Always Remembered...
(Source: http://joerose.hubpages.com/hub/I-am-Willing-Be-Cleansed )
Dr. Graham Stuart Staines was an Australian Christian Missionary who along with his two sons : Philip (age:10) and Timothy (Age: 6) were burnt to death by a gang while sleeping in his station wagon at Manohaspur village in Keonjhar District in Orissa, India on January 22, 1999. In 2003, the Bajrang Dal activist Dara Singh was convicted of leading the gang that murdered Staines and He is now serving life in prison.
Dr. Staines was working in Orissa among the tribal poor and focussing on the Leprosy patients since 1965.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Its been 13 years and still this incident feels like it has happened recently. It is the brutality of this incident that can't be forgotten by anyone. However, the more memorable aspect of this incident are the statements of Ms. Gladys Staines.
"I have forgiven the Killers and have no bitterness because forgiveness brings healing and our land needs healing from hatred and violence. Forgiveness and the consequences of the crime should not be mixed up" Ms. Staines said in a statement issued from her Mission House residence in Baripada Town of Orissa's Mayurbhanj District.
(Read: http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/23/stories/2003092305471200.htm)
The death of Dr. Staines and his two children, has paved way to the understanding of the concept of Forgiveness and the true essence of Christian beliefs. This grave incident has made this world lose three precious good souls because of the total disrespect for humanity, social service, love, peace and harmony. It has shown the way religious misconception can blind one's eyes towards the goodness of a human being.
And so, this incident has shown the intolerance many people in this world have towards religion and people who practice humanity religiously in a peaceful way. Where "humanity" comes, there can be NO room for violence. Dr. Staines was working towards the well being of Leprosy patients. I do not see any room for violent act or disharmonious intention in such a noble action. Yet, He was forced to see a dreadful end. Not just him, but also his two innocent sons. So, Who has practiced violence here? Dr. Staines or The accused? (Obviously the accused)
The accused is now serving life in prison. Is that justice? In worldly eyes, there will be many suggestions for punishing this accused. Each suggestion will sound the same in the end as it will be in the aspect of "torture" and "pain" to be framed for the accused.
Thus, The statement and actions of Ms. Gladys Staines stands out.
Is forgiveness so powerful? The act of forgiveness practiced by Ms. Gladys Staines and her daughter Esther, has made the entire nation stand up in surprise. Because, We are not used to this. We are more familiar with --> "action and its equal and multiplied reaction"<-- concepts. Forgiveness is something we are not familiar with 'practically'. We all know the word and the meaning, but, the true practice of this meaning was highlighted in the aftermath of this grave incident only.
It has made me think in depth the essence of forgiveness. It all starts with Jesus Christ's crucifixion. The statement of Christ... "Father, Forgive them... For they know not what they do..." has opened the flow of the river of the great power of forgiveness. Words are powerful. And, when words are presented in such a way that they immensely affect the emotions of a person for good, then a very simple thing happens--> It can't be forgotten...
Irrespective of a change occurring or not, such words and actions always stay in our heart.
The impact is felt when we really face such situations. When we are in a position where we are supposed to forgive someone and are unable to...That time, such incidents spark into our mind to guide us.
Forgetting is not easy. Forgiving is not easy. But it has been practiced by some people. These are the people who are really mentally strong and emotionally stable. I salute them.
Dr. Staines was working in Orissa among the tribal poor and focussing on the Leprosy patients since 1965.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Its been 13 years and still this incident feels like it has happened recently. It is the brutality of this incident that can't be forgotten by anyone. However, the more memorable aspect of this incident are the statements of Ms. Gladys Staines.
"I have forgiven the Killers and have no bitterness because forgiveness brings healing and our land needs healing from hatred and violence. Forgiveness and the consequences of the crime should not be mixed up" Ms. Staines said in a statement issued from her Mission House residence in Baripada Town of Orissa's Mayurbhanj District.
(Read: http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/23/stories/2003092305471200.htm)
The death of Dr. Staines and his two children, has paved way to the understanding of the concept of Forgiveness and the true essence of Christian beliefs. This grave incident has made this world lose three precious good souls because of the total disrespect for humanity, social service, love, peace and harmony. It has shown the way religious misconception can blind one's eyes towards the goodness of a human being.
And so, this incident has shown the intolerance many people in this world have towards religion and people who practice humanity religiously in a peaceful way. Where "humanity" comes, there can be NO room for violence. Dr. Staines was working towards the well being of Leprosy patients. I do not see any room for violent act or disharmonious intention in such a noble action. Yet, He was forced to see a dreadful end. Not just him, but also his two innocent sons. So, Who has practiced violence here? Dr. Staines or The accused? (Obviously the accused)
The accused is now serving life in prison. Is that justice? In worldly eyes, there will be many suggestions for punishing this accused. Each suggestion will sound the same in the end as it will be in the aspect of "torture" and "pain" to be framed for the accused.
Thus, The statement and actions of Ms. Gladys Staines stands out.
Is forgiveness so powerful? The act of forgiveness practiced by Ms. Gladys Staines and her daughter Esther, has made the entire nation stand up in surprise. Because, We are not used to this. We are more familiar with --> "action and its equal and multiplied reaction"<-- concepts. Forgiveness is something we are not familiar with 'practically'. We all know the word and the meaning, but, the true practice of this meaning was highlighted in the aftermath of this grave incident only.
It has made me think in depth the essence of forgiveness. It all starts with Jesus Christ's crucifixion. The statement of Christ... "Father, Forgive them... For they know not what they do..." has opened the flow of the river of the great power of forgiveness. Words are powerful. And, when words are presented in such a way that they immensely affect the emotions of a person for good, then a very simple thing happens--> It can't be forgotten...
Irrespective of a change occurring or not, such words and actions always stay in our heart.
The impact is felt when we really face such situations. When we are in a position where we are supposed to forgive someone and are unable to...That time, such incidents spark into our mind to guide us.
Forgetting is not easy. Forgiving is not easy. But it has been practiced by some people. These are the people who are really mentally strong and emotionally stable. I salute them.
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