What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand. (b) “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi (150 words). (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 4)
(a) The idea in this quote relates to the humanitarian aspect where one shall help people and not create hurdles for them. Whenever someone is in need one ought to help him/her if the capabilities of providing the support permit. If one cannot stretch the helping hand at the time of need, its better to stay away rather than interfering by means of wrong advice and acting under the influence of anger, jealousy or revenge to make the life worse.
The statement holds significance not only in day to day personal life but also in professional duties of, say, civil servants. A clerk at a pension sanctioning office can either help an old widowed lady get her rightful monthly pension or he can refuse her application for want of proper documents and worse off talk to her rudely and make her run from pillar to post for some forms and documents.
Thus, in the truest sense, the society can be more tolerant and flourishing if the actions of people are directed by humanity and acceptance.
(b) A person is not interested in ‘the I’ if it is not his or hers, which shows that ‘the I’ is personal to the extent of self-centredness. That means inner happiness and real honour do not reside in ‘the I’, and, if so, it is better to put one’s heart and mind into serving people and contributing to their upliftment. There is no more desirable, satisfactory and effective way to employ one’s focus, energy and time. Community service helps us realise the core values of passion, hard work and commitment. When a person feels his actions bring about the good of others and result in relieving even a little of widespread human suffering, he or she becomes conscious of the true sense of achievement and its realisation. This is the highest involvement which leads to the greatest achievement followed by happiness, satisfaction and peace everywhere. With this essence of being, you find yourself knowing what you really wanted to be, but now what you have and what you are.
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