News
It’s time to think and act
View(s):Lord Buddha’s teachings on living with wisdom are not only for our own good and advancement, but also for that of our parents, relatives, friends, and the country. But we have to find out whether we are using wisdom for the good of everyone. We heard recently through the media that funds are being allegedly credited to the accounts of government higher-ups illegally.
There are allegations that some state officials resort to various dubious methods for personal gain, neglecting their duties to help the public. These allegations indicate that mismanagement is rampant and development work is at a standstill. We cannot get our work done at a government office unless we give ‘something under the table’. In certain cases this is not just Rs. 50 or 100 but millions. So it is important that an immediate probe be launched to examine these allegations and measures be taken to monitor the bank accounts of state officials. This way we can ensure that the rule of law is maintained and justice is done.
Today the country and the people are desperate for loans. We go behind financial institutions to get loans at every opportunity. So the result is that we are all in debt and we are living beyond our means. We are trying to beat the others and live extravagant lives. We have what we call the “keeping-up-with Joneses’ disease”. At the end of the day, it is the financial institutions that make profit.
We are not satisfied with what we have. The country is under a debt spell. We have to find a way to stop this. Consumers pay cash for the goods they buy. But shop owners settle the suppliers’ bills after several months. Because of this, the producer is compelled to increase the prices of goods. The government should step in and see to it that transactions with the suppliers are done strictly on cash basis. Otherwise the producers will go bankrupt.
We go for litigation when we are not at peace with others. Most court cases are between husbands and wives, parents and children or between relatives or neighbours. In short, the litigants are known to each other. This gives an indication as to how much we trust each other.
It is, therefore, important that the clergy of all religions should step up efforts to promote goodwill among people. Instead of resorting to litigation, people should be encouraged to meet the religious leaders to solve their petty family problems and misunderstandings.
The police should not get involved in the problems of those who have lived together for 20 or 30 years. When we examine the petty cases that are heard at the courts we know how these people would have lived all these years. Instead of going for litigation it is good to spread mercy and understanding.
No government has been able to do a significant religious awakening in the country. There was a time when donations to a place of religious worship were exempt from tax. Of late, there is a trend to tax donations to places of worship.
This will discourage the donors. In the absence of any donation from the government sector, donors should not be discouraged from helping places of worship at a time the clergy find it difficult to maintain them. It is the duty of the government to rectify this situation. Though the clergy may not publicly ask for such help they wait in silence till actual help is made available by the state.
I hear that the price of lime has gone up to Rs. 50. There was a time in the village when there was an excess in the harvest they used to dig the ground and keep the lime under sand to preserve it. We can make use of natural means to preserve our produce when there is an excess in the harvest.
These things should be made use of with correct publicity. Proper education on these will help. Many are unaware of these traditional methods. The government must take the initiative in this endeavour, instead of allowing things to go their own way.