Ranisha Agrawal
Editorial Writer
History was supposed to be based on facts, real reasons and was considered to be intact. But then history was molded by people in a negative manner with time which eventually leads to contemptuous behavior toward people
When we see it from a rational and modern perspective one more common practice is the ‘sharrad’ ritual. It is a ritual one performs to pay homage to one’s ‘ancestors’. It helps us remember our deceased ones and pay homage to them by feeding the poor and needy. In ancient times people were offered food in a respectful manner where the food was valued instead of being wasted. People were thankful for the feeding by the rich families. But today, many times the needy aren’t the ones being fed, the greedy are. Well-to-do Hindu families often organize bhandaras to feed the poor while practicing ‘sharrad’ ritual. But these bhandaras don’t serve their purpose entirely. Instead, they become a nuisance. The food is served in a haphazard way to anyone and everyone who comes along. The venues more often than not are the streets where a temporary tent is put up. Once the Bhandara is over, a huge mess is left behind which isn’t usually cleaned up. In an attempt to pray for peace for one’s loved ones people end up polluting the roads.
The only solution is organization. Bhandara needs to be organized in a respectful manner where the food is served to the needy with dignity in a place where they can consume it peacefully and safely. India is a country with multiple cultures and traditions, everything pleasing and charming in its own way. “We learn what we are made to learn, we see what we are shown, but we never are focused towards brainstorming and the harsh realities behind everything.” Even today we are not aware of some of the history makers. Some people are not even highlighted for their great achievements yet they are a part of history. In the same way, everything is not appreciated at all times, and some things remain hidden as the clouds cover the moon. But the truth is that only the present matters because ‘past’ and ‘future’ actually do not exist. Life is not always a bed of roses. In a nutshell, I would like to say big historical events, and global crises which make history known are available to all. But my aim was to draw away the curtain in certain aspects from the eyes of the people, who are away from the sunlight.
The following something irrationally and mindlessly is what is a step backward to growth. History is always carried forward in the minds of people and we should take care that things are getting molded in a positive manner rather than being shaped recklessly. “Think, analysis, question yourself, this would make history more beautiful and less harmful”