Today is 1st International Yoga Day, Music Day and also Father's Day. Thanks to our Prime Minister's initiative to spread the message of yoga across the world, and Unites Nations accepting the initiative and declaring June 21 as Yoga day. What comes to my mind is the "relevance" of such "days". There are many "Days" such as father's day, mother's day, valentine's day, environment day, autism day, reading day and a day for everything. How do these "Days" help us?
Every year we see hype created for father's day, mother's day and of course valentine's day. That much hype is not seen for days such as environment day, autism day and reading day. Being the first time, and proposed by India, yoga day is generating lot of buzz across the world. I believe, spreading the message of yoga can help bring better awareness about yoga, leading to people practicing yoga, resulting in a healthy lifestyle. Though there are groups in India itself working against it, which of course is natural, as nothing gets its buzz without any opposition. I think, we all can be proud that this is India's contribution to the world.
Now coming back to the Mother's day, Father's day etc., I have never really understood what these days are for. Yes, people take pictures of hugging mothers, fathers and put them on Facebook or other social networks. Buy gifts and send to father / mother. Do we need a separate day to express our love towards father and mother? Do we need a day to flaunt pics with mother and father? Everyday day most of us pray god. As per Indian culture, god comes only 4th in line after Mother, Father and Guru. Then isn't it natural that we remember Mother, Father and Guru before we pray god every day? Similarly with our valentines too. Isn't it that the love towards them is perpetual (never ending, continuous, always there...)? Then I feel odd for those who remember and wish them only on "the days". Gifts and gift card companies such as Archies are the most benefitted and also the flower vendors and flower farmers. Yes, wishes and gifts do bring smiles. Isn't that these smiles are for every day? The economic activities generated by the commercial interests on those days do help many people, that could be a big plus.
Days such as environment day, autism day, water day, reading day etc. attract many initiatives in respective fields, and spread awareness. Events are organised to remind people of the importance of safeguarding environment, and water; inspiring people to cultivate good habit such as reading; letting people know about disorders such as Autism and changing the way people with such disorders are looked at. I think, such efforts help bring awareness in the society as a whole.
Again coming back to my question on greeting mother through Facebook on Mother's day, greeting father through Facebook on Father's day etc. Isn't the love towards our dear ones "personal" and close to heart? Somehow I find it difficult to comprehend such flaunting. Is love towards one's valentine (husband / wife), towards parents, towards children etc need to be flaunted on social networks? Does expression of real love towards dear ones need publicity and flaunting? Doesn't it lead to degeneration of real love to "expressing for the sake of doing it"? Or am I missing something here? If I am convinced, I am open to change my belief.
Of course, this is my opinion. I am sure most people will not agree with me. That's fine.
Every year we see hype created for father's day, mother's day and of course valentine's day. That much hype is not seen for days such as environment day, autism day and reading day. Being the first time, and proposed by India, yoga day is generating lot of buzz across the world. I believe, spreading the message of yoga can help bring better awareness about yoga, leading to people practicing yoga, resulting in a healthy lifestyle. Though there are groups in India itself working against it, which of course is natural, as nothing gets its buzz without any opposition. I think, we all can be proud that this is India's contribution to the world.
Now coming back to the Mother's day, Father's day etc., I have never really understood what these days are for. Yes, people take pictures of hugging mothers, fathers and put them on Facebook or other social networks. Buy gifts and send to father / mother. Do we need a separate day to express our love towards father and mother? Do we need a day to flaunt pics with mother and father? Everyday day most of us pray god. As per Indian culture, god comes only 4th in line after Mother, Father and Guru. Then isn't it natural that we remember Mother, Father and Guru before we pray god every day? Similarly with our valentines too. Isn't it that the love towards them is perpetual (never ending, continuous, always there...)? Then I feel odd for those who remember and wish them only on "the days". Gifts and gift card companies such as Archies are the most benefitted and also the flower vendors and flower farmers. Yes, wishes and gifts do bring smiles. Isn't that these smiles are for every day? The economic activities generated by the commercial interests on those days do help many people, that could be a big plus.
Days such as environment day, autism day, water day, reading day etc. attract many initiatives in respective fields, and spread awareness. Events are organised to remind people of the importance of safeguarding environment, and water; inspiring people to cultivate good habit such as reading; letting people know about disorders such as Autism and changing the way people with such disorders are looked at. I think, such efforts help bring awareness in the society as a whole.
Again coming back to my question on greeting mother through Facebook on Mother's day, greeting father through Facebook on Father's day etc. Isn't the love towards our dear ones "personal" and close to heart? Somehow I find it difficult to comprehend such flaunting. Is love towards one's valentine (husband / wife), towards parents, towards children etc need to be flaunted on social networks? Does expression of real love towards dear ones need publicity and flaunting? Doesn't it lead to degeneration of real love to "expressing for the sake of doing it"? Or am I missing something here? If I am convinced, I am open to change my belief.
Of course, this is my opinion. I am sure most people will not agree with me. That's fine.
Mamu, You reflect my thoughts. But these days are also gentle reminders to help us reflect on the value of relationships... I too feel very uncomfortable wishing my own people on facebook... bUT may be we r a minority!
ReplyDelete