Who's country is it anyway?
It has been over a year that I came to the land of opportunities, liberty and personal freedom, the US. The abundance of natural resources, the magnificent infrastructure, the discipline observed at public places in this country, really amazes me. There is no one, not even the President of the country, above its laws. Makes me wonder, why can't my country be like this? Why can't we have a system that truly exists for its citizens and people?
Do we lack natural resources?No. Is there a dearth of talent?I am afraid not. Are we forgetting that once we had a glorious present? May be. But just exulting about the jubilant past is not going to lead us anywhere.
Abundance and prosperity were not conferred onto West. It was no co incidence.
People and government worked hard towards that goal. Many times, I have observed, we Indians only blame the government. We only complain, fret and fume as to how the politicians are corrupt and vicious, how they have rendered our country destitute and plundered, and that we are helpless and nothing can change.
Why are we so pessimistic? This kind of cynicism is dangerous and it would only take us down to the road of perdition. The most common excuse is "I alone trying to bring the change can not help. The system is like this only". I agree to some extent. The system is deeply rotten in some parts by the politicians and bureaucrats . But who is going to improve it?Do you think that Americans and Britishers are going to do that for us? No! they would rule us for another 500 years. Do you think that some magic or god will automagically, some how rescue us?I say you have a blind faith and besides, god helps only those who help themselves.
Only we can make our country better. I would like to quote a simple analogy here. I am poor and my family is plagued by a number of issues like poverty, diseases, unruly children etc. I go 3 blocks across to my friend's place who has a lovely home, he is prosperous and the whole family is doing well in every aspect of life. I envy them and at the same time admire the way they function. I ask myself why cant my family prosper and achieve the quality of life like my friend's family? Only if we as a family take the charge of the situation that we can improve our situation.
The point is, just as for my home I am responsible, for our country, we the citizens of India are responsible.
You might say, yah I have heard this rhetoric many times. You haven't faced the bureaucracy etc. Let me tell you that I have lived in this country for 25 years and I have been a part of this system for a long period of time now. I am not saying that we need to give up what we are doing and be full time activists to change the system. There are people to play that role as well. But certainly we can do our part by being responsible citizens, by not jumping the signal, by not littering public places with garbage, by refusing to accept or give bribes, by voting the right people, by being socially and politically aware!
Just blaming the system, politicians, and ranting that just one person can not do much is not going to help in anyway.
Don't expect quick results, don't expect that things will change overnight.
No! I believe that human existence is essentially about struggle. For thousands of years our forefathers have struggled against the forces of nature and man made vices like social injustice, poverty, religious dogma and what not. And thats why today I am enjoying all the comforts in life and able to type this blog on my computer and publish it at a single click of the mouse . But we, as today's youth have a responsibility to carry on that legacy of what our ancestors handed over to us.
I am repeating, its ONLY us, the citizens of India who can bring about the change, and relive the glorious past. Nobody else will do it for us.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sunday, December 23, 2007
My first ever blog on a foreign land!
True....it has been quite a while that I wrote something on this wall of expressions and impressions, not that I was avoiding blogging but somehow I wasn't able to get myself to put down my thoughts. Partly it was because of the study load in the first semester, but it was also because of my strange reluctance to not blog. It was a weird, adamant side of my personality.
Anyway, in the past few months I have seen, felt and experienced so many different aspects of life here that it brings a whole new perspective about life. Second semester is over and I am just 2 days away from my much awaited trip to the best country in the world, India. When I came here in January I used to day-dream about my preparation to go to India and I would often wonder how am I going to spend these 360 odd days in this country. But in no time the days have passed and here I am, packing my bags, preparing to go to my country.
It is said that Change is the only constant thing in this world, and the one who accepts this, and adapts to it in a positive way, will be able to cope better with changing circumstances. Easier said than done! One needs to actually go through this change, experience what it truly feels like and then preach to others.
On one hand I am very excited about my trip, on the other, I am a little apprehensive about whether I will be able to deal with the change that has taken place back home. Human mind has a habit of foreseeing events on the basis of what has happened in the past, a speculation so to speak about the future. Especially, if the change is has occurred from better to bad, one becomes fearful about his ability to face it and of the consequences arising out of this change.
