"Earthquake in South-East Asia": Natural Disaster or a Fatal Human Error..?

First Tsunami, then Katrina and now the Earthquake in South-East Asia.. it appears that even nature is determined to take away only from those who have nothing to start with. The earthquake has killed many, but its aftermath will kill many more.

Once again nature has hit those who are so disadvantaged that they will not survive without outside help. Once again, nature has struck humanity in the most vulnerable place, an area where help can’t reach all that easily. They say that mother nature has it’s own plans. If we trace the tacks of this destruction caused by our mother nature in recent disasters, we can see some signs of a plan.. sadly enough, the plan appear nothing but evil.

But then if you turn the thoughtful mind the other way, you wonder if it’s our own wrongdoing..! You wonder if it’s our own neglect, carelessness and ignorance that has caused our fellow human beings to be so disadvantaged. Did we leave our fellow humans to suffer in isolation yet again..? The fact that the earthquake seriously damaged the infrastructure in the affected areas. But look closely.. was there enough infrastructure to start with..? It is obvious that we humans have once again proven to be extremely inadequate.. an inadequacy, neglect and ignorance that is almost criminal. In this string of recent disasters, I see a sad mix of both of these things.. an evil plan of mother nature, and a fatal human error. I hope that the whole of humanity learns from these mistakes..!

It appears that if anything positive has come out of this all, then that is the cooperation between India and Pakistan in their efforts to help those in need. I'm glad that India offered its help, and very thankful to Pakistan that it did not allow pride or any rivalry to get in the way of very crucial help.

May Waheguru bless all the souls that departed us due to this natural disaster, and help those who are suffering as a result of it all. May Waheguru also give us humans strength, wisdom and the resources to help those in need. If we, the human race have contributed to this disaster, may Waheguru forgive us all, and show us a better way for future.

Sikhism - Preachers and Followers (Continued from - "Arranged vs Love Marriage.. continued" from 21st Oct 2004)

Sandhu said... (in her comment about my post on
21 Oct 2004 about Arranged marriage)
Hi! all,This seems to be the most commonly discussed topic
everywhere.What I don't understand is that why do people supporting beard and
turban feel they are the only followers and supporters of Sikhism(no offence). I
personally feel that more than physical appearances its the teachings of the
religioan that makes you a better human being. What do you have to say about
Ragis who during day time do Kirtan during Anand Karaj and then while leaving
pack a bottle of whiky in their. Isn't that hypocrisy. Be honest to yourself
atleast.

Well Miss Sandhu, interesting comment.. but it’s not the first time someone has posed those two questions. This is what I think:

Sikhism teaches/preaches a number of things.. and wearing turban and not cutting your hair is just one of them. To have a clear conscience, and to follow the right path is another teaching. They both along with all the other teachings of Sikhism have their own meaning, relevance and importance in the religion and our lives. Following one of these teachings does not make a person any better than others who may follow another teachings. So in a way you are right that wearing a turban alone doesn’t make a person better than others. But at the same time, following another teaching doesn’t cover up for cutting one’s hair and not wearing a turban either. As I said, they all have their own important. What we all need to learn is that we can’t put a price on them and say that one teaching is more important then another. To be a good and complete Sikh, we must try to follow all of the teachings of Sikhism.

Secondly, you comment about the preachers of our religion. That is a very fair comment.. and nobody can deny that such awful things do happen.. and I won’t be surprised if they are on the rise. It is a truth that a number of shameful practices take place inside religious organizations.. inside our religious places.. and our religious figures, who we expect to be perfect are involved in them..! Yes I’m talking about things like drinking alcohol, taking drugs, dealing in drugs, money laundering, sex trade, sex offences etc.. and I am talking about all religions. Most of those are quite high level corruption, however some are more common than others. For example.. sex offences against adults as well as children does take place. Unfortunately, for too long, our religious organizations and the society has been covering these up. It’s a shame.

Now having admitted that all these things do take places in Gurdwaras and that some of our religious figures are also involved in such things, I still don’t agree with those who allow such things to force them away from the religion and/or religious places. Not only these crimes.. but there are also so many other unwanted religious practices that go against what is preached in the religion. Such things also discourage our youth from following the religion.. but..

