Page 192 - SocialHarmony

196 Social Harmony

The Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years and the Laghu
Kumbh Mela is organised every four years. A Mela (fair) is a
cultural affair. And the ‘Kumbh Mela’ is an event where there
is an opportunity to discuss social issues. It is more about self-
introspection. It is union of hearts. Earlier, the fair lasted for a
month during which the social, cultural and religious leaders
gathered at one place, discussed the social issues and brought
about solutions. I once attended a fair of the shepherd
community which I would like to compare to a Kumbh Mela. I
was gifted a stick in the fair by an elderly gentleman as a symbol
of their community. I told him that if he really wanted to gift
me something, I would accept the stick; but in return he would
have to accept my gift of a pen. I explained to them that times
are changing. It is vital to take up the pen and start education
seriously. You can change the lives of your children by gifting
them a pen. You can change the future of the new generation.

Education demands sagacity, which shepherds naturally
have. It is very important that they make genuine use of their
wisdom and educate themselves and their children. Therefore,
I told him that they will have to accept the pen if they want to
gift a stick. Those who do not want to abandon their old
profession (stick), can do so. They can have their stick in one
hand and the pen in another. It is extremely important to make
progress in the society in the twenty-first century. Society needs
to change for the better. And for that, we need to rise above the
trivial comparisons with others and avoid unnecessary
expenses.