By Surakanti Koushika
Kindness is one of the most basic values every human should carry. Yet today it feels increasingly rare. In our busy lives, people often choose comfort, convenience, or silence over empathy, forgetting how deeply small actions can affect others. What is most concerning is that this lack of kindness begins at home and quietly shapes future generations.
In many households, a mother works endlessly without rest or recognition. She cooks, cleans, serves food, manages the home, and cares for everyone—often without any help from her husband, children, or in-laws. Her work never ends, yet it is unpaid and unacknowledged. Children grow up watching this and slowly absorb the message that this is “normal.” They learn that women are meant to serve and that their effort does not require appreciation. This mindset is passed from one generation to the next, not through words, but through everyday behavior.
A simple act—like cleaning one’s own plate, helping in the kitchen, or saying “thank you”—can change how a child understands respect and equality. These gestures cost nothing, but their impact lasts a lifetime.
The same lack of kindness is visible in public spaces. For example, while traveling by bus for long hours, many people refuse to give up their seats even when elderly people or those who are tired are standing nearby. Standing for 30 minutes or an hour may be uncomfortable, but choosing empathy over comfort can bring relief and dignity to someone else. Unfortunately, many people prioritize their own comfort, forgetting that kindness requires small sacrifices.
Kindness also affects workplaces and society as a whole. A teacher who is frustrated due to problems at home may unknowingly pass that frustration onto students. A bus conductor under stress may speak harshly to passengers. A watchman who is constantly scolded may lose motivation and peace of mind. Hurt travels from one person to another, often unintentionally. One unkind word can ruin someone’s day, while one kind word can bring calm and hope.
Many people are silently struggling. Sometimes a small gesture—listening, helping, smiling, or speaking gently—can reduce someone’s burden more than we realise. These actions do not require money, power, or special skills. They only require awareness and humanity.
Kindness is not something extra; it is who we choose to be. Practising small acts of kindness makes us better individuals and slowly creates a better society. When we choose empathy in daily life, we shape ourselves beautifully and bring smiles to others.
In the end, little things matter. And kindness, even in its smallest form, always makes sense.