man. God's creation itself is undoubtedly the greatest gift to Mankind.  It is not the power and right to do anything or everything we feel in our minds, but it is the opportunity and right to do what is right..  Freedom is an open window that enlightens the soul and personality of every human being. The beginning of all freedom lies in the area of stability of respect and recognition for the other.

Are we really feel free?... or where we fell freedom? .. I have often felt that we are still addicted to many things. There are many instances in our lives when we are caught in a wave of inconsistent emotions ... Sometimes we lose the ability to discern the right from wrong things...

We are the ones who experience this encounter every day and night. There are no human beings who don’t go through such experiences.. but the truth is that no one gives much importance to it .. or some people enjoy it and live .. that's all.

What is the reason?, We lose the mastery of our mind or thoughts – that is what the reason behind this. We who have good power, intelligence and ability in our life journey, sometime get addicted, with some dark forces to rule our life, willingly or unwillingly. It can be hatred, envy, lust, greed or some special desires ...But we have to realize that all our good qualities may disappear in a moment when we  unknowingly walk from our freedom to slavery.

Though it has been 74 years since India gained independence, there are still many narrow-minded thinkers who do not shed light on independence. The intervention and intrusion of others is the most important factor that undermines our freedom today. Our relationships are often broken down because of our unnecessary invasion into the freedom of others. And finally, our hearts are hurt by the nonsense of others. But we should always remember one thing, they only paint pictures about us. Those images are never realities. No matter how big waves and storms pound the surface, the ocean is clear and calm in its depths. Also, allow harsh words and obscenities to remain only on the surface. Do not allow the mind and eyes to be disturbed by passing them on to the inner core of the heart. Do not allow anyone from outside who does not deserve to lose our privacy or freedom. Then there will be peace in life. We are the "key to our freedom."

We need to grow our own self. We must gain the strength to retreat only when we hear the cry that our way is not right. You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render towards other people. He who conquers himself is greater than he who wins a thousand battles and conquers the empire. In spite of this loss, one must acquire the will to embrace the good or the right in anything and everything. This is true freedom. We must not let the shadow of our selfishness cause us to lose the light of the freedom of others. Nor should our freedom rob anyone of happiness.

May our thoughts, words and deeds lead us to true freedom ... This time let us remember our parents who raised us with free thoughts and our ancestors who gave us their own lives and the free country of India. ....Happy Independence Day to all of you. - Stay updated with Best-Blog

Stay Positive in the Negative Situation

PC THOMAS

The global economic recession and uncertainty set off by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the stringent lockdown imposed to contain its spread have impacted lives and livelihoods in India. Financial imbalance and social isolation have pushed many of them to the brink of despair and uncertainty.

Despite the fact that the unlocking has been in progress for past 65 days as of writing this piece, people are attempting to adjust themselves to the new normal life.  However, during this Covid-19 crisis, there are reports indicating to a growth in alleged suicides. On the flip side, there are stories of young people who have triumphed over adversity with life-changing success.

The challenge of Covid-19 is that it is a large-scale crisis affecting the entire society. Businesses go bankrupt, people lose jobs, no hike in salary and people face many struggles to survive during these difficult times.  However, it is a fact that even in the toughest of times, positive people are winners and the negative people are the losers. All of us have the opportunity to utilize this Covid time positively to prepare ourselves to build a better future for us and for our posterity.

Sometimes people, probably because they follow their zeal with passion or because they are by nature aggressive, brave, ambitious, they are willing to leave the comfort zones and move towards the discomfort zone to achieve what they look for in life. But there are some who drift through the present situation aimlessly.

The primary lesson that we need to take from this situation of pandemic is that it is a crisis or it appears to be a setback to the progress of the entire humanity, but the world is not going to an end. The world will emerge stronger and we will find a treatment for the disease and we will go about our lives and get stronger and get better. The most important thing that we can do today is to have that self-belief. Every crisis builds its own winners and even the absence of a crisis has losers. Hence, be positive and believe in you and in the Supreme Power that gives meaning to your life.

