Inspired by initiatives on Walls of Kindness in different parts of the world and with a mission to motivate people to practice small acts of kindness, Yuvsatta founder and Gandhian worker, Pramod Sharma is working with different institutions in Chandigarh to spread the initiative.

Recently in November, 2024, Sharma collaborated with the Social Welfare Department of the Chandigarh Administration by getting the Walls of Kindness built in the homes of orphans, working women hostels and in old age homes. He started the initiative way back in 2016 in an endeavor to promote a spirit of volunteerism and harmony.

Explaining the concept of Walls of Kindness, Sharma points out that a wall is usually painted with vibrant colours. It is here that ‘Neki ki Deewar’ or Wall of Kindness is written beautifully and boldly. Here anyone can leave anything like clothes, blankets etc. for those who need it to take. Sharma points out that it is a beautiful concept as the individual who is giving the items remains anonymous, and the person who is taking an item from there is also unknown.

According to Sharma, a very large number of extremely poor or homeless are not aware of how to access basic needs like clothes and warm stuff during winters, they don’t know how to approach charities etc. This makes them vulnerable, so it is here that Walls of Kindness becomes a powerful concept which needs to be encouraged in every cities.

In order to encourage children and young people to inculcate and nurture the essence of kindness, Sharma has encouraged several schools in Chandigarh to make a Wall of Kindness. These includes Dev Samaj College of Education, Kitabghar-the children’s Centre of Yuvsatta, Carmel Convent School, St. Stephen’s School, etc. “In the backdrop of increasing trend towards crass materialism, children and young people are forgetting the values of volunteerism and the beauty and importance of acts of kindness. I strongly feel when Walls of Kindness are linked to young people, they will develop a habit of giving,” Sharma stresses.

In the context of schools, Pramod Sharma explains how the Walls of Kindness principle works. He points out, “The task of bringing donations of clothes, utensils, shoes, bags etc. are divided into class and section wise in schools. Wherein say if the school is till class X and there are four sections in each class, so for 40 weeks the supplies for ‘Wall of Kindness’ are ensured. This rotation can go on to keep the spirit of giving alive.”

Sharma has also motivated the local Municipal Corporation to set up Walls of Kindness to encourage the principle of 3 R’s – Refuse, Reuse and Recycle. According to him the concept is a powerful model to promote simplicity and minimalism. “Increasingly in large urban households, occupants make it cluttered by acquiring items which they do not need. It might be years when they might have seen the item they bought or have completely forgotten about it. They can unclutter their houses by donating these items which are of no use to them anymore,” he adds.

In a world where there seems to be kindness deficit in the face of excessive of consumerism and pursuit for material goals, Walls of Kindness reminds us all on our responsibility towards others. Also if we are giving without letting ourselves known or getting to know who is taking our items, it is encouraging human dignity.

Finally, it would be apt to quote Kahlil Gibran who said, “Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.”

According to the census of 2011, there are about 1.77 million homeless people in India. Majority of the homeless people in India live in the streets and in makeshift shelters. A very small number of these people get access to night shelters mostly in big cities though they are mostly overcrowded and even lack basic facilities. Hence, the majority are forced to live in virtually sub-human conditions with poor sanitation facilities, limited access to proper drinking water and food. Another major problem is their lack of access to healthcare facilities and quite a number of them having mental health issues.

To understand the complex issues involving the homeless in India, this week we talk to Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director of Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan, a Delhi-based voluntary organization working for the homeless and an expert on urban governance. Dr Kumar has wide experience of working on urban poverty, homelessness and beggary.

Vedabhyas Kundu: How do you think poverty contributes to homelessness? Further, what do you think is the role of increasing urbanization on the rise of homelessness?

Sanjay Kumar: Homelessness in India is largely originated with Poverty and Joblessness. People migrate from rural to urban landscape in the search of better livelihood for him and for other who left behind. In the struggle of finding bread and shelter they often saw in the park, stations, bus stops, red lights, under flyovers, corridors of temple and other religious places. On the basis of their presence they defined as a homeless person.

Homelessness in India has also other reasons such as landlessness, unemployment, and inadequate social services, caste factors, alcoholism, mental health, domestic violence, Brocken family structure etc. perpetuate cycles of homelessness.

Vedabhyas Kundu: One of the concerns of those who are homeless is the lack of access to healthcare. What according to you needs to be done to help homeless people have atleast some access to urgent health care facilities?

