In open letter - "Are we going back to where we have started from?" By Jhuma Dutta, Kolkata, India

Posted by Team 4indianwoman at 15 March 2008, 12:43 AM and is filed under open letter

The other day I was appalled by a gruesome clipping shown in a news channel--a truck driver had his hands and feet tied, was doused in kerosene and set in flames! The man was writhing in pain and was screaming for help. His tormentors (all local inhabitants) made sure that no one came to his rescue by cordoning off the area. What was his crime? He was speeding down the highway and had run over a boy who died instantaneously. Agreed that it was reckless driving but did he deserve this punishment? Moreover the mother of the dead boy was prancing around the man in flames almost gleefully in a "serves you right" manner. The police arrived at last when he had almost 90% burns; mercifully he died after a short while in the hospital.

Another equally shocking piece of news was that of a dacoity committed recently. The robbers attacked the apartment in the middle of the night. While they overpowered the family members, the lady of the house managed to run out into the balcony with the idea of raising an alarm. The robbers promptly pushed her out of the balcony and she was flung out into the street below. Her agonized shell shocked family members were
prevented from going to her help naturally. They helplessly watched the thugs gather their booty while their mother/wife lay bleeding outside. While the neighbourhood slept peacefully, the poor lady breathed her last.

Where are we living? This is not cruelty or barbarism, nor is it violence at its extreme. I fail to think of a suitable adjective to describe this. Can we still regard ourselves as human beings? Since early civilization we have progressed by leaps and bounds. But have we really? We have in fact set the clock backwards. We are walking backwards along the footsteps of our ancestors. We are going back to where we have started from.

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • No trackbacks exist for this entry.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

  • 15 March 2008, 11:13 AM Suman K Sharmas wrote:
    A thought-provoking reflection on the ugly man behind a shiny mask!
    Reply to this
  • 15 March 2008, 5:04 PM Chhaya wrote:
    Jhuma, ur blog came at a very apt time. did u see the new of a 10 year old being burnt alive just bcz his cycle bumped with a car?? oh god!! what is happening to us? we are not fit to be called human beings anymore... i feel ashamed.... i m so sure, we didnt start from THIS low...
    Reply to this
    1. 16 March 2008, 7:12 PM Jhuma Dutta wrote:
      Yes Chhaya, I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the news. Now even children are not being spared.I wonder what more is in store for us.
      Reply to this
  • 16 March 2008, 7:16 PM Kalyani S. wrote:
    Very shocking news items. Hope we are not returning to barbarism as you say. If life does not change for the better it is quite a probability
    Reply to this
  • 16 March 2008, 10:12 PM Jasmin wrote:
    You are sadly right Jhuma, but it reflects on the policing of our country and the handling of law and order.When anti-social elements are running the country as politicians and criminals go scot free then the society takes revenge which is not right approach though but this is what is happening.
    Reply to this
  • 17 March 2008, 12:10 AM Irene wrote:
    We live in such cruel times that I sometimes shudder when I send my little girl out into the world. I hope we all try to and make the world a little better. I too read in horror about the 10 year old boy's death. No punishment will ever bring him back. Taking law into one's own hands is of course partly because of lack of faith, and partly because life is so very tough...
    Reply to this
  • 17 March 2008, 11:04 AM preetha wrote:
    now a days there is very little good things that we can go though the papers.most of he news keep u wondering as to where he world is leading to.I keep praying that i don't get to hear anything that beaks my heart.
    Reply to this
  • 17 March 2008, 1:30 PM Harmeen kaur soodan wrote:
    I completely agree with you. We have lost all human values and our morality seems to be fading away.
    Reply to this
  • 21 March 2008, 4:52 PM Chris Sutton wrote:
    It is Good Friday and I have just read this blog. I'm appalled by the horrors described in Jhuma's account. They were truly shocking. But I must take issue with Harmeen's statement that 'we have lost all human values and our morality seems to be fading away'. To me, the other responses seem to signify quite the opposite. Each and every one has condemned the brutality, not tried to justify or praise it. I agree with Irene's hope that we all try to do things to make the world a little better. That is so positive. Small kindnesses, collectively, can become a huge driving force for good.
    But we mustn't forget that millions of people do live on the edge of society, without the benefits we take so much for granted - a decent standard of living, loving families, education, and work that satisfies and stimulates. Grinding poverty, lawlessness and persecution all take their toll, sometimes resulting in the sort of violent backlash we saw here. There are no easy answers, but, no, we aren’t lost yet.
    Reply to this
Leave a comment

Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name (required)

 Email (will not be published) (required)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.