The Good, the Bad and the Bug up your Arse

Today, we find ourselves living in a world so profound, yet so wretched. We can walk on water, we can fly without wings, we can heal people, and we can build a paradise; such is the magnificence of the human genius, unparalleled and unrelenting. However, at the same time we kill each other inhumanly, we connive and conspire against each other for temporary worldly things; such less is the value of the human genius, unforgiving and ungodly.

So why do we do such things? Why do we choose to be so evil, so corrupt, and so weak in the face of power? What is the root cause of all evils? Is it money? Or is it power? Is it perhaps our failure to accept Jesus as our one true saviour?  – A question ever so clichéd, yet whose answer is ever so elusive.

Perhaps we are meant to be so. Some are good, and some are bad – the usual two sides of the coin. Maybe Satan and God are waging an epic war in the skies, and that is being reflected here on earth; well, the church would certainly like to believe so.

Image Courtesy - www.comicvine.com

Well, let’s look at this whole conundrum this way – nobody is black or white, we are all just grey. Who is to decide if someone is right or wrong? It is all a matter of perspective. While we, as humans form rules to set the rights and wrongs apart, we do so knowing that we ourselves are fallible, and full of fallacies. Walter White will definitely concur.

However, there is one thing, one common characteristic that governs the entirety of our human race, and that is the need for something more, a need for something else. Human beings are in this constant search for satisfaction, which they will never get, for the grass is well and truly, greener on the other side.

There is this proverbial bug up every human’s arse that makes him so dynamic. The pauper will direct his whole life towards the quest for wealth, but the moment he finds his treasure, he will drift away towards other new needs. That’s how life works. The beggar with his family will have no money to feed it, and the lonely billionaire will have no family to spend the money on. So we will continue our quests, never stopping, never satisfied.

Even the Rolling Stones agree.

The stone-age man had everything – a barbequed dinosaur, a scantily clothed wife, and a 3-BHK cave to dwell in. He wanted more though, he wanted to explore; so he invented the wheel. You would think that exploring the world would be enough, but no, he now wanted to rule it. So he built armies. So what if people died for his desires? It is desire that drives a man. Man now had the world on his fingers, but of course, he’s not content. He wants more. So now he destroys the forests, kills all dragons, poaches animals, and loots his own people. He then decides that while all this may be okay, the bug up his arse wants more. So he visits the moons and the planets.

Even a 5 year old kid will pester his parents for the latest toy, only to discard it after a new one comes up (Apple fan boys will relate). You see, there is no end. It is not money, or power that propels a man, but man himself, and his constant need for something more.

Image Courtesy - www.mattandkatieblog.com.au

Do not mistake that ‘something more’ for greed. It is not greed, but the dynamism of humans. We can’t just stay put, we have to do more! It is because man did more that we can now talk through phones which are smarter than most of us. It is because man did more that we can have unfathomable information on our palms. It is because man did more that we know about those stars which are inconceivable distances away.

Learn to love this bug.

We are humans. We create. We destroy. It is not in our nature to stop. There is no root cause of evil, for there is no good or bad, only perspective …

Education, simplified.

Ideas are bulletproof – the protagonist from the acclaimed film ‘V for Vendetta’ makes quite a statement here, and rightly so. As human beings, our progress has been driven by ideas. Telephones, air planes, computers, infrastructure, science, art, commerce, all these were merely ideas at one point of time. A figment of constructive imagination that shaped the world we live in today.

We live in an absurdly amazing world which has boundless fodder for a curious mind to feed upon, if only we decide to. Over the ages, we have developed this system called education which enables us, and instructs us to feed upon this fodder.

Education is most definitely an answer to most of India’s pressing problems; it is a solution which hits the right areas, and promises betterment right from the grass-root levels. Unfortunately, this system has devolved in this enigmatic nation of ours.

Forget the fact that basic education is still not accessible to the masses, due to an array of reasons which can be documented on another day. Let us have a look at the education system that is prevalent in India. Take a metropolitan city – Mumbai. We see children and adolescents routinely going to institutions and returning home all enlightened and educated.  Look closely, and the cracks appear.

