Shared Thoughts 30.7.2011

as received by mail from my uncle Mr. Mohandas K P. make a wonderful read.

Human values, humility, care for others, sharing, fellowship, respect for elders, respect for society is somethings we have taken for granted. We talk so much about our culture, civilization and what not; but the point is how much we take and follow from our rich heritage... Very very few, that too only what suits us and what we need to impress others.

I know I am bad at words, so not taking the pain to elaborate... read and try to then let us genuinely take an effort to be a better person...

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SHARED THOUGHTS...........30.07.2011 ===================================

Quality of a society is shown in the character of its people. The character of a man of today or a child of yesterday, is as a result of upbringing & inculcating of quality values taught at home, in school and from elders in other walks of life. If values that are noble, are available from these sources, then, it can be inferred that those passing on these values have in turn, imbibed them from similar sources in their childhood .. and so on and so forth, going back to generations… and this in short, is Culture of a Society.

Here is a story of a Japanese boy exhibiting a rare lesson in sacrifice.. coming natural to him as a result of noble values taught to him, but incredible and inconceivable to others from the rest of the world.

This story was conveyed through a letter, by an immigrant policeman Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima to a friend in Vietnam, posted in New America Media on March 19^th, 2011.

It is a testimony to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres."

Shanghai Daily condensed it.

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Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies. Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks. We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.People here remained calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away. I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed. I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. Ha Minh Thanh

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To add to this story …of values that are rare for others like me…. Here are some brief notes from my real life experience in Japan, from late 70’s.

1) A pedestrian crossing the road, at midnight, no traffic on either side of the road, waiting patiently for the zebra crossing to turn green.. I was watching this man, from the window of my hotel room in Ginza.

- 2) A taxi ride to a movie .. I paid the fare and rushed in as the movie may have already started.. several minutes later, the theatre guard spotted me among the audience and flashing the torchlight asked me to come out.. Sensing something must have gone wrong, I followed him in fear, only to discover the taxi driver waiting outside, was adamant that I take the change, because I paid him more than the meter fare.

- 3) A railway porter, carrying our baggage from the parking lot to the carriage, with great physical effort managed to stow all the pieces safely in the cargo bay of the carriage…. Only to hear thru the PA system, that this particular train was not going and instead another one from a far off platform. The same process of baggage shifting and finally in the right coach. I thought I paid him generously for all the strain.. …he said something which made feel, he was asking for more than I gave him….he was declining that too,…I added more, he blatantly refused that offer also…and was soon enough yelling at me… ok to hell with him, I thought, and added more….all this happened even as a crowd was gathering around us….it was all the more embarrassing for me, as they were all laughing at me… soon enough a policeman came by .. whose help I sought in frustration…. Only to see him also bursting out in laughter… on enquiry .. he said, sir, he was all along refusing to accept anything, since he is paid by the railways to do this job… and you are insulting him by giving more and more….ha ha.!!

- 4) Waiting for bus … I join the queue…. Shortly after the person in front looks back, sees me and ushers me to go forward in front of him…soon enough the next person in front, sees me.. and urges me to go forward.. and so on… and soon enough, I am the first person.. wondering why this courtesy… on enquiry, was told, I am from the land of Buddha..and worthy of respect. !!

- 5) A late night train halts at the Kobe terminal, the final destination. An elderly passenger couple, seemed oblivious of the near empty coach… as I alighted, I nudged them to indicate we are now at the final stop… only to see the rail hostess bringing a stitch kit to them.. what I saw then, was incredible… I watched them sew a tear on the seat cover..!! the job finished, they alighted with a smile and a big bow to the hostess.…!

- 6) A train journey got delayed due to snow…on reaching the destination, I was in a hurry to exit.. only to be turned back….I was told, I must take the mandatory refund of ticket (pro-rata) to exit from platform…only the refund voucher could open the electronic gate !!

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These incidents left a lasting impression, never to be forgotten. The values of culture handed over thru centuries make such a society rich.

Not the symbols of civilization – tall towers, boulevards, wide roads, jazzy cars and unabashed display of wealth, revealing a nature of arrogance and indifference in behavior towards others…this is the hallmark of modern society in many parts of the world…especially in the Gulf.. and we call this a rich modern state… how primitive..!!

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Have a safe weekend and week ahead.

MOHANDAS. KP.