Beneath the Sun and Shadows: The Agony of a Compassionate Heart in a Cruel World

There are moments in life that shake us to our very core, not because of what we see, but because of the shocking behavior of those around us. We live in an age where education and development are hailed as the pillars of progress. Yet, when the human heart remains untouched by the basic principles of kindness and empathy, what truly is the value of such education?

This weekend, I found myself surrounded by family and friends in our ancestral haveli, a place that holds memories of warmth, love, and shared traditions. It's a place where we gather each year, reconnecting with our roots and each other. However, this time, something happened that left me in a state of shock and deep agony.

We decided to visit our farmhouse, where we were greeted by a group of women and workers toiling under the unforgiving sun. The day was sweltering, with the sun blazing overhead, casting a harsh, chilly light on the fields. The air was thick with heat, the kind that makes your skin sticky and your throat parched. These women were working tirelessly, their faces glistening with sweat, their bodies moving rhythmically as they labored in the heat. All they wanted was something as simple as water—a basic human need, especially under such conditions.

As they approached, asking for water, it was a moment that should have been met with compassion and understanding, a basic act of humanity. Yet, what unfolded was far from that.

I was in the middle of a workshop video conference when I heard the commotion outside. Despite the presence of three others, no one responded to their plea. I stepped out to see what was happening, and when I understood that they were thirsty and merely asking for water, I immediately offered them a seat and gave them glasses of water. It wasn't about what I did; it was the right thing to do, something that should have been instinctive for anyone.

But the reaction I received from someone I once considered close was nothing short of appalling. As I handed the workers their glasses, a girl who had been standing outside began to yell, questioning my actions. "How can you give them water from the glass?" she shouted. "They can drink water from the tap."

I was taken aback. I calmly explained that the tap water wasn't safe for drinking, but she insisted, her voice dripping with disdain. "They're from a lower caste. You can't give them a glass to drink."

In that moment, it felt as though the ground beneath me had shifted. This girl, who had studied at DPS and later pursued higher education at NYU, someone who should have been a beacon of progressive thinking, was revealing a mindset so narrow, so cruel, that it left me speechless. How could someone who had been exposed to the world, to diverse cultures, and who had received the best education, still harbor such backward thoughts?

This wasn't just an isolated incident. It is emblematic of a much larger problem in our society. We often hear speeches about equality, kindness, and treating people better, especially from those who are highly educated. These are the same people who claim to stand for progressive values, who advocate for equality and speak of treating everyone with dignity. They wear the cloak of righteousness, giving speeches about how society should be more inclusive, more humane.

Yet, when it comes to their actions, the truth is revealed. Beneath the surface, their words are hollow, their actions betraying a deep-seated prejudice and insensitivity that they refuse to acknowledge. It’s easy to talk about kindness and empathy, to post about equality on social media, but when faced with real situations, where their beliefs are put to the test, they crumble. They fall back on outdated, discriminatory practices that they claim to abhor.

The problem isn't just with her; it's with a mentality that persists in society, a mindset that continues to judge and segregate based on caste, status, or social standing. It's a poison that seeps into our daily lives, tainting our interactions, and eroding the very essence of humanity.

What shocked me even more was her persistence. After the workers had left, she resumed her rant. "Did you throw away the glasses?" she asked, her tone dripping with incredulity. "No," I replied, "I washed them and put them back in their place." Her response was as expected, filled with disbelief and anger. "Are you mad? How could you let them drink from a glass? If you wanted to give them water so badly, you should have let them drink from the tap. They shouldn't even touch it."

I stood there, numb. This wasn't just about a glass of water; it was about a deep-seated prejudice that education had failed to erase. It made me question the very foundation of our society. What kind of development are we truly striving for if we cannot even treat each other with basic human decency? What is the point of education if it doesn't teach us to be kind, to be empathetic, to see beyond the superficial divisions that we have created?

In the name of development, we claim to be advancing as a society, but are we really? If development means becoming more insular, more judgmental, and more disconnected from our shared humanity, then what are we truly achieving? We build skyscrapers and send people to the moon, but if we cannot even offer a glass of water to a thirsty person without considering their caste or status, then our so-called development is meaningless.

The agony I felt was not just personal; it was a reflection of a much larger issue. It pained me to see someone I knew, someone educated, behave in such a pathetic manner. It wasn't just insensitivity; it was a cruelty that struck at the heart of what it means to be human.

The most heartbreaking part of all this was the kindness these women showed me. Despite the heat, the hard work, and the dismissive attitudes they had encountered, they were sweet and gentle. As I handed them the glasses, they smiled warmly, their eyes reflecting a gratitude that touched me deeply. They asked me when I would come again, and one of the older women, with a weathered but kind face, offered to give me a champi (head massage) in the evening. It was such a simple, yet beautiful gesture—an offer of care and connection from someone who had every right to be bitter, yet chose kindness instead.

How can anyone disrespect people like that? If you can't be good to them, at least don't be bad to them. They deserve respect, not because of their work, but because they are human beings. It costs nothing to show kindness, to smile, to engage in sweet, simple conversations. And yet, these small acts can mean the world to someone.

As I stood there, I realized that the problem lies not just in actions but in thoughts, in the very mindset that drives those actions. It is this mentality that we need to change, this deep-rooted prejudice that we need to uproot if we are to move forward as a society.

The world doesn't need more educated people; it needs more kind people, people who understand that every human being, regardless of their background, deserves respect and kindness. It's not just about being good on the surface; it's about embodying those values in our daily lives, in every interaction, no matter how small.

Today, I was reminded that the true measure of development is not in our technological advancements or economic growth, but in how we treat each other. It's in the simple acts of kindness, the moments of empathy, and the ability to see beyond our differences.

Let us strive to be better, to be kinder, to be more empathetic. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world. Because at the end of the day, it is not the wealth we accumulate or the degrees we earn that define us, but the way we treat others, the love we give, and the respect we show.