*Syllables that echo from my Journal’s Bosom* (2/2): Success & Failure Amidst Tests of Humanity
19.07.2022
23.23 pm
I just finished a phone call with my brother. He was describing the plight of a dog he rescued in our colony today. I saw the pictures. The poor thing was run over by a car yesternight. It broke his leg, made him whine through the long night. My brother got to check on him this morning. Appeared thirsty & fragile, crying miserably in pain. He was then fed and taken & to a hospital.
Most of the residents in my colony are conventionally ‘successful’ people. They are doctors, policemen, government officials and wealthy businessmen. Some have even purchased three cars, two being a common number.
It appears that most of them knew about the incident when it happened, they had the details. We’re assuming they must have been silent spectators behind their beautiful balconies. Yet, none was moved enough to initiate help. It is quite shocking. People drowned in affluence seem to have really small hearts.
What’s more shocking is the identity of ‘the culprit’ — a well-known doctor of the colony. He didn’t really care much when my brother confronted about the incident. Apparently, he committed this crime (it really is, under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code) in both knowledge & negligence.
My father says he’s become arrogant because his kids are now ‘successful’ in their jobs. He’s also doing well with his medical ‘business’ running.
Google says a doctor is “someone who is qualified in medicine and treats people who are ill”. I am still wondering what really stopped him from helping this dog. Is he too consumed by arrogance, not moved by this incident? Or, is it because the dog didn’t qualify as ‘people’? (Sure! He could not speak our language and call out for help).
Some incidents really move me... I think someone else’s helplessness moves me… More than that, my handicap in such situations moves me... I remember the last time I cried at a similar incident, I could not see an injured pigeon’s suffering. Today might be one such day.
Sure, there might be many animals & birds who need rescue all the time. Many patients, poor & aged might be requiring assistance & aid. People are stuck on no man’s lands, as we already witness expanding warzones. I feel sorry to have forgotten their pain while fighting my personal battles.
Such incidents bring this guilt to the surface. They really move me. This pain disturbs me.
My brother has been running around for a while for the dog’s treatment. He said the animal is doing fine now. “Bringing him at ease provides immense satisfaction”, he said.
I have seen my brother help people in road accidents, work tirelessly for Covid patients. I have seen him help our neighbour’s kid, who lost his entire family to an unfortunate accident. I once saw him buy refreshments for children in our neighbourhood. “I don’t want them to not undergo a childhood of deprivation similar to ours”, he had told me in explanation.
My brother is neither a doctor or an engineer. He is not a lawyer, policeman or politician. He has not passed examinations that might have prove his scholastic achievements & label him ‘successful’.
But, I think he well passes the test of humanity. To me, he is quite successful…
