વાઇરલ ઇન્ફેક્શન Viral Infection (Why Don't Good Habits Spread?)

વાઇરસ રોગ ફેલાવે છે; લેખક પૂછે છે કે સારી ટેવ કેમ ન ફેલાય.

The essay opens with a talk between the writer and his doctor friend. A virus is a tiny germ that causes disease and spreads fast from person to person. The writer turns the word 'infection' around - if disease spreads, why can't a good habit spread too?

ગંદકી અને ખરાબ ટેવ ઝટ ફેલાય; હોસ્પિટલ પણ ગંદી હોય છે.

The writer observes that dirt, carelessness and bad habits spread as easily as a contagion. Even hospitals, where cleanliness matters most, are often found unclean. What is wrong is accepted at once, but people hesitate before a good idea.

ખરાબ ટેવ ઝટ નકલાય, સારી ટેવ ધીમે ફેલાય - કાશ સારી ટેવ પણ ચેપી હોત!

Bad things like smoking and showy fashion are copied quickly, while virtues such as cleanliness, discipline and humility spread slowly. The writer wishes, half in jest, that good habits too could be as 'infectious' as a viral infection.

ગાંધીજી ગંદકીને આધ્યાત્મિક ભૂલ ગણતા; સ્વચ્છતા એ સંસ્કારનું રૂપ છે.

The writer recalls Gandhiji, who saw disease and dirt not merely as physical but as a spiritual failing. One who cannot keep his own body clean, how will he think of others' good? Thus cleanliness becomes the outward form of inner refinement.

સ્વચ્છતા ને સદ્ભાવ પણ ચેપની જેમ ફેલાવા જોઈએ; શરૂઆત જાતથી કરો.

With a smile, the essay gives a serious message - cleanliness, good habits and goodwill should also pass from person to person. If each of us begins with ourselves, a good thing too can spread through society like a contagion.