Lighting Hope Collectively

 

“The greatest strength of a democratic transition, the involvement of the people, is also its greatest challenge”. Not even had Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the “9 minutes at 9 pm” thing on the forthcoming Sunday, but the social platforms started buzzing with unwelcome trolling posts much beforehand. Few “intellectuals” from the society were ready with daggers to draw and attack a humble request for solidarity, unity and collectiveness. These are the same crazily wired minds that call the great leader’s ways autocratic, but conveniently gale to sneer at the effort of striking a regular dialogue to motivate the population of world’s largest democratic nation.

 

 

History recalled, which of the country’s first row leader has ever had a continual interaction with its citizens, giving them a fair idea of the direction that the country steers in? Where in time before, have we had a face that stands stoic in all adversities and yet calm with the assurance that we shall sail through the storms together? Participation can be people’ choice but opposition for just the sake of it is unfortunate for the rest of the partakers who believe in the power of collective strength – of standing together.

 

Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation today on the 3rd April and appealed the people to observe a voluntary blackout for 9 minutes at 9pm on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020 and light candles, lamps, diyas or torches and stand united to illuminate the path for the human race together. As the whole world fights one of its biggest pandemic ever, India too is surging ahead in all its efforts to keep the virus at the bay.

 

Applauding the forces in government, administration and services, the PM also appreciated the unprecedented discipline the nation has exhibited in the last few days. A fortnight back, he had urged people to come out to their doorsteps or windows and express gratitude to those who have been working in the frontlines during this health crisis. India reverberated for minutes together with a frequency that touched every heart, that stirred every soul and that created one-ness. The sound of the claps and the bells that rung in gratitude must have died down, but its resonance can yet be felt. Today, when the Prime Minister makes another appeal to create another experience of cohesion and harmony, can the “intellectuals” not be mature enough to stand aside if we they wish so, but allow the society to joins hands at their own will ?

 

 

Corona has posed a bigger threat to mankind than it was ever imagined. It’s a battle of the human race against the deadly virus. Being courageous is only half the battle. You have to keep going. You have to persevere. And you must be aware that you are not in this alone. That is exactly what PM Modi envisages and asks for a conscious choice of commitment.

 

From the moment we are born, we are a part of a collective – a society. It is a shield of security to “belong” somewhere in the big bad world. Human study shows that groups guide our thoughts and our behavior. And old adage says – “The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts”. Collective strength provides us with security and power and helps us feel good about ourselves. The darkness of depression can often be driven away by lighting moments of “having each other’s back” in tough times.

 

In the time of social distancing, these social experiments or initiatives are nothing but tools of strengthening the cause, the fight, the bond of being “one”. It is a demonstration of the fact that a lockdown cannot lock our spirits. It is about opening up to each other and warming up the hearts. It is about creating a ripple effect of positivity and good vibes to reenergize the dampen hopes. What else can be the purpose of “Mass Parayers” in churches, “Maha Yadnas or Maha Poojas” in temples or collective “Azaan” in the mosques? Our ancestors knew the power of collectiveness and religion was just a way to exercise that. Let us not get into the debate of the bugs in the theory, but one can always try to revive what’s relevant without a rile. Back in the times of college, can we discount the benefits of group studies at the last hour of exams?

 

 

The fear that the pandemic has generated, can be combated by giving each other the strength to pull on. It’s not India alone but other countries too that are resorting to enhancing mental strength in the times where the virus has downed the society physically weak. This collective exercise that the PM suggests, can raise the morale of people as they step out to actually “see” some different faces than the only ones they have been seeing for the last few weeks. It can provide a sense of relief that you’re not alone in having challenges. You have your army, you have your people, you have your society in it together to fight. Sharing an unspoken feeling, sharing an unsaid word, sharing a look, sharing a glance and sharing a gesture alone has tremendous power to heal oneself and garner confidence and assurance.

 

Agreed that the situation demands more than just symbolism of the solidarity with the lesser fortunate and the poor, but with his proven track record of the past, the PM will surely soon return for a dialogue on actions to be taken after the lockdown ends, both for the government and the people. Till then, let the trollers be happy playing various social challenges that are making round on the social media and let the contributors continue coming together for commonality and community.