The Significance of Work, Ethics, and Humanity in our Lives

Whether triggered by your family's struggle for survival, completing the 10th or 12th grade, obtaining a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, our entry into the workforce varies across levels and life circumstances. In my view, a businessman is no exception; they are, essentially, engaged in a job like anyone else.

A businessman or businesswoman shoulders the weight of ensuring their family's sustenance, fulfilling their needs, much like any other jobholder. For the purposes of this article, both business people and those providing services to others will be referred to as individuals engaged in a JOB. The reason it's considered an everlasting aspect of life is its connection to money. In today's age, the language of happiness seems to have shifted its vocabulary, becoming synonymous with money, overshadowing the significance of togetherness, laughter, and more. We've become so fixated on synthetic happiness that we often overlook the potential consequences of our greed—someone else losing everything. In recent times, newspapers and television broadcasts have been replete with accounts of scams, ranging from financial fraud to institutional irregularities. What prompts an individual to perpetrate a scam? What drives one human being to betray another? It appears we're losing our sense of humanity, and, regrettably, veering towards selfishness. While a certain degree of self-concern can be positive, it should not be the overriding sentiment.

As a proud Gujarati, I take pride in the fact that several filmmakers are crafting splendid movies in Gujarati. Just days ago, I watched a Gujarati movie titled "Chal Man Jitva Jay E." The narrative revolved around a businessman who, having lost everything in a deal, strives to salvage his and his family's fabricated happiness and luxuries. The manner in which his own sons steer him towards discerning right from wrong is genuinely commendable. The quest for instant riches contrasts starkly with the mindset of those already wealthy, who dread the prospect of destitution. Aspirations, while driving some, might lead to a dead end for others. Sometimes, assistance extended to others is misappropriated for ulterior motives, and tragically, the very individual extending the helping hand is vilified for their actions. One person's greed can become another's demise. It's ironic that while we vehemently condemn fraudsters with derogatory terms, we may be inadvertently teaching our children the same principles from a young age. We often strike bargains with them—achieving a certain score in exchange for a particular toy. We instruct them to lie over the phone when they wish to avoid speaking to someone. We demonstrate the art of shifting blame onto others, right in our own homes. Consequently, our children mirror these behaviours, influenced by what they observe first-hand or are directly taught. These patterns tend to seep into their schools, friendship circles, colleges, and beyond.

Moving on to the concept of a JOB, beyond the realm of Salman Khan's "Being Human," our responsibility as human beings is to instill noble values in our children and society. We ought to exemplify righteous behaviour within our communities, motivating others to follow suit. Our responsibility doesn't merely kick in during times of familial adversity, post the 10th or 12th grade, or upon graduating with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Rather, it commences as soon as we begin comprehending the world around us. To enhance the beauty of the world, we must initially recognize our own flaws before attributing blame to others. Our greatest and foremost duty is to foster an understanding among our loved ones that embracing our shared humanity is our foremost responsibility, one that should endure until our last breath.

I trust that those perusing this piece have grasped the core of my message. Let's strive to embody authentic humanity, rather than mere puppets in someone else's narrative...