Gifts and Human Beings

O.Henry’s story ‘The Gift of the Magi’ clearly shows the true value of a gift and the sacrifices involved in giving and receiving a gift. This blog examines the concept of gifts and how it is plays a part in human life.
According to me a gift is political, personal and divine. These three classifications are kind of far fetched but still they cover the whole gamut of this concept. Being brought up in a country where the word colonial hangover had a strong affect I couldn’t but notice the political implications of a gift. India in the past was nothing but a collection of princely states and they were not at all amicable with each other. When the British made their presence felt many of these princely rulers sought their help to crush their enemies. One way they struck an alliance with the British was by offering them gifts which included rare gems, diamonds and even their beautiful women subjects which led to the establishment of the Anglo-Indian community. The history of gifts can be traced further back to the splendid days of the Mughal emperors. Birbal, the Grand Vizier received gifts from Akbar for his witty remarks and administrative capabilities. Down in South India a court-poet of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century CE by the name Tenali Raman received gifts from his emperor. Even today congress leaders move towards 10 Janapth to present the Madame with gifts hoping to win her favour. The same is the case with AIDMK followers who revolve around Poes Garden to get the ‘darshan’ of Amma.
When it comes to personal level of gifts it becomes emotional and there is lots of excitement in the air. Here the heart matters whereas in the political scenario it is the head that matters. My life is a gift from my mom and dad and my gift to them is take care of them when they need me. Lovers exchange gifts and make the feeling of love commercialized. Valentines Day thus becomes a day for exchanging gifts which sometimes involves little ego and a high dose of snobbishness. I am reminded of the Amul ad of the 90’s which had a beautiful caption which said ‘A gift for someone you love’. The art of giving and receiving gifts in the personal domain sometimes borders on politics when a husband tries to woo his wife by giving an expensive kanchipuram saree. It is nothing but love politicized.
The third type of gifts which to me is apolitical and sacred is the one involving divinity. Nothing equals to this one. It cannot be copied or faked it 100% original. All the singers in this world, players, and even leaders they are gifted from above. SPB, K.J Yesudas, K.S Chitra, A.R Rehaman, Kishore da and all others who were truly gifted by God himself. Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, V.Anand, Schumi and thousands of others received a rare and exquisite gift from god which we can call as – Talent or Genius. Even I feel that I have received some precious gifts from my maker, like this one what I am doing, writing - plus interpersonal skills.
I feel that each one of us posses a gift from above and the whole purpose of our life is to figure out what exactly is that gift as the quote goes - “Everyone is gifted - but some people never open their package”