Marmik Kathayen (Stories that touch our hearts):

                                   Flowers and Thorns

India had won independence. All senior Congress leaders had joined the government and had taken up important ministerial positions. Vinoba Bhave did not accept any government post and continued to live an ascetic life.

One day while he was busy weeding and hoeing in his garden, his younger brother Balkova hesitantly raised this issue. "Brother, every senior or junior Congress worker has taken up some important post. Why have you not joined any ministry?" asked Balkova.

What Vinoba replied is indeed very inspiring and shows why he is regarded as a saint.

He said, "After every revolution is successful, the responsibility of revolutionaries grows manifold. They need to divide themselves into two groups. One of them has to establish a just government for public welfare. The second one has to mould new patriotic volunteers who devote themselves to social service and provide protection to country's cultural heritage.

"The tragedy of every revolution in the history has been that after its success revolutionaries have only concentrated on establishing rule and have ignored service. I see the same signs here too.

"You have read history, haven't you? India was once like a beautiful garden that had no gardener, or even a fence, for protection. For 2000 years assailants and invaders have repeatedly attacked and looted this garden of its beautiful flowers and fruits." Saying this Vinoba's eyes were filled with tears.

"Do you know why? Because we never paid attention to create this second breed of warriors, the protectors of our culture. These men and women are like the thorns whose job is to protect the plant, its flowers and fruits. Flowers become adornments of King's crown. But thorns are left behind to dry up with the plant. Even when they are treated so, they form fences to protect the garden. Our country, our culture needs such thorns and I am one of them."

Upakhyan (Anecdote):

In South Africa, once a person was imprisoned in Johannesburg for revolting against the government. He was treated like all other prisoners and given physical labour to do. While other prisoners used to create a lot of ruckus, this man would quietly and sincerely do all the work given to him. If there was no work he would take up books and immerse himself in studies.

Once Governor of the city visited the jail for inspection. He asked this person, "Do you have any complaints about the jail?" He replied, "I do not get enough work here."

Governor was very surprised and asked, "Every one here shirks from work. Why do you want to work?"

"To ensure that my life force does not get subdued and destroyed", was the curt reply.

Governor was highly impressed. This great person was none other than Mahatma Gandhi.

SADVICHAR (Thought of the week):

An aimless person is like the pendulum which merely swings to and fro without any forward movement.

SAMPARK (Contacts):
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