Celebrating annual events like day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, earth day, water day, diabetes day, mothers’ day and other contemporary days are actually reminders and intimations to apprise us that we have ceased to live in harmony with nature. We have probably sunken so deep into the deluge of negligence and oblivion that we have forgotten the basic doctrines of humanity. We are now bereft of angelic traits. Our grotty and deplorable approach stoops us as low as beasts. Even Satan seeks refuge from (ibni-Adam) us for our cacodemonic attributes. So, ambassadors and well-wishers of humanity reckoned it mandatory to have certain days to remind us that we are Ashraful Makhlooqat, the viceroy of Allah (SWT). We were ordained to lead the world with the best of our capabilities. But, bizarrely, we have failed to deliver; we have forgotten our prime responsibilities and obligations, and the roles we had to perform. We were decreed to serve, but, we preferred to excruciate. We had to use the bounties of nature, but, we went for abuse.
Unlike contemporary man, our fathers and forefathers would never resort to any illegal or excessive usage of drugs. Narcotics and other hallucinating substances were symbols of debauchery. Such things were thought to be a source of divine wrath. They would even cure diseases using indigenously grown shrubs and herbs. Doctors and pharmacists were not frequently visited then. Even diseases and disorders were few and far between. Paracetamols and calpols were substituted by brown wet clay and dried marshmallow flowers, wormwood was used for its purported health benefits, and liquorice roots were used in place of cough syrups and expectorants. I mean, drugs were least used then, and consequently, our ancestors were happier and healthier than us. Life expectancy and longevity was substantially larger than the contemporary times. Though they had raw houses to live in, had scanty access to advanced healthcare facilities, had no hefty amounts in their bank accounts. But, they had peace in their lives. The mantra of their happier lives was latent in the purity of their hearts. Simplicity in character, moral uprightness and fear of God would elevate their stature among the biological creatures.
Our ancestors would not jeer at their parents even slightly; parents were rather worshipped like deities. They would never cause any damage to mother earth and would not lower the quality or quantity of the water. Lethal polythene and plastic items were not seen piled up in their alleys, paths and water bodies. Even their raw water was cleaner and purer than our filtered aqua. They would never throw their trash and waste into their water bodies. Water was treated as an elixir and deified like a heavenly bounty. Unlike modern day literate buffoons, they would not take pride in having polythene carry bags in their hands. So, no special days were chosen to scratch the dormant compartments of their intellect.
Neither their children nor their elders were obese. Junk and fast foods were alien to them. Hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other deadly ailments were rarely known to them. Anxiety, stress and depression like terms were not found in their dictionaries. Their veggies and fruits were grown using manures. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were seldom used in their agro operations. Their foods were almost like antidotes and remedies that would prevent ailments. Backyard poultry would ensure their self-sufficiency. Unlike today’s broilers, no growth regulators and steroids were used to rear poultry birds miraculously. Trees and plants were considered shields. Looters of green gold were thought to be the foes of humanity. No drastic weather events were noticed ever, albeit a few. There was no conflict between man and nature, as if the man was destined to tranquility and peace.
Unemployment like expressions were non-native to our ancestors. Everyone had a job, and work was considered worship. No stigma was etched to any profession or work. Daughters were married off at proper age. No government or corporate sector job was mandatory to find a good spouse. Marriages of our forefathers were not extravagant. No hefty amounts were required to solemnize a marriage. And consequently, fornication and adultery like evils were not prevalent then. Man was the truest incarnation of God. He was cognizant, mindful, judicious and altruistic in his approach. So, no reminders and intimations were required to make him realize his responsibilities and obligations. Celebrating days like fathers’ day, earth day and water day had no relevance with our ancestors. Man was contented with what he had, so he was happy. The termite of bragging and boasting had no place in his life.
But, now, the scenario has changed completely. Greed, avarice and falsehood have hollowed us terribly. Our young people are caught up in the quagmire of immodesty, conceit and lust. ‘Tawakul Alallah’ has vanished from our lives. Parents want to interpret their own failed aspirations through their children. Materialism and absolute dependence upon wealth is taught to children at the cost of ethics and values. With the result, our young people are falling prey to deadly drugs and alcohol. According to stats, 1.35 million kashmiris are addicted to substance abuse, with a substantial percentage of females. Those who should have been in libraries, laboratories, sports fields and farmlands; are lying on their sick beds. Some are wailing in their homes, some are battling to recover and restore in rehabilitation centers, while as, some are sucking the blood of their poor parents as parasites and vampires. Drug abuse has crippled them terribly. Shockingly, most of the drug abusers are school and college going teens. It is a catastrophe in the making. The bells are ringing, but our ears are plugged.
(Author is Teacher and a Columnist. He can be reached at [email protected])
