Hostis humani generis-I

Human beings have evolved over the generations. From a primitive man who lived in the jungle, largely dependent on the forest and the nature; man has developed to become the most intelligent creature in the world. We have used our energies to give effect to our imaginations and have developed technologies which can generate power from flowing water and the wind; we have machines which can erect huge structures with much ease and some others which can reach the finest of our blood vessels. We can travel the world in hours and our intelligence has crossed the horizons of our planet and has established itself in the outer space.

Despite such innovations, there remain several enemies to mankind.

Hostis humani generis refers to ‘enemy of mankind’. One such enemy is the prevalent caste divide. The ‘classification’ based on caste was adopted to ensure the smooth running of the society. It was to demarcate the activities which were to be undertaken by a particular segment of people in the society. And it was a flexible structure in the Early Vedic times, as one could choose his profession and hence his caste. One’s actions defined his caste and not his ‘birth’. With the changes in the society, the upper castes interpreted the vedic texts to their benefit and altered it to such an extent that the birth of an individual was to determine his caste. A person could not take up any profession other than what had been bestowed upon him by his birth. The social structured hardened on these lines and the same has been followed up to this day. Today, despite the fact that persons from various castes have taken up different professions and have been very successful; they can’t do away with the indoctrinated concept of ‘caste’, which is inherent in the society.

Howsoever big a position may a dalit reach; he would still be considered a dalit, and hence looked down upon. His merits are hardly recognized and all that remains is that he would not have been able to reach the height, without his ‘quota’. And this attitude is gross. A brahmin who chooses to join the beauty industry or one who aspires to become a hair stylist is equally belittled by his immediate family and friends; for he should not be doing any such jobs which doesn’t suit his caste. I don’t understand as to how should a profession suit one’s caste. Can a non-brahmin not be a better teacher than a brahmin? Does the army allow only kshatriyas to protect the borders of the motherland? Are only vaishyas allowed to carry on trades and businesses? The answer to these questions is certainly in negative and everyone believes in the potential of a non-kshatriya prime minister, in a non-brahmin president and in a non-vaishya business-person; all of whom have been very successful in their respective fields.

In a situation as such, where people from every caste can do everything else, in a great way; I sincerely believe that the caste system should not stand as an enemy to the society. There should be no discrimination based on the caste of an individual. It should not be caste but one’s actions which should be determinative of his life and position in the society.

Sushree Sunanda Sahu

Hostis Humani Generis-III

If you haven’t read the book titled, “Fault in our stars” by John green; watch the English movie by the same name. If you haven’t watched the movie; just go and watch its Bollywood remake, by the name ‘Dil Bechara’. For someone who has read the book or has watched either of the movies; would know what topic is being talked about. It is CANCER. This age-old disease is certainly an enemy of humankind. It has shattered many lives, ruined the hopes of many others and snatched away from people their purpose of living. Many wonderful human beings have been lost to this disease. And it is highly important that we jointly fight this disease, for the good of the entire humankind. Given the different kinds of cancer, ranging from the ones affecting the skin to blood; there is an imminent danger of this disease and everyone is under a constant threat of developing it. One need not have to do something to get it; people with perfectly balanced and healthy lifestyles may develop it out of nowhere and many with odd habits might simply never get it. Considering the unpredictability of the disease; there must be a war against it. People must realize that diseases like these are formidable foes of the human kind and measures must be adopted to fight them, rather than fighting one another. The constant human conflict is one of the reasons for development of such diseases. The kinds of weapons and chemicals used for causing mass human destruction lead to diseases like cancer. As humans, are we so inhumane to cause diseases to others which are extremely painful? Or should we all join hands to emancipate human beings out of such diseases?

If a cancer patient, who had been counting his days on the earth, could be a source of hope, love and happiness to another cancer patient; can the healthy human beings not make a simple effort to make the lives of these suffering people, a little less miserable? Just, reflect.

Well, I urge everyone to read the story or watch the movie and I am sure something will change within you. Let’s fight cancer with positivity. Let this enemy be made powerless. Let there be hope in the lives of those who are fighting dreadful battles. Let’s make their lives a bit more livable.

Sushree Sunanda Sahu