A result of the games human mind plays?Maybe....
I am not complaining, that is certainly not the intention of this post. It is just about the experiences you get when you are on your own in a foreign land. It is your life and you have the power to make it or break it. It is about holding your head high, realizing that adversities teach you something and make you a better person and that no matter how bad circumstances you find yourself in, they can not be an excuse to compromise on your values. It makes you realize to keep doing what you are supposed to do by giving your best efforts, keep on going in spite of odds. And yes, the support of family, friends and loved ones does matter a lot. :)
It is said that Change is the only constant thing in this world, and the one who accepts this, and adapts to it in a positive way, will be able to cope better with changing circumstances. Easier said than done! One needs to actually go through this change, experience what it truly feels like and then preach to others.
On one hand I am very excited about my trip, on the other, I am a little apprehensive about whether I will be able to deal with the change that has taken place back home. Human mind has a habit of foreseeing events on the basis of what has happened in the past, a speculation so to speak about the future. Especially, if the change is has occurred from better to bad, one becomes fearful about his ability to face it and of the consequences arising out of this change.
A result of the games human mind plays?Maybe....
I am not complaining, that is certainly not the intention of this post. It is just about the experiences you get when you are on your own in a foreign land. It is your life and you have the power to make it or break it. It is about holding your head high, realizing that adversities teach you something and make you a better person and that no matter how bad circumstances you find yourself in, they can not be an excuse to compromise on your values. It makes you realize to keep doing what you are supposed to do by giving your best efforts, keep on going in spite of odds. And yes, the support of family, friends and loved ones does matter a lot. :)
Monday, July 24, 2006
A TRIBUTE TO ROTARACT
Two weeks back, on a cloudy, somber Sunday evening I went for Club's meeting after almost a year. I had not planned my visit. I met Anish in the evening and he insisted that I should come there, for a change. So I hopped into his car with my bermudas(any person attending the meeting officially or unofficially is expected to be in descent attire). On our way Anish told me that the venue for the meeting had been changed for its affordable rent. The new place was BMCC classrooms. I was kind of disappointed because all these years while I was in Rotaract we attended meetings in IMDR. Not that IMDR is any better than BMCC but I was anticipating the same old surroundings and the fellowship 'chai' from PD after meeting.
After months I was attending the meeting and Razaq and Vipul were also invited. We entered the room. I saw human faces, some familiar mostly unfamiliar. The old group no longer exists in Rotaract officially. Everybody has sailed in different directions in last 3 years. Except for Amya, Anish, SK, Sohan and Yogini I did not know much about the new members. I had met them before but that's about it. I had chat with some of these old members and we entered the room.
It was a very familiar feeling, the same old excitement of meeting friends, generating new ideas, carrying out new projects. Sure I missed the venue and the members were different but that old charm of Rotaract was still there. I went down the memory lane.
July 2001! I had decided to take a break in my education for a year to pull the strings of my life together, get things in order and introspect. I had to clear a few subjects in the December but the whole day one can not lock himself in the 4 walls of his room, atleast I couldn't. I wanted to do something worthwhile apart from that.
Rotaract came to my rescue. On 22nd July I attended my first meeting and since then there was no looking back. 4 Harmonies, 4 installations, 2 trips, 3 club Birth days, countless Professional Development and Community Service projects and most importantly great friends for life. Apart from my own personal growth, I made some of the best friends here in Rotaract. It allowed me to tap my inner, hidden potential and those activities that I was involved in gave me immense pleasure .
I overcame many self created psychological issues. Right from the club's President to ordinary members everybody wanted to see their peers benefiting from this institution and from each other. I began to understand the group dynamics among people. It was a pleasant realization that I am a highly social animal. Most importantly the learning was exponential. I met some finest of the fine minds in Rotaract who are my intimate friends today. It also unveiled unlimited opportunities for business networking.
Even today when I catch up with the old gang, its such an amazing feeling.
