I still remember the disgust with which I realised that laws and rules were made without the consent of the people. I was livid when I read about how our Indian brethren were treated on their own home turf. Today, I get that same feeling when I turn the pages of the newspapers. The idea of being herded like cattle to conform to ideas and ideals that aren't our own is really not something going down well.
Every day, we are bombarded with news. Some of it very difficult to swallow. New taxes being levied, being taxed on having money, being taxed on not having money, we also see taxes on the taxes. We are being compelled to accept what none of us would actually want. So, what is it about human beings that allows them to go along with seemingly illogical ideas? The herd mentality describes how people are influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviours. Human beings are social and with this characteristic comes natural inclinations such as conformity, ‘group think' and ‘the band wagon effect'. As we grow in a given society, we tend to allow ourselves to fit in. Sometimes the need to fit in is so strong that we often let go of very core beliefs just so we can feel included in the group. In today's scenario, it is very clear that there is a lot of conformity for conformity's sake.
We seem to have gone into hiding for some reason. Not a peep can be heard out of our mouths. We are sitting around and allowing some of the most ridiculous things to happen around us. The cost of fuel all over the world is much lower than what we pay, but we make not a sound. All new laws and rules seem to benefit only a few. The majority is still reeling under a difficult economy with the constant struggle being to make ends meet. Besides our economic woes, we also have to constantly deal with a violent mentality which is chauvinistic to a fault. Crime rates are inexcusable. There are many out there who are doing their damnedest to be heard but is that really enough? When, in a group of a thousand, only one voice is raised, who can hear the plea? The reality is that we are existing in a society that is being ripped at its seems. We are fumbling over ourselves to get the most basic of facilities and yet we are made to feel indebted to a system that is by all means faltering. Our parents have worked hard their entire lives and now all that hard-earned retirement money is useless because of all the other costs they have to incur. It is shameful that we are doing all in our power to get ourselves planted firmly on the map of the world when we can't even expect people to limit themselves to their own emotional, psychological and physical boundaries.
India is one of the most beautiful, diverse countries in the world. By the nature of diversity, what a few people believe cannot and should not be imposed on all. By making such decisions on the behest of others, all we do is breed contempt. Once this happens, there is only negativity left to work with. There are plenty of things happening in this country that are commendable. Yes, we are on the world map and we are turning into a country to recon with. However, if our aim is only international acclaim, we will find very little time to work on what is the most important aspect, the happiness of the citizens of this land. We all have an equal right to be here and neither religion nor mentality can take away what is our right. Once we are clear in our minds about that, all else will easily follow.
We are all racing toward a very blurred finish line. We are charging towards boundaries we know nothing about. We are allowing ourselves to drift with a tide we are not very sure about. It is time we stand up and not allow ourselves to be subjected to more abuse. The time for speaking up is here. It is the need of the hour. Before we know it, things will become too difficult to control and we need to be sure of the direction we have set out on. We are logical, thinking ‘Humane' beings. Let's not allow ourselves to be herded but rather, be heard.
(Charlene Farrell is a counselling psychologist who works extensively with children and adolescents. She also counsels and works with individuals of all ages. Emotional well-being, to her, is of utmost importance to a fruitful existence)
