In one of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poems, the brave and bold fighter McArthur is seriously wounded and is about to die. His General Bedivere feels sad and asks him what they would do without him. McArthur says: “Old order changes, yielding place to new.” Since then the line has become an adage as it contains the great reality of life-change is the law of nature.
All the manifestations of nature-sun, moon, stars, trees, oceans, mountains, rivers, animals and birds undergo change. In the cosmic world, the heavenly bodies appear to us permanent and unchangeable. But, even they are liable to change. Space scientists have established that stars, even galaxies are born and they die.
The black holes gobble up the stars. The planets that revolve around the stars undergo certain changes in their cosmic position as well as in their internal structure all the time. The revolution of the earth along its axis brings day and night alternatively in the two hemispheres of the earth. When it is day there is brightness and all-around activity; when there is night, there is darkness, comparative quietness and the time to sleep. The revolving of the earth around the sun, brings change of seasons.
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The change of seasons-winter, spring, autumn and summer bring great changes in the atmosphere as well as in the activities of living beings including the humans. When it is winter, the temperature falls to nearabout 0° Celsius. There is snowfall in many areas. The mountains are covered with snow; the trees do not give a green look. The animals cut off their activities to save themselves from cold. People wear woollen clothes.
The lifestyle of people undergoes a change. They look for warmth through heaters and blowers. Hot soups, coffee and tea are preferred to cold drinks and ice-creams. There are fog and mist at early morning and evening. The nights are long and days short. Work schedules are changed accordingly.
With the advent of spring, the bite in the cold vanishes. Trees look greener, and flowers bloom everywhere. Birds and animals come out more frequently from their nesting places. The bees and beetles come out to suck the nectar of abundant flowers. The air is fresh and there is happiness all around.
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What a change, one thinks, from the depressing cold conditions of winter. People wear bright coloured clothes which appear commensurate with the season. The spring season does not, however, last long and is followed by dry winds of autumn. The trees shed their leaves, the flowers are reduced in number and the mercury rises a little. In a couple of months the season undergoes another change heralded by the bright sunshine and high temperatures of summer. People wear light clothes.
They look towards the sky hoping for a shower of rain. At the peak of summer, the dry hot wind called loo, further raises the temperature. People desperately look for a downpour. If that is not forthcoming, they take a plunge in pools, ponds, streams, brooks, and in cities- in their bathtubs. Cold drinks and ice lollies are in great demand. When the rainy season arrives-which actually is the part of long summer-people welcome it.
Children bathe in the showers and put paper-boats on the water that get accumulated in their yards or streets. The rainy season passes quickly leaving people perspiring and at the mercy of mosquitoes. In a few months, winter season returns with its fog and mist, snow and falling temperature. This cycle of change of seasons goes on for ever as per the law of nature.
The human civilisation is about 4000 years old. During this period, which is very small as compared to the cosmic times, the human beings and their living style have undergone huge changes. There was a time when man lived in caves, wore animal skin or leaves, and hunted animals for food. He led a nomadic life as food-gathers. A change came in man’s life when he settled on the river banks in large number and started a settled life after learning to grow crops. This was the beginning of civilisation.
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With the invention of wheel people started moving to other places. Trade flourished with other civilisations. There was exchange of information along with trade of goods. With the invention of metals, mining of minerals, different trades flourished. Civilisations in different continents were replaced by various countries. Different clans and communities ruled these nations after frequent tests of power-through wars. Man had come a long way from his primitive style of living.
The 19th and the 20th centuries can be called the period of scientific discoveries. Steam engine, electricity, bulb, telephone, TV, computer-all were invented during this period. Man conquered mighty oceans by making big ships and overcame mountains by making aeroplanes. The application of new technologies has made man’s life comfortable.
There are cars, roads, trains, choppers and aeroplanes for speedy journey; malls and shopping complexes for buying various kinds of articles; banks to look after his financial dealings; hospitals and clinics to take care of health and thousands of types of medicines to provide relief in various kinds of ailments; schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions to pursue various types of courses. The process of change has been slow but sure. It is still going on. The world hundred years from now may be vastly different from what we see it today-because everything is under the great law of change.
Our great nation-India has witnessed big changes over the last 2000 years. Under the Gupta rulers it reached the pinnacle of glory. The in-fighting between various local rulers led to a decline in social values and economic prosperity. The foreign invaders plundered its wealth time and again.
The Muslim rulers like Akbar tried to maintain its secular character. The fanatic kings like Aurangzeb did a great harm to the secular Indian spirit and proved to be a slur on India’s face. The British came to India as traders but established their rule for about two centuries through the East India Company upto 1857 and then through the British Monarchy. The patriotic Indians like Bhagat Singh had to make supreme sacrifices to end the atrocious British rule.
When India achieved independence in 1947, its economy was in a bad shape. There were poverty, unemployment, backwardness and many social evils. The founding fathers not only adopted the democratic form of government, made India a republic, but also launched a massive programme of development through Five-Year Plans. Today, the economy is back on track with an annual GDP growth of about 9 per cent, at number two position in the world after China. But, during this journey, the country had to see many changes in its society.
Human life itself is subject to constant changes. When a child is born, it is tiny and weak. As the child grows into a young boy or girl he not only looks different but also acquires many new abilities and knowledge. A young man or woman looks more attractive and strong. But slowly and slowly, the youth fades away.
The old men or women are weak. Their hair turn grey and their skin have wrinkles. And one day they die. Similar is the case with all other living beings. They are born and, after completing their life span they die. As people die, the new people take their place in society. The process of change never stops.
It is said, and with a fair degree of truth that changes is always for the better. A new teacher in the class brings new ideas; a new player in the team brings his own style, strategy and fervour; and a new singer adds freshness to the world of music.
We must accept change in our life; otherwise we would remain orthodox, old and backward. However, it must be kept in mind that only those changes should be accepted which benefit us, the society and the nation. Change for the sake of change, and change for the worse must be resisted if it is within our reach.