Earth insensitivity

While the environmental degradation and climate change are a reality staring at one and all, the insensitivity towards the same is also apparent. From the climate change deniers in the US to the companies producing CFCs in China, the disregard for the environmental issues is the blatant truth showing how little people care about the planet they live on. Consumerism and profit chasing the main issues that do not let companies and individuals care about the basic issues plaguing our planet. Sustainable development is the need of the hour but even though nations sign agreements, in reality they do very little in practice. Deforestation, using fossil fuels, burning of wastes are some of the common practices that are leading to the climate change with the net result that the planet is going to see a mass extinction of the species. Consumerism is the driving force behind the economy and it is the main force causing environmental degradation. It requires a collective action to stop the race and think about the planet which is everyone's responsibility to preserve. It will require not just the public opinion but also the political will to stop the disregard for the environment and build a healthy community.

Mental health

An individual's health comprises not only of his physical well being but also his mental well being. However, unfortunately, the issues related to the mental health are more often than not, ignored by not only the person but by the society at large. Every individual faces ups and downs in his life, however, not everyone is able to cope as well with them. The ability to handle the difficult phases in one's life depends upon how mentally prepared he is for them and hw resilient he is. The resilience comes from the conscious effort to make a positive change in one's life. It is easy to sit down and succumb to depression but at the same time with a little help from friends and family, it is equally possible to use those challenges as a stepping stone and moving forwards. Dealing with the issues of mental health start with recognising them. Without acknowledging the fact that one has mental issues, one cannot really cope with them. The second step comes with seeking help. Help need not be professional help, rather, it can be a little time spent with close family and friends and discussing the issues. On the other hand, it can also be a moment of self reflection and understanding the problems and trying to figure out the solutions. However, at the same time, one should not shy away from seeking professional help and the aid of medication and therapy. Building resilience is not easy. However, by taking small steps at a time and being ready to plunge into the unknown, one can actually change one's mindset and move towards a more healthy and fulfilling life. Mental and physical well being go hand in hand and making small lifestyle changes can also bring about a positive change in one's mental well-being. Being ready to accept challenges, seeking help whenever necessary and most importantly, recognising every single issue that is causing worry goes a long way towards ensuring a healthy mental outlook.

Is it worth?

The recent scandals relating to the admission process in top American universities speaks for itself. People are willing to pay for just a name of the university, brokers and agents are taking money to create false accomplishments on the resume or to help students cheat on standard exams. The net result is that the students getting into the colleges are not good enough. But another scam that is done on the students is the grade inflation in top universities. the grades and transcripts are no longer an indicator of the students' capability when majority of the students get A grade. It seems ironic that when there is so much grade inflation, then students from other places with lesser grades are rejected for that reason when they apply for admission. And the employers know that transcripts don't reflect the true capabilities of the candidates, therefore, they don't even look at the transcripts. Overall, it would seem like a scam on the education system. People with money can buy a degree from any 'elite' institute and the institute will give them highly inflated grades. Students get a false sense of their capabilities while at the same time remaining under-qualified for the job and life the school was supposed to prepare them for. So the question is, is the education system really worth it.

Protecting freedoms

A secular society is based upon the principle that the State shall not promote or demote any one religion in relation to the other. Secular societies also allow their citizens to practice any religion of their choice. The right to freedom to practice religion falls from the freedom of speech and expression, which is the paramount freedom. However, though the State cannot promote promote one religion or prohibit another, the question is can its citizens do the same. The freedom of religion is based upon the idea that each individual can peacefully practice the religion of his choice or not follow any religion at all. However, the freedom to practice religion has been extended to discriminate against the adherent of other beliefs. Prohibiting the use of contraceptives by employees as it is against the employer's religion or discriminating against LGBT individuals because of the same, are some of the common examples how citizens are using their freedom of religion to discriminate against anyone who does not fall in the same group as them. The 'do no harm' law is an attempt to bring the freedom of religion to the level where it was originally intended to be, the right to practice religion freely without harming the rights of others. In a free society, one person's rights are another person's duty but those rights also cease to exist the moment they start damaging another person's rights. Therefore, the law to prevent religious discrimination would be a much awaited step towards attaining the freedoms that everyone in a free nation should possess.

Free speech in educational institutions

Free speech is the basic human right on which every other freedom is dependent. Without the freedom to express oneself, an individual cannot claim any other right. Educational institutions catering to students belonging to a diverse background have a duty to protect the freedom of speech on campus. In order to be inclusive, institutions need to be able to address the problems and issues pertaining to a particular group. Whether it is gender identity or ethnicity or race or disability, students belonging to every category have aright to express their needs and speak up against their violations. Any form of interference by the outside elements in the exercise of this freedom should not be tolerated by institutions in a free country which claims to be a protector and guardian of human rights. Once the freedom to express themselves and demand their rights is taken away from a group of individuals, it does not take long to take away their remaining rights. Freedom to speak up is the sole guarantee that their other rights are safe and protected. Therefore, institutions should take every possible step to protect the right to free speech and establish permanent committees to look into any incidents of violations. By protecting the fundamental freedoms of students, the institute can truly claim to be inclusive and open to all irrespective of their differences.

Science and pseudoscience

Science and mythology have no common base. Pseudoscience based upon mythology, superstitions, false beliefs and no real facts has no place in a society trying to make scientific progress. Scientific method involves making hypothesis, experimenting to prove and disprove it, forming theories based on experimental proofs and being open to scrutiny. Pseudoscience, therefore holds no place in a scientific gathering. Thus, when at a science conference, politicians made claims of 'scientific advances' inferred from mythology, then it makes no sense. Individuals should, therefore, abstain from making claims about science that are not based on any experimental evidence but are just figment of imagination.

A fight for equality

Gender equality or the fight for gender equality is an issue that is not taken seriously by the majority of people. Not only it is ignored but it is misunderstood as well. Gender equality means the right to be treated an equal in all spheres of social, cultural, professional or political life. Even in the twenty first century, women do not have equal rights over land or possessions, they are still not paid equal wages for equal work, they still do not get priority in education or health care, they still do not have an equal political voice. The result is that they have to fight for their rights and they continue to do so. Recently, women in Kerala formed a 620 km long human chain to stand up for equality in the religious sphere. Despite the court order, the women are still barred from entering a temple. But the issue is not of just one religious place barring entry of women, this discrimination is present across the world. Discrimination against women is actually discrimination against almost half the world. It has been a fact that cultures that do not discriminate against women have a better future. Studies suggest that the world hunger could be reduced if only women get an equal right over land ownership. Educated mothers bring up better children. Yet, the society bars them from the rights that they have. Gender equality is a right, it is not a privilege. Striving for the same could lead to a more peaceful and progressive future.