As good triumphs over evil this festive season, let us also triumph over negativity
The year 2017 has been strange. While the country has been spared from major calamities until now, there have been hundreds of small events across the country that should make us all introspect. At the same time, there has been a distinct slowdown in economic activity and growth, thanks to the impacts of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). But as the festive season rolls around, this is also a time to celebrate. After the spending slowdown, before and after the implementation of the GST, the festive season should see a major uptick in spending, with people buying each others gifts and travelling to be with friends and family. With the prime wedding season also rolling around, spending patterns now should give a fillip to the economy because it certainly needs it. But as the time of happiness rolls around with bright lights, music and sweets, it is not just the economy we should be worrying about. The past few years have seen a pall of negativity descend on the country. Some might argue that this is particularly pronounced on the social media, where, if people disagree with the opinions or thoughts expressed you are immediately branded as a bhakt or a ‘libtard’ or a variety of other names. There is no doubt that the advent of social media has been a boon as it has democratised the media but in India, and elsewhere, overall negativity of the social media seems to have spread to society at large where viewpoints have been more extreme and more polarised. There has been a gradual disappearance of the middle ground and such viewpoints are impacting human relationships.
As we head into this festive season, we should use this opportunity to repair relationships and discuss opposing viewpoints. That is in essence the hallmark of any society. In this season of light, we should shine a light on these differences instead of descending into our ideological caves, akin to what the Greek philosopher Plato spoke about in his allegory of the prisoner in the cave. By refusing to accept opposing viewpoints and by refusing to debate those ideas in sane and sensible manner, we take a pride in shouting down opponents, and the television news media in India has played a prime role in hardening viewpoints. Much like the prisoners in Plato’s cave, who realise their error when they are released and see actual objects instead of their perceptions of those objects, there is a need for us to go out and grasp reality. India is a rich and varied land, we should celebrate our differences, our different regions and festivals across the country. Similarly, we should also celebrate differing points of view that we all have. To support one political viewpoint is not wrong, but to say that someone with an opposing viewpoint is an idiot, or even someone who wants the nation to fail is extreme. Most of us want the best for our country and sometimes the best ideas can come from the ‘other’ side. The only way India will progress forward as a country and a society is if we do this. So yes, let us celebrate. Celebrate the victory of good over evil and celebrate India and all our differences. let us banish negativity.