(KP-14) Fruitless Rumination vs Productive Reflection
How an acid attack victim is preparing for UPSC exam | The Pursuit of Truth book by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on Life, Death, Happiness
Life Lesson
I realized during this past week that there is a difference between needlessly ruminating and constructively reflecting over past events.
The former happens when you keep repeating the same worry loop over and over again. You just can’t get over those thoughts. Whereas, the latter is the case when you come up with some solutions to the problematic events that happened in the past. And most importantly, you let those thoughts, memories go.
So, one is needed and the other is to be avoided.
An easy way to distinguish between the two is by trying to find who is in control. In one situation, the thoughts will have complete sway over you and in the other you will dictate the terms.
Positive Feel-Good Story
Have you ever blamed yourself when everything in your life is going wrong?
Have you ever blamed yourself for no fault of yours?
Kaajal Prajapati, a resident of Gujarat's Mehsana district, has aspired to join the police force since she was a youngster. According to her, wearing a khaki uniform and working for the safety of civilians is the most respectable vocation.
Her parents, a rickshaw driver and a housewife, constantly pushed her to work hard in order to pass the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. For a 16-year-old Kaajal in 2014, the journey appeared difficult but not unattainable with self-coaching.
However, two years later, she was the victim of a terrible acid attack just outside her college, and her life was permanently changed. She was unable to see for the next five years, and her face was terribly damaged.
After having spent over four months and Rs. 20 lacs in the hospital and endured more than 20 procedures, she started to see from one eye.
She said "It hurt my heart when some commented, 'It would have been better if the attacker had simply thrown acid on the hands or legs instead of the face.' They never called his actions into doubt. I chastised myself for being born as a girl. But my lion-hearted parents insisted that the tragedy should not deter me from following my UPSC aspirations and living a dignified life. "They told me that I don't have to feel humiliated; the attacker does," she continued.
This was one of the main reasons Kaajal was not afraid to seek employment after regaining her sight. However, four to five firms turned her down due to her looks.
This is where she showed her grit and determination. She just re-enrolled in college and is presently finishing her first year while studying for the UPSC.
"Because of my condition, I can only study for 1-2 hours every day, but it is better than doing nothing." I want to join the police force and work hard to keep our society secure, particularly for women, by enforcing harsher penalties for offenders. "I'm hoping to have another operation for my second eye shortly, which will determine if I ever get my complete eyesight back," Kaajal adds.
With her father and brother still paying off earlier debts, Kaajal requires financial assistance for her forthcoming operation. If you want to help Kaajal's medical bills, you may make a donation to:
Name: KAAJAL PRAJAPATI
BOB A/C NO:- 20060100019114
IFSC CODE- BARB0INDMEH
BRANCH- INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MEHSANA
Credits: thebetterindia.com
Book/Podcast/Video Suggestion
Thanks to Swati Di, owner of Tunnas Book Cafe, from where you could borrow books for free, I got my hands on this book The Pursuit of Truth by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Indian philosopher who also served as the Indian President.
The book was mind-blowing. It was eye-opening and thought-provoking.
One thing was clear to me after reading this book:
The more I know
The lesser I know
Highly recommend it!
Quotes/Poem
This is a quote from the book I mentioned above, The Pursuit of Truth.
Life is short and happiness uncertain. Death comes to all, prince and peasant alike. True knowledge is to know one's own ignorance. Contentment is better than riches, and a mind at peace with itself is worth more than the applause of assemblies.
Thank you for sharing Kaajal Prajapati's story. Violence against women has to be stopped; it needs to be a priority. I wish more people respected individuals and their human right to live and make their own choices freely. Using violence or force against an individual in order to make them do something different than what you prefer, or to punish them for doing something you didn't like, is inhumane, brutish, unethical, immoral, and evil. It is fortunate that Kaajal Prajapati's spirit was not broken. She has a healthy attitude and a supportive family, which are gifts. I hope all the victims of acid attacks get restitution and find peace.
Hats off to kaajal, what a spirit!