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 Nirmal Adhikari Agartala, Tripura Contents | Old memories often leave the deepest impressions. While visiting Durga Puja pandals recently, I was reminded of an incident from my teenage years. As I went to see the idol at the Jubosamaj Club, I noticed that, amidst all the dazzling lights, an old burnt-down house still stood there. I suppose no one lives there anymore. I have no idea what became of the family. It reminded me of Dr. Ajay Uncle, whom I knew as a child. He was a friend of my father, and his younger son was a year senior to me in school. One day, when I was very young, my father took me to their house. Above the doctor's chair hung the portrait of a gentleman. Curious, I asked him who it was. With a smile, he replied, "This is Mr. Abraham Lincoln, the former President of the United States." As children, we were accustomed to seeing portraits of Indian patriots or figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda in people's homes, especially in ours. So seeing Lincoln's portrait surprised me a little. Dr. Ajay immediately sensed my curiosity and asked, "You're wondering why this picture is here, aren't you?" From beside me, my father answered, "Because democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people." Hearing this, Dr. Ajay turned to me and asked, "Did you understand?" "Yes," I replied, though, like many children, I had really understood nothing. Outside, the rain was pouring down in steady sheets. Even today, the words spoken that afternoon by my father and Dr. Ajay continue to echo in my mind. Pointing to Lincoln's portrait, my father said, "He is regarded as the father of democracy. That is why the whole world respects and honours him." Dr. Ajay looked at me again and asked, "Now do you understand, child?" The conversation between the two friends continued. My father said, "Listen, Ajay. Democracy is another name for the people's system of governance. Therefore, those who shape such a system must be accustomed to living by ideals." Only today do I truly appreciate how profound those words were. Dr. Ajay added, "To remain true to one's ideals, a person must constantly strive to purify oneself. Without people guided by ideals, the collective strength of society can never truly awaken." My father continued, "When love is added to people's ideals, everyone becomes capable of supporting, nurturing, and strengthening one another. In that way, both collective strength and inner strength grow." "In the end," Dr. Ajay concluded in a single breath, "a society founded on ideals, democracy, and respect for the individual brings people the lasting peace, comfort, and prosperity they have always sought." Their discussion paused only when Aunty arrived with tea and biscuits. Although the conversation was between my father and Dr. Ajay, the words they spoke all those years ago have remained with me ever since. This morning, while reading the daily newspaper, I came across a remark by Sadhguru in the column Bhabnar Jagat ("The World of Thought"). It read: "Freedom means living willingly, joyfully, and lovingly in the place one cherishes. The opposite causes the human spirit to shrink. When we speak of individual freedom, we must remember one essential truth: I cannot claim the freedom to act in ways that harm the lives, well-being, or happiness of those around me. Society never tolerates corrupt conduct. Social institutions and our surroundings should be such that people naturally become accustomed to honesty and virtue, while wrongdoing is restrained." I read those words again that night. As I did, memories of my father and Dr. Ajay came flooding back. Having long crossed my teenage years and now entered the later stage of life, I quietly realized that this is perhaps the true meaning of democracy: a way of life where conflict, hostility, and inequality are set aside, allowing every individual to enjoy freedom while living in harmony with others. |
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