A Clear Sky, A Clouded Mind
MISCELLANEOUS
Surbhi Sharma
4/10/20252 min read


A Clear Sky, A Clouded Mind
Surbhi Sharma
07 April 2025
Himachal Pradesh
I come from a small, beautiful village nestled among green fields and clear skies. My childhood was a peaceful one, filled with the gentle chirping of sparrows in the morning, the soothing “maauu” of cows in the evening, and the earthy smell of the soil after rain. Everything around me felt alive, pure, and comforting. I grew up believing that I was surrounded by beauty — not just in nature, but in people too. But as I grew older, my perspective began to shift. Despite the clean environment around me, I started noticing something unsettling — the lack of sensitivity in people’s minds. There was a disconnect between the purity of nature and the harshness of social attitudes. And this realization came from something deeply personal. My father, the most beloved person in my life, had a hearing disability. A gentle, intelligent, and kind man, he faced the world with quiet dignity. But many around us failed to see that. I remember how people would make careless remarks, mimic him, or speak about him as if he weren’t standing right there. These moments, small for them, left a lasting ache in me. The insensitivity, the lack of empathy — it hurt.As a child, I didn’t fully understand it, but I felt it deeply. I often wondered: how could people living amidst such natural beauty be so unkind? Years later, I moved to Delhi for higher studies. Life in the city was different, busier, and louder. But surprisingly, it also felt more understanding. I noticed people being more vocal about disability rights, more aware, more cautious with their words. Public spaces had ramps. Awareness campaigns were visible. People tried to make space — emotionally and physically — for those with disabilities. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something.
That contrast between my village and the city made me reflect on a simple but powerful truth: a clean environment doesn’t mean a compassionate society. A quiet village can still echo with judgment, and a chaotic city can still offer kindness.I still hold my village close to my heart. I cherish its rivers, birds, and open skies. But I also wish it could open its mind as much as it opens its arms. I dream of a village where people, especially elders like my father, are met with respect and empathy not mockery.
We often talk about development in terms of infrastructure or technology. But real development begins in the heart — in how we treat each other.
I believe the day we start building cleaner minds, not just cleaner spaces, is the day we truly grow as a society. With a heart full of emotions , I want to express my deepest gratitude to Humanity@2047. This beautiful platform gave me the space to pause, to look within, and to give words to my story — a story filled with moments of struggle, learning, hope, and strength.
Thank you for believing in the power of stories, for creating a space where voices like mine can be heard, and for reminding us that every experience — no matter how ordinary it may seem — carries the potential to inspire, heal, and connect.
May Humanity@2047 continue to shine as a lighthouse for countless others, guiding them to share, to feel, and to belong.
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