When I was a little boy - there was a song on this short and sweet word - with S M I L E - being spelt out. Not only that I have forgotten the song, but I have also forgotten how to smile.As one goes through life, one hardens, gets set in his ways and the worst thing is that one forgets 'how to smile'. We Indians always look at a smiling person with suspicion. Why is so&so smiling? What are his/her intentions? Nazar lag jayegi etc., etc. This hits you particularly hard when you visit Europe or the U.S (I cannot say about other countries), if you do look around with an open mind. Every individual you come across, in those countries, has something to give, they will smile, sometimes even wave ... and it is so genuine. You hold a door for someone coming behind you - it never goes unacknowledged. You allow another drive through a small gap in the traffic and you also get a thank you nod and a wave. The list is endless - just crossing a stranger on the street will elicit a smile also if you happened to look at him for just a glance.
The question that comes into my mind is that why we are so stuck up? Why we cannot give such a simple gesture to another. Why is it that we also are suspicious of others?
We think we are great. We like to talk of our culture, the so called culture that just does not exist. We are great talkers – of our philosophy, our culture, our traditions, heritage and the like. Has anyone given a thought as to where we are in the world ranking on these? Can we hold a candle to the Greek philosophers and thinkers? What’s the great thing about our culture – apart from mythology (remember it says “MYTHS”), a bit of Rabindra Sangeet and Nalanda – we have a cast ridden society and the so called Hindu way of life – that is based on selfishness and deceit. There was some culture before the decline of the Buddhist religion in the country, which was butchered along with the Buddhists. Most of what we have in traditions or heritage have been given to us either by the Moguls or the British.
Coming back to the simple SMILE. I have been abroad – mainly to UK and the US and the smile is not only infectious but leaves one with a pleasant feeling and makes it much easier to go through the day in spite of all the depressing or sad events that could be making one sad or miserable.
Can we change our ways? Our attitude, our way of life. It is never too late to try.