In addressing the social issues related to the suicides committed by Covid-19 positive patients or the disgrace and stigma attached to the disease, we need to educate people about reasonably confronting painful and difficult situations in life. Further, we need to be sensitive and caring about persons who need support and encouragement.  Therefore, it is very important for us to quickly reach out those persons in our society who show indications of depression. Timely financial and emotional support in this difficult situation can reduce the number of people taking an irreversible stride to end their lives.  The Central and State governments, on their part, need to take care that  the schemes announced to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and the needy reach the deserving people and that too without delay. For all of us, the need of the hour is to be positive about life and embrace life with confidence come what may! - This article published in Metro Vaartha on 14.8.2020. Stay Updated- The Best Blog PC Thomas

 

 

 

 

Engaging Youth to Act

 PC THOMAS

Once a youth was admitted to hospital following severe injuries attained in a bike accident. When asked him how it happened he said – After participated in the Youth Day’s cocktail party in the hotel and while returning to home late at night, I saw two motorbikes coming parallel in my opposite direction. I began to accelerate in order to race between their motorbikes. But it was they come nearer, that I realized the headlights belonged not to two motor-bikes, but to one car!

Different from the above scene, the youth of today has now become fully disciplined in roads as Coronavirus taught them a bouquet of life lessons in their way of thinking, driving, working and acting. Young people have become heroes of the pandemic now by adapting themselves with critical life situations, keeping careful behind the wheels, lifting spirits of others and letting people know the type of protocols to follow to fight against the pandemic situation. Let us send the virus thanks for these precious lessons it taught.

Today, 12th of August, the nation celebrates one of the awareness days, the International Youth Day. The day is celebrated to recognize the importance, role and hard-work of the Youth. It is one of the most important days to engage the generation of the youth of our world to help them and contribute more to our communities and society. The theme of the International Youth Day-2020 is “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.  The day intends to demonstrate the manners by which youngsters at the local, national and worldwide levels are upgraded.

In India, the youth constitutes about more than one-fourth of the total population. Therefore, Youth Day is important for India as it focuses on making a better India with a set of priorities according to improvements in the lives of children and youth.

Needless to say, this year’s International Youth Day comes amid an unprecedented global crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in acute social and economic impacts around the world.  Young people are particularly exposed to the disruptions the pandemic has caused, and many are now at risk of being left behind in education,   economic prospects and health and wellbeing during a critical stage of their life development. Young people are more likely to be unemployed or to be in precarious working arrangements, and thus they lack adequate social protection.  About one billion students and youth across the world have been affected by school and university closures. Economic miseries and social isolation have pushed many people to the brink or beyond.

In the light of the above, on International Youth Day this year 2020 youth can effectively spread the message and make it interesting and relevant. They can use all their channels to propagate the message about the World Youth Day and its significance in a manner handling with the pandemic crisis, by organizing a virtual public debate or meeting to discuss young people’s contributions to national and international levels. They can take the lead in fighting against false information which is intended to mislead people in the present crisis, as well as in spreading preventive measures. 

Let youth accelerate their drive towards goal and ensure that they have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies amid the crisis. To make all the goals a reality will require the cooperation of each individual, including Governments, the private sector, civil organizations and people around the world. This article published in Metro Vaartha on 12.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

Corona crisis and the coronation of our lives!

 Corona crisis and the coronation of our lives!

All these days of lockdown have made us realize how vulnerable we are and how dependent we are on simple things that we usually take for granted - Read more on news published on 29 May 2020 -Metro Vaartha  Corona crisis and the coronation of our lives!

Traditional drugs for Covid-19 faces bottleneck pressure

PC THOMAS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his video conference on March 28, said that the AYUSH sector has a long tradition of keeping the nation in the pink of health and its importance has increased manifold in the continual efforts to tackle COVID-19. The Government has set up the Department of AYUSH – which stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy – to utilize and promote these therapies in the field of healthcare.

While Covid-19 looms large, it is commonly seen that no allopathic doctor is supporting or acknowledging the traditional treatments such as Homeopathy, Ayurvedic and so on. Last month, media reported that Homeopathy treatment was given to 42 Corona-infected patients in the Rajastan by physicians of the Homeopathy University of Jaipur, which yielded positive results. There was also another news reported that thousands of homeopaths in the public and private sector are outraged at the state directive restricting them from practising their system of medicine.

