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Brainwashed



It was an ordinary day. Mom and I were having our usual mini tea session before I leave for work. While flipping the pages of newspaper, mom came across the news that few young women were going to renounce the material world and opt for the path of lifelong celibacy.  Me and my family members were all surprised to know about this and were wondering that what could possibly have made these young women decide to renounce the material world at this young age? Was it their personal decision? Maybe yes, but the question still remains as to why does a person want to renounce the very world in which he is meant to live and enjoy in? The only answer I can derive is “brainwashed”.
When a person from a very young age is constantly told the stories of how giving up the pleasure of life can lead one to salvation and so called “moksh” the person is bound to get attracted to the idea of choosing that path. The elders around the kid are so blindly influenced by the society that they don’t give it a thought that the child has his own decisions to make and own beliefs and ideas to follow. The poor kid is forced to abide by all the religious formalities like rigorous fasting and compulsory visits to temples when all he is meant to do at that age is eat well and play. The very thought of achieving the glory and fame on renouncing the world defeats its purpose.  The youth is supposed to be the future of its country. At this age one should have all the aspirations in the world. There should be this fire in the belly to achieve something, to take risks, to travel, to read, to have fun. Why give up the pleasures of the world when the very purpose of our creation is to enjoy the work of nature. The creator has designed our body in such fashion that it is meant to live every emotion it has to offer.
Moreover, the amount of money spent of the pre renunciation ceremony which can be put to a much better use is a different issue altogether. Nobody is bothered to spare a thought that the same amount of money can save so many ailing lives or sponsor education for the under privileged children or provide bread and butter to the hungry.
At times even education is not a solution for brainwash as we can see that most of the people who decide to take the extreme path are the educated ones. In this day and age when we are facing the problem of concentration of wealth in the hands of few, where the rich is getting richer and poor is getting poorer; can we really afford to spend such huge amount of money just in the name of glory? Can’t we stay in the society and help it grow at the same time. Self realization is the only solution for this. It is time to wake up and open our eyes. Time to use our brains and make rational decisions. Just think about it, how different is to not be a celibate and offer help than being one? 
-Jinal Solanki

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