By Azizur Rahman Falahi,
Perhaps, this is an extremely agonizing phenomenon which millions of people across the globe would be concerned about, that with the passage of time, and ever advancing technology particularly the communication technology, we are gradually plunging deep into the loss of values, love, care and affection towards each other.
Bygone is the time, when people used to have frequent interaction and togetherness. They used to spend a considerable time together, sharing their joys, sorrows and concerns. In that era, this practice was not motivated by any self interest; else it was purely because it was needed for all to keep them united, spirited and upbeat about the life to make it joyous and happy. The absence of technology and particularly the communication technology was a great source of uniting people and cultivating values, love, care and affection among them.
With the revolution in communication technology and to some extent the other technologies as well, and with the emergence of the materialistic thought created by the capitalist system, we are rapidly losing the very essence of life which is highly significant for a happy life. The human being is a social creature, and everyone is the need of the other to ensure a happy social life. The more is the socialization among people, the more will be the happiness among them and care for each other.
Nowadays, people are so obsessed and preoccupied with their mobile phone, computer and television, spending most of their time with these devices, that they seldom find time to meet others. Most of the people always seem to be in such a hurry that they do not even shake hand properly. This kind of apathy towards people, relatives and friends has surely been created by materialistic tendency and negative use of the above said technologies. This has been a common observation of the people that one time close friends, who used to spend a lot of time together, have now turned unconcerned and indifferent to each other and have found technical ways for their entertainment and socialization. This is extremely sad, that the means and sources of isolating people are ever increasing and so even a worse time has to come.
In olden times, human values and mutual care were existent to a great extent. Now, the advent of mobile phones, emails, options of written and video chatting, have resulted in distancing people from each other. Beyond any doubt, in the contemporary world, these means of communication play a pivotal role for a quick communication, easing things and facilitating the business of billions of dollars across the world. But at the same time, they have greatly failed in terms of uniting people on the grounds of the above human and social values. Through the modern means of communication, we can become the wealthiest person of the world, but not necessarily the happiest. To create a true quest for love and affection for each other, the physical contact is a must which cannot be substituted and gained merely by a cheap phone call, message and internet chat. This is something that requires a considerable amount of time meeting people in person. The famous mobile phone manufacturer Nokia’s business tagline says “Connecting People” while in the context of the above, it should be “Disconnecting People” as they are actually facilitating us to stay away from our near and dear ones longer than reasonable time and then try to compensate it with trivial and petty calls, messages, emails and chats.
A technical disease and the outcome of the modern communication technology, are the social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo etc, which on one hand, have caused the regime change in Egypt and on the other hand, as per a survey, have resulted in making a lot of Diabetes patients as well. The addiction to these sites, is nowhere less than the addiction to tobacco, cigarette, wine or even heroin and opium. Many people stretch up to three hours, four hours or sometimes even for more hours, posting, unposting, sharing, liking, unliking, commenting, and uploading things on Facebook. Here, like that of narcotics, the more the involvement, the more is the addiction. Nowadays, people and particularly youngsters are so crazy for these social networking sites, that if they do not find an opportunity to spend time daily on these sites, it might probably result in indigestion for them.
Currently, youth constitute the majority of India’s population. And on the other side, this is the method of spending their valuable time, while this time can be used more constructively, meeting near and dear ones, reading something informative and useful; or even utilizing this time for any sport, would have resulted in refreshing the mood and burning some calories making them stronger and healthier. So, if this is the state of affairs, how can we expect from this burger and nuclear generation to cultivate love, care, affection and the habit of socialization. It is evident from the above, that these are the key factors which are leading to the loss of precious values.
Out of the above observations that I have made, I do not intend to play down the importance of technology and the modern means of communication; else I want to advocate the significance of the fundamental human values which are essential for a human being to keep him/her happy and that happiness cannot necessarily be guaranteed by something other than these human virtues. We should be prompt to make the most of any facility as long as it does not impinge on the quality of our life and results in separating us from our loved ones.
I would like to conclude with ChetanBhagat’s quote “Work hard, but take time for your loved ones as well, because your power point presentation, will not work on your dying days”.
----
Azizur Rahman Falahi is a financial professional works in Chennai.