Self-Immolation

The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.                                                                                                                                                    -Theodore Issac Rubin

It was a sunny Sunday morning with gentle coolness in the gust. Rohit as usual went to his favourite place where he goes every weekend. The purpose of his visit is to have some time for mental calmness in the arms of nature. Sitting on the old & rusty bench, he cherishes his memories which are unforgettable and forgets his daily huss-buss for quite some time. Apart from that he goes there to find the purpose of his life as he believes that everyone sent on the earth, has a particular task or purpose to complete and he has  still not found his purpose for which he was sent on earth.

Let me describe you the place. Situated on the outskirts of one of the famous cosmopolitan city, the place is full of small undulating lush green hills & slopes, with a cliff at the center higher than other slopes. The cliff is located in such a way so as to get the view of sunrise and sunset in a perfect way. That's why quite from some time it had become a tourist spot.

But Rohit usually comes in the morning for the sunrise. As the rays of the sun slightly shine above the horizon removing the darkness in its vicinity and slowly coming above the horizon, the rays as if entangled with the mountain range with its golden threads providing a blanket of clouds around it. The scene was simply magnificent and inexpressible. But then something disturbing happens.

There comes a luxury black sedan which halts near the entrance gate. Rohit heard the sound of tires screeching which broke his sync with the nature. One man came out of the car. On the first look, he seemed liked a company professional as he wore black business suit with pure white shirt and black pant, and a tie of crimson color with black shoes polished nicely. Rohit on seeing him wondered what a business professional was doing there and that to such early morning.

The person scanned the entire area for availability of people, but just found him. The look on his face was dreaded with sweat bathing his forehead. This invoked suspicion in Rohit and he thought something was fishy. And as he completed his thought, he saw the man standing on the verge of the cliff near the railing which covered the edges of cliff. With a blink of eye, a thought knocked his door and Rohit understood what the man was upto. Rohit was in an awe and realized that he can't let anything happen. In the mean time he saw the person hesitating to climb the railing , as if he was having cold feet. Finding it an opportunity to distract his attention, Rohit loudly spoke," It needs a lot of courage to do that." The man stopped his action for a moment. So Rohit further continued ," If you apply about half of that courage to face the reason behind this, I am damn sure you won't need to think about doing this ever."

He stopped for a moment to think a bit, but completely ignored Rohit and continued to climb the railing as the height of the railing was higher than a normal person's height. He was halfway there when Rohit spoke again, " What if you didn't die?, what if you become handicapped?, Your life will become even worse." This time it worked and he turned around and spoke annoyingly, " Its more than 150 feet, I am sure I will die and its none of your business. Get lost and don't disturb me." Saying this he continued to climb further, but Rohit was determined to stop him by hook or crook, so spoke again," That is not for you to decide, nothing happens in this world without the permission of the deity. If you are not meant to die, you won't die."

Listening this he turned around, jumped back from the railing and looked at Rohit with rage. He was mad at him. Rohit on the other side was smiling inside thinking that task completed. He came towards Rohit with umbrage and spoke indignantly," What's your problem, why don't you just mind your own business and go away. Just let me die okay." Rohit spoke instantly," What's your problem, why do you want to end your precious life?, What went so wrong that you are taking such an extreme step?" He lurched away from him and spoke hesitantly," That I don't need to tell you" and turned his back towards Rohit. He spoke this in such a way as if he was pleading someone to listen to him and talk to him. Rohit went towards him and turned him. He saw his eyes were filled with tears.

Rohit told himself, he need to help that person. He told him," Okay, you want to die, die, I won't stop you, but first I want to know the reason behind such an extreme step. Tell me everything honestly. If in the end I find you are right, I will go away and let you die." He responded negatively. Rohit tried again and with some more efforts he convinced him to tell him everything. And they sat there for six hours at a stretch, talking. Rohit peacefully listened his life story and made him understand the importance of his life and how beautiful his life was  and in the end convinced him not to try anything like this again. The person was facing some life issues with divorce with his wife and some problems with his business due to a major loss in a deal. According to him that was the reason for his extreme action, but Rohit found that it was not the case. In this difficult situation he had no one to turn to which made him so alone and depressed that he decided to take such a step. He just needed someone to talk to and listen him. Rohit maturely made him understand everything, showed a path to try and find the solution to his problems and gave him his number to talk in case he again have such thoughts. The person promised him that he wouldn't do it again. That smile on the person's face while bidding Rohit goodbye told a lot of things and Rohit felt very much contented to help him. And with this he got the purpose of his life. Rohit started a suicide helpline with a purpose to help those who need to be listened and save their precious life. Maybe God has sent him for this.

Self-immolation a.k.a Suicide is a very disturbing and condemned thing this world is facing. People, specially teens and young adults are major victims of this. They didn't understand the fact that the courage required to do this is much more than that required to solve the reason behind it. Sometimes it's not because of the reason, but the loneliness and depression arising out of it that causes this thing. At that time all which is needed is someone to talk to. It's because sometimes all which is needed is someone to be simply there not to do anything, or to fix anything, but just to let them feel that whatever be the case someone is there. Talk to your parents no matter what, they will help you out and friends too. Just remember the fact that you were not born according to your wish, so it's not in your hand to take that life. Someone has rightly said that ' The life you are living today is someone else dream. So value it not waste it'

You always have a choice. You can either focus on what is tearing you apart or the other way, you can focus on what is holding you together. Life is tough, but if the almighty has given life, he will give the strength required to live it. Suicide is never an option. Remember this thing in bold letters and fit this thing in your mind. Live life as it comes, enjoy the sweet parts, take lessons from the bitter ones, because there is no much fun than living it!! Cheers...Stay Happy...Stay Young....