Queue

Last Thursday, we visited the Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem for the Zatra – the annual feast. There was a long queue and as is oft seen, many were jumping the line. While some used the rear entrance to do so, others would shamelessly slither ahead, ignoring protests of those standing in the queue.

Their modus operandi was simple: just push on and if confronted, act defiant. A doctor, who was asked to toe the line, lied to say he was not really going in. We saw him lead a group of ten people to the main door of the inner sanctum. The people in the queue were aghast, ‘his devotion is false... he uttered lies in the temple?’ ‘What example, is he setting for his children?’ ‘wither education?’

It is pertinent to note that not just in the temples, churches and mosques; such persons show their selfish streak in every situation. Two facts get confirmed. First, that they really do not care for what they say they believe in. Secondly, they indulge in irresponsible behaviour as they see themselves as above basic humane norms.

Interestingly, all those who seemed in a hurry, that day, were found loitering in the temple premises for a long time. Obviously they had the time but they did not have the patience to wait for their rightful turn. Jumping the queue was a reflection of their egocentricity and their insensitivity to others.

The queue is occasion to confirm our ability to endure waiting for our turn. We need to be better at ensuring that our self-centred actions do not trample on the rights of others in the queue. Most importantly, we need to foresee the chaos if everyone were to break the queue. The common good has to be the defining criterion that guides our conscientious actions in every situation.

Let’s BE BETTER at conscientious patience when in queue

Fairness is when none is short-changed by a selfish few!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.