One Earth, One Family, One Future....

One Earth, One Family, One Future

We recently organized an event through Josh Foundation with the theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future," where over 230 underprivileged hearing-impaired children performed on stage. This concept was designed with a holistic approach to life. There were 16 groups from 14 different special schools for hearing-impaired children. Since these are special children, they typically take time to understand and prepare, so we give them at least two months to rehearse. Every school put in tremendous effort to present this concept, and the results were truly unimaginable. Each child performing on stage exuded confidence and displayed remarkable coordination. Working with special children, especially those who are hearing impaired, I feel they are the perfect messengers to spread the idea of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" to create a better environment for our planet. Every school presented a unique story in a beautiful way. We believe that introducing different concepts each time helps these children expand their minds and learn to better understand the people and environment around them.

Every school had a unique way of expressing the theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future." Some highlighted issues such as human trafficking, crimes, women's oppression, poverty, and unhealthy competition and comparison, emphasizing that these challenges must be addressed to heal the Earth. Others conveyed that simply having faith and trust in God could make the world a better place to live. A few schools showcased India’s diversity, celebrating its different states and cultural values, and stressed the importance of deeply valuing these traditions, fostering the bonds of a joint family, and working together. Some performances focused on environmental concerns, demonstrating how cleanliness, caring for nature, reducing air and noise pollution, and controlling population growth can contribute to a brighter future. Others emphasized the importance of respecting elders, animals, birds, and plants, and maintaining a balance in nature, which they presented as essential steps toward nurturing One Earth, One Family, One Future.

Sometimes, I feel these children truly perceive, pursue, and work hard to demonstrate the reality of life. Despite facing their own challenges, they set the best example for the broader society. During the event, I realized that they are not only becoming an inclusive part of the community but also sending a powerful message: even with the challenges life presents, they are ready to contribute to making society better. Every moment I spend with these special children inspires and encourages me to become a better human being than I was before.

This act of kindness by hearing-impaired children reminds me of the message narrated by Lord Krishna—that we have one Earth and one family. Humanity will thrive only when we perceive everyone as equals, without barriers of religion, caste, or economic status. These children, despite coming from different cultures and religions, coordinated with such unity and harmony. They helped each other dress properly and supported one another whenever mistakes occurred. I vividly remember one particular moment during a dance performance. One child didn’t have his lazim prop on one side, while another child on the opposite side had two. Without missing a beat, the second child smoothly passed the extra lazim to his teammate during the performance, all while dancing. The audience didn’t even notice the exchange—it was seamless and filled with understanding. What an incredible example of teamwork and empathy!

In our society, where we have all our senses functioning perfectly, a well-developed thinking process, and countless ways to express ourselves—be it through scientific advancements or the widespread influence of social media—it’s surprising and disheartening that we often fail to exhibit the kind of understanding and empathy these children demonstrate so naturally. I still remember an incident involving a well-known troupe that performs at international dance festivals. During a performance where the dancers balanced pots on their heads, one student lost her balance because another accidentally ran into her, causing the pot to fall. Instead of understanding the situation, the teacher scolded the student harshly, blaming her for the mistake. Feeling humiliated, the student stopped dancing and never spoke to the teacher again, even though the incident wasn’t her fault. This shows how ego and harshness can destroy the confidence of genuine, hardworking individuals—something many fail to realize. As a teacher, it’s crucial to analyze situations carefully and respond thoughtfully, rather than reacting out of anger or fear of failure. True leadership and teaching come from patience, empathy, and the ability to nurture others, not from creating fear or assigning blame.

During the event, we were privileged to have our friend Gaurang Das Prabhu, a spiritual counselor, who generously announced that any hearing-impaired child seeking guidance for their future could connect with him. We also felicitated a remarkable young man, over 30 years old, who works in an advertising company and recently won a national award. However, before he came on stage, he humbly shared something that touched us deeply. He said, "Though both my wife and I have hearing impairments, I’ve won this national award, but my wife has achieved even more—she has earned three degrees despite her challenges. If you are felicitating me, you should felicitate her too." We honored his request and celebrated both of them, witnessing such a beautiful display of love, understanding, and mutual respect between them. It made me wonder—do we, in our "normal" lives, often show this level of appreciation and acknowledgment for our spouses? There’s so much to learn from individuals like them—about humility, respect, and valuing each other’s achievements. They truly inspire us to reflect on our relationships and strive to be better.

Apart from this, he immediately called me that day and asked, "Can I speak to the Guru who came from Vrindavan about spirituality? I want to understand why I was born with this difficulty and, more importantly, what I can do now to deepen my faith and embrace spirituality so that I can help more people like me." His words and intentions left me deeply moved. Despite his challenges, his focus wasn’t on questioning or lamenting his circumstances but on seeking guidance and purpose to make a positive impact on others. It’s a reminder of the incredible strength and selflessness that individuals like him possess, and it inspires us to cultivate a similar mindset in our own lives.

Despite facing challenges that most of us cannot imagine, these hearing-impaired children inspire us with their determination, teamwork, and unwavering respect for one another. Their ability to rise above their problems and spread the message of unity, kindness, and hope serves as a powerful lesson for all of us. Whether it’s their seamless coordination during performances, their deep respect for their partners’ achievements, or their desire to seek spiritual growth to help others, these individuals demonstrate qualities we often overlook in our own lives. Their actions inspire us to reflect on our own behavior, relationships, and the way we handle challenges, reminding us that true humanity lies in empathy, understanding, and the willingness to uplift those around us.