We live in a world with several social and economic inequalities; The structures created over centuries have become ingrained, not just in our societal set-up, but if we are not careful, in our way of thinking as well. Inequality is not about having more or less, that will always be. Real inequality is considering someone else as a lesser person than us.

We often draw our strength from what we have and our position in society. Sometimes we don’t realise it, but we tend to ‘classify’ people based on where they come from. Even as we are caring in our interactions, we may be living with this sub-conscious divide within. It is only when we bridge this subtle divide in ourselves, will we be able to truly integrate ourselves.

Accepting someone as a person, without a label, removes inequality. When we challenge our conditioning and break our inner prejudices and biases, we realise that we are the same.

Respecting the person and not the title, removes inequality. There may be protocols we follow when we meet people, but the respect we give everyone should be equal.

Inclusiveness removes inequality. Our willingness and ability to include diversity in our teams and friends, not only enriches the outcome, it helps us grow as a person.

Many of us are privileged in many ways. It is very easy to draw comfort from that and live a cocooned life in a subtle manner. It is easy to become judgemental and discriminative without realising it. When we view our privilege as a responsibility and not a differentiator, we release ourselves from unseen bondages.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and becoming part of someone else’s life having a very different background, breaks inequality.

Lincoln worked to abolish slavery, Gandhi crusaded against untouchability, Martin Luther King fought for civil rights. We may not have the calling or capacity to change the world at large, but we do have the capacity to change our world. It starts with being brutally honest with ourselves and changing our inner world.