Let’s not say “Rest In Peace” Dr.
Kalam. Yes, You read it right, I would not say Rest in Peace. In fact, I would
not even pray that such soul should “Rest in Peace”. Before, you get angry on
me, please read my appeal to all of us.
I was surprised to see, how
quickly all social medias were filled with RIP message for Dr. Kalam. Billions
of us felt sad on his demise, post some of his pictures and quotes on social media,
talks about his achievements with friends and life moves on. It is natural to
feel sad on death but problem is, we all are so habitual to pay tribute to
anyone like this; weather he is the best scientist or a common man killed in
bomb blast or road accidents. Let’s face it, it is not a tribute but mockery of
his death because we JUST feel sad. But, just feeling sad about his demise
would change anything? Simple answer is No. Dr. Kalam himself said once, “Please
do not declare national holiday on my death, rather work for one extra day”.
That exactly is my point. Let’s not just
feel sad about his death. Let’s do something that brings some change to the
present situation of our life and thereby bring some change in our nation. I am
not asking to build rocket or conduct some radioactive experiments like him but
do very simple and basic thing.
Can we take pledge that now
onwards that I will not waste food as a tribute to the person who fought
against hunger? Can we all take pledge that we will not throw garbage anywhere
for next 6 months as tribute the person who saw godliness in cleanliness? Can
we all pledge to plant one tree and take care of it just for 1 year as a
tribute the person who respected environment? Can we all take pledge to drive
carefully and respectfully for next 6 months as a tribute the most civilized
person? Can we take pledge that, I will donate blood every year on July 27th
as a tribute to the health conscious person? Can we take pledge that, I will do my best to
study all my subjects thoroughly as a tribute to the great teacher? Can we take
pledge that, I will not take bribe or bribe anyone for next 6 months as a
tribute to the most honest person? Can we take pledge that, I will save Rs. 500
every month and donate that money to educational institute as a tribute to the
most charitable man? Can we all pledge that I will respect all citizens as a
human first as a tribute the noblest man? Can we all take pledge that, I will
respect human soul first before respecting any religion as a tribute to the
most spiritual man? Can we all take pledge that I will not drink one coffee per
day for a year and use that money to buy a book for the needy as a tribute to
the most avid reader? We all can come up with millions of such pledges.
These are just few simple things
that we can do as a tribute to him. Dr. Kalam’s soul would feel much better, if
we all do the simplest etiquette first. These sure are simple pledges but when
billions will take these pledges then life and thereby nation will change. Wouldn’t
he preach the same?
And I feel that such soul would
never like to rest in peace. Rather, he would like to reborn and continue doing
something with best of their ability to bring some change and make difference
to the humanity. I would not pray for the Rest in Peace to such soul. I would
rather pray, please come back, we need such soul here to save humanity and
guide us to contribute something.
Death is inevitable truth that we
all will accept one day. But, May I request you all not to feel sad on his
death, rather let’s celebrate his death because one soul has taken another
journey, but his last journey has inspired millions of life and has awakened
billions of other soul to do something for humanity. I never met him but I
strongly believe that, we remember him today, not because he was the greatest
scientist but because he was the SIMPLEST human being. So let’s not say Rest In
Peace Dr. Kalam, just for the sake of saying but LET’S DO SIMPLE THINGS FIRST;
BRING SOME CHANG IN OUR LIVES FIRST; THEN IN SOCIETY AND COUNTRY WILL CHANGE.
MAKE HIS DEATH A REASON FOR THE CHANGE THAN A REASON TO WEEP.
- MIHIR PATEL
DATE: JULY 28TH 2015, 4:37 PM
