LIFE A BRIDGE BETWEEN BIRTH AND DEATH

We emphasize that life is more important than death and really so. The fact
of death is always  pushed to the  furthest corner of our perception.
Youthful part of life sees it a s a distant event .Similarly the position,
power, wealth makes us feel invincible to the sting of death. There is no
time to concentrate on it just yet ,as there is plenty of time ahead. Does
every one  have the luxury to wait to contemplate?

Postponing discussion  till retirement or later part of life is  often the
norm. Alcohol ,hallucinating drugs are much less intoxicating in comparison
with ego and power and position. The bridge of life undergoes wear and tare
and needs periodic repairs or even reconstruction., The powerful, wealthy
use their waking part of life, as if this world is final and fulfilling
destination. We use our resources whether intellectual or otherwise to
subjugate our adversaries, humiliate, decimate and block their progress and
rise over their dead bodies. We see nothing wrong in our approach of
*obstructionist* role., The opponent is covered every step by secret
dossiers and threatened with annihilation, if he dares to challenge the
status quo of comfortable zone. Hence rule by threats, and division   may
have its effects in short term  But, when on the edge of death bed, people
are forced to introspect and mediate on their life`s stretch, if lucky to
undertake this exercise of self evaluation.

No man however great, rich and powerful can win over death threatening
health problems .If the physical resources could provide ultimate solution
to longevity,  the war over death could be won .The helplessness at such
points in time, leads us  to frustration, disappointment and to look back
over our attitudes and behaviors .The realization dawns on individuals to
reflect and feel humbled over the lost opportunities .Expression of  regrets
and attempts to undo the wrong, may to some extent provide a soothing balm
to their troubled past and minds. Nevertheless the total damage cannot be
retrieved in the state of helplessness with best of the intentions of
repentance. All attempts to enrich and  acquire , amass  wealth  for next
generations is a  poor comforter. It is the good that we spread, the
relationships that  we build that live beyond death. The outreach to
deserving, the justice to the underdog, the time we spent with others to
listen to their  woes could have far reaching implications towards
successful and happy life to fall back upon. Building  of granaries of
wealth as shield to meet all future  eventuality is a poor solution. Living
a  total life of luxury will have its limits of elasticity. It may be in
appropriate conclusion to infer,  that  the people pay for their past sins.
Lamenting on lost opportunities to deliver justified reasonable solutions
is now in the realms of possibilities, not realities of life

Some  powerful  rulers and  individuals are  under the illusion that
immortality can be achieved  and ensured by  building of  physical
monuments, naming  of roads, ports, airports, bridges ,stadiums roads
hospitals, educational Institutions, scholarships, conducting tournaments ,
being a part of political history and glory etc ,To day the TATA Institute
of Cancer research and hospital s an example , rings in happy memories of
the Industrialist for spreading the message of health care services to
humanity in comparison to  all his other gigantic projects of developments,
which  pale into insignificance Tata stands to be immortalized for
generation to come through one such single act of benevolence

Immediately, the fight  against disease from the edge of death bed of the
most prominent political leader, makes us introspect about the  so called
indispensable leader. Life will go on with or without the tallest stalwarts
in any field of human  endeavour .The replacement will very soon cover all
the past glory into History to be archived .Believing in self as the
ultimate, indispensable  social  asset is a misnomer. Those who stifle
alternatives do  the greatest damage to the society .The autocrats,
despots, dictators, even in democracy   have experienced in their own life
times, the futility of such assumptions. It is time that one realizes the
limits of one capacities and leaders must ensure smooth change of
transition of power for good of the society, rather than cling to power
like limpets under all circumstances .If we bow down graciously for reasons
of our inability to shoulder the position of power and responsibility, that
will receive greater appreciation and recognition. Remote control without
relinquishing the reins of power is a selfish motive of digging heels and
dying with boots on and act greatest disservice.  In politics especially
the grooming of alternative leader is of  paramount importance No one will
be put on pedestal for deliberately  designing chaos and confusion in
absence to reinforce indispensability in office .The paralysis in
administration, developmental road blocks, indecision to  act  grow out of
failing presence of the leader in absentia

Let saner  counsel prevail

Nelson Lopes Chinchinim

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