Forwarding Messages: Best or Worst?
Now, as there was no date
or time mentioned in the message. So, I asked him out of curiosity “kab
chahiye? (when is it required)”
“I don’t know” he replied.
“Why don’t you call and ask? The contact number is there in the message”
I knew that either this
message is old or circulated by someone just for fun because it’s the 3rd
time I had received it in recent times!
When I told him this, he
was adamant that its impossible that the message is fake or old, because he just
received it in a family Whatsapp group, by someone he trusted. Now the
funny thing is that as far as I know, there is no M Y hospital in Raipur. M Y
hospital is in Indore and is one of the biggest one in Madhya Pradesh. I asked
him that there is no MY hospital in Raipur, but he insisted that there is one.
Seeing his confidence, I thought
maybe he is right, and I called that number but no one received. I tried many
times and finally someone answered on the other end.
“Do you have a
requirement of blood?” I asked. He replied, “Yes, I wanted blood for my ailing
mother, not now, but 4 months ago when she was battling cancer. She couldn’t survive
her illness and passed away. I still receive 3-4 calls every week asking about
the same. With each call, the painful memory of my ailing mother flashes back.
Now I am considering to change my phone number itself.” I was numb. “I am sorry”
I apologized and ended the call.
After the call, I
confronted my friend and told him the conversation, he simply laughed it off
saying “are maine to sirf forward kiya tha, ye soch ke ki kisi ka bhala hoga (I
had just forwarded thinking that it might help someone)”
Now, although, he might
have had the noble intention of helping someone he didn’t find it necessary to
confirm before forwarding. And guess what, that person was just about to change
his number because of such forwards.
This incident left me
thinking, that all those people who forwarded that message, or called that
number for helping; they did so with noblest of intentions. But did they help? On
the contrary, they all made the life of that person hell because the calls didn’t
let him overcome the sorrow of losing his mother. I don’t blame those who
called, because they may have called hoping to actually help someone in need. But
what about the chain of forwarders? Why did they forward? With the same
intention of helping maybe. Or maybe they wanted to gain some punya (goodness) out of it. But
is intention enough sufficient to help someone or to get punya?
If, the early forwarders
of message would have cared to confirm before forwarding, the person would have
received very few calls and he would not have been troubled. But no, why would
they, calling and confirming is such a herculean task after all! Each mindless
forward multiplied the pain of that person to the extent that he is compelled
to change his phone number.
There are two lesson for
all of us in this:
1st lesson:
Never send such type of “call for help” messages with incomplete details.
2nd lesson: Never
forward, without confirming. If you cannot confirm, at least mention it while
forwarding that I have not confirmed it.
Questioning is the core
aspect of a scientific mind. Did you know that Indian constitution not just
encourages but considers development of scientific temper as a fundamental
duty of every Indian citizen?
Article 51A(h) of the
constitution clearly states that:
[It shall be the duty of
every citizen of India] To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit
of inquiry and reform.
So, as a citizen of India
its our DUTY to develop and promote scientific thinking. Dying for the country
is not the only way to prove your patriotism. Living by and abiding the spirit of constitution
is another.
Well said
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One of the best blog I have ever read........very helpful
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10/10
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