SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY

Two days back, in a TV programme which is basically a singing competition, a special episode was telecast. It was a tribute to all those who fought on 26/11 last year. Well, 26/11 is all over the media these days as it should be. I don't intend to go into all the latest conspiracies that are pouring in. Instead, I'll take this opportunity to write on something else.
The programme I mentioned had some 'MUMBAI POLICE' officers as special guests. They talked about a few things. Some were related to the details of 26/11. But there was also something else. While saying some things, they had tears in their eyes. Contrary to the image of policemen that is framed otherwise, isn't it? In this image, a police man is a corrupt person, always irritated and thus arrogant, with no real will to work. But that's not the entire picture.
Police Officers are one of the most overstressed people. If we take a look at their working hours(both on duty and otherwise), we may be able to infer that. How much sleep we get on an average a day? Six hours, minimum? This figure reduces down to four hours, sometimes even three hours, in case of policemen. At times, they don't get to sleep at all in a 48-hour span. With lack of man-force as compared to what there should be, they have additional work most often. Bound to be a little more irritated than what we think they should be, aren't they? Still, many manage to be very patient with the common man and try to hear them out. It is sometimes we who fail to understand them. It is we who don't co-operate with them
We sometimes tend to think that every policeman we come across is bound to be corrupt, which is not true. Yes there is a lot of 'chai-pani' involved here and there. I'm not trying to justify it. But if a thought is given as to why such things happen, we may see a different side of it. Considering the time they spend on duty and enormous responsibilty they carry on their shoulders, they get paid a little less(if not very less). An IT professional(no offense) gets paid thrice or four times of what the policeman gets. It is this policeman, because of whom an IT proffessional and every civilian as a matter of fact is able to live a relaxed, happy family life. (Family life-another thing a common policeman misses out bigtime). It is him, because of whom we are able to celebrate all the festivals throughout the year without any tension, while this policeman is engeaged here and there for our security so that we have great festivities.
Yes, there are Police Officials who create conspiracies, who fail to realize their duties, who act for their own good rather than that of a common man. But then one should never expect a stock of 100% ideal, perfect items. Imperfections are bound to be there. But as my friend Sanket says, we should look beyond these imperfections and try to realize what a policeman means to a common man. And it is at such times like 26/11, we get to see truly what most of these policemen are made of. They may not have the best weapons, they may not have the best of the technological back-up. But it is their courage, their bravado that differentiates them. We should always remember that we owe them a lot. Thus co-operate with them any time we come across such situation, be it an investigation of stealth or even a 'naka-bandi'. Even if we can't do anything directly for them, the least we can do is not letting die a person inside us who feels for them, who identifies with them. Even if it is the motto of 'Maharashtra Police Seva', it can be applied to every individual who fights for this country. Be it the police, army, navy, air-force, NSG........"SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY"--"For protection of the good, For destruction of the evil"...This is what they give their life for...Salute to all these brave men...

Empathy, Self-centrism, Businessmen and The Pretenders

There are various kinds of people around us aren't there..?? But one interesting thing about them is that how differently they can act!! Even while writing this, I don't know what and exactly why I'm writing this, but here it goes..
Empathy-It is putting yourself into other's shoes and feeling,thinking from their point of view..as if you only are in that situation...Well, it's not what I say, this is what we have been taught since "Communication Skills" times..I personally agree with it though. I wonder, how hard can empathising be? I mean, if you know a person well, can't you make out what will make him happy and what is the thing he wants the least? And this is what happens. There is a person X. He has a problem with person Y with something. That time, he is very clear with his reasons, and ends up concluding that Y is wrong. X doesn't really think whether he is thinking in right sense or not. Fine upto this point. But then, X doesn't realize that a person Z has same problems with him. If told, he tries to defend himself without even giving it a thought, "Am i actually wrong?" This time, Z is wrong for him. Is this because X can't think from Z's point of view?
It's not just this. Everyone is used to think in a particular way. But then does that mean all the other ways of thinking are wrong? Is everyone always in same situation? Certainly not. But very few actually take pain and think from other's point of view..that is, "empathize"..
Can self-centrism be the answer to this question? People are so involved with themselves, that they find it totally unimportant to think about others. If someone enters a room, it takes hardly 5 seconds to greet that fellow with a smile, and then one can continue with his own work. But no, some people can't even take pain to do it. Even with the people they "call" Friends. If it is accidental, no problem. But if it is out of "Attitude", then there's a problem. This is just a small example. When doing something, why can't one think if it is affecting your close one very badly? Is it really worth doing that thing considering your closeness with that person? One doesn't really have time to think about others but about himself. Is it lack of empathy, or self-centrism? How can it be, that people expect sacrifices made for them, but they can't sacrifice even a bit for anyone?
Or is there a bit of business-like stuff involved in it? Invest only from where you can get profit, and don't care about something that can't fetch you profit? People do change parties(I'm not speaking in political sense although that can be a very good example) once they know they have got nothing to get from the current one. These are the ones who always look to take advantage of others, even if it causes uncomfort to them. "Hell, why should I care? I am getting what I want." For months, X doesn't consider Y, bad-mouths about him; but when needed something from Y, suddenly X becomes so polite and kind...It can be as simple as some help during exams and vivas...
And here come the deadlier ones--> The pretenders. It is one thing, not revealing every bit of ur intellectual, emotional self to everyone. But to project yourself as one person to X, different person to Y, still different person to Z...And that too for personal gain, or as pathetic as just to have some fun? These are the people who can never accept their mistakes and pretend to be perfect. They have explanation for every thing they do, and reasons(read excuses) for everything they can't do. It is like "what I do-fantastic, rocking...we rock..what you do-boring.."
There are some things they either can't understand or they don't want to understand. Hiding your emotions and all(that too with no intention of doing harm to someone) is but natural. But different situations, different personalities to acheive maximum gain at the cost of your "friends"-crime..Let's say, there are two groups. Group X and group Y. group X is of the normal people with some acceptable abnormalities(obviously, noone can be perfect) and group Y, filled with pretenders. Generally, when surrounded by lot of people, group Y people act very nicely, very decently. But as soon as they get a chance to outnumber people from group X, they are their real selves. Worse, if they corner one of the X lot, that too a very nice and kind of emotional one, they pounce on that chance as a wild dog does on a rabbit. Cheap man, very cheap...To add to it, next day, they are again back to their pretending mode-decent, nice, with explanations ready for their actions...Pathetic..
Does everyone belong to only one of the categories I mentioned?? No..I think everyone has a bit of all the things I said..Even I may have-no denying. Everyone has a person inside who can empathize, who wants to be self-centered, who thinks of the world as a business market and who can pretend. But which of these aspects dominate which individual-Well, personal choice, I think determines that.

P.S. Sorry for so many he, himself, someone, one, they, X, Y, Z...but didn't really know how to go about it..And also for every time mentioning he, himself..Well I am no "male chauvenist", just had to go one way for less complexity..
And again, the incidents mentioned, all need not be from personal experience. Many come from my close pals. Views are mine nevertheless.