Driving home a point

 It was his last day at work today. He diligently served as a driver for 32 years. As I had recently joined this office, I didn't really get to know him well. But the words of those who spoke at the farewell today were testimony of his commitment towards work. As he sat there proudly with his children and grandchildren, I recollected our conversation from the previous day.

He came to my chamber and spoke emotionally "Thank you for organising a farewell for me, a driver, and for inviting my family. For the first time, I feel honoured and respected. Please allow me to arrange lunch for you and all staff tomorrow". At the farewell too, he made clear his feelings to all. I am confident, he drove home the point, we are all one family, with just different roles.

Farewell, Bah Sylvanus Lyngdoh !

Dear Environment

Dear Environment

I know we have been bad. Really bad. Cruel and greedy too. The compulsions of livelihood have forced upon most of us some ugly choices. And this is no justification for what we have done. In the process, the ‘sustainable’ prefix of development, has not been sustained mostly. Growth and furtherance of the species has come at your cost. The balance has been ripped apart.

A significant number of us have realized all this and are making attempts to change the way we live. I just hope it is not too late. The soaring temperatures, the melting glaciers, the erratic rains and the monstrous cyclones tell us that you are angry and rightly so. This expression here is not an apology because that won’t mean or change anything. It is just that, we would like you to know that the realization is spreading.

Today, we have planted millions of trees across the earth. These tiny greens made us smile today. But I know it’s just a cliché for you. Much more needs to be done on our part to reverse the damage done already assuming that it is still reversible. I hope all of us realize the gravity of it. I hope all of us remember you everyday and not just on 5th June. I hope we all unite to take you back to your glory days. I hope, and pray, that it is not too late.

- One among the guilty 8 billion.