If you're not lighting any candle, don t complain about the dark Be the Change Most of us are at ease with complaining about rampant corruption, evil practices, degradation of values, etc. No wonder, it has become our second nature to find faults with people and systems without looking for their remedies in right earnest. Complaining or whining about a problem is not the solution. Complaining is futile unless it's paired with doing. For a better world, we all need to commit ourselves to bringing about positive changes in our own life and the immediate world around us. Before blaming anyone, we need to ask ourselves, what have we done to improve the situation? We ought to assess our worth by the value of our own contribution. It's not a question of who's going to throw the first stone; it s a question of who's going to start building with it. Even though we may not have any concrete results to show to the world, nevertheless we should not underestimate the positive impact of our actions on others. We must remember that each word spoken and each attempt made are like a drop of water fallen into a pool. The drop itself may disappear, but it will create ripples that will reach far beyond its imagination. Though our contribution may be inadequate, yet we are necessary for world change. A young man complained to God, You call yourself the Creator of this world. But what a mess you've made in creating in this way: poverty, hunger, injustices, riots and what not! Why don t you do something to make the world a better place? God replied him, I have done something about it. I made YOU!" Let us be the change then! ASHOK MAHAJAN Director, Rotary International (2007-09) Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2009-13)