We've had our share of petty fights and arguements but looking back I realize we never carried that animosity with us in future. Today all of us are doing well in our respected professions. Some are reaching new heights, treading new directions while others are striving hard to achieve their goals. Sombody said rightly "Rotaract is a perennial addiction". So true...
I owe a lot to this club and its people. Hats off to the indomitable spirit of Rotaract !!
Two weeks back, on a cloudy, somber Sunday evening I went for Club's meeting after almost a year. I had not planned my visit. I met Anish in the evening and he insisted that I should come there, for a change. So I hopped into his car with my bermudas(any person attending the meeting officially or unofficially is expected to be in descent attire). On our way Anish told me that the venue for the meeting had been changed for its affordable rent. The new place was BMCC classrooms. I was kind of disappointed because all these years while I was in Rotaract we attended meetings in IMDR. Not that IMDR is any better than BMCC but I was anticipating the same old surroundings and the fellowship 'chai' from PD after meeting.
After months I was attending the meeting and Razaq and Vipul were also invited. We entered the room. I saw human faces, some familiar mostly unfamiliar. The old group no longer exists in Rotaract officially. Everybody has sailed in different directions in last 3 years. Except for Amya, Anish, SK, Sohan and Yogini I did not know much about the new members. I had met them before but that's about it. I had chat with some of these old members and we entered the room.
It was a very familiar feeling, the same old excitement of meeting friends, generating new ideas, carrying out new projects. Sure I missed the venue and the members were different but that old charm of Rotaract was still there. I went down the memory lane.
July 2001! I had decided to take a break in my education for a year to pull the strings of my life together, get things in order and introspect. I had to clear a few subjects in the December but the whole day one can not lock himself in the 4 walls of his room, atleast I couldn't. I wanted to do something worthwhile apart from that.
Rotaract came to my rescue. On 22nd July I attended my first meeting and since then there was no looking back. 4 Harmonies, 4 installations, 2 trips, 3 club Birth days, countless Professional Development and Community Service projects and most importantly great friends for life. Apart from my own personal growth, I made some of the best friends here in Rotaract. It allowed me to tap my inner, hidden potential and those activities that I was involved in gave me immense pleasure .
I overcame many self created psychological issues. Right from the club's President to ordinary members everybody wanted to see their peers benefiting from this institution and from each other. I began to understand the group dynamics among people. It was a pleasant realization that I am a highly social animal. Most importantly the learning was exponential. I met some finest of the fine minds in Rotaract who are my intimate friends today. It also unveiled unlimited opportunities for business networking.
Even today when I catch up with the old gang, its such an amazing feeling.
We've had our share of petty fights and arguements but looking back I realize we never carried that animosity with us in future. Today all of us are doing well in our respected professions. Some are reaching new heights, treading new directions while others are striving hard to achieve their goals. Sombody said rightly "Rotaract is a perennial addiction". So true...
I owe a lot to this club and its people. Hats off to the indomitable spirit of Rotaract !!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Life is calling where am I?
Caught up in daily chores, entangled in attachements and emotions?
In general confused about what future holds for me?
Insecure....anxious....not knowing where my destiny will take me??
A thousand such thoughts and emotions play on the mind, giving a fleeting glimpse
of the future. Whether the decision and actions I take today are just the right ones?
Guess everybody goes through the same turmoil sometime or the other in their lives.
Life is a series of expiriences in which you grow stronger and wiser. Things that you thought were important to you once are no longer important to you today. Often you find yourself grappling with your life to try to live upto society's or somebody else's expectations or image.
Most of the times these people aren't even concerned with us or our well wishers always. But still we seek their approval by trying to live their expectations. Participating in a rat race. And even if you win the race you still remain a rat. Not done!!
Live your life the way you want to live it, the way that will bring you happiness and joy.
Now I am not asking you to embrace vices and commit crimes.
We are here for a very short period of time so we ought to make the most of it.
Stop blaming, criticizing and complaining even if you do so internally.
Embrace a new way of life!!
Caught up in daily chores, entangled in attachements and emotions?