Traditional medicine has some features that the allopathic class does not have. Similarly, Allopathy also has its own features that the traditional does not have. Medical Experts believe that in the event of an outbreak of infectious or other serious diseases in the country, all these therapies will work together to tackle the disease effectively in prevention and treatment of cases. It is in this light that the Prime Minister said that traditional therapies could suggest better ways to combat the virus.

While modern medical field has not yet succeeded in developing a timely and effective drug against the coronavirus, there is a growing public demand to use non-allopathic therapies to treat the patients who are found to be Covid-19 positive. In India many people take traditional therapies such as homeopathy or Ayurvade for making themselves immune and fight against the virus.  Many local communities are also taking interest in distributing homeopathic medicines from the source to the public interest for the prevention of disease.   But the Allopathic community or modern science never acknowledges or supports the quality of the drug.

In view of the huge increase in the number of Covid patients in Kerala, the Government of Kerala has decided to appoint non-Allopathic doctors and staff to run the first-aid centers. But no further pursuance has been taken by the government. The reason is said to be due to the opposition from the allopathic medicine sector. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), an organization of allopathic doctors, is strongly opposed to alternative therapies, especially homeopathy.

Immunity drugs in traditional therapies are often demonstrated since they are scientifically based. Government hospitals, medical study facilities and graduate colleges have been set up in all these medical units. The government also pays their employees. Every day thousands of patients approach such hospitals and achieve the results. Yet what is the logic of saying that such treatments cannot be acknowledged even when epidemics are rampant in the country? This discrimination must be ended. The government needs to settle the Cold War between the medical communities and work towards a co-operative treatment plan on a war footing basis.  This article published in Metro Vaartha on 7.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

 

Media Maven - “Time Media” of Martin Joseph – Watch Full Videos

Thinking of innovative ways and passion to reflect out of the box, one of Kerala’s leading independent channels, the TIME MEDIA of Martin Joseph Kurisummottil focuses on challenging issues to rejuvenate intellectual energies with sustainable development goals. 

This platform on YouTube Channel meticulously covers the development and stunning scenarios across Kerala to stir up and enhance intellectual reflexes and competencies to a higher magnitude.

Many videos have so far been released and thank you for all viewers for your enthusiasm. For subscribing, you can find a subscribe button under YouTube video. As you know well, once you subscribe this channel the upcoming new videos will be displayed in your subscription feed. Your thankful Likes, Shares and Subscriptions enable you to see more contents from this channel, and it motivates me to create more.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have subscribed and hope your sustained support enable me to reach on new highs. Thank you – By Martin Joseph, Time_Media.  Watch full Vedios of Time Media here

 

When will we go back to Normal Life?

PC  THOMAS

When COVID-19 is causing a massive shake-up of our daily lives, a major question that comes up in everyone’s mind today is “When are we going to return to normal life”? We have to find out new keywords to optimize the situation. Even when the Vaccine is experimentally advanced to reach out, it will roughly take about six months to get it injected into our blood.  In any case, when we are ready to immunize ourselves with the vaccine, it would perhaps be hard for all the people to manage the cost of the medicine unless the Government assumes the liability of 135-Crore Indians. Read more  PC Thomas Articles

The fundamental factor would also reveal to us that for a nation like India, which is densely populated where people are not prepared enough to be restrained, it will be extremely hard to keep up social distancing until we are disciplined enough to  make it a part of our day to day living culture.

In our normal way of thinking, we may presume that we can achieve zero-coronavirus population by conducting tests of every one going from home to home. When the civic administration is searching for Covid patients through the left side, real patients are running away from the right side, and vice versa. Then, what can be done?  Like we have done for Aadhar implementation and Voter id-card exercise, are we able to do a corona test on every resident in a phased manner?

