A logic called “Enough”
A logic beyond my right or my duty
I wished to put before you certain scenarios, and one of the possible invitations following the scenarios. There can be many other invitations possible, but I choose one among those.
Scenario 1: There is a super-rich person, surrounded by a very poor family. The poor parents say that they don’t have any inherited resources and their present situation, despite all attempts is not improving. The children in the family are struggling with their education in the midst of this situation.
Invitation 1: The Rich person is invited to sponsor the education of those children.
Scenario 2: During some of the big festivals, especially in the big cities in India (for eg: Mumbai), we burst crackers, especially in the night. The bursting of crackers do have pollution issues (cities like Mumbai, Delhi face pollution as a problem), create sound related problems for the elderly and animals.
Invitation 2: An invitation to the certain groups/association to have a certain self-regulation for the sake of others.
Scenario 3: Economic inequality between countries and regions are a reality today. So what is considered as luxury in some countries is much less than a basic need in some others?
Invitation 3: An invitation to the rich to be more moderate in their use of resources and probably to share. They can do a Need vs Want analysis.
Scenario 4: Climate change is a serious problem and the many of the people in the coastal regions (and mostly poor) are paying the brunt of it, whereas they might be the lowest in the usage of resources and in the carbon credit rank.
Invitation 4: An invitation to those who can afford to use more ecological transport (less flights) and more renewable energy even when they are expensive
Scenario 5: I (a reasonably well off person) go for the shopping in the markets and I bought some vegetables from the local street vendors. The prize is less than the prize at the far away super market. I can still get less if I bargain a little. These people do cheat a little.
Invitation 5: An invitation not to bargain; let them have that little extra, even if it is extra.
We can create many similar scenarios, and there are innumerable articles/theories supporting those invitations and surely many others opposing it. I am not doing an analysis of each of the points. We might like some of the invitations and some of them might be considered crazy by us.
And then I can always argue, it is my hard earned money or my liberty/choice — how can you tell me on how to use it? I am on legally right track. Yes, invitations are not from legal point of views, but from a different one. Hopefully the example below (obtained from the Facebook page of a priest friend, and thanks to the anonymous author) resonate with some of these invitations; or it can create resonances in me
“Kaun Banega Crorepati,” is a show that blends intelligence and entertainment. It adds to one’s knowledge, and you tend to feel very happy whenever your answers are correct.
In a recent episode, Dr. Neeraj Saxena was the fastest to answer in the “Fastest Finger” round and took the hot seat.
He sat very calmly, without shouting, dancing, crying, raising his hands, or hugging Amitabh. Neeraj is a scientist, a Ph.D., and a Vice-Chancellor of a university in Kolkata. He has a pleasant and simple personality. He considers himself fortunate to have worked with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and mentioned that initially, he thought only about himself, but under Kalam’s influence, he began thinking about others and the nation as well.
Neeraj started playing. He used the audience poll once, but since he had the “Double Dip” lifeline, he got the chance to use it again. He answered all the questions with ease, and his intelligence was impressive. He won ₹3,20,000 and an equivalent bonus amount, and then there was a break.
After the break, Amitabh announced, “Let’s proceed, Dr. Sahab. Here comes the eleventh question…” Just then, Neeraj said, “Sir, I would like to quit.”
For one moment, think why he did this?
Amitabh was surprised. Someone playing so well, with three lifelines still left, and a good chance to win a crore (₹1,00,00,000), was quitting? He asked, “This has never happened before…”
Neeraj calmly replied, “Other players are waiting, and they are younger than me. They should also get a chance. I have already won a lot of money. I feel ‘what I have is enough.’ I do not desire more.”
Amitabh was stunned, and there was a moment of silence. Then, everyone stood up and applauded him for a long time.
Amitabh said, “We have learned a lot today. It is rare to see a person like this.”
To be honest, it is the first time the show must have witnessed someone with such an opportunity before them, who thought about others getting a chance and considered what they have as more than enough. Many may have mentally saluted him.
At a time when chasing money is becoming a priority, no matter how much is earned, there is no satisfaction, and the greed never ends. People are losing out on family, sleep, happiness, love, and friendship. In such times, people like Dr. Neeraj Saxena come as a reminder. In this age, satisfied and selfless people are hard to find.
After he quit the game, a girl took the hot seat and shared her story: “My father threw us out, including my mother, just because we are three daughters. Now, we live in an orphanage…”
If Neeraj had not quit, being the last day, no one else would have gotten a chance. Because of his sacrifice, this poor girl got an opportunity to earn some money.
