NERO’S GUESTS

Nero fiddled while Rome burned – is an oft quoted statement that is not based on historical reality. However, the real fact of what happened after the burning of Rome remains out of our information. That dark incident was exposed by Magsaysay award winner, P Sainath while speaking at the D D Kosambi lecture series, in Goa.

After the ruin of Rome in the fire, the atmosphere was one of depression. The time was also one of rebellion. To deflect the attention from the incident, Nero hosted a lavish dinner party. The guest list was a virtual “who’s who” of Rome. The elite, the learned, the artists… everyone was invited. However, there was a problem of illumination. The torches were running short of oil. Nero ordered for his captive prisoners to be tied to the torches so that they could be the fuel for the torches.

Sainath said that Nero’s action though barbaric, was in keeping with his royal attitude of insensitivity. But, Nero’s guests who devoured the feast, despite the screams and the scene of this inhuman act, are the ones who are greater culprits. Not one of them raised a voice of protest. They just gorged! Sainath raised the question – who were Nero’s guests?

Neros’ guests were educated men of art. They were people who took pride in describing themselves as cultured persons. They were people like you and me. People living in comforts. People who get entry into the social circles of the powerful elite of politicians and businessman. We are Nero’s guests, partaking in the feast while the oppressed poor burn at the torches of injustice.

Indifference is said to be a greater crime than hatred. No matter what we do develop our lives, it is of no consequence if we kill our conscience. To be better as a human being is to connect better with our humanism. And humanism is all about standing up to the values of truth, justice and equality. To be better, we must be sensitive as well as responsive to what is happening around.

to BE BETTER as a human, shed the indifference and inaction…
Quit playing the Guest and stand up to Nero’s brutal actions!

Regards
Pravin-da