Every resident of this nation should demand a test from the government right now than anything else. Of course, a caution is needed. Two difficult factors still remain: not increasing the testing rates and the government’s denial of community spread. Recovery rates do spiral because that is the natural course during a pandemic. However, we would not find out more new cases unless we test more. Until and unless all citizens are completely tested, what is the answer for these terrible circumstances we have just fallen into?

Already, voices are rising in nations like the USA against the Government's deferral in understanding the seriousness of the issue and now the administration is openly admitting that their framework was not set up to face such a consequence.

In India, we seem to be more interested in trumpeting about what we do in combating the pandemic and showing off the social help we are giving during the lockdown than to confront the situation with earnestness and discipline. In any case, would we say  that we are posing difficult queries  or that we are not prepared to address the enquiry - how long do we need to be in lockdown?

The time has come to settle on hard options, create a middle path with respect to the public. The challenge, when all said than done, is - how would you cause the citizens to make the best decision to follow guidelines when they are not familiar with following civic rules. Considering the gravity of the situation, the main way out is to communicate and conscientize the people about the need to follow the instructions through various governmental agencies to keep themselves safe ceaselessly and consistently. We have to attempt to do the best, and then we will survive! Stay safe! This article published in Metro Vaartha on 3.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

Friendship Day versus Raksha Bhandhan

PC THOMAS

Friendship day coincides with Raksha Bahandhan. International Friendship day is on July 30, but in India, it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August, on the basis that the valuable role a friend plays in life. True friends make up our life more joyful. They give us a feeling of belonging, cause us to feel cherished, never let us feel lonely and promote us to live with a better life and let go of our negative behavior patterns.

Though Friendship Day is intended to promote the role of friend in life, it is misused by the youth, like a Valentine day spirit, making a juvenile romance with many girls, saying that at least two-line-girlfriends are needed to enjoy life. At the same time it is a dangerous fact to understand that “Not a single crow, which has caught on two-line electrical wire, is alive today”!!

Unlike Friendship day, Raksha Bahandhan or Rakhi epitomizes family relationships.  It is celebrated today, the 3rd August, with boundless happiness and passion because it is the bond between brothers and sisters.  There is a deep feeling of love in it.  As we enjoy sacred festivals like Raksha Bahandhan, we should remember that, in reality, they all are meant to remind us of the inner bliss and oneness that are our inherent nature and are the very essence of life. Read more PC Thomas Article

In today's world, where human beings and nature are besieged by problems connected to Covid threat with social distancing, celebrations of such sacred days are in pipe-line pressure, however, they come out even more forcefully through various social media. These celebrations are intended to bring the much-needed message of unconditional love, destroying all enemies and disparities from our live.

Once an old man’s 100 years of Birthday celebrated where he was asked a question – "What is the greatest achievement in your long life"? - "I don’t have any enemies now", he said.  The questioner asked again: "How did, Grand-dad, you achieve this superhuman character,'? In laugh he said, "I did have many, many enemies, but NOW, in this my ripe age, all bastards are dead, I have outlived all of them.”! It is funny, this is not what the quality of having no enemies – instead, while living with the society, we wipe out our enemies and make them friends. This love makes us perfect friendship, because love is the spirit of God.

Seeing a noble action– during the U.S civil war, the then American President Abraham Lincoln was criticized for speaking of generous treatment for the southern revolutionaries. The critic reminded Lincoln that there was a combat going on, the confederates were the enemy, and they should be destroyed. But Lincoln loudly uttered, "I will destroy my enemies by changing them my friends"! This is what the real weapon of killing enemies and making friends with divine love.

The Friends in Friendship-Day and the siblings in Raksha Bhandhan-day are different in nature, on the basis of the above story.  In this dynamic and diverse world, that is changing very fast, friends also change. It is difficult to appraise whether they will be your support strength when you need them.  On the other hand, brothers can be dependable, their love for their Sisters never change.  Their love and affection match with Lincoln’s love and attitude, not with the Old man’s case.

All of us share a love-hate relationship with others in our life. Let us celebrate the Friendship day and promote the maxim that "A friend in need is a friend indeed".  And come to Raksha Bahandhan, it’s time to show some sibling’s unconditional love and bondage in their life.  This article published in Free Press on 2.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas