The Dead-Worshiping Generation

I have been gutted from the past few days. It is important to vent, I have a lot of things in my mind and I have to put it out there.

Image Courtesy: Wikibio

Firstly, it's not about a particular person, it's about the mentality that is widespread on social media and nobody is addressing it. We are the dead-worshipping generation. Nobody talks about mental health when everything is fine but suddenly, every person begins advocating its importance once somebody commits suicide. Why? Why do we have to praise people when they are gone? Why can't we support and coexist when they were alive? Half of the people who are discussing mental health on social media today are the ones who are active online trolls. They go on the social media handles of every celebrity and spill filth. Just lately, Mahira Khan posted a picture of a cup of tea and she was called shameless for doing so. Who is answerable for such people's behavior? If today we are blaming several people who may have pushed Sushant Singh Rajput to commit suicide, will someone point out these online trolls? All they do is drag people down, they forsake the fact that these celebrities are also humans, they can also get hurt but when such an unfortunate incident occurs, they come out of their shells just for the sake of attention and a few likes. It is obvious that some of the people who are blustering about Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide are in fact the ones who may have trolled him in his lifetime. When someone works hard, why can't we appreciate him or her? Why do we wait for the people to take such a drastic step to acknowledge their work? It's not just about Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide, this implies generally to death. The dilemma is that it takes death to be appreciated and acknowledged by this dead-worshipping generation.

It is easy to infer theories after someone has committed suicide but where were these people when he was working hard? Is it so difficult to just be compassionate towards someone? No, but one thing is for sure, the easiest thing to do is write a rude comment online, without thinking that not everyone is mentally fit enough to bear such sort of harshness. Like everyone is physically different, each person is mentally different too. It is the physiological fact. The word depression has become so fancy that everyone likes to use it, however, you don't understand that it is a very serious and clinical ailment, just like diabetes. There is no cure for depression but you can manage it and it is not as easy. We don't know what a person is going through. Empathy is the one thing that is going to combat such grave illnesses. Listen, try to be a good listener. Everyone likes to give opinions, comments, and pieces of advice online but how many of us are truly ready to sit down and listen? Listen to understand not just for the sake of it.

One aspect that is troubling me is glorifying suicide. Suicide is not the last resort. NEVER! After the news of Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide came out, a teenager from Uttarakhand, India committed suicide and reportedly, left a note 'if he can do it why can't I'. That's what we have to dodge. Yes, it is important to raise our voice on the importance of seeking help but it is indispensable to send the message that suicide is not a heroic act. From personal experience, I had been watching this young boy from his television days. I used to watch his shows. This incident has jolted me a lot more because I have seen his progress and now that he is dead and there is a lot more content regarding his life on social media, I have noticed that he had a very enthusiastic approach towards life. He was educated and intelligent. Many questions arose in my head but the only thing that I excerpted out of this episode was the significance of truly being there for your loved ones. Just be present. Tell them that you are a call away if they want to talk. Nobody is a paragon, if you feel something is wrong, talk. Write down your thoughts, just let it all out. How many of you have messaged/called your long-lost friends/relatives who might have moved to another city or might have gotten married or just got busy in their life? How many of you have asked: Are you happy? 

Image Courtesy: Geo Super

Another example of this hypocrisy is targeting a person and formulating distasteful entertainment online. In my last blog, I appreciated the people who make memes but it is essential to convey that comedy is not a reason to justify harassment. There is a difference between humor and mentally exhausting the other person. Again, what if the same person commits suicide because of ignorant comedy? Your trolling? For example, Zameer Akhtar Naqvi or Umar Akmal. They have been a target of these hypocrite trolls for a long time. Yes, their stints were funny for a while but it has been elongated and it's not funny anymore. God forbid, if something happens to them tomorrow, the same people will start praising him for the 'smile' that they brought on their faces. This is wrong. This is hypocrisy. Recently, I wrote a quote and it perfectly fits the ongoing scenario.

'Celebrate people before you commemorate them'

Please be mindful of what you say to others. Be a little empathetic. Be the best version of yourself even in this dark place called social media. Your words might make or break someone, uplift people, be the better person.

Here's a little ode to Sushant Singh Rajput whom I'll fondly remember as MS Dhoni whenever I'll hear this beautiful melody.