In general confused about what future holds for me?
Insecure....anxious....not knowing where my destiny will take me??
A thousand such thoughts and emotions play on the mind, giving a fleeting glimpse
of the future. Whether the decision and actions I take today are just the right ones?
Guess everybody goes through the same turmoil sometime or the other in their lives.
Life is a series of expiriences in which you grow stronger and wiser. Things that you thought were important to you once are no longer important to you today. Often you find yourself grappling with your life to try to live upto society's or somebody else's expectations or image.
Most of the times these people aren't even concerned with us or our well wishers always. But still we seek their approval by trying to live their expectations. Participating in a rat race. And even if you win the race you still remain a rat. Not done!!
Live your life the way you want to live it, the way that will bring you happiness and joy.
Now I am not asking you to embrace vices and commit crimes.
We are here for a very short period of time so we ought to make the most of it.
Stop blaming, criticizing and complaining even if you do so internally.
Embrace a new way of life!!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
December the 30th 2005. Sitting here in my office chair (or rather warming it up), I realize yet one more year passed me by. At this time of the year the media is replete with the analysis of events and chronicles. Whether good or bad, joyful or sad they have left impressions on us. After all it is the human mind that gives these events a meaning. The events by themselves do not carry any significance or meaning.
I think this year just like every other year was marked by many events. Some terrible, some exhilarating, some gruesome, some light. I was fortunate enough to be in that part of the continent where mostly good and joyous things happened. Although millions of events are occuring around the world everyday, they barely have any significance as far as an individual's life is concerned. One should ask whether these events have any significant impact on his/her life. Its important to put these events in the right context of our lives.
So when a year comes to end I usually take a stock of things and events that have occured in my life and around me. This certainly doesn't involve being judgemental about it. It just involves some objective analysis and review of the life that I have lived in last 365 days. So the reel of my life rewinds a year back and I start musing over the whole sequence of events that took place this year.
Anyway right now I have some unfinished business here at the office... So catch ya later......
I think this year just like every other year was marked by many events. Some terrible, some exhilarating, some gruesome, some light. I was fortunate enough to be in that part of the continent where mostly good and joyous things happened. Although millions of events are occuring around the world everyday, they barely have any significance as far as an individual's life is concerned. One should ask whether these events have any significant impact on his/her life. Its important to put these events in the right context of our lives.
So when a year comes to end I usually take a stock of things and events that have occured in my life and around me. This certainly doesn't involve being judgemental about it. It just involves some objective analysis and review of the life that I have lived in last 365 days. So the reel of my life rewinds a year back and I start musing over the whole sequence of events that took place this year.
Anyway right now I have some unfinished business here at the office... So catch ya later......
Friday, October 14, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I wrote this article way back in 2002 for our Club's bulletin.
During the childhood and adolescence, everybody has an ambition. An ambition to be someone; a doctor, an engineer, a film actress or a model and some even want to be a bus driver or a conductor. But as they grow this ambition to become someone is either suppressed by their parents or it slowly wanes away due to numerous reasons. Well! The purpose of this story is not to discuss those reasons but I want to tell you about a wonderful experience not many of us get ever to experience in their entire lifetime.
Right since my childhood, I have always had a tremendous fascination for one of the greatest inventions mankind has ever made; The Flying Machine. Even today I take great interest in anything that involves combat aircrafts. It may be a magazine, a TV program or someone employed in Air Forces. In fact I always wanted to be a fighter pilot.
Highly glamorous as well as extremely dangerous profession isn’t it? Every time you go up in the air, cruising at staggering speeds of thousands of meters in a second and heights of several hundreds of thousands of feet, you are taking a great risk. But it ought to be a thrilling experience. Indeed danger gives relish to this thrilling experience. Even today hearing the drone of an aircraft overhead, my eyes wander in hope to be able to identify it.
Since my uncle is a high ranked officer (4 posts beneath the highest rank) in the Indian Air Force, I’ve had a great opportunity to visit the airfield a year back in June 2001.
