After some prayer for the animals, and as well as about a day and a half of sleeping on, I've decided to do the following:
If the general subject of animals, or vegetarianism is brought up, I will mention it. But I am not going to bring it up or go out of my way to talk about what happened or my feelings on it. Mind you, only 3-4 people in this family compound of 20 know about it.
The reason I am taking this action is several fold:
(1) Interestingly, the night I was planning on revealing this information to the larger family (10-15 members), we did not have family dinner. Also, due to random circumstances, the next day we did not have any family meals at the clubhouse at all the next day as well. This morning I went to the clubhouse for breakfast and it was just me and my mother. This has never happened since I've been here since December 25, 2012 - we always have meals together. I suppose this is a sort of message/interesting coincidence.
(2) My driver, on his own, told me that he is not going to give any more pesticide to the cook. He also told me that he went off on the cook for basically lying to him initially about why he wanted the pesticide, and about doing such a thing to the animals. I also feel comfortable in the fact that since I've been here, the driver has really been interested in my spiritual philosophy, and has integrated foreign (to many Indians) concepts such as the idea that love is given freely, not just to those who deserve it. For example, he asked me why I gave beggars money who could clearly work. I asked him why he gives his friends gifts. He said basically he likes them. I told them that was the reason I give all beggars money, as long as they are not clearly going to use it to hurt others. I also told him that I don't think God (I like using the word universe, but I'm not sure he would have understood) loves some people less or more than others, so why should we. He really seemed to think about this.
(3) The firing of the driver and cook are real dangers. And to someone who is willing to cover things up, I don't know if me revealing the poisoning would do anything other than get those people fired, because after all I'm leaving on January 29th for probably a couple years till the next visit. I figure leaving people with a big heart like my driver in positions where they can stop plans in motion may be better than appealing to a family where the person with the most anger wins (my family is known for their tempers. Yes, many have died to cancer at an early age).
I'm not sure this is the best decision, and I may just go off when I see my great uncle, I don't know. And I definitely don't like to be a passive person. But I think the fact that the driver has compassion, and the balls to at least talk to other people employed at his level about right and wrong, makes me feel a lot more comfortable.
If the general subject of animals, or vegetarianism is brought up, I will mention it. But I am not going to bring it up or go out of my way to talk about what happened or my feelings on it. Mind you, only 3-4 people in this family compound of 20 know about it.
The reason I am taking this action is several fold:
(1) Interestingly, the night I was planning on revealing this information to the larger family (10-15 members), we did not have family dinner. Also, due to random circumstances, the next day we did not have any family meals at the clubhouse at all the next day as well. This morning I went to the clubhouse for breakfast and it was just me and my mother. This has never happened since I've been here since December 25, 2012 - we always have meals together. I suppose this is a sort of message/interesting coincidence.
(2) My driver, on his own, told me that he is not going to give any more pesticide to the cook. He also told me that he went off on the cook for basically lying to him initially about why he wanted the pesticide, and about doing such a thing to the animals. I also feel comfortable in the fact that since I've been here, the driver has really been interested in my spiritual philosophy, and has integrated foreign (to many Indians) concepts such as the idea that love is given freely, not just to those who deserve it. For example, he asked me why I gave beggars money who could clearly work. I asked him why he gives his friends gifts. He said basically he likes them. I told them that was the reason I give all beggars money, as long as they are not clearly going to use it to hurt others. I also told him that I don't think God (I like using the word universe, but I'm not sure he would have understood) loves some people less or more than others, so why should we. He really seemed to think about this.
(3) The firing of the driver and cook are real dangers. And to someone who is willing to cover things up, I don't know if me revealing the poisoning would do anything other than get those people fired, because after all I'm leaving on January 29th for probably a couple years till the next visit. I figure leaving people with a big heart like my driver in positions where they can stop plans in motion may be better than appealing to a family where the person with the most anger wins (my family is known for their tempers. Yes, many have died to cancer at an early age).
I'm not sure this is the best decision, and I may just go off when I see my great uncle, I don't know. And I definitely don't like to be a passive person. But I think the fact that the driver has compassion, and the balls to at least talk to other people employed at his level about right and wrong, makes me feel a lot more comfortable.
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