Is human dignity a mirage?

Amalshan Gunerathne

Isn't it ironic that most discussions which are aimed at finding resolutions for issues that plague our society are done in air conditioned, cozy rooms, surrounded by all forms of lavish luxuries ? Isn't it hypocritical that we do eloquent, pedantic and so called intellectual discussions on the problems of the poor in the comforts of some cozy room while they starve outside? While discussion may feature dignitaries clad in pretentious tuxedoes and Rolex watches, the presence of the commoner would be tragically missed, overlooked and even if present wouldn't have been given the deserving recognition.

For man's value in contemporary times is only measured by his superficial attire or numerous accolades and pieces of certificates that he has obtained through his life. As an excerpt from the synopsis of social activist Lukman Harees's book would say, "The flames of materialism has devoured time tested moral values, causing chaos within the basic unit in society, relegating man's dignity to the level of animals to an extent that it has even manipulated his identity." Harees's book titled, "The Mirage of Dignity on the Highways of Human Progress- the bystander's perspective" would make you contemplate and ponder on such thoughts. The book was launched at a grand ceremony recently and is available now at local book stores for your intellectual taste buds to digest.

However, while book may hope to delve deep in to such social issues, it was ironic that while dignitaries who were present at the launch were discussing its content and issues that Harees wanted to highlight,

there were people seated in the back who were complaining and murmuring about the heat and air condition breakdown in the room- again a testimony to the very nature of hypocrisy that the book hopes to discuss.

Having said that, if Sunday Times Deputy Editor Ameen Izzadeen's comprehensive book review on Harees's book is anything to go by, the book promises to be a worthy addition to your book shelf, one that has the power to prickle your conscience with disturbing thoughts, an essay that could arouse your senses to the pretentious, hypocritical way in which we live our lives in modern times. While I didn't have enough to afford six-hundred page book, the comprehensive book review read out by Izzadeen alone was enough to make me think, ponder and question my own beliefs.

May be that was what Harees intended as well; make the reader question his own beliefs, values and viewpoints.

Also perhaps force the reader in to doing some soul searching on his actions to an extent where he will ridicule his own-self and start being sensitive towards dark realities which are prevalent in contemporary times.

However, as suggested by Harees, it is not his intention to merely make the reader contemplate and ponder on those grave issues, he demands actions, and urges the reader to shed his pretentious mannerisms and act on his thoughts.

As an excerpt from the book would say, "It is much better to light a candle and do something realistic than be armchair critics and continue to curse the darkness."

The book promises a lot and seems to have the capacity to provide great food for your thought. The book promises to be a one that can keep your intellectual senses awake for hours. But as said in the book review by Izzadeen, it is written in such way that anyone could grasp its content easily and be enlightened by its thought provoking material.

As of the writer Harees, he is presently working as the Interim HRM Director of ACRE (Alliance for Cohesion and racial Equality) an organization working in the areas of equality, anti discrimination and community cohesion and a network of Black and Miniority Ethnic organization in Berkshire England. Harees obtained his LLB degree in 1996 and MBA in 1998. He has also been the Head of HRD in a leading bank in Sri Lanka, while reading for a doctoral degree.

During last three decades, Lukman has been actively involved in a multitude of roles as a human rights defender, social activist, trade unionist, charity fund raiser and a lecturer.