Sanjay Kumar: Urban cities have opportunity to digest poverty. People from rural background who happen to be the victim of various kind of poverty always attract to come to the urban centers in the search of livelihood also the wide range of development and structural growth demand lots of labors for the helping hands from rural outsets. It has significantly contributes to homelessness in India by attaracting from villages and creating intense demand for housing that cities are unprepared to meet their needs.

The high cost of living in cities exacerbates this issue, as basic needs such as food and transportation already strain limited incomes for those who are just landed. In situation they hardly find place where they can go for stay. Hence they are very much visible in the park and road side. Without targeted urban planning and affordable housing initiatives, urbanization will continue to drive homelessness. Addressing this requires inclusive planning, slum upgrades, and rental assistance programs to support the most vulnerable in urban areas. Need to accept as a citizens of India and accommodate them in various policy including housing.

Vedabhyas Kundu: What is the role of mental health, and addictions like substance abuse etc. in exacerbating the problems of homelessness?

Sanjay Kumar: Mental health issues and substance abuse play a significant role in exacerbating homelessness, creating a challenging cycle. Many individuals facing homelessness have undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia, which can hinder their ability to maintain employment or secure stable housing. Without access to mental health services, these conditions often worsen, leading to increased isolation, stigmatization, and vulnerability. Homelessness very often 4 people out of 10 are facing these condition. Unfortunate part of this issue are that even in urban scenario is that there are very limited space and facilities are available for the mental health issues related with homeless people.

Substance abuse further complicates this situation. Many homeless individuals turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, or mental health struggles. However, substance dependence can lead to erratic behavior, poor health, and financial strain, making it even harder to escape homelessness. Addiction can also lead to legal issues, reinforcing a cycle of poverty and marginalization.

Vedabhyas Kundu: Please share your views on the role of civil society organizations and community-based solutions in addressing the concerns of homelessness in India?

Sanjay Kumar: Civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based solutions play a pivotal role in addressing homelessness in India by providing immediate relief, advocating for policy changes, and promoting sustainable solutions. CSOs often bridge gaps in government services by offering essential resources like shelters, food, healthcare, and rehabilitation for homeless individuals. Their grassroots reach enables them to deliver support directly, especially to marginalized groups who may lack access to mainstream services.

In addition, CSOs actively advocate for policy reforms that emphasize affordable housing, social security, and inclusive urban planning. They collaborate with the government to implement housing schemes, ensure legal protections, and reduce forced evictions. By raising awareness and building public empathy, they challenge societal stigma and bring homelessness into the national dialogue.

Community-based initiatives, such as locally run shelters and neighborhood support networks, empower communities to address homelessness collectively. These initiatives often create self-sustaining solutions by involving homeless individuals in skill-building and livelihood programs, enabling them to achieve financial stability and self-reliance.

Together, CSOs and community-based approaches foster a supportive ecosystem that combines immediate aid with long-term empowerment, crucial for reducing homelessness in a complex socio-economic landscape like India’s. Civil society orgnisation train the other people for the carrying forward this work among the other ambit.

Vedabhyas Kundu: Going by your extensive experience of working with homeless people, what kind of innovation would you advocate to prevent homelessness in India?

Sanjay Kumar: Drawing from my experience with homeless communities, I would advocate for innovations focused on preventive support and develop a integrated approach to handle the issues. One important aspect that need to look after is that we need to see homelessness away from bricks and blankets. See homelessness apart from rooflessness. Providing shelter is one and just emergency measures but need paired with robust social safety nets. One key solution is a "Housing First" model, which prioritizes providing stable housing as a foundation for other support services, such as mental health care, employment training, and substance abuse counseling. Housing First programs, combined with wrap-around services, have shown success globally and can be adapted to India’s urban and rural contexts.

In rural areas, livelihood programs linked to household individuals could prevent forced migration to cities, thus addressing a root cause of urban homelessness. Overall, innovation should center on holistic, person-centric solutions that address both the immediate needs for homeless people and the underlying socio-economic issues contributing to homelessness.

In conclusion homelessness is a manifestation of various factors hence the solutions are also comes from holistic approach of handling the issue. Need to integrate and coordinate many departments and ministries along with community based organizations.