My uncle was posted to Jodhpur airbase in Rajasthan. After finishing my TE exams in early June my cousin brother and I went to Jodhpur. In Rajasthan it is unbearably hot during summers.
Early morning at around 6:45 we drove to the air base. As the Jodhpur air base is strategically important from the view point of security of the North West region of our country, the security is always tight around the base. But as my uncle is in absolute command of all the engineering operations taking place on the airbase we virtually had entry anywhere and everywhere on the base.
After initial security check ups we drove straight on to the road leading to runway.
I was thrilled. For the first time in my life I was going to see it all in front of my eyes just a few meters apart. At an intersection of the road and the runway we had to stop because two MIGs were getting ready to take off. The skies were clear and a balmy breeze was flowing. The atmosphere was filled with an electrifying sensation. We were watching those MIGs in awe. Gradually the pilots accelerated. Holy crap! It was cacophonous. I had never heard such an extremely loud sound in my life. The air was vibrating and so my heart was palpitating. To be honest I was frightened to hear such a high intensity sound.
A few seconds later the pilots released the brakes and abruptly those flying machines zoomed off the runway. A few minutes later two more MIG 21s lined up side to side on the runway preparing to take off. The airmen finished last minute check ups signalling everything is OK. The pilots beckoned with their thumbs up, made a sharp salute and took off. I envied those pilots for that. One by one the planes were taking off and landing. Next we went into the hangers, the place where aircrafts kept, serviced and taken care of by engineers. We were received by a young junior engineer. I was impressed with his smart uniform, especially the eagle badged on his right chest. For the first time I got a closer look of a MIG 27. I learned that MIG 27 s are primarily used as ground attack fighters, to attack enemy targets located on ground. The place was truly an engineering workshop. All the equipment lying on the floor, oil sprawled everywhere and the men were busy in their work. We came out and spent some time again watching MIGs this time trying to figure out the signals exchanged between the pilots and the airmen.
Later we had a cup of tea in my uncle’s executive cabin and drove back home. While coming back I had only one word on my mind “Exhilarating”. It was simply amazing. The feeling of envy did no longer exist because back home I knew people would envy me for having experienced something not everyone gets to see right in front of their eyes.
I felt sad for one thing. I couldn’t take any snaps!
During the childhood and adolescence, everybody has an ambition. An ambition to be someone; a doctor, an engineer, a film actress or a model and some even want to be a bus driver or a conductor. But as they grow this ambition to become someone is either suppressed by their parents or it slowly wanes away due to numerous reasons. Well! The purpose of this story is not to discuss those reasons but I want to tell you about a wonderful experience not many of us get ever to experience in their entire lifetime.
Right since my childhood, I have always had a tremendous fascination for one of the greatest inventions mankind has ever made; The Flying Machine. Even today I take great interest in anything that involves combat aircrafts. It may be a magazine, a TV program or someone employed in Air Forces. In fact I always wanted to be a fighter pilot.
Highly glamorous as well as extremely dangerous profession isn’t it? Every time you go up in the air, cruising at staggering speeds of thousands of meters in a second and heights of several hundreds of thousands of feet, you are taking a great risk. But it ought to be a thrilling experience. Indeed danger gives relish to this thrilling experience. Even today hearing the drone of an aircraft overhead, my eyes wander in hope to be able to identify it.
Since my uncle is a high ranked officer (4 posts beneath the highest rank) in the Indian Air Force, I’ve had a great opportunity to visit the airfield a year back in June 2001.
My uncle was posted to Jodhpur airbase in Rajasthan. After finishing my TE exams in early June my cousin brother and I went to Jodhpur. In Rajasthan it is unbearably hot during summers.
Early morning at around 6:45 we drove to the air base. As the Jodhpur air base is strategically important from the view point of security of the North West region of our country, the security is always tight around the base. But as my uncle is in absolute command of all the engineering operations taking place on the airbase we virtually had entry anywhere and everywhere on the base.
After initial security check ups we drove straight on to the road leading to runway.