The average school going 10-year old boy packs a bag heavy enough even for a polar bear to carry around. His schedule is busier than or as busy as his fully developed adult father, riddled with school, tons of expensive classes, and extra-curricular activities which he will be forced to leave once he reaches 10th standard. The streets used to be replete with young souls playing cricket, football and a multitude of little interesting games – which are now probably extinct. These streets can now be found empty in the evenings, because children have to attend those mandatory classes.

In this large-scaled disarray, Angad Nadkarni, an 18 year old hacking genius comes up with an idea.

This video was presented by Franklin Templeton Investments which partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012.

Angad says, why stress the minds of the child with unnecessary clutter? Why do they need a digest, class notes, professor’s notes, text book and friend’s notes to study for one paper? Well, most of it is gibberish, with only handful of important information that needs to be learnt for the exams, information which embodies the syllabus in a concise and proficient manner.

Angad’s app ‘Examify’ does precisely that. Angad, along with his people performs a lot of complex operations which involves a lot of esoteric terms. Ultimately, the app presents to the students, the quintessential information which they need to study for the examination. This gives them a proper direction, studies-wise and ameliorates the current nerve-racking examination system.

Let us not devour the creativity of the youth by narrowing their paths. Let us simplify the process of giving them a wholesome education.

What ‘Examify’ does is move towards that direction, a positive ray of light in our dismal education system. Plus, it is an 'app', something that all of the youth can identify with.

It is not a good exercise to burden the young mind with the troubled fruits of the adults that bear them. A young mind must cultivate their lives with freedom, and build their path with choices of their own, not those of the society.

Let us work together with Angad Nadkarni in that direction, for simplification is often, if not always, the answer to everything...

Review - The Broadway Funnies!

It isn't everyday that you're invited to a musical. So, it was a rather normal evening and I was at the Comedy Store at Phoenix Mills, Mumbai to see Delna Mody along with her companions perform Broadway songs - a show called The Broadway Funnies!!!. Not a connoisseur when it comes to musicals, I was fascinated by the prospect nonetheless.

Now Comedy Store with its incredible ambience always assures a good evening. The comfortable seating, the compact auditorium and the neat lighting means that you are at the right place.

It was at around 5:30 pm that Delna Mody stepped on the stage along with her crew. The cosy stage was equipped with a Piano and some props strewn neatly across the floor. I could feel the subtle excitement as I grabbed a seat. In came Delna, looking ravishing in a red dress and wearing a merry smile on her face. The piano was taken over by a lovely Nadine Jo Crasto. Also on stage was Winston Travasso, supporting Delna with the songs

Delna Mody

Theatre and musical fanatics will surely identify Delna Mody. The talented singer, actor and dancer has worked in Canada as well as Mumbai in productions like Raell Padamsee's Sound of Music, Stop-Gaps in Widening the Street and Good Morning Miss Kathya, to name a few.

Delna elegantly introduced us to the concept of the show-a collection of 16 songs from famous Broadway musicals, which were sure to tickle your funny bone.

The artistes started off with the song Paris Makes me Horny. It was a snazzy song with a titillating tune, sharp rhymes and witty lyrics. All that coming from a blonde character in Paris. As if the first number wasn't joyous enough, what followed was a treat to the senses. We were entertained by amusing songs like 100 ways to lose a man, National Brotherhood Week, Good thing he can't read my mind among several others. The idiosyncrasies, the puns and the impeccable satire all served on a sumptuous plate made my evening.

The beauty of the songs aside, what struck me most was the vigour with which Delna and her crew performed. Delna with her charming voice and nuances will keep your eyes firmly rooted to the stage, while the ears are given a sweet treatment. Winston was majestic as well; with a booming voice and a magnificent presence, the man sure possesses a great gift. There is no song without music, and Nadine on the Piano could not have done a better job.

