Reaction

“Sir/Madam, what is your reaction to this……. .” asks the media person to somebody, and this “somebody” suddenly becomes “more important” than anybody around, clears the throat, holds the mike, assumes an appropriate facial expression, and blurts out whatever comes to the mind! If luck favours, this ‘VIP’ may not be required to later on plead for publicity to the same media with a rejoinder to some unforeseen criticism, that this person was misquoted, quoted out of context etc!

That is what happens, when we try to react. Some mature media people ask for response, and then if that ‘somebody’ is also alert, sensible, and mature, would instantly come up with an equally sensible “does this warrant a response from me?”. We respond to the global warming by further reducing our carbon footprints, even if our own contribution is well within the “permissible” limits called ‘emission-entitlements’. Those who try to react, enact a structure that looks reasonable, call it with a sophisticated name called “carbon-trading” and then buy the entitlements from somebody who was foolish enough to be unable to even reach the ‘permissible’ limits of pollution! Reaction usually happens when somebody becomes a bit defensive, trying to hold back something, possessively, protectively. Whether a reaction is reasonable or not, whether it suits the occasion or not, whether the social norms permit such reactions or not, is altogether a different aspect.

All I meant was to try if it seems acceptable to shift from ‘reaction’ to a conscious ‘response’ ability, which would help us to go a long way to evolve as loving beings, not even just human beings.

Psn(23rd September, 2010)

http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100923012452AAOhQCc
As responsible citizens, how should we react towards the verdict of the Ayodhya dispute?

My answer:
I am not quite sure if "reaction" and being "responsible" go together at all!We try to act in a situation, whatever the type of action is warranted by the situation. By action, we would like to look at it as our response, and our ability to respond sensibly is 'response-ability' or responsibility. In certain situations, inaction might be the most appropriate action, including an act of persuading others too to remain calm.
"Reaction" is what happens when people are simply carried away by "sentiments". Again, I am not sure if we have a correct translation for the word "sentiment" in Indian languages. As if the falsehood of emotion called as sentiment is not enough, we have also coined something called "false-sentiment"!
"Religious" sentiments would evoke "reactions" of unpredictable nature, which may cause loss of lives and property. The unprecedented security arrangements or "Bandobast" is out of apprehension of such "reactions". When emotions are totally out of control, it might take the shape of a reaction.
I would like to humbly respond by staying calm, and if possible, persuade yet others around to remain calm. That would perhaps be the best response, out of our ability to respond, if we happen to also maintain the awareness that we are responsible citizens.