I was thrilled. For the first time in my life I was going to see it all in front of my eyes just a few meters apart. At an intersection of the road and the runway we had to stop because two MIGs were getting ready to take off. The skies were clear and a balmy breeze was flowing. The atmosphere was filled with an electrifying sensation. We were watching those MIGs in awe. Gradually the pilots accelerated. Holy crap! It was cacophonous. I had never heard such an extremely loud sound in my life. The air was vibrating and so my heart was palpitating. To be honest I was frightened to hear such a high intensity sound.
A few seconds later the pilots released the brakes and abruptly those flying machines zoomed off the runway. A few minutes later two more MIG 21s lined up side to side on the runway preparing to take off. The airmen finished last minute check ups signalling everything is OK. The pilots beckoned with their thumbs up, made a sharp salute and took off. I envied those pilots for that. One by one the planes were taking off and landing. Next we went into the hangers, the place where aircrafts kept, serviced and taken care of by engineers. We were received by a young junior engineer. I was impressed with his smart uniform, especially the eagle badged on his right chest. For the first time I got a closer look of a MIG 27. I learned that MIG 27 s are primarily used as ground attack fighters, to attack enemy targets located on ground. The place was truly an engineering workshop. All the equipment lying on the floor, oil sprawled everywhere and the men were busy in their work. We came out and spent some time again watching MIGs this time trying to figure out the signals exchanged between the pilots and the airmen.
Later we had a cup of tea in my uncle’s executive cabin and drove back home. While coming back I had only one word on my mind “Exhilarating”. It was simply amazing. The feeling of envy did no longer exist because back home I knew people would envy me for having experienced something not everyone gets to see right in front of their eyes.
I felt sad for one thing. I couldn’t take any snaps!
My View of Science & Religion
The other day we have had as part of our Rotaract Club's activities a debate arranged within the members of the club and the topic was "Science and Religion: Are both necessary for a meaningful life of human beings?". It was a topic of hot discussion, members just pounced on the topic and came up with some interesting insights. I think it has been an everlasting topic of debate for scientists, religious leaders and philosophers.
We first need to understand why Man felt it necessary to have religion and why science has dominated our lives since the past few decades diminishing the importance of religion from our lives.
I personally do not believe that Science is meaningless without religion. And my belief has its roots in the answers to the aforementioned query.
Thousands of years ago, when mankind was still in its evolutionary stage and when it knew little about its own nature, its surroundings and the phenomena in nature, Religion was born. We humans were wanderers and nomads, we were barbaric and there was no certainty of life. Life was full of struggle. Fulfilling the basic needs such as food, shelter and protecting ourselves were the primary goals of men and women of those times and which they were grappling to achieve.
As they gained more control over the surroundings in terms of fulfilling the basic needs and as they started to settle down at one place along with their kins, thats when the religion was born.
A way of life that he thought if followed, his life would become more meaningful and also it offered him a sense of security. Most importantly religion was thought of as a moral way of leading human existence by its founders.
But during later years, especially during Middle Ages religion became dominant and took a centre stage in human life all over the world. The religious teachings were never verified scientifically by anyone or for that matter nobody had dared to challenge them hitherto.
During the period of renaissance in Europe, some iconoclasts started to challenge the traditions upheld by the Church. Their belief was, the only way to find the explaination to human enquiry and curiosity into the nature's phenomena was by means of observations through our senses, their verifiability and predictability by means of experiments.
Science is the only means by which we can know about everything in our universe. Of course as much as it has made our lives easier and meaningful, it has been a cause of destruction of our environment and life. But science can not alone be blamed for that and religion is certainly not an answer to minimize its devastating effects. The widespread destruction has been caused by irresponsible, barbaric rulers and political leaders (sometimes even religious leaders); the mishandling of science and technology emerging from it at the hands of criminals is a result of social and economic inequality prevalent in our society.
So is religion the answer to this? Does science search for meaning in religion for the unknown? The answer is a clear “No”. In fact often, contrary to this notion that religion would be the savior of mankind from the devastating effects of science, it has been noticed that religion has been responsible for modern barbarism, the conflicts that have been literally swallowing millions of human lives across the globe. People are seizing weapons under the name of religion and planning crusades on others.
