Do Unto Others…
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ccording to the Oxford Dictionary, the word „dignity‟ means „the state of being worthy of esteem or respect.‟ So exactly how does one become dignified? It is simply by becoming a conscious member of your community that you can truly become dignified. When you appreciate the self-esteem of other people, you auto-
matically feel honoured. Celebrating Global Dignity Day provides us with the opportunity to increase awareness among people regarding how essential it is to respect your fellow human beings regardless of their caste, creed, race or religion. We were all born equal, then why discriminate between the children of Adam? This day is basically a reminder to all of us to always choose the same for others as we choose for ourselves, treat others the way we wish to be treated and help others live a dignified life. In order to do so, we have to develop tolerance, patience and empathy towards each other. This is something that I learned from the time I volunteered at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). At SIUT the staff members do practise the principle of treating patients with dignity. I saw the beggar from across the street being treated in the manner people would treat a man who had arrived at the hospital in a very expensive car. Some of the patients, with a meek smile on their faces, narrated their tales of struggles and incessant hardships to me. This made me realise how strong humans are. They fight their own battles with a courage so unique that it deserves to be respected and appreciated. So on this Dignity Day, promise to respect others, to once in a while tell the people around you that they are special in their own way and that you are there for them, as just knowing that you have an ally helping you win the battle against all odds can make all the difference. Rimsha Zamir North Nazimabad A Level Campus Karachi
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