In the second issue we started discussing a few of the many ideas propagated. These ideas play a major role in diverting youth from getting into social activities. We discussed how the first idea hampers
unification of youth and their involvement in society. How the term “settle down” is never actually clear and also how this idea of settling down does not many times consider the time period required for it to be fulfilled. We made an important point that “Time and situation must be the important factors in any decision that we take!”
Now we will move on to discussing the second idea: “If you want to do something for society you need to give up on other regular activities.” This idea is particularly difficult to discuss, the reason being I personally find it absolutely absurd. But still let’s try “discussing” it.
“Oh! He is living a normal life while doing social activity.”- Does not seem to go well with some people. To this I have only one counter which I feel is sufficient enough to refute this idea. Money! Money for your personal life and for your social activities. If you stop education, job etc. -Who is going to pay for your personal expenses? (Considering that you don’t wish to leech off your parents’ earnings all your life!) Who will pay for your food? Your clothes? Your house? Who is going to contribute towards your family? Definitely not the people you are fighting! In that case it becomes easy to tag you as someone who has no other purpose in life but to wage unnecessary struggles in the name of society, to tag you as someone who can’t take care of his own self. On the other hand when you have good educational qualification, good position and then you go about working for society the outlook of people towards you is more respectful.
Now the other part – “Money for social activities”. Many times you need to put in money to wage social struggles from your own pocket. Ok, now one will argue that “what if someone wants to sponsor?” Well, then it’s great but, at times people who do “sponsor” expect favors in return and those favors might not be as per your working principles and may actually hamper your working! What are you going to do in that case?
I think the reasons are convincing enough to refute the claim “If you want to do something for society you need to give up on other regular activities. “
Now there is something I would like to talk to you about that we haven’t discussed so far-“An Organisation and Organisational Principles.” It is necessary that you wage social struggles by being a part of a proper organization having definite Organisational Principles. Hence I find it necessary to share my experience of being a part of Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS). Prior to joining the organization I was someone who was extremely scared to socialize, someone who was depressed all the time and felt this world is crap and that it has nothing in it for me. But being in LRS has been an enlightening experience and is liberating. It reinstalled my faith in Humanity. Here I know I can fulfill my dream of leaving behind a better society when I’m not in this world anymore. Every member is equally respected and above all everyone is taken care of. There is always encouragement to learn from mistakes. My committee members rebuilt my faith in myself when I felt lost. Wherever I go I know “I’m not alone.”
Being a member of LRS makes me feel happy and satisfied from the inside. So it’s necessary that you be a part of an organization with proper principles, which makes you stronger every moment. It is necessary that you feel really happy doing whatever you are doing.
– Hrishikesh
