Radha Prathi

Drama Inspirational Others

3.5  

Radha Prathi

Drama Inspirational Others

Actively Passive

Actively Passive

2 mins
121


Workers in the city corporation were divided into groups of three for the purpose of planting saplings along the road. One person was required to dig a small hole in the earth while the second person had to place a sapling in the ground and the third person filled the hole with earth and watered the spot. The officials had strictly instructed the workers to carry on their work without interchanging roles or substituting their responsibilities. The work went smoothly until one day when one of the workers in the group went on leave. The other two workers approached the office for advice. They were told severely not to shirk duties.

The workers carried on with their work. The first man dug a hole in the designated spot since the second person was on leave the third person simply filled up the holes and watered them. He apparently did not want to violate his contract of duty, nor did the other man. They spent an entire day carrying out their “duties” much to the chagrin of the official who inspected the day's work that evening.

This incident may have evinced a ripple of laughter in us. Yet when we observe the incident a little critically and reflect on the same we are likely to find many such people around us with a similar mindset. Most employees in various organizations in a cross-section of designations prefer to stick to what their work profile dictates. Most people are unwilling to employ their common sense for various reasons that range from fear to loyalty and sometimes even obedience. Many well-qualified and experienced people are also found behaving on these careful lines because they suffer from the syndrome of “once bitten twice shy”.


Passive behavior has certainly become a bane to society. If one analyses the pattern, it will be easy to see that society does not appreciate an upright person or an ingenious individual easily. This phenomenon is not new to human society across the globe.

If one travels down the annals of history it will not be difficult to see that original thinkers, proactive personalities, and creative citizens were not taken seriously. They were either dubbed as rebels or upstarts who could either harm or hamper the growth of society. They were constantly subjected to punishments or ridicule and many of their thoughts and theories were discounted heavily. Though such personae were hardly recognized during their lifetime, their significant contribution to society has been recognized posthumously!

It is high time we learn from history and allows people to use their common sense voice their thoughts freely without fear or favor and most of all walk their talk!!!


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