Karl Marx had rightly said “Religion is opium to masses”!!
What we need is the right value system. A system that believes in basic human values such as Equity or Fairness, Human Dignity, Fraternity, Service. Modern theories of social systems such as democratic socialism, humanism, liberalism etc are all based on these basic principles which are a result of scientific enquiry into human nature and study of underlying social sciences and history.
Nevertheless, all the religions in this world have taken cognizance of these principles long back and in fact proposed that human life based on these values is the right way to lead the life. But simply a lack of scientific enquiry, incorrect interpretation of these teachings and too much of an emphasis on Rituals have led to the spiritual degeneration of religion and people who follow those practices.
I am not at all against religion. It’s a very private thing and as long as one is following the basic human values it is sacred. But to say that Science is meaningless without Religion is rather preposterous.
The other day we have had as part of our Rotaract Club's activities a debate arranged within the members of the club and the topic was "Science and Religion: Are both necessary for a meaningful life of human beings?". It was a topic of hot discussion, members just pounced on the topic and came up with some interesting insights. I think it has been an everlasting topic of debate for scientists, religious leaders and philosophers.
We first need to understand why Man felt it necessary to have religion and why science has dominated our lives since the past few decades diminishing the importance of religion from our lives.
I personally do not believe that Science is meaningless without religion. And my belief has its roots in the answers to the aforementioned query.
Thousands of years ago, when mankind was still in its evolutionary stage and when it knew little about its own nature, its surroundings and the phenomena in nature, Religion was born. We humans were wanderers and nomads, we were barbaric and there was no certainty of life. Life was full of struggle. Fulfilling the basic needs such as food, shelter and protecting ourselves were the primary goals of men and women of those times and which they were grappling to achieve.
As they gained more control over the surroundings in terms of fulfilling the basic needs and as they started to settle down at one place along with their kins, thats when the religion was born.
A way of life that he thought if followed, his life would become more meaningful and also it offered him a sense of security. Most importantly religion was thought of as a moral way of leading human existence by its founders.
But during later years, especially during Middle Ages religion became dominant and took a centre stage in human life all over the world. The religious teachings were never verified scientifically by anyone or for that matter nobody had dared to challenge them hitherto.
During the period of renaissance in Europe, some iconoclasts started to challenge the traditions upheld by the Church. Their belief was, the only way to find the explaination to human enquiry and curiosity into the nature's phenomena was by means of observations through our senses, their verifiability and predictability by means of experiments.
Science is the only means by which we can know about everything in our universe. Of course as much as it has made our lives easier and meaningful, it has been a cause of destruction of our environment and life. But science can not alone be blamed for that and religion is certainly not an answer to minimize its devastating effects. The widespread destruction has been caused by irresponsible, barbaric rulers and political leaders (sometimes even religious leaders); the mishandling of science and technology emerging from it at the hands of criminals is a result of social and economic inequality prevalent in our society.
So is religion the answer to this? Does science search for meaning in religion for the unknown? The answer is a clear “No”. In fact often, contrary to this notion that religion would be the savior of mankind from the devastating effects of science, it has been noticed that religion has been responsible for modern barbarism, the conflicts that have been literally swallowing millions of human lives across the globe. People are seizing weapons under the name of religion and planning crusades on others.
Karl Marx had rightly said “Religion is opium to masses”!!
What we need is the right value system. A system that believes in basic human values such as Equity or Fairness, Human Dignity, Fraternity, Service. Modern theories of social systems such as democratic socialism, humanism, liberalism etc are all based on these basic principles which are a result of scientific enquiry into human nature and study of underlying social sciences and history.
Nevertheless, all the religions in this world have taken cognizance of these principles long back and in fact proposed that human life based on these values is the right way to lead the life. But simply a lack of scientific enquiry, incorrect interpretation of these teachings and too much of an emphasis on Rituals have led to the spiritual degeneration of religion and people who follow those practices.
I am not at all against religion. It’s a very private thing and as long as one is following the basic human values it is sacred. But to say that Science is meaningless without Religion is rather preposterous.
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