Let us maintain our self-respect.

 

During the time of British rule, a British officer slapped an Indian young man on the face.

Immediately, the young man used all his strength to slap the officer back so hard that the officer fell to the ground.

Shocked by this insult, the officer began to wonder—how could an ordinary Indian youth dare to slap an officer of an empire about which it was said that the sun never sets?

He immediately went to his post and demanded strict punishment for the Indian.

But the senior commander calmed him and said—the Indian youth should not be punished, but rewarded. As a reward, he should be given ten thousand rupees.

The officer shouted in anger—this is not just an insult to me or you, but to the British Queen herself. And you are saying he should be rewarded instead of punished!

The commander said firmly—this is a military order, and you must follow it without delay.

The junior officer had no choice but to obey. He took ten thousand rupees to the Indian youth and said—please forgive me and accept this money as a gift.

The Indian accepted the gift and forgot that he had been slapped on his own land by a colonial officer.

At that time, ten thousand rupees was a huge amount. He used the money wisely and, within a few years, improved his life and became quite wealthy.

Once he was an ordinary man, but now he had become a respected person in society.

Many years later, the same British commander called the junior officer and asked—do you remember that Indian who slapped you?

The officer replied—how could I ever forget that insult?

The commander said—now the time has come. Go find him and slap him hard in front of everyone.

The officer said—how is that possible? When he was poor, he fought back. Now that he is rich, he might even kill me.

The commander said—do as I say. This is also an order.

The junior officer had to obey again. He went to the Indian man and slapped him hard.

But this time, the situation was completely different.

The Indian man did not react at all. He did not even have the courage to look up at the officer.

The officer returned to the commander, surprised.

The commander asked—I can see surprise on your face. Why are you so shocked?

The officer said—when he was poor, he fought back. But now that he is wealthy, he didn’t even dare to look at me. How is this possible?

The British commander said in a calm voice—earlier, he had nothing except his self-respect.

He valued it the most and was ready to risk his life to protect it.

But now, he did not protect it, because his wealth has become more important than his self-respect.

The day he accepted those ten thousand rupees as a gift, he sold his dignity and self-respect for money.

And when a person’s self-respect is sold, their backbone also bends.

Let us maintain our self-respect.

Instead of selling ourselves for position, gifts, or greed, let us stand upright with dignity.