In a youth interaction organized recently, students of different Delhi University colleges underscored on how simplicity and minimalism offered transformative approach to sustainable development. They talked about how approaches to simple living were inherently characterized by mindful consumption, building of resilient communities and resource efficiency.

The author who conducted the session discussed at length on the significance of mindfulness in modern life. He highlighted how mindfulness can serve as an antidote to the distractions and chaos of contemporary society, enhancing personal well-being, improving relationships, and contributing to peaceful communities. Drawing from his experience in nonviolent communication and conflict resolution, he offered practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into daily life and how it can help in embracing the principles of simplicity, practice mindful consumption and minimalism. It was pointed out that mindful practices and mindful consumption played significant role in uncluttering of our mind and our physical spaces.

Preeti of Ramanujam College, Delhi University stressed on the need of young people to embrace voluntary simplicity. She said it would entail embracing simpler lifestyles as a counternarrative to consumer culture. The world today needs citizen’s motivation to make voluntary simplicity as a habit worldwide which can lead to sustainable coexistence and enhanced well-being.

Meanwhile students like Astha Singh and Prachi of Kamla Nehru College talked about how simplicity and mindful consumption behaviour played important role in emotional well-being and happiness. They said how many young people contrary to general perception of heavy spenders were actually steadfastly following the dharma of simplicity and minimalism; such practices help in fostering positive experiences.

According to Vaishnavi of Gargi College, embracing simplicity and minimalism was a powerful strategy to develop clarity in life and was a path towards a more balanced and meaningful life. Most of the students while talking of the challenges to adopt simplicity and minimalism as life choices felt that expansion of mindful practices could definitely help them to look at their needs through the lenses of sustainable behaviour.

While expressing concern at rising overconsumption and its consequences on not only individuals but also its social and economic costs, the youth discussed at length Mahatma Gandhi’s prescriptions. Gandhi had said, “I suggest that we are thieves in a way. If I take anything that I do not need for my own immediate use, and keep it, I thieve it from somebody else. I venture to suggest that it is the fundamental law of Nature, without exception, that Nature produces enough for our wants from day to day, and if only everybody took enough for himself and nothing more, there would be no pauperism in this world, there would be no man dying of starvation in this world. But so long as we have got this inequality, so long we are thieving.” (Selected Works of Gandhi) This profound thoughts of Gandhi can be considered the basis of simplicity and minimalism.

According to the students the embracing of simplicity, mindful consumption and minimalism was not only connected to the present, but also to the future. Some students quipped, “What are we going to leave behind?” They argued that in the backdrop of the present consumerist and disposable culture which was taken as normal by very large number of people across the globe, a youth-led campaign on mindful consumption and simplicity was the need of the hour. This was now a necessity to reduce our carbon footprint, they stressed.

Further, there were discussions on how just reducing waste was not the solution; instead this should be coupled with a new way of thinking on how materials and things are designed. The author talked on the need of looking at the whole issue holistically- for instance using an object should not only entail the type of materials that are used to make it, it should also entail how it was going to be used and finally how it could be disposed of. The materials that should be used for the development of the object need to be renewable, they should have low environmental impact, should be able to reduce the carbon footprint and finally should be biodegradable or recyclable.

Finally, Amya Begum, a first year student of Kamla Nehru College felt sustainability education was a must and should start right from schools. It was felt that simplicity, mindful consumption and minimalism should form part of citizenship education and awareness needs to be created that these were part of responsible citizenship.

The world celebrates mental health day every year on October 10. The aim of the World Mental Health Day is not only to create awareness on mental health issues but also promote initiatives to support those individuals who experience mental health issues. For 2024 the theme of the Mental Health Day is ‘mental health at work’.

According to the Human Development Report 2023/2024, the mental wellbeing of people is worsening. The report paints a grim picture which points out that in the last 10 years the number of people who are experiencing stress, sadness, anxiety, anger or worry is increasing at a phenomenon rate.

The United Nations has come up with a report on ‘Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy for 2024 and beyond’. The report is aimed ‘to assist the United Nations in creating a working environment that is conducive to good mental health and that ensures that support is available when it is needed. The Strategy provides a road map for creating an inclusive, sustainable work environment where mental health and well-being is embedded in the organizational culture and systems – where each and every one belongs, is valued, nurtured and thrives, ensuring an efficient workforce delivering on our promise of a better world.’

