Taare Zameen par

Human society works on inclusion. If people are not included in the society, it will cease to exist. If people are allowed to digress, the institution will lose its importance and may be life. Thus, the society from being a conglomeration of ideas has now become a single idea which is hell-bent on protecting its existence. Its become a organism, whose organs we all are. The sole purpose of the organs of the body is to serve it. The organ which is not able to serve the body is thrown out. The organ which serves it best is promoted (for its own evolution). Luckily organs of the body do not have brain of their own unlike the organs of the society.

The main function of the society is to provide security. Security from the external threats to those who cannot defend themselves. Just like it was shown in the best video on youtube - Battle of Kruger
where a herd of buffaloes save a calf from the jaws of lion and crocodiles - society should be a protection net for those with lesser talents or abilities. The irony of society is that they claim to do it. As long as the person with amputated abilities craves for sympathy, there is no dearth of people willing to come forward. Hundred of charities are run to help those who live with limited means physically and mentally. This sympathy, on the other hand, vanishes when these people try to establish themselves in the mainstream. They are called names, they are not given the space to be themselves and they are insulted with the meanest comments and mirth. This would be best described as sympathy by convenience.

Life is not a hundred meter dash where who takes the lead always leads. Life is a marathon, or in fact a car rally where everyone has to go through ups and downs. One who is left out in one phase of life can catch up in the next. Everyone has his own weaknesses and strengths and a rally (and life) tests all these one by one. Society though doesn't let this thought to be cultivated. Like a true organism only supports those who serve the need of the hour, while the main function of the society was to rise above these animal instincts and serve the humanity. At the time of the war only soldiers are acknowledged, at the time of prosperity only those with superior intellects are respected, at the time of calamity those who help are respected. That may be called myopic magnanimity.
This stifles the flight of creativity of people. When someone is told to do something under rules or expectations, those who succeed are the ones who try to devise ways to do that with the best efficiency. The scope of creativity dies a natural death under so many rules. Those who do not confirm to these rules are seen as rebels and they are sent to be coached as more like blind men following a sound. The so called institutions are prisons of the spirit, soul and creativity. Some people lose heart and confirm to the rules. Those who are not able to, see themselves as outcast . They lose the confidence, interest and finally their most prized creativity and what differentiates them from the crowd . They are lost into oblivion without the society realizing its loss.

The hypocrisy of the whole situation is evident from the fact that the same society hails people who come out victorious from this struggle. As if it was an obstacle course set up check endurance. Helen Keller is respected throughout the world, but so many like her still languish in the lanes of guilt of our society. Lance Armstrong is regarded the best example of a resilient soul when so many of such people suffer without the same sympathy. People of this society like to idolize rather than practice. This pretense is only worth hatred.

But nature is liberal enough to provide all kinds of people in the world. Those who have beaten the society do come up to help those with lesser means. There is a saying which summarizes this loathsome attitude of society - jaaki fati na biwai woh jaane na peer parayi (Unless the pain is felt, empathy cannot be natural) They are able to fight and find rightful place in society for such subjugated souls, with loads of talent. The talent which may not be required for prosperity of the society but still make it more beautiful. Talent which adorns the otherwise plain theory of prosperity which society is running after. Most of all, it gives inspiration to all those who are fighting their own families, their teachers, their society. How much of them is really theirs!

What is the point of bringing to being such incomplete bodies into the world? Are they a failed natural experiment? Or are they byproducts of the super humans that prowl the world? An emotional answer is found in the following story -
Every once in a while nature gives us a chance to show how she has tried to make us better than the animals. My son was severely anemic from birth. His marrow cells failed to produce enough RBCs. He was to die sooner than later. He also was a football enthusiast. Naturally I kept him away from places where kids play football. Once on our evening walks we saw a couple of boys playing football in a small park. My son asked, hesitatingly, if he could play. I knew that he loves football and did not have the heart to refuse in his last days. I went to the boys and explained them about my son. I also asked if they would let him play with them for a while. Though they agreed, I did not know how he would be able to play with older fitter boys. Would his self-esteem go for a toss? I would be very ashamed to bring him to that if so happened. I thought of guiding my son away but while I was lost in my thoughts, he had started playing with them. He was guiding the ball through every guy in front of him, he dodged one, two, three guys and held on until he reached the goal and pushed the ball into it. His teammates had him on his shoulders. Tired, naturally, as he was, we moved on. After a while I looked back, the guys playing football gave me a 'wink' smilingly. I smiled and thanked in return.
The next day my son died. The note beside his bedside read. "Dad, yesterday was best day of my life. See, I always told you how good I was at football!"
Did we ever give that happiness and confidence to someone who needed it?