But like all good things, the musical had to end. End it did, but not without a bagful of hearty laughters, and rib tickling humour. A sweet showing indeed.

So, musical lovers will surely be there. But for the others, go for this, go for a change. Experience music and acting live on the stage in stead of white screens.

It isn't everyday that you're invited to a musical. But it sure is an indication that you will go for many more...

  

Who are you?

Humans are very interesting beings. We are social, we use language as medium, we are inventive, we are dynamic and we are the most powerful. We have created so many things, so many fields to work upon, and so many domains to ponder about. Among us human beings, there are engineers, economists, doctors, labourers, artists and a multitude of other varied professions.  It is quite marvellous if we give a thought to the magnitude of it all.

We, as people are similar on the outset. But then again, we are so unlike each other.

So, the question is, considering the humongous scale of humanity, how would you end up defining yourself? Who are you? Are you a friendly lad with great social skills and a happy go lucky nature? Or are you a conniving scum who charms people to get their way? Well, you could be both. That is the amazing thing about perspective.

As you walk through life, you meet different groups of people. These people have their own opinions and points of view. People perceive things differently. That is a given. So, everyone has a view of what you are. Some may find you funny, some dull. Some may find you hard-working, some just lazy. But you can’t be two things at the same time, can you?

I have heard the most diverse adjectives about myself. While a group of people would call me a pervert, the other would call me an innocent and simple guy. A man once called me highly mature and philosophical; a woman describes me as childish and immature. Such contrasting opinions.

Hence, one reason for such a difference is people’s perspective. Perspective is an amusing thing. What is good to me may mean bad to you. That is how it works.

The other reason is you itself. As you interact with people, you inadvertently adjust a wee bit to accommodate yourself within the opposite person’s wavelength.  That too, is a given, no matter how much you claim to be yourself.

To the man who calls me mature, maybe I don’t show him my idiocy because we never came to see each other’s larky side. To the woman who calls me childish, maybe the exact opposite happened.

You behave in a disciplined manner at home because of your strict parents. Yet, you perform random idiosyncrasies with your friends. That is because, you are free out there. It is also the other way around. You do the most embarrassing things when at home within the familiar walls, things which you can’t imagine doing with others. Obviously, there will be people who beg to differ with this concept, but in general, we adapt.

Thus, it is the fundamental characteristic of humans to adapt. We know about physical adaptations, how our bodies adjust in different situations. However, mental adaptation is something we don’t always study about.

This is who we are. We are, as they often say, reflections of the people around us. It is very droll and fascinating if given a thought - seeing ourselves from different perspectives. Being conscious of how we change with people. Perspective and adaptation are good words. A change in perspective can make your life easier and make you more optimistic. Adaptation can help you adjust in the most stringent of situations.

As varied and adaptive as we may be, in essence, we are unique. And that is the ultimate truth. While we are different for different people, it is most essential to see ourselves as an integral entity, for living in the shadows of others is not advisable, as heard and read many times. It is primary to know yourself, and secondary to know what others deem of yourself...

The Daft Patriot

Patriotism is the 'love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it.' So what drives a man to willingly sacrifice himself for a nation? Is it ‘Love’, or sheer stupidity?

A country is just a piece of land with a name tag. It is not a living, breathing entity that you are emotionally attached to. It is not something you can't do without. Why this incessant patronization then? Why do we decorate it so lavishly, and place on it, a value higher than life itself? It is, after all just a part of our blue planet, just one region among many others.

People take immense pride in one's country. Take India - one boasts of the culture, the exuberance, the diversity, the colours and what not. But it is just by chance that you have been born here. You have not played any part in adding to the above features. Then why take pride? You are not proud of the random tree in your neighbourhood; you do not revel in the glory of the free bird on top of your building, then why do you 'love' your country so much?

Patriotism is just a concept that we must abide by. It is a standard. You should love your country by default. You should stand up with needless gratification during your national anthem. You should pin your flag on your mighty chest on Independence Day. It is what the society has stamped upon us, and like cattle we should follow suit. Like plenty of such concepts, we take patriotism as a given, never questioning its integrity. That is how gullible we are.

