What is a memento? More than a mere object, it is a tangible expression of respect, recognition or remembrance. Rooted in the Latin word memento meaning remember, a memento is meant to capture a moment or honor an achievement. However, in today’s world of impressive occasions and elaborate gatherings, the essence of giving mementos often feels diluted, buried under layers of compulsion, hierarchy and misguided priorities.
Imagine a bustling conference hall filled with dignitaries, speakers and participants. As the event commences or draws to a close, mementos begin to appear—a parade of plaques, trophies, shawls and tokens handed out in rapid succession. But when a single gathering of 100 people sees 50 mementos distributed, does the act maintain its meaning?
The reasons for this crazy show are many. Sometimes, it arises from a culture of pleasing everyone. The organizers, eager to avoid offending any particular group, decide to distribute mementos generously, often without considering their significance. Sometimes, they give mementos to themselves as well! A memento that should feel like a heartfelt gesture instead becomes a generic, mass-produced object handed out as an afterthought.
Then there’s the complex web of hierarchy and protocol. In many events, deserving individuals are overlooked to maintain decorum and deference to rank. A senior official, who may have little connection to the event’s purpose, receives a memento while the person who contributed meaningfully to the gathering, goes unnoticed. This practice, imposed by local culture and unspoken rules, erodes the true intent of honoring merit and achievement.
Another strong influence behind this trend is the need to create a spectacle. Organizers often fear that a limited distribution of mementos will make the event appear less grand or prestigious. In a bid to showcase grandness of the event and goodwill of event managers, they involuntarily rob the act of its sanctity. The recipients, in turn, begin to view mementos as little more than event memorabilia rather than symbols of genuine recognition.
Even personal egos and biases play a role. In some cases, individuals demand or expect mementos as a mark of their importance, regardless of their actual contribution. This mistaken sense of entitlement leads to a slanted distribution that diminishes the value of the gesture for those who truly deserve it.
So, the moot point is how to reclaim the essence of mementos? How to ensure they remain noteworthy and influential? How to regain the lost art of meaningful giving? The answer lies in rethinking our motivations and acclaiming authenticity. A memento should tell a story—a story of hardwork, steadiness, inspiration or excellence. It should remind the recipients of their value and struggle, and leave an indelible mark on their memory.
Imagine if mementos are given sparingly, only to those whose contributions truly align with the event’s purpose! Visualize the applause when a teacher who inspired generations of students is handed a token of appreciation at a ceremony. Think about the emotion when a nurse who went beyond the call of duty during a crisis is celebrated with a heartfelt souvenir.
To reach this ideal, we must rise above the petty constraints of protocol, politics and pretence. A memento should never be a tool to curry favor or stroke egos. Instead, it should be a genuine and pure gesture, given with sincerity and received with pride.
Perhaps the time has come to redefine what a memento means to us. It’s not just a keepsake; it should demonstrate the values we uphold as individuals and as a society. When we give with purpose, we breathe life into the object, transform it from a mere possession into a cherished memory.
Let the memento be a statement of gratitude rather than a shout for attention or self-aggrandizement. Let it be a bridge between the giver and the receiver, a symbol of connection that goes beyond the fleeting features of events. Let it, above all, mean something.
