Who we are now is not who we were last year, last week or last minute. Life never stands still no matter what you do. Change is the very nature of our existence. The very essence of our thoughts, our emotions, our feelings, our relationships is dynamic. But, as much as change is inevitable, it is not always welcome. It can create conflicts. It can have repercussions. But these utter moments of hopelessness is what gives us a platform to grow into something better.
“Change starts here………Can we count you in?????”
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. But, are we responsible enough? Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature deaths in the world. Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. 304 million people in India do not have access to electricity. Every 10 seconds, a person dies of hunger. We know the stats, but what are we doing to change it?
We live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Isn’t it? Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty. Out of a population of 1.3 billion, 338 million of our brothers and sisters are still illiterate. We still have people from the lower strata who are not able to avail of the basic amenities in the society. The unemployment rate in India has increased by 3.25% in 2017. One in ten deaths in India is due to improper sanitation. Yes!!! We know the stats. But, are we actually doing anything to change it?
History has been witness to the fact that whenever the society has changed its trends to disrupt the normal social balance in nature, leaders have risen from the ashes, who have managed to change the due course of the society with their persistent efforts and conviction. Ria Sharma, a 25-year-old, social activist is one such unsung leader in this domain. She is the founder of an NGO “Make love not scars” which offers emergency medical and legal assistance, therapy and rehabilitation for survivors of gender-based violence. Kirti Bharti, another 29-year-old social activist managed to stop 900 child marriages in the last 4 years and annulled 150 marriages of underage girls. Bezwada Wilson, a social activist who has vehemently campaigned against the inhumane activity of manual scavenging. Ashok Row Kavi, father of India’s gay community, founder chairperson of Humsafar Trust, an LGBT and health organization that works towards legalizing homosexuality, gender awareness, and sexual minorities outreach. And, there are many more such leaders who are doing their every bit to bring about a change in the society. Now it is up to you to just keep the stats with you or try to bring a change in the society because the first step starts with you.
“Together we can make a change in the world. Together we can help the world live without fear. It is our only hope. And without hope, we are lost.”
A step towards bringing upon a change in the society can be as small as XIMB students not using non-recyclable items, not wasting food or water, switching off lights while leaving the rooms. A step towards change can be as important as XIMB students devoting each hour of their day teaching the illiterate mess workers. A step can be XIMB students organizing blood donation camps. Arranging awareness programs for people to create their own opportunities instead of waiting for the freebies provided by the government.
But are these things really possible practically?
Yes……We do these things at XIMB. We are socially responsible! ARE YOU?
Aditya Vikram Singh, XIMB, Batch 2018-20
