The Honourable Lieutenant Governor, in his Teacher’s Day message’ urged educators to nurture values of respect, responsibility, and environmental consciousness among future generations. “God forgives, man forgives, but nature retaliates before it forgives,” he said and this powerful analogy is a reminder of a truth that is often ignored by us. While divine mercy and human compassion come swiftly, nature’s forgiveness does not come without consequence.
When we tamper with nature by polluting rivers, cutting down forests, or disturbing ecosystems, it doesn’t respond with quiet acceptance. It strikes back—through wildfires, floods, droughts, storms and shakings. It does do it out of cruelty, but as a way to restore balance. Nature’s retaliation is its language of correction, a way of balancing what humans have thrown out of harmony.
The beauty of Nature is that even after this harsh response, it shows an extraordinary capacity to heal. Nature regenerates, rivers cleanse themselves, and ecosystems rebuild when given time and respect. In this way, nature forgives too—but only after demanding accountability.
This analogy made by Honourable LG is a wake-up call for all of us to realize that God’s forgiveness may be infinite, and man’s forgiveness may be conditional, but nature’s forgiveness comes with a price. The floods that sweep away cities, the heat waves that claim lives, the earthquakes and Tsunamis that create massive ruptures and the pandemics that shake societies are reminders that we cannot ruthlessly exploit the Earth without facing its reaction.
If we wish for nature’s gentler forgiveness, we must dwell in harmony with it. Conserving natural resources, planting trees, reducing waste, and respecting biodiversity are not mere acts of charity but our survival strategies. Nature’s reprisal is fierce, but its forgiveness is abundant if we align our actions and intuitions with its rhythms.
The analogy is actually a profound lesson in humility and a call for educators to carry this great vision forward to future generations. It stands as a testament to the vital role teachers can play as true ambassadors in protecting nature, ensuring that coming generations respect and benefit from its countless gifts. Indeed, we cannot bend nature to our will without facing consequences. Instead, we must learn from its patience and resilience and accordingly strive not only to prevent its retaliation but to earn its quiet, enduring forgiveness.
The writer is an educator. rwani48@gmail.com