I came across the recent political debate surrounding the Ayodhya Deepotsav, sparked by a question from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav about the expenditure on lighting millions of diyas. It’s a question that, on the surface, seems rooted in pure fiscal pragmatism: could this money be better spent elsewhere? It’s a valid query from a certain point of view, one that places tangible development on a pedestal above all else.
However, this question forces us to confront a deeper, more fundamental one: how do we measure the value of faith, tradition, and collective celebration? Is the worth of an event like Deepotsav found on a balance sheet, or in the intangible spirit it ignites in millions of people? The spectacle of countless earthen lamps flickering in unison along the Saryu is more than just a light show; it is a powerful symbol of hope, a cultural statement, and for many, a deeply spiritual experience. It connects the present to an ancient past and creates a shared memory for the future.
This entire debate reminds me of the logic behind structuring a search. For years, I’ve been fascinated with how we define parameters to find what we’re looking for, whether it’s information or the right person for a role, as I’ve noted in my thoughts on ResuSearch. Mr. Yadav has applied a strict, quantifiable parameter: cost. It’s a clean, logical filter.
But a society is not merely an enterprise to be optimized for profit. It is a living, breathing organism that thrives on stories, symbols, and shared identity. The other side of this argument uses different search parameters: ‘heritage,’ ‘faith,’ ‘community,’ and ‘symbolism.’ These are impossible to quantify in rupees, yet their value can be immense in forging national character and well-being.
A nation that only builds roads and bridges but forgets to nurture its soul is a hollow one. The challenge, of course, is balance. We cannot have boundless celebration at the cost of basic needs. But to dismiss grand cultural expressions as mere wasteful expenditure is to misunderstand what truly nourishes a civilization. The question should not be if we should spend on such things, but how we do so, ensuring that the light from these diyas also illuminates the lives of the artisans who craft them and the community that hosts them.
The price of a single diya is negligible. The value of millions lighting up the darkness, together, is immeasurable.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
No comments:
Post a Comment