The Lost Consciousness

"Consciousness is the lamp that guides one through dark paths towards the destination, a heart deprived of this lamp remains captive to darkness, no matter how many lights surround it." — Dr. Shakira Nandini

Our society today is engulfed in a deep crisis, and one of the major reasons behind this decline is the severe lack of consciousness and awareness among the masses. This vacuum has hollowed out our intellectual, moral, and social structure. Today's man is surrounded by a sea of information, yet the treasure of true consciousness has become exceedingly rare.

Consciousness is the lamp by whose light an individual not only recognizes his rights and responsibilities but also contributes to collective well-being. Sadly, despite the spread of education, the awakening of consciousness remains but a distant dream. Educational institutions are distributing degrees but have failed in nurturing understanding, critical thinking, and realism.

We see clear examples of this unconsciousness everywhere — whether it is the violation of law on streets, corruption in public offices, or breaches of trust in everyday life. When an individual prioritizes personal gain over national interest, it is a glaring manifestation of collective unconsciousness. Unfortunately, while most people are well aware of their rights, they remain oblivious to their duties.

The spread of social media has further exposed this lack of consciousness. Spreading unverified news, defaming others, and falling prey to false propaganda have become widespread practices. The root cause of this situation lies in the abandonment of critical thinking and the quest for truth.

Had we possessed true awareness, we would have understood that differences of opinion are not enmity but the ladder of progress. We would have known that voting is a sacred trust, and its misuse leads nations to the brink of destruction. We would have regarded the protection of our land, water, and environment as our foremost duty. But the tragedy is that we make decisions driven by momentary emotions and later lament the outcomes.

Another frightening aspect of the lack of consciousness is that the public easily falls prey to deception — the seductive slogans of false leaders, the exploitation of religious sentiments, and the traps of ethnic prejudices. They lose the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood. As a result, the nation repeatedly falls into the same abyss and resigns every downfall to destiny.

Awakening consciousness is no easy task. It is a long, laborious, and patience-demanding process. It can only be achieved through reforms in the education system, responsible and independent media, and the promotion of intellectual dialogue. We must teach our children not just textbook knowledge, but also how to question, seek the truth, and reason logically.

The journey of awakening consciousness begins with each individual. When each person introspects and holds themselves accountable, when everyone feels a sense of responsibility, only then will a luminous, civilized, and progressive society emerge. Otherwise, the lament of lost consciousness will continue to drag us, generation after generation, into disgrace and decline.