In the context of the World Mental Health Day and its theme of the year, Vedabhyas Kundu in a free-flowing interview with Dr Meena Mishra, Brain Behaviour Research Foundation of India, an organization which provides mental health support to individuals, tries to understand the importance of positive mental health at work.

Vedabhyas Kundu: According to Gallup’s State of the World Global Workplace 2024 report, 20 per cent of the world’s employees experience daily loneliness and wellbeing among younger employees saw a decline in 2023. The report also talked on how employee engagement is a significant factor in overall life. While the report noted that not all mental health issues were not related to work, but workplace environment was definitely a significant factor in life evaluations and daily emotions. Please share your insights to these.

Meena Mishra: The important factor to consider here is that human beings are a continuum and cannot be compartmentalized. Therefore, issues in personal life will affect the performance in professional life and vice-versa. If anyone is undergoing personal stress, the unsupportive workplace environment will hit them hard to the level it affects their psychological and emotional well-being adversely further depleting their performance in workplace. This becomes a vicious cycle if left uncared. That is why there is so much emphasis on workplace mental health prioritization- let’s catch mental ill- health at the first go and break this vicious cycle.

Vedabhyas Kundu: What do you think are the individual, social and economic costs of toxic workplace which contributes to mental health issues?

Meena Mishra: Working in toxic environment can deeply affect individuals, on professional levels and have lasting repercussions on overall health and happiness for employees. Socially speaking toxic workplaces can strain relationships with colleagues and impact work culture negatively by promoting conflict and disengagement both at work and beyond. Toxic work environments contribute to absenteeism from work, decreased productivity and attrition that raise costs and losses for the company. It is crucial for companies to deal with these problems in order to create a workplace that's both healthy and efficient.

Vedabhyas Kundu: What are the important steps workplaces can take in order to ensure that employees are able to manage their stress and maintain a healthy balance?

Meena Mishra: Workplaces can implement several key practices to help employees manage stress and maintain a healthy balance. First, encouraging open communication and a supportive culture will allow employees to share their concerns without fear of being stigmatized. Second, they should provide access to mental health resources, such as counseling services and stress management workshops at regular intervals as reinforcements. These can equip employees with the tools to address their issues. Third, promoting work-life balance through flexible schedules, remote work options, and clear work hours boundaries can help reduce burnout. Finally, recognizing and addressing signs of stress early demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being, ultimately increasing productivity and retention.

Vedabhyas Kundu: The quality of leadership is a very important factor in determining the type of workplace which an employee finds herself/himself. What are the significant leadership traits you think are important for ensuring a harmonious work environment?

Meena Mishra: We need leaders with high Emotional and Social Intelligence, effective nonviolent communication skills which fosters transparency and trust thereby enabling them to arrive at fair decisions that promote equity. Adaptability allows leaders to respond to evolving workplace challenges. Leaders who actively encourage collaboration and inclusivity create a sense of belonging, contributing to a positive and supportive atmosphere. In order to be a good leader one must be a good servant first. We need to promote the concept of servant leadership in organizations.

Vedabhyas Kundu: What is your message on mental health and related issues to young people joining organizations today?

Meena Mishra: The fortunate part with youngsters today is that they are aware of mental health issues. My message to them would be to stay grounded to their value systems, set achievable career goals, practice patience and perseverance to achieve them. In all of this- Mind and Body is the priceless medium that needs to be taken good care of -so eat right, sleep well, exercise regularly, spend time with family & friends and limit the use of gadgets. My greetings to everyone as we celebrate World Mental Health Day 2024!

Need to revisit Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of human interdependence for sustainability

I believe in advaita, I believe in the essential unity of man and, for that matter, of all that life's. Therefore, I believe that if one man gains spiritually, the whole world gains with him and, if one man falls, the whole world falls to that extent. – Mahatma Gandhi (Young India, 4-12-1924).

Mahatma Gandhi’s ahimsa was rooted in the philosophy of human interdependence which entailed the intrinsic link between human-nature- and all other living beings. This idea of human interdependence is important today given the environmental degradation and climate change issues we are witnessing around the world. Also the idea of human interdependence is important to assimilate to counter inequalities and fragmentation of our societies. To explore these principles and as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 155th birth anniversary, Munazah Shah (senior broadcast journalist) and Vedabhyas Kundu (expert in nonviolent communication) interview Kumar Kalanand Mani, a veteran Gandhian and a noted environmental activist from Goa. He had a background of nine years active full-time involvement in the Sarvodaya – Bhoodan Movement in Bihar and then as a fully committed participant in the JP movement and the Chhatra Sangharsha Samiti from 1974.

