I was reading this book the other day “From Fishponds to Warships: Pearl Harbor; a complete illustrated history” by Allan Seiden when some lines in the dedication caught my eye. The author while dedicated the book amongst various others dedicated it also “To the 2500 people who died on the faithful day of December 7, 1941 and to the generation of which they were a part, for its willingness to sacrifice for the common good and to fight all necessary battles.”As I read this it got me thinking, my mind turned to the whole generation gap that people talk about between my and my parents generation. Today’s generation of which I am a part of is described to be modern, innovative, brilliant, up to speed, and through various other catch phrases. While our parent’s generation: well let me just say that I have heard some very unkind words spoken about it from few of my peers!! I mean don’t get me wrong. I do agree and am grateful to the fact that we are technology savvy, we propound a much more modern type of thinking then “mom and dad’s” generation, we are more then capable of taking care of ourselves I do deeply appreciate the power that modern technology has given in our hand but to what use are we putting them to? I know that to readers of my age group this sounds like another of those oh! Such boring sermons that we get so often from our parents (I have had countless of them) but give me a chance. If you do not agree to what I say by the end of the article you are free to vilify me as much as you can. I will like to make this very clear that what I am about to say does not necessarily describe all high school/college going children but unfortunately it may describe the majority of them. Ok enough beating around the bush to dive right back into the point I am trying to make was this: as I read the lines in the dedication I wondered what it actually meant?? It talked about a generation specifically that of our grandfathers and the courage and sacrifices they made. Old news you tell me? Well I couldn’t agree with you more strongly! I mean who in today’s world has time for sacrifice and courage right?? We are too busy listening to the next sound track on our iPod or planning the next weekend party. Who cares if some three million people died in a period of nine months to give us the independence that we enjoy today. Not to sound arrogant but I am referring to our own War of Indepence fought in 1971. For those of you who think I doubt your patriotism or courage and determination I sincerely apologize but the fact is we live in a world dominated by materialism, a world where F TV and MTV holds more importance then National Geographic or BBC world ever will. I mean who has time to see a report on the destruction of Bamyan Buddhas in Afghanistan when you have Guns & Roses live on the other channel!!No competition there. We can narrate the entire Transformer movie story line without a pause but we will have trouble of naming leaders of the 10 most powerful countries in the world. We will give play by play account of Manchester United’s last game but we are stumped when asked about the language movement in our country in the 50’s. A sudden thought just stuck me now: I wonder how many high school/college going children are actually going to pick up the newspaper in the first place to see what is happening around the world, especially if they have the latest Dan Brown novel to finish! I am not saying that recreational use of technology or reading a novel is bad but it should be kept to a certain extent. Recreational use of technology should just be that”recreational” We ask our parents for the latest computers and gadgets but for what? So that we can give our latest updates on facebook! I am not asking for us to turn luddites (that is a ridiculous suggestion!) but we can at least do some good if we try. Instead of using those ridiculous application on social networking site such as “Who were you in the past life??” or “Find out your time of death” let us actually do some good and read up on issues such as climate change or say the Bermuda triangle! As we rest in the comfort of our cozy bed listening to the latest songs and surfing the net there are people in other parts of the world the same age as you who do not have that luxury as they fight each and every minute of their lives for survival from the wrath of nature and man...
The rule of nature states about evolution of species. How species evolve over generation to be better stronger and more aptly suited for survival and by that definition we certainly have evolved from the time of our parents, but the question begs to be answered have we evolved for the better or worse? We have evolved in the sense that we have adopted a more modern style of thinking in keeping with the times, we have evolved in embracing technology in all it’s wonder but at the same time we have paid a high price for this evolution. We have become materialistic machine where the word “we” does not exist in our lexicon, it is always I that takes most importance, we have evolved but we have lost the ability to empathize with our fellow human beings. What matters is if we as individuals are happy, the whole world may just be dammed to kingdom come for all we care. You may think of me to be morbid but I sometimes feel jealous of my father or my grandfather’s generation. They lived in a time of great change and social drama and they fought to the best of their abilities to make a better place for their children. Looking at those times I am left to wonder would we have had the guts to do what was necessary. Fortunately or unfortunately we may never have to find out. But if we ever did my head and heart tell completely different stories, given what I have said so far I would have to go with my heart and it paints the gloomier picture by far. Remember the world we live in today is ultimately going to be run by us; and as much as you might think that there is still time to get your act together here is a wake up call for you. : the world is changing a a fast pace. What is there today won’t be there tomorrow.& it is high time we get up from the comfortable bed and actually start taking a interest in the world around us. The time to act may soon pass us by and we will be left stranded knowing not what we must do. Clichéd u tell me?? I know, but some of the best thoughts in the world are...Maybe that’s why they are called clichéd, they are said good number of times but no one listens to them until it’s too late.
Now it seems highly unfair that I put all the blame on my peer group for their lack of knowledge on issues not shown or discussed on twitter or channel v! I mean they will go for it since there is nothing else to do. I would like to ask few questions to our parents. Have you noticed our lack of concern with the world? Have you ever noticed our lack of apathy to each and everything? Have you ever wondered why is it so? Sure you all want what is best for your child but can you forever keep them away from the real world? Sheltered behind you looking out for them and taking care of them. I am indeed grateful to all of you for protecting us from the harsh realities of the world, for making sure that as we grow up we do not know what is suffering and what is hardship but there comes a time when you cannot/rather should not keep your child in under your protective wings catering to his every wimp and fancy. I am not asking to deny your child his/her childhood seeing how that is the only time someone can be sane in life but you have to help us so that we are able to stand up on our own two feet and go into the world as responsible citizen and do you proud of being called your children.
I have always been stuck by the line from the movie Spiderman.”With Great power comes great responsibilities” well even though we do not have any great power (unless you are a vigilante) we do have a great responsibility. All of us have a responsibility to make this world a better place to live in, and the best way to do that is to start acting aware of the world around us rather then being immersed in the small cocooned comfortable shelter we are so used to. Good Luck
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