A country, again, is just a piece of land. It was present before humans and will be there even after our end. Be it America, India, or Australia, it is just all geography. It is us humans that segregate this geography and misuse its resources. We dwell upon this division so much that we tend to wipe each other out.

If it were not for our beloved nations and our inherent vainglory, there would be no wars, no innocent citizen casualties and no superfluous power mongers. Look clearly and you will see that nations are just a rudimentary form of divide and rule. Divide the world and rule the people.

Sacrificing yourself for a country is the supreme achievement, worthy of an array of medals and honours. So basically you take pride in dying for a nation that is robbing you of your income in the form of taxes and bribes, a nation that is barring most of your rights under the guise of morality and a nation that is demeaning your livelihood by recklessly inflating prices; all this while the leaders laugh their way to foreign banks.

Yet, one must not undermine the sacrifice of the chivalrous soldier. He dies foolishly for a nation, but valiantly for our lives. It is life that is worth dying for, not the nation. Life is what must garner value, for it is the open human mind that is the most astounding thing on this planet, not an inconsequential strip of soil...

Change the Game?

Cricket. The game is a phenomenon, a religion, an eternal epidemic of sorts. Almost every Indian seems to be hooked to it. So much is the fanaticism that cricketers who are generally known to be human beings, are considered Gods and Demi-Gods in this colorful land.

God? No.

The media has a huge hand in propagating the game, and thus themselves. Every sports section in every newspaper is replete with facts and rumours about cricket; other sports just mentioned in the sidelines, sometimes not. All the news channels compromise a significant strip of their tacky tickers for displaying the live scores of ongoing matches. This influence has led the BCCI to become the wealthiest board in all of cricketing domain; the Indian cricketers, most opulent. The cricketers get their proceeds from advertisements where they endorse anything and everything from abject objects like inverter batteries to the unrelenting Chyavanprash. Also, they earn a  few bucks through match fees. In spite of this single-gamed approach, India has never cemented itself as cricket's one greatest nation among the handful others. 

So, why this craze? Why are we so obsessed with only one game? Most of the world's nations follow multiple sports with little bias, so why not India? USA boasts of a fair following of sports like basketball, baseball, American football, tennis and what not. UK indulges in football, rugby, tennis, and even cricket. This fact is reflected by their ability to produce top notch athletes in the various sports played across the globe. On the other hand, India has only been able to produce good cricketers. All the other sports have had extremely rare cases of impactful Indian representation. With a population of over 120 crores and such feeble participation, India is indeed an sporting anomaly.

The reasons behind this  irregularity can be many and some, based on different perceptions. Now, the people of the Indian subcontinent inherently lack energy and athleticism. No offence meant, but the average Indian is stocky and about 5'5. Another important factor may be our stereotypical thinking. Well-nigh population think inside the box, giving emphasis to traditional and ubiquitous occupations like doctors, lawyers, engineers, and agriculture. Such restricted thinking leaves little or no room for sports or even other less popular professions. 

Vishwanathan Anand

Bhupati/Paes

Generations of Indians have cherished cricket. Perhaps it is time to change the game, like a popular soft drink ad suggests. Games like badminton, tennis, chess have long threatened to capture a little portion of public interest. Vishwanathan Anand in chess, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati in tennis and many such names have consistently performed well on the grandest of stages. Football is steadily displacing gully cricket and becoming a conversational topic among the urban youth. The television viewership for sports like F1,  tennis and football is ever rising.

Though the all conquering cricket mania will be hard to knock-off, maybe other sports can pave their way into public's lives one step at a time. A little encouragement right from the grass-root levels, a little capital influx towards the direction of other sports and an open mind is all that is needed. 

May India one day be a Footballing winner and a Hockey giant; may an Indian be a racing champion, may India justify the sporting versatility of  its 120 crore strong population...