Mbuyisa is or was my son, but he is not a hero. In my culture, picking up Hector is not an act of heroism. It was his job as a brother. It was his duty.
-Mother of Mbuyisa
Makhubo... the boy who together with Antoinette Sithole carried the body of
Hector Pieterson moments after he was shot... in the iconic picture we’ve come
to associate with Youth Day in South Africa.
 |
| The iconic picture of Mbuyisa Makhubo & Antoinette Sithole with Hector Pieterson @ site of the 1976 protest in Soweto. |
The Class of 1976 and indeed
others during that time endured many a sacrifice for universal education, that
we so liberally enjoy today. On a visit to Soweto last month, I stood at the
spot where the 1976 Uprising happened, took it all in and glanced at the various
monuments. I thought... even with her child’s life in danger, a Mother could have
such humility and sincerity, saying it was her son’s duty. So today, on June 16th
- in the year we celebrate 20 Years of Democracy... in the year ‘born-frees’
voted for the first time... in the year we mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela –
I ask: are we doing our duty?
By now, regular readers
would have noticed a change in the tone and writing style of the blog. I’m here
to share a few thoughts and send collective wishes from all readers... as on
Youth Day, this blog Sudarshana Vidya, also celebrates its Anniversary... this
year turning 3 and reaching close to 30 000 hits! As the honoured Editor [no,
I’m not qualified to edit content J], I’m touched to pen a few words on this milestone. Being the humble
soul the author is, he always downplays the impact his weekly dose of
inspiration, motivation and enlightenment has on readers. At the second
instalment of the Arise Awake Fun Run hosted by the Tongaat Hindu Unity Forum
held today, I mentioned to a group of people that the blog celebrates 3 years
today, to which the resounding response was... “we eagerly await the mail in
our Inbox every Monday morning”. Why am I choosing to heap praise and celebrate
this milestone you ask?
When Sudarshana Vidya turned
2, I asked Revered Swami Vimokshananda who Yogan (hereinafter referred to as
Unna) seeks guidance, ideas and blessings from... to send a message for
inclusion in one of the pieces.
He said: “Yogan is definitely
an inspired youth. That he could energise himself with those irrepressible ideas
of Swamiji and channelise in the right direction for the increasing number of avid
readers of his blog "Sudarshana Vidya" shows how blessed is he as an instrument
in the mighty arms of Swamiji. The unique aspect of his writings lies in his
penetrating analysis of the problem at hand chiselled especially in the
day-to-day context. May Mother Saraswati bless my dear Yogan more and more with
mighty thoughts that would flow from his pen like a cooling stream, quenching
the thirst of the parched souls ever is my prayer.” Thank You Maharaj.
I come back to my earlier
question about duty. Swami Vivekananda said: “My faith is in the Younger
Generation, the Modern Generation, out of them will come my workers. They will
work out the whole problem, like Lions.” This for me is sufficient proof that
the ability lies within each of us to do great things, be great people. Swamiji
had faith in us... who are we to doubt it?
The word “youth” is trending
increasingly on social media. Why has it become the new buzzword? Are youth
feeling the pressure of the pressure? What are their expectations? What do
adults expect of them? At a Youth Day address in 1995, Nelson Mandela said: “I
am confident that South Africa’s youth is more than ready to meet the challenge
of freedom. We are firm in our conviction that you deserve a better future.” 20
Years later and even after the deaths of Mandela, Biko, Vivekananda and
others... their visionary ideas and ideals still hold true. The question remains: Are
we doing OUR duty?
I work with young people
daily. I am young too. Youth are mould-able. They need to be treated with care
(sometimes forced-care). We will make you proud. Thank You for the
opportunities. Stop the negative speeches about youth apathy and how youth have
gone wrong. We will change. Call me ridiculous... call me unrealistic and
idealistic and impractical. We must be positive. Change will come. We must
believe.
But... duty, sacrifice and other
such beautiful words in the literary pantheon can only be given true meaning if
we attach respect and action to them. Action – another pretty word... that has
no meaning... if the verb is not carried out. So herein lies our answer... as
proclaimed by Swamiji... “out of them will come my workers” – ACTION.
Leo Buscaglia said: “the time for action is now, and only you can make the difference.”
Thank You Unna for championing this difference and inspiring so many of us to
action! May Sudarshana Vidya long live to guide, inspire and awaken every young
person in their quest to remember the legacies of those before us... and forge
ahead creating their own.
May Master Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda keep you in their golden embrace always!
Your chief follower & biggest
supporter
Merisha Lalla
Editor: www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com
-Thank You to all readers for your continued support, encouraging emails and messages. Keep reading and keep inspired!
*Sudarshana Vidya sends
belated Fathers Day greetings to all Dads for yesterday.
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