Treating human beings with dignity, irrespective of any inborn differences, is the prime right of every individual. This human dignity in life needs to be respected and followed in any civilized society across the world.
But, in reality how much this basic human right is practised; a question big enough requiring a deep understanding to evolve we as human species.
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Nurturing Human RightsImage©writeronwings.blogspot.com |
Life-Story
One day in a capital city of a flourishing country, a woman, seemed as a widow, might be a mother, or someone's daughter, stood in a local bank, she in tear filled eyes, her face like that of a victim. While a young man in his late twenties, an officer, in crisp and finely cut office attire, stood facing her. Looking at his post one could easily made out that he being quite educated. While, he in an agitated manner, threw his hand towards the woman, a gesture which was not agreeable for a post he held. His eyes squeezed, tongue sharp, blurted out-
"What do you expect, government should visit your house?"
"You...people like you do it purposely." His index finger cutting the air
"What do you think, I don't understand your motive?''
The woman looked up and her voice composed, calmly answered -
"Sir, (though he was of her son's age), my son was very ill, there was nobody at home to look after him, he needed my care."
Hearing that he raised from his seat and reacted in heightened tone loud enough for everyone to turn and notice what was going on.
"You come out with all lame excuses while failing in your duty."
The woman tried for the last time in her convincing tone-
"My son was truly very, very, sick, it was not right to leave him all alone at home."
Any other person, at the officer's place would have consulted his seniors if at all there had been any possibility to resolve the issue. Instead he continued in the same arrogate manner displaying a very disgraceful treatment of an aged in a public place.
Meantime, Ananya, a twenty two year old girl entered the bank. An arrogant remark she heard stopped her from reaching the counter she was heading to. She turned back hearing a male voice remarking-
" What you want is to put the government in trouble. I ask , who are you to do that?"
By that time a group of curious people gathered around, trying to guess, what was the cause of the heated outburst. What they came to learn that the lady in question could not submit her existence certificate on usual time, so as to receive her pension without any break. No amount of logic however sounded genuine; could avert humiliation she received. Whereas, a tradition practised in the nation was to address every elderly with respect, irrespective of person's status or situation.
Ananya felt as if her grandmother was being subjected to such ill treatment. Instantly, what came to her mind was, 'Humanity, and humane treatment, all human beings deserve in genuine situations.'
Ananya spoke-
"Well Sir, I understand the rules laid by, need to be abided, as you are trying to convey."
She further continued-
"Looking at her age one can make out for surly the aged lady has been following the rules in updating formalities as required for continuity of her pension , over the years. But this time she is not being able to do that for the reason she states, which sounds unintentional and genuine ."
"Sir, when the cause is genuine, then something can be done on humanitarian ground to resolve the issue."
He was not ready to accept the reason, instead reacted -
"I'm not here to take lame excuses, she doesn't deserve any consideration for failing in her duty as a beneficiary."
Ananya wondered how a man holding a respectable post could be so insensitive.
Least he could have imagined that Ananya's final words would fall like a thunderbolt upon him.
Firmness in her voice made the man startle and the rest of the crowd gathered, when Ananya said-
"Well Sir, you have said enough and we listened" " If you can't do anything, then we move to higher authority to request and tell him the truth."
"Hoping, he would be considerate and understand her situation well."
Watching Ananya was being quite outsmart in convincing the authority, he saw the issue taking another twist in which his authority might want an explanation from him for not resolving a simple problem rather than making it an issue. And what if the authority took it as a deliberate attempt to avert the beneficiary in receiving the benefit which she deserved.
The man was left with no choice but the only one to bring the issue he created to close . He then asked the office bearer to seek the form and handed it to the elderly lady without uttering another word.
What We Need To Adopt
*Psychological Abuse: insults & controlling behavior, discriminating practice, and threat produce negative impact upon life of an individual subjected to such treatment.
*Violation Of Human Rights: UN women consider such acts as violation of fundamental human rights.
*World Health Organization: categorize such acts as the major reason of public health problem.
Creating Positive Attitude & Treat Other Human Beings With Dignity
*Negative behaviors: when subjected to individuals produce long term health issues, impacting mental health. Discrimination, unequal power relations between men and women, give rise to ill treatment and negative behavior.
*Creating Support Services: psychological support & psychological interventions help victims to recover from ill feelings & restore their mental health.
*Grooming Next Generation: by shaping the way young generation think about gender equality, respect & human rights since their childhood days, helping them to become mature human beings and treat other human beings with respect and in a dignified manner.
-Author: Ina
