βIf you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.β β African Proverb.
Imagine the boundless strength we would wield if we united in true solidarity. It’s all too easy to lay blame – to say it’s because of women or men, young or old, rich or poor. But the truth is that healing our nation or mending the fabric of our society can only be achieved together, hand in hand, heart to heart. Again, we cannot emphasise enough the word βTogether.β
What was at stake all this while? We know that discrimination carves deep, indelible scars on the soul, trampling on the very essence of human rights. It blocks the pathways to education, healthcare, employment, and commerce, entrenching poverty and inequality and sowing the seeds of unrest and despair.
Yet, standing against discrimination transforms you, perhaps more profoundly than those you defend. It’s not about whether the victims warrant your support; it’s about the beauty it cultivates within you. Embracing ‘Zero Discrimination’ is not just inevitable; it’s essential, akin to the care we take in our appearanceβnot merely desired, but deeply needed.
Letβs scroll down and see how ‘Zero Discrimination’ can enrich and heal the world and yourself.
Zero Discrimination, 2024
In 2014, the United Nations (UN) brought to life an enduring beacon of hope and solidarity, inaugurating “Zero Discrimination Day” on March 1st. This day emerged as a powerful testament to humanity’s shared dream: a world where equality flourishes and discrimination finds no shelter. Year after year, every corner of the globe, from sprawling cities to the smallest villages, stands united in observance of this significant day, championing the cause of justice and the dignity of all people.
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day. The year focuses on raising awareness about the importance of inclusion, compassion, peace, and the pursuit of meaningful change.Β
This year’s theme, βTo protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights,β resonates as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness. It underscores the profound truth that the well-being of each person is intrinsically linked to the respect and rights afforded to them. It’s a call to action, urging us to stand guard over the rights of every individual, recognising that in the health of the collective lies the health of each soul.
Start From YourselfΒ
The mission to champion ‘Zero Discrimination’ is bigger than Square Yards, India’s largest real estate platform alone. Nonetheless, it cannot outsize what we can achieve ‘together’. Since the inception of Square Yards, we have welcomed everyone, irrespective of race, sex, gender, religion, or disability. This ultimately propelled our growth across 9+ countries, expanded our team to over 7,000 employees, and forged partnerships beyond 150,000 channels. Hence, for Square Yards, March 1 isn’t merely about how far we have to go; it is also a celebration of how far weβve come towards inclusiveness or βZero Discrimination.βΒ
It may come across as self-congratulatory to some. But all we are trying to communicate is that the most meaningful movement we can all make on this special day is to look into ourselves. Let this day be a testament to the power of personal evolution, a celebration of the courage it takes to look within and the incredible impact such a journey can have on our collective future. Let the change start from ourselves.
Where Exactly Are We Now
Wherever we are, the following statistics show that we are still a long way from fully recognising the motto of βZero Discriminationβ. For instance,Β
- National Geographic reported in 2023 that over 160 million individuals in India are classified as “Untouchable” because they were born into a certain caste that labels them as impure and subhuman.
- The Times of India reported in 2023 that more than 57% of Asian adults consider discrimination in the United States to be a significant issue, and 50% of Indian adults have reported experiencing racial discrimination there.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported a 6.4% rise in crimes against Adivasi communities in 2021, amounting to 8,802 incidents. Besides, crimes against Dalits experienced a 1.2% increase, with a total of 50,900 cases reported.
- The NCRB report also reveals a 4.2% rise in India’s suicide rates in 2022, reaching over 170,000 instances. It further emphasises the profound effect on daily wage earners, agricultural labourers, farmers, and the unemployed, underlining the critical need for specialised mental health and social support initiatives.
The Cause
Pride and prejudice are the major sources of discrimination. Pride signifies putting yourself before justice and is a crime usually seen in small-hearted people. Prejudice, on the other hand, refers to unreasonable judgement/notion, often negative, and is a mistake usually seen in ignorant people. These two elements, often bolstered by historical, cultural, and socio-economic constructs, create a division among people based on arbitrary characteristics such as race, caste, gender, religion, etc.
Additionally, it is pivotal to recognise that various external forces exploit these human weaknesses/helplessness. These may include cultural institutions, historical narratives, politicians, corporate interests, social media, and the entertainment industry.
To illustrate, “If you collect 100 black ants and 100 red ants and put them in a glass jar, nothing will happen.β David Frederick, a British author, once wrote. βBut if you take the jar, shake it violently and leave it on the table, the ants will start killing themselves.β He added, βRed ants will believe that black ants are the enemy, and vice versa; when the real enemy is the person who shook the jar.βΒ
βThe same is true in society. Men vs Women. Black vs White. Faith vs Science. Young vs Old. Etcβ¦
Before we fight each other, we must ask ourselves: Who shook the jar?β
How to Cope With ItΒ
The bravest thing one can do is βrun.β Flee from oneβs pride and prejudice. These ill feelings only hurt and never help. So practise self-denial β there is a misconception that self-denial contradicts self-love or self-respect, but it’s not; it’s a companion to self-discipline β which helps broaden the heart. Edify yourself to pose the right question β Elon Musk once said,Β
βOne of the really tough things is figuring out what questions to ask. Once you figure out the question, then the answer is relatively easy.β β which helps expand our understanding.Β
At the same time, it is equally important to acknowledge that humans inherently do not find this troublesome to coexist in harmony despite differences in appearance, beliefs, lifestyles, or else. I.e., the real challenge may not reside in our differences but rather in overcoming the biases that are strategically instilled within us via various applicable sources. Indeed, without such influences, it is far easier to facilitate βZero Discriminationβ worldwide.
Bottom Line: Dignity Isnβt for Sale
DNA isnβt as powerful as our ancestors taught us to believe. Instead, the character/dignity does hold true power. It is perfectly alright to offer a handshake or, going further, a warm embrace to those who differ from us in DNA, ethics, beliefs, and beyond. While there may be inequities that appear outrageous, ‘hate’ should never be the approach to address such challenges. Hate diminishes our beauty in every aspect, as well as the dignity of our nation. Furthermore, despite what certain external forces may attempt to impose upon us, our human brothers/sisters should never be viewed as monsters to fear or disgusted. At its core, discrimination is often rooted in a distorted view. Once they gain their sight, they become benevolent and kind.
