THE LIGHT













The phrase ‘Zero Tolerance’ must’ve been there ever since Man began to speak in English. But, I was woken up to this phrase during Nirbhaya protests in New Delhi and across the nation.

 Today, when protests are on all over the nation, against the brutal gang rape and murder incident in Hyderabad, I am, once again, woken up to this phrase - ‘Zero Tolerance’…

My heart really goes out to the immediate family of the victim. While, what happened to the young woman is really sad and beyond our words and it’s an irreversible act, what is happening to the immediate family now, at least, should be done by us with loads of sensitivity… They are still in terrible shock and they are deeply grieving… And, they are made to narrate, and re-narrate the gory incident, over and over again, to each and sundry. What they need presently is silence, strength, and grace to deal with the loss, pain, anger and sorrow. They will not be able to get back the young soul they have lost to this barbaric act… But, they have to be helped to regain their lost peace…

Let’s be more sensitive… Let’s stop sharing and forwarding the victim’s pictures… Let’s stop asking her close family to relive those painful moments.

Meanwhile, may the call for ‘Zero Tolerance’ prevail, and get intensified. There should be the harshest laws in place, and there should be even harsher systems to implement these laws. The justice delayed will, always, remain justice denied. So, may all that we now ask for to punish the culprits, with the hope that others won’t dare to repeat it… yes, may it be granted.

Simultaneously, let’s pray. Pray for the guiding light. “Deva, thancha motik uzwad di”… My mother, always, had this simple prayer in her heart every time she felt helpless on situations like these. I am sure, she must be down on her knees, today, with the same prayer – ‘God, give light to their minds’!

Ironically, this prayer, always, brought light to the minds of those who prayed…

What we need, now, is the ‘light’!


GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic.: www.pixels.com

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