|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 13 February 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
The right column A 21st Century marvel We scribes are often accused of overplaying the negative and downplaying the positive in our writings. Being more than just a scribe but a sceptic too this accusation hurt my conscience. Take my word even sceptics have a conscience. Much more, it is our conscience that leads us to scepticism. Anyway unlike sycophancy, scepticism is an honourable trait. After much introspection and a rare bout of self-criticism I decided to brief you this week on the positive side of happenings that are otherwise negative. Browsing through the events recorded in my memory chip I was astonished at the magnificent manifestation of human love that was over pouring from the five continents immediately following the tsunami tragedy. Instantly the following words of the bard rang in my ears: "The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven" Yes, men, women, and children from all walks of life all over the globe started expressing sympathy and collecting relief. They came not only from the affluent countries. Even poor Ethiopia joined the international relief effort. We are even ashamed that we could not express such human feeling, such genuine concern even when our closest neighbours underwent similar calamities. What is more encouraging is that the people reacted long before their governments joined relief efforts. I believe such great manifestations of human solidarity was never expressed earlier except perhaps in the case of the Vietnam War when the people in the United States took the lead in mobilising opposition to the war. This strengthens my conviction that there is much that is good, much that is noble in this world. Actually this good side, this noble side of life is eclipsed by the actions of avaricious merchants of capital who worship only at the altar of profit. As an old writer said "Capital eschews no profit, or very small profit, just as Nature was formerly said to abhor a vacuum. With adequate profit, capital is very bold. A certain 10 per cent. will ensure its employment anywhere; 20 per cent. certain will produce eagerness; 50 per cent., positive audacity; 100 per cent. will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300 per cent., and there is not a crime at which it will scruple, nor a risk it will not run, even to the chance of its owner being hanged. If turbulence and strife will bring a profit, it will freely encourage both. Smuggling and the slave-trade have amply proved all that is here stated." (T. J. Dunning, l. c., pp. 35, 36.) As the response to the tsunami disaster has shown a better world is possible if we mobilise this good side of humanity. - The Sceptic |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
