After leaving behind a 0123 year 2013 we have entered into 2014 with the usual excitement. Even though there is no big deal and many a time much ado about nothing is being made out about the entry into the new year, it does help to have something to look to and be inspired at the beginning of a year.
2014 does give that edge over 2013 even though it does not make much numerical sense. This is apparent if one looks at the 1989 Bollywood movie “Ram Lakhan”. The movie had a long star cast including Raakhi, Dimple Kapadia, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor. The movie had a song titled “1, 2 ka 4…4, 2 ka 1.” On the one hand the song meant how Jackie Shroff playing the elder brother saw his younger brother as someone who was always looking to make easy money. On the other hand the movie ends with the message that the younger brother is not that bad a person after all and the two brothers come together for a fight against evil.
The idea is that usually 1x2= 2 but this can be 1x2=4. If this is used to accumulate wealth and work against the people this will be one of the most corrupt things one can do. But if this same concept is used for good, it can bring about benefit to the people. 1x2 cannot be 4 practically and yet corruption has become part of our system. The idea is then to use this impracticable concept for the benefit of the people.
There is a lot of interest being generated on the subsidy announced for electricity in Delhi for those who consume up to 400 units of electricity. Even as some say that it is utter madness, there is a method in the madness being professed. This can be attributed as the 1,2 ka 4 method whereby money is used for the benefit of the commoner rather than for private enterprises distributing electricity.
John 15: 13-15 says “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” There is an invitation for a calculated madness which basically makes use of the concept of taking what is available and multiplying it to unimaginable levels. This brings us to a raised position of being friends of Jesus and being privy to what he knows.
This 2014, a 1,2 ka 4 concept will serve us well. It is a way to say that the welfare of the people is the only and ultimate aim for us. Those below in the social ladder should get an opportunity to come up rather than being kept where they are citing procedural and practical reasons. 2014 is also a year where we can make things happen rather than just talking and discussing what could happen. Let’s multiply goodness. Happy new year.
