P. A. Chacko
It is highly desirable that we humans grow into having a sense of gratitude to Mother Earth. Today, as we globally celebrate Mother Earth Day, even as meetings and seminars are under way, an important question that needs to be addressed is: How much are we grateful to Mother Earth?
Let us remember that ‘there is no free lunch’. Everything has a string attached or has a backdrop. Somebody has laboured for it. What Mother Earth provides us humans, animals and other beings on this planet is from her granary, measured out with affection for her children.
But, are we really grateful to her? Like every child-bearing mother she labours. She provides us with air and water, food for us and feed for animals; she gives us green cover and forest wealth, and what not!
Instead of receiving them gratefully, as she measures out for our need, many of us grab for our greed. What Gandhiji has said is that: “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed”.
We you pluck a mango or a papaya fruit or, do you ever affectionately look at the tree and say: ‘Thank you darling for this gift.’ It sounds funny, isn’t it? But, that is how we build relationship with Mother Earth, with animals and plants, with forests and fields.
If we ourselves follow and teach our children or students this simple exercise of thanking plants, animals and other beings for what they provide or for their presence in our lives, it will go long way in building relationship with Mother Earth and her siblings. Such acts will vibrate as global waves!
Happy Earth Day Greetings!
From Arrupe Tribal Cultural Centre, Bhognadih, Jharkhand, India