My Family in Botswana
My Family in Botswana
Yu to aatein hai sabhi jaane ke liye
par maut uski hai jiska zamana kare afsos
Everyone in this world comes
with a knowing that leaving is
inevitable
but a life well lived is
recognized when the
world mourns its exit (death)
I heard that long time ago. And it has stuck with me.
The sher (2-4 line couplet) came to surface again as the world mourned Nelson Mandela.
I have been too busy, too tired to think or write. For months I have not paid attention to the world or the news.
But this past week, just to break my own thoughts, come out of this tiredness of always working or listening to lectures (to better myself)--I thought of listening to the news.
For hours at length they talked about Nelson Mandela.
I stopped my work--stood motionless in my kitchen as I listened to the stories.
Memories buried down somewhere in the trunk of the past, started to wake up, like skeletons beginning to walk.....
I was living in Botswana when he was released. I remember that I was having lunch with a colleague. The radio was on. We looked up and half nodded. Both of us were not Mostwana or even africans, but we knew what this meant. Although being very young, and never having lived with racism we did not realize what a stupendous feat this was.
In addition, I was not that worldly at the time. It was grad school and later teaching international communications, combined with breathing 'NPR' for years that made me aware of the world. One of the best things about living in the US was my connection to NPR and some of the best libraries of the world. I still feel I need to know much more, but US libraries and NPR together changed my world view. But more importantly gave a me a clear definition of what is, what it should be, and what is a well lived life.
Doctoral years were very hard, I was dealing with all the questions that the young deal with, many of my friends were married and having children, and I was wondering how to pay my rent, while working on a degree that did not directly give me any security or enjoyment, except a name and a status. When I shared that confusion with a friend in Australia who I had met at a conference at Penn State, he responded with many an email brimming with his wisdom. He was a bit older and therefore knew about life.
I would save his emails, print them out and reread them to motivate myself. Two of his emails stayed with me. One when he talked about his morning walks and how when he is paying attention, the same route reveals something new to him at every walk, no matter how long he has walked that path. It is when he thinks that there is nothing to learn that he misses the beauty. Second, that if were to compare my life, may be those around me were not the best examples. May be thinking of Gandhi, and Mandela brought us new perspectives. They remained jailed for most of their lives, but because they had a goal, their minds were alert and they were tuned into the suffering of others, they made the most of that time and they were spiritual, moral, political giants when they came out of the darkness and bondage.
Often historical moments are accomplished --‘on any ordinary day’ that is made extra ordinary by repeated acknowledgements in the following years by media and public.
But when the world rejoices more than it mourns, know that it was not only a long life, it was a life well lived that nourished many others. For it its those who recognize the benefit of the departed to their own lives, who cannot give in to mourning but must celebrate a life that enriched so many others.
In India, when a person lives a full life, and Mandela certainly lived a thoroughly full life that was bursting at its seams, a band, similar to that of a wedding band is hired to play at the funeral--implying celebration of a long life. 'A privilege denied to many' as his Holiness Dalai Lama stated.
Jazz funeral (funeral with music) in the southern US (mainly New Orleans) has the same connotation. It might start with somber tunes, but after the dead is buried, the procession dances, to celebrate the life of the departed and to augur good times for the living.
Mandela lived with such fervor that his life was celebrated not only in his home country but around the world. Like Gandhi, Mandela will be remembered not as a South African but as a champion of human rights, and a strong allegiance to non-violence. His face would become synonymous with being fearless and following justice and noble causes. I wouldn't be surprised if his birthday becomes a national holiday, like Mahatma Gandhi's in India.
And Mandela inspired so many, that his death was rejoiced more than mourned!
For he is gone
But no tears
because he lived
Mandela is Free!!
Post Script: Looking on the net for celebrations on Mandela's birthday, I found this and wanted to share:
Mandela Day (18th July, his birthday) is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.
The Mandela Day campaign message is:
- "Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes."[4]
- "We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation," according to a statement issued on Mandela's behalf.[5]
To mark the first global celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July 2009, Mandela's 91st birthday, a series of educational, art exhibit, fund-raising and volunteer events leading up to a concert at Radio City Music Hall on 18 July were organized by the 46664 concerts (is a series of AIDS charity concerts played in honour of Nelson Mandela by South African musicians in the 2000s.) and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.[4] In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared 18 July to be "Nelson Mandela International Day".[6]
