I Want More....

By Balraj Sardana

(Mr. Sardana is a retired Head of Expert Group for Design from Tata Steel, Jamshedpur. He has a passion for evolving holistic solutions which consider the implications on all stakeholders. A voracious reader, he is an active propagator of practical knowledge, be it health or anything else. He goes the extra mile to ensure that the benefits of any good product reach all those he knows. His eye for detail also makes him a very good photographer. His enthusiasm to learn more and his zest for seva is humbling.)

All of us, including all the species have a ‘mathematical equation’ with Mother Earth. We take something from the Mother and return something back to her...

The animals and birds also do the same. About cows all of us have written school essays - how much she returns to society...

What about birds? They take so little from the Mother Earth and their very existence adds tremendous beauty to Nature. They contribute to the seeding process and growth of vegetation and forestation. Think of the migratory birds, who are so much welcome and don’t even require a visa for their entry! 

But how is that I am not allowed a free entry to another country without a passport and visa.

Because I am not trusted, but birds are. I can exploit others, but birds cannot. I would like to draw maximum from the Mother and return little, so that I retain maximum for my own use.  Animals, birds and other species thus have a net positive balance with the Mother Earth and I end up with a net negative balance.

Because humans wants more and more, we alone have become ‘unwanted’ and animals, birds and all other species are ‘wanted.’

But at the same time the human birth is considered most precious gift of God. Does man realise it...

Gandhi said that ‘every man is born with one mouth and two hands to serve; and return to society much more...’ We are aware that some people are presented with a ‘key to the city’, to welcome them as their most honourable guests. Who are those people? They are the ones who have given so much to the society and in return have demanded nothing. They are not only welcome everywhere, but history remembers them as great souls.

Every religion teaches some fundamental ways of earning our livelihood. They tell us the value of a hard earned income. When a son embarked upon a business, his wise mother advised him to make sure that hrie earns every rupee by honest means. If it is otherwise, that money could bring disease, loss of property and disharmony in the family. That was generations back...

Despite all this, the moot point is - who stops us from following the righteous path?

Only human beings have been blessed with intellect and discretion. If there is pleasure in extracting more from the society; there is equally the highest experience of happiness and even Bliss in giving and sharing. This experience of happiness can be more lasting...