"Success on Paper, Humanity at Loss"

In today's world, where degrees, marksheets, and professional achievements often define a person's worth, we seem to have forgotten the essence of being a good human. Academic success can shape careers, but it cannot teach basic human values like kindness, empathy, respect, and integrity. A well-educated person can still lack emotional intelligence, and a highly successful individual can still fail in treating others with dignity. Unfortunately, our society has started placing more emphasis on external accomplishments than internal character, leading to a decline in genuine human connections.

Spending six to seven years alone in a different city, away from family, teaches many life lessons. It is an experience that can mold a person, making them self-reliant and independent. However, one of the harshest realities of such an experience is realizing how rare genuine relationships are. Many people find themselves surrounded by acquaintances but lacking true friends. The social circles may be vast, but sincerity is often absent. There is no value in having numerous so-called friends if they do not respect you, if they talk behind your back, or if they only reach out when they need something. Friendship is not about numbers; it is about depth, trust, and mutual respect.

The unfortunate truth is that in today’s time, kindness is often mistaken for weakness. People who are compassionate and giving are frequently taken for granted or, worse, exploited for their generosity. It is disheartening to see how common it has become for individuals to use others for personal gain, disregarding their feelings and emotions in the process. In a world where self-interest reigns supreme, the concept of valuing another person without an ulterior motive seems to be fading away. The ability to respect and appreciate someone without expecting benefits in return is what differentiates a good human from the rest.

Respect is a fundamental value that should be non-negotiable, yet many fail to practice it. Respect is not just about addressing someone politely or being courteous in public; it is about valuing people in their absence as well. It is about speaking well of them when they are not around, supporting them without expecting recognition, and being mindful of their emotions. Unfortunately, respect today is often conditional—given only when there is something to gain or when societal norms demand it. True respect, however, is unconditional and stems from the understanding that every person has inherent worth.

Another aspect that seems to be vanishing is gratitude. People rarely acknowledge the kindness they receive. It has become common to take others for granted, assuming that they will always be there, no matter how they are treated. But relationships—whether friendships, family bonds, or romantic connections—are not one-sided. They require effort, appreciation, and genuine care. The moment people start treating others as dispensable, humanity loses its essence.

People now move on from relationships, friendships, and even family ties the moment they feel slightly inconvenienced. Instead of resolving conflicts, they prefer to cut ties. Instead of valuing long-term connections, they seek short-lived interactions. This shift has made emotional depth rare and superficiality the new norm.

Hurting someone’s feelings, using them for personal benefits, and treating others with disregard should never be normalized. It is not cool; it is not a sign of strength or superiority. If anything, it reflects a lack of character and emotional maturity. True strength lies in kindness, in standing by people when they need you, in respecting them not just in their presence but also in their absence, and in being a person of integrity even when no one is watching.

At the end of the day, what truly matters is not how many degrees we have, how much money we earn, or how many connections we build on the surface. What matters is the kind of person we become—the values we uphold, the kindness we extend, and the respect we give to those around us. Because when all is said and done, the world will remember us not for our achievements but for the way we made others feel.