Think about it this way.. If such things happen in a Gurdwara, who’s fault is it? Obviously those who do such things.. and not the Gurdwara, not the Religion and not God. We are all humans.. including those who take up the job of preaching a religion. We all have evil inside us to some extent. Some of us control it.. other’s can’t. Unfortunately.. some of those who can’t are still in prestigious positions in the religion. It’s society’s fault to allow such things to happen. Now what I’m trying to say here is that the practice of a religion can be wrong.. not the religion itself. Then why turn away from our religion and/or our religious places? I always say to people.. that if you think that these people are wrong.. fair enough.. but if you really believe in yourself.. then go ahead and show them what is RIGHT instead of hiding away from the evil. The only way to win over evil is to fight it.. not to close our eyes and pretend it doesn’t exist.

Sandhu said..:
Again, I personally feel that you should marry a person of
your own religious faith. You really need to be very broad minded( may not be a
right word) to adjust with someone with different religious faith. Your values
arise from your religion.

I agree with you here completely. I even think that no matter how broad minded one might be.. one has to make so many compromises in regards to his/her own beliefs.

Sandhu said..:
And as far as perfect partener is concerned there is no one
perfect in this world. Someone who is perfect for you might be full of
imperfections for someone else. And as they say don't judge a book from its
cover. But most of us don't follow that.

Well I agree that nobody is perfect. But there surely are perfect partners. And you touched on that yourself just there.. by saying that one who might be perfect for you might be full of imperfections for someone else. That's exactly what I mean by a perfect partner.. 'someone who is perfect for you'.

Phew.. that was a long one.. anyway.. hope it's not too long.. or too boring..!

Ms Sandhu, I've also replied your comments in the post: "One day, Punjabi will be world wide (continued from October 27)" Please have a look at the whenever you get a chance.

Now what should I study next..?

The next thing I have to do in my life is to find time to start some study. I still have to decide what exactly do I wanna study, but I have some ideas. I have always wanted to try ICS (Indian Civil Services) exams, but have never put myself to that test. Now that I feel confident that I am able to do it.. it might be a bit too late. Other things I am considering studying are Criminology, Law, Social Work, Politics, History, World Religions and Literature etc. All of them are the subjects I am really interested, and that’s what makes it hard to decide what I study.

I don’t even want to study particularly to find better employment. I feel that education has made me a better person in so many fields of life. I feel that I am more aware of who I am, what’s around me, and what’s my place in this world because of my education. It has helped me think. If it wasn’t for this education, I would’ve probably still been a very simple, ignorant and rusty village boy who had small dreams.. and the world would’ve looked so small. It’s a strange confusion as well.. coz sometimes, when the world throws it’s evil side in our faces, I feel that maybe I was better off staying as simple and ignorant like I was. I do miss my village, and sometimes also miss that simplicity.

One day, Punjabi will be world wide (continued from October 27)

Sandhu said... (in his comments about my post on October 27 2004)
Hi!Folks,Read the interesting discussion and couldn't stop
myself writing few words.Balraj, if you been to our Parklea and Revesby
Gurudwara Sahibs, parents don't really make an effort to talk to their kids in
Punjabi. Quite a while back I went to Parklea Gurudwara and there was some kind
of competition where this girl was talking about Sikhi in English. I was happy
to know that kids are learning about Sikhi, but why not in Punjabi. If parents
can encorage them to learn about Sikhi why not Punjabi? All these bits and
pieces keep me away from Gurudwara Sahib as I feel really disturbed looking at
where the future generations are heading. I'm myslef here since last 5 years but
I feel I'm even more desi than what I used to be. More regular with my Path more
in touch with Punjabu Music, Punjabi Literature. Fer kehnde ne na Panje ungla
barabar ni hundian.

Well Sandhu 22 ji, I agree with you that parents don't make enough effort to their kids Punjabi. I however don't agree with the way you've confused religion with language. First of all, punjabi isn't the language of Sikhs alone.

Secondly, Sikhism is a global religion. The teachings of our Gurus apply to all humanity.. regardless of where they live and what language they speak. Saying that all Sikhs should/must know Punjabi will restrict the teachings of our Gurus to Punjabis alone.

I’m in opinion, we must separate the issue of Punjab and Punjabiat from Religion. This trend of connecting Punjab with Sikhism is hurting Punjab. It’s dividing our Punjabi community.