Let’s go, JAI HO!

jai-hoTHE other day I had some extra time on my hands, so I decided to watch a movie: Jai Ho – probably the most inspiring movie. This says a lot because I have seen a lot of movies in my short lifetime but this movie just made me think how small our world really is. Politics in Canada is clean and people enjoy life in our democracy in safety. However, many homeless and poor people in India live their lives in conditions that you wouldn’t ever see in a nightmare.

In India, campaigns for at municipal, provincial or national levels get really dirty at times. It is interesting to see how people are treated when political workers force the public to vote for a certain person. It gets to the point that if these politicians have a problem with protestors, they might abuse the family of the protestor, i.e., harass them  in public, and even kidnap or murder a protestor but say it was an accident or burn down their house.

Moreover, even the candidates who are in the electoral race are at risk as well. It was very sad to learn during the latest election process in Punjab about the attack on the leaders of the new party, Aam Admi Party (AAP). This is terrible to hear, and people are getting annoyed and there has been a sudden movement in the mindset of people.

Recently, if you have been following politics in India, you might have noticed the change from the political parties that want to deliver a better future for India. Corruption in India includes police not doing their job honestly, politicians lying about their promises, workers in government offices taking bribes and various illegal activities. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has promised to change India’s lifestyle by attempting to do the right thing once and for all which is to give good governance and development. I would like to give kudos to all the volunteers that take the time and make the effort for any social cause including political campaigns where politicians also need volunteers. I also congratulate Narendra Modi for winning these elections with a majority and I hope that he as well as his party will treat minorities in India fairly.

Anyway, back to the movie, the really inspiring thing that came out and really could change the world is the message that you are supposed to take from it. Instead of saying thank you to someone that has helped you, go out of your way and help three other people. Once these three people receive help, tell the other three people that receive help to then go out of their way to go and help three other people as well.

The question on how you can help others around you might pop up in your mind. In order to help someone, you don’t have to be an extraordinary person, wealthy or a politician. All you need to have is a spark within you to help create change around you. Strive to start small and then go big. Start by helping others in your neighborhood, i.e., helping a senior, giving your time to tutor a child in need, in-kind donations, cleaning the park, organizing a party to support a cause, holding a fundraiser and so forth.

But, start from your own community first where you live, play, eat and work. This is your duty as a citizen of that community to keep it clean and not always your politician. Your elected candidate might visit you four or five times in the five years that he / she serves but you have to survive 24/7 in that environment. Essentially, people need to stop blaming their problems on others and start helping to create change at all times.

So the next time you meet someone be sure to tell them this message of not saying thank you but going out of your way to help three other people. Remember, this will make a bigger difference than you think and let your friends know too.

I firmly believe that this could definitely change the future of India and help the people of the country to end corruption as well as live in prosperity.

Therefore, I would like to applaud the celebrity behind all of this: Salman Khan, the hero of this movie, for delivering the positive message to help others via this wonderful action-packed thriller! Well done and keep up the great work.

Jai Ho!

 

BY HARNOOR GILL

Grade 10 student

Christ The King Catholic Secondary

Georgetown, Ontario