New year, new approach
Most religions agree on one rule-love. Do to others as you wish them do to you. Thus, love is the common denominator of different faiths on Earth.
This golden rule is neutral, no conditions attached. This means that race, tribe, religion or even our social status cannot dictate to us who we should love.
Showing love to one another is a very complex topic. We cannot exhaust discussing how one can show and express love. Many of us show our love through sympathy by being generous. We share what we feel others are lacking.
Regardless of the reasons for our generosity—whether it is corporate social responsibility, show off or a way of practising what the scriptures teach us—giving as a way of showing love is positive. Remember do to others as you wish them do to you.
Despite that many of us if not the entire nation is religious, we still encounter a lot of problems which could have been avoided if love was practised in the first place.
It is my wish that we start this new year with a new approach by reaching out to different kinds of victims such as those involved in road accidents.
Mostly, accidents happen in the absence of the police and the law enforcers are not always the first to arrive on an accident scene, but what happens there leaves a lot to be desired.
Have you ever been among the first arrivals at such a scene? If you haven’t, expect to see at least four groups of people. The first will be looters. Despite that we continue to lose productive citizens in the country through road accidents, some citizens consider such sad situations as opportunities to enrich themselves. They steal whatever they can lay their hands on despite the cries for help of the victims. They fail to assist the victims during their hour of need.
The second group will be photographers. People will be busy taking pictures instead of providing first aid to the victims. They take it as an opportunity to break the story to their friends and relatives or post it on Facebook and other social media. This is evidenced by pictures and videos that go viral on the social media soon after. Should we blame the advancement in technology for this rotten behaviour that is now deep rooted in society or we should shoulder the blame for putting this technology to a bad use? I don’t have a definite answer to this.
The third group is of bystanders and I can call this group information officers. These people do all the talking, with hands in their pockets, they furnish newcomers with information they deem necessary.
I will call the last group good Samaritans. They are concerned and show love by giving first aid to the victims, securing the place to prevent the first group from making hay while the sun shines and even rushing the victims to hospital.
In this case, lives and properties that could have been lost are saved by this last group. This is just a practical example I have come across as a man in uniform. There are a number of scenarios where citizens can assist victims but fail to do so because we are obsessed with ourselves and other interests. We have no time for other people’s feelings.
Let this new-year be a starting point for the better. We should not make gains or fun of other people’s predicaments. We could all be victims at some point in our lives and we shall need a helping hand from others.
As the police, we will not relent in serving our communities and country. Last year Dedza police recorded fewer deaths resulting from road accidents as compared to 2014. In that year, 62 people lost their lives while in 2015, 52 lives were lost representing a 14 percent decrease.
It is our wish that we reduce the figures further this year. But this will remain a far-fetched dream if you, citizens, are not willing to take part in changing the situation.
Always drive safely to arrive alive. Observe speed limits and road signs. Let us make 2016 an accident-free year and show love to the needy.