Munazah Shah: Sir, given the criticality of environmental concerns today, please share the importance of Gandhian vision of human interdependence and how is it important today?

Kumar Kalanan Mani: In the era of population burst, mindless consumption, growing disparity and violence or volatile social and environmental atmosphere, Mahatma Gandhi's own life-messages have become extremely relevant as answer to almost all issues human and nature confronting today. The environment, economy and social mirage find answers in non-violent forms of living having perfect synergy between nature and existence of all forms of life on the earth. Munazah and Vedabhyas, I tell you we have to work incessantly keeping in mind the principles of satya and ahimsa to counter the concerns of environment or other problems confronting us. Also of course the foundation has to be the philosophy of human interdependence. On the importance of truth, let us remind ourselves of these apt quote of the Mahatma, “All our activity should be centered in Truth. Truth should be the very breath of our life. When once this stage in the pilgrim's progress is reached, all other rules of correct living will come without effort, and obedience to them will be instinctive. But without Truth it is impossible to observe any principles or rules in life.” (From Yeravda Mandir).

Vedabhyas Kundu: Sir, linked to the question by Munazah, how can the Gandhian philosophy of trusteeship help greater understanding of our approach to resource management and environmental sustainability in the context of global climate change?

Kumar Kalanan Mani: The growing monopoly by the few over all forms of resources including natural and human, both are the main cause of exploitation, disparity and disharmony. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for the equal partnership between labour and capital. One may have better skills for amassing wealth, but as per Gandhiji it must be used for social well being. Monopolization of the wealth leads to unregulated, uncontrolled and irresponsible exploitation and lawlessness. Therefore whether corporate owned economic activities or government owned, its sole objectives should be all-round welfare the people without harming the natural resources.

Gandhi's trusteeship welcomes individuals for making wealth because of their ability to do so, with two objectives while making the wealth, first use it for meeting their own need and second to use the wealth largely for social wellbeing. The wealth creation should be done solely with social purposes. Here let us remember Bapu and his idea of trusteeship, “My theory of ‘trusteeship’ is no make-shift, certainly no camouflage. I am confident that it will survive all other theories. It has the sanction of philosophy and religion behind it. That possessors of wealth have not acted up to the theory does not prove its falsity; it proves the weakness of the wealthy. No other theory is compatible with non-violence. In the non-violent method wrong-doer compasses his own end, if he does not undo the wrong. For, either through non-violent non-co-operation he is made to see the error, or he finds himself completely isolated.” (Harijan, 16-12-1939).

Munazah Shah: What role does the Gandhian values of compassion and service play in fostering social cohesion and addressing issues of inequalities in an increasingly fragmented society?

Kumar Kalanan Mani: Kindly recall why the civil disobedience movement was withdrawn despite the fact that agitators had killed the policemen of the colonial government? Why was Charkha and Khadi propagated as one of the key activities since 1920 and why removal of untouchability was a main programme for achieving and sustaining the Swarajya? Besides rejecting methods of violence to achieve swarajya, unity and cooperation among Hindu and Muslim remained the focal programme of Gandhiji led struggle for India's freedom. Compassion is one of the core values of civilised, equal human society which wins over the negative values like exploitation, hate and violence. Therefore he wrote to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru that we would have left with no option except leading violent acts in different parts of the country if we failed to reject it now. He in another confession, lauded that I am not fighting only for the independence of India, but through India's independence, trying to make the whole world non-violent. Non-violence can't become eternal, spiritual values in the absence of compassion which is the uniqueness of the human-life. Gandhiji respected the diversity of leading human life, be it religion, race, gender, class and culture. Therefore he said that "My Life is My Message". His life-messages lie in 18 Constructive Programmes, 11 vows and seven social sins.

Vedabhyas Kundu: Sir, how do you think the Gandhian concept of truthfulness can serve the foundation for building trust in today’s society? This is more critical in the backdrop of widespread misinformation and disinformation?

Kumar Kalanand Mani: The widespread misinformation today is primarily an act of denial of the truth. The truth is always based on authentic evidence and the human's own sincere attempt to be equipped with good humanitarian values. This also requires that we win-over the negative, harmful attitude of hate, envy, aggression and arrogance.

