Nimrat Kaur: While addressing the Editors Guild on the topic Independent Press and Ethics, much revered global Bhdhist leader and Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama said a lot by not refrained to say much on Indian politics.

Nimrat Kaur: While addressing the Editors Guild on the topic Independent Press and Ethics, much revered global Bhdhist leader and Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama said a lot by not refrained to say much on Indian politics.

The revered refugee called himself “Son of India” and chooses to stay away from commenting on Indian Politics. Dalai Lama stated that the governments, regimes keep on changing; it’s the customs and traditions that remain the same.

Besides a passing reference the sensation seeking media, he choose to dwell on the lack of compassion in the society today.

He felt that the compassion needs to be integrated in the education system right from kindergarten to University level education. The reasoning behind this is that the trouble makers are educated. 

Compassion, the very essence of human nature, glorified in the Indian religions and culture has taken on a very superficial nature. Throwing little alms to a beggar is considered a sign of compassion.

The real essence of Indian society today maybe can be characterized by hypocrisy and maintenance of superficial image of who we are supposed to be. 

The pressure on an Indian is to conform to what is expected of her, him as a part of society. We are brought up these narrow definitions as to we are supposed to be.

‘Women don’t laugh out loud, Men are the bread winners of the family, rich are corrupt, Brahmins are intelligent, Shudras’ aren’t clean.’

And so on. And living our lives as per as these confines , we create barriers between  us and them. Barriers create fear and distrust. And people who live in fear cannot be compassionate. 

To bring out change in the education is long term step for the policy makers, but maybe for the compassion can start from the individuals.

And first recipient can be oneself. Compassion cannot be nurtured in a heart full of suppression of desires and dreams.

Allowing ourselves the freedom to be us, to choose our goals, our clothes, our food and so many simple basic choices can be start of a compassionate and tolerant society. 

As for a free and independent media, let’s not forget that all the good and bad come from within us. Be it a sensational journalist or a sleazy writer, society grows them because they satisfy the negative demands. Power was, is and will always remain with the free society.