Times really have changed. For good or bad, that is the question.
They say that change is inevitable. I agree. I am no longer the same kid who used to travel to school with a pouch on his back. My dad has a few grey streaks now. My dog has grown old. These are natural changes. But what about the social, political and uncharacteristic transformations that have taken place in the last few years?
I remember the times when the kirana shop was the ultimate destination for all our monthly ration grievances? Now, a Big Bazaar does not suffice. We probably need Wal-Marts now.
I remember the times when a one-rupee chewing gum was considered an expensive daily proposition for the parents. Now, parents feel that their children don't get enough - even if they blow up thousand rupees in a Go-Kart arena.
I remember the times when an Engineering or a Medical grade was judged as the superior most degree. Now a double MBA is not good enough - maybe, a triple MBA with a post-doctoral degree in Economics sound okay.
I remember the times when a trip to a foreign land translated into a luxury - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Something that people could only dream off. And now, a vacation abroad every year has become a necessity.
I hold no evil against those who can spend and want to do so. And neither do I have empathy for those who cant. I am just too indifferent on that. However, what bothers me is the nature of the change. Do we really need all these? Would be really find happiness on the other side of this money-spinning rainbow? Does this change is lifestyle and societal existence bring in the ultimate solace that we are in search of?
Some may say that I am being overtly cynical here. But if we seriously think about it, then probably somewhere we would understand that bliss is in small things. Things we very conveniently forget and ignore. Let us be honest to our own hearts. How long can we dupe our own selves?
Can we today not say that we will cherish in what we get and not push hard and try to get what we probably don't deserve? Or don't need?...
Like, can we just not throw up our hands in the air and proclaim, " I am not going abroad this year. Let me spend that time with my parents - back in Ambala. Parents who have been waiting to see me for 7 years. I know I have a busy schedule and I am really hard-pressed for time. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity and go and visit them."
Or probably reprimand our children by saying, " Amit, you don't need to watch the movie in a multiplex with your friends. Why don't you just call them over for a game of Pictionary?"
Most readers by now must have been laughing at the improbability and the stupidity of my ideas. Those exact readers are my TA. This blog is precisely for them. It's very easy to say that going against change is difficult. I agree. But, in the same breath, let me add that is not impossible.
Gandhiji had done it in the past. He could change the fate of a nation through his principles. Osama has done it - he has single-handedly taken up the fight against the Capitalist society. I am not glorifying his deeds. I am no judge. What I am trying to say is that go getting for little things can make huge differences.
Now the essential point bounces back - do we need the change?
Yes, we do - I say. Because we have lost the concept to value things - somewhere during the transition. Today, a child doesn't know the worth of a one-rupee coin. Today, a man does not understand the essence of women. Today, a cricketer or a politician doesn't realize the responsibility that they carry on their shoulder. Today, a teenager doesn't know how many families get affected by a single act of drunken driving. Today, a mother has conveniently forgotten that between her career and her child - her child needs more attention. Today, a glittering party makes more news than a dead farmer or for that matter, a dead soldier. Today, an innocent bearded guy is deemed more of a threat than a dangerous rapist in the neighborhood.
And that is where I put my foot in. Things have changed a lot - some good; some bad.
And we need to nip the evolution at its bud before things turn really sour. We need to assess and value things and find the spirit in little things.
As they say, we need to find the god in small things!!!
About the AuthorAbhijit Bhattacharya The author is a Marketing professional in the field of broadcast media for more than 9 years now.
He was born in Kolkata, where he finished his hig...Read Morefirst published:October 05, 2006, 14:21 ISTlast updated:October 05, 2006, 14:21 IST
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It was a bleak morning in Mumbai. The clouds were heavy; the breeze cold. And as usual, I was missing being in Kolkata at this point in time. It was Bijoya Dashami - the last day of Durga Pujo and the time I most awaited. Time to go to the homes of all our relatives and friends. Wish them and take the blessings from the elders. And then the sweets. I was absorbed in these thoughts when suddenly I received an sms. It read, " Times have changed. No need to travel - Just a simple sms to wish you 'Subho Bijoya'". And then it struck me...
Times really have changed. For good or bad, that is the question.
They say that change is inevitable. I agree. I am no longer the same kid who used to travel to school with a pouch on his back. My dad has a few grey streaks now. My dog has grown old. These are natural changes. But what about the social, political and uncharacteristic transformations that have taken place in the last few years?
I remember the times when the kirana shop was the ultimate destination for all our monthly ration grievances? Now, a Big Bazaar does not suffice. We probably need Wal-Marts now.
I remember the times when a one-rupee chewing gum was considered an expensive daily proposition for the parents. Now, parents feel that their children don't get enough - even if they blow up thousand rupees in a Go-Kart arena.
I remember the times when an Engineering or a Medical grade was judged as the superior most degree. Now a double MBA is not good enough - maybe, a triple MBA with a post-doctoral degree in Economics sound okay.
I remember the times when a trip to a foreign land translated into a luxury - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Something that people could only dream off. And now, a vacation abroad every year has become a necessity.
I hold no evil against those who can spend and want to do so. And neither do I have empathy for those who cant. I am just too indifferent on that. However, what bothers me is the nature of the change. Do we really need all these? Would be really find happiness on the other side of this money-spinning rainbow? Does this change is lifestyle and societal existence bring in the ultimate solace that we are in search of?
Some may say that I am being overtly cynical here. But if we seriously think about it, then probably somewhere we would understand that bliss is in small things. Things we very conveniently forget and ignore. Let us be honest to our own hearts. How long can we dupe our own selves?
Can we today not say that we will cherish in what we get and not push hard and try to get what we probably don't deserve? Or don't need?...
Like, can we just not throw up our hands in the air and proclaim, " I am not going abroad this year. Let me spend that time with my parents - back in Ambala. Parents who have been waiting to see me for 7 years. I know I have a busy schedule and I am really hard-pressed for time. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity and go and visit them."
Or probably reprimand our children by saying, " Amit, you don't need to watch the movie in a multiplex with your friends. Why don't you just call them over for a game of Pictionary?"
Most readers by now must have been laughing at the improbability and the stupidity of my ideas. Those exact readers are my TA. This blog is precisely for them. It's very easy to say that going against change is difficult. I agree. But, in the same breath, let me add that is not impossible.
Gandhiji had done it in the past. He could change the fate of a nation through his principles. Osama has done it - he has single-handedly taken up the fight against the Capitalist society. I am not glorifying his deeds. I am no judge. What I am trying to say is that go getting for little things can make huge differences.
Now the essential point bounces back - do we need the change?
Yes, we do - I say. Because we have lost the concept to value things - somewhere during the transition. Today, a child doesn't know the worth of a one-rupee coin. Today, a man does not understand the essence of women. Today, a cricketer or a politician doesn't realize the responsibility that they carry on their shoulder. Today, a teenager doesn't know how many families get affected by a single act of drunken driving. Today, a mother has conveniently forgotten that between her career and her child - her child needs more attention. Today, a glittering party makes more news than a dead farmer or for that matter, a dead soldier. Today, an innocent bearded guy is deemed more of a threat than a dangerous rapist in the neighborhood.
And that is where I put my foot in. Things have changed a lot - some good; some bad.
And we need to nip the evolution at its bud before things turn really sour. We need to assess and value things and find the spirit in little things.
As they say, we need to find the god in small things!!!
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