Don't speak

Went for my English volunteering session on Monday. Kids were zestful and happy to see me. I was assigned to two girls whom I have been volunteering regularly.

This time, I was required to walk through a newspaper article with the group. The written piece is about an undergraduate scholar juggling with school and her passion, fencing. The kids were required to learn the new words underlined in the article.The lesson started off well.

Before long, the students slipped into a state of fatigue and inattentiveness. Refusing to continue with the task, they started to protest silently. Understanding that they may need a break, I offered a hiatus in their studies.

The situation did not improve after the break. So I invited the disciplinarian to step in. She asked both students to give their feedback on their concerns. “Any problem?” She asked earnestly.

The kids simply muttered one word or two, and maintained their "silence", despite her persistent probing. Sometimes, I wonder if the kids understand that they have more to lose by keep mum.

The same act by the renowned Father of the Nation (Mahatma Gandhi) - the one who founded ahimsa or total non-violence, however, enjoyed a favourable outcome. As all know, Gandhi pioneered the the opposition of tyranny through mass civil disobedience by adopting a total non-violence strategy in efforts to attain social or political change. Consequently, he led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

People have also come to use non-violent methods of struggle based on their viewpoints and traditions. For instance, people may go on strike on the grounds of social and union political issues. Likewise, a landless peasant in Brazil may non-violently occupy a parcel of land for sheer pragmatic motivations. If they don't, the family will starve. Similarly, a Buddhist monk in Thailand may "ordain" trees in a threatened forest, using the teachings of Buddha to oppose its destruction. All the above illustrate the use of non-violent methods, albeit for different motives.

On a global note, non-violence has even been declared on 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace.

May Peace be with you!