Munazah Shah and Vedabhyas Kundu: Sir, how do you think the Mahatma’s ahimsa help counter contemporary conflicts- whether in communities or at the global level?

Kumar Kalanan Mani: I have no doubt that the world today is afraid of clouds of violence and there is a big search for the peaceful-coexistence. In such search Mahatma Gandhi is their first shelter to move together of a globalised world free from war, exploitation, domination and make it a loving planet to live with each-one's co-operation and sacrifice.

The recent death of an Ernst & Young (EY) employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26 due to extreme and grueling work pressure has once again stirred the hornet’s nest on the toxic and taxing work culture in different organizations and companies. Anna was working as a chartered accountant with S R Batliboi, which is a member firm of EY Global in Pune, Maharastra. According to different news reports, the National Human Rights Commission has asked organizations to review their work culture so as to ensure alignment with global human rights standards.

While the unfortunate demise of Anna is an example of extreme and toxic work place culture where no values are given to individuals and their lives while there tends to be glorification of over-work and achievement of targets at any cost, a very large number of individuals express deep concern at the lack of initiatives to improve work place cultures.

According to Sayantani Roy, Assistant Director, Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication and Management, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, many of her students who are placed in different companies complain of poor working environment where there is not only poor value given to individual’s dignity, but the thrust is on over-work and even unethical practices. “Has our workplaces lost their humanity?” she quips and talks about the existential dilemma of many young people, “You quit one job because of toxic work environment, but there is a possibility that you may land in a worse place!”

Roy explains the unfortunate case of Anna or others who may end up becoming mental wreck due to toxic work cultures is not due to organizations themselves but the individuals or small groups within them. Such individuals, according to her start acting as if they own everything and everyone in the organization, even daring to freely manipulating others according to their whims and fancies. They promote bitter and bad politics so that their stranglehold remains and continue their own and their inner circles elevation, she points out.

While arguing on the need to promote a more compassionate and balanced work culture in organizations, Prof K V Nagaraj, former pro-vice chancellor of Assam Central University, underlines that it is all about encouraging deeper human connections and not superficial engagements in organizations. He argues that all the humbug about 14-hour work culture with enhanced productivity is totally gibberish; in reality the human body cannot take such long hours of pain and work load. In fact, it declines productivity and innovativeness, he stresses pointing out that human brain will not be able to register properly the work beyond 8-9 hours.

“This is why increasingly we find young people developing heart problems, other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, sleeping disorders, depression, etc.” Prof Nagaraj points out, “Mental ailments is becoming a major life threatening issue in contemporary times due to pathetic work conditions where individuals are not treated as human beings.” For him the mantra to get over with such grim work place condition should be to give mental and physical health greater priority than work. It should not only be an employees’ priority but also be ingrained in the DNA of organizations, otherwise we will keep having unfortunate incidents like that of Anna, he underlines.

Also both at the individual and organizational level, there should be introduction to mindfulness practices along with other avenues to de-stress. Prof Nagaraj also advocates on the need to use the strategies and tools of nonviolent communication in organizational communication ecosystems so that it helps in the evolution of a harmonious work environment. Ensuring psychological and physical safety of employees has to be the top priority of employees, he stresses.

“We have to reclaim the spirit of humanism and human values in our institutions and companies,” this was Prof Nagaraj’s singular call to organizations across the country.

Meanwhile Rajaram (name changed on request) who works in an organization where he says is now bereft of human values, sharing his own experience laments at the fact that overworking is often glorified as ambition or dedication, while employees who prioritize mental and physical health are seen as lacking commitment.

“This dehumanizing approach turns employees into mere assets, forcing them to deliver results at the expense of their health and well-being. Such a system, where profits are valued more than people, pushes individuals to the brink, creating a workforce that is unhealthy and unsustainable,” Rajaram contends.

Unfortunate incidents like Anna’s death is a warning signal that it’s time for organizations to recognize that their true assets are their people, not their profits. Rajaram elaborates on what needs to be done, “Workplaces must prioritize mental health, encourage open conversations about stress, and foster compassionate leadership. The tragic loss of these young professionals serves as a wake-up call. We must stop glorifying overwork and start advocating for a healthier, more humane approach to success—because no job is worth dying for. “