Whose fault is it anyway?
Today's newspaper reported yet another unfortunate accident that took place in Delhi. A person was driving a scooter on the wrong side of the road,on a flyover, when a speeding car coming from opposite side hit him. He and his child were fell down and sustained injuries, while his wife was thrown 15 meters down the flyover, and died immediately. The driver of the car is absconding, and a case has been registerd against him.
Now, I will not even remotely disagree with the fact that in general, people in Delhi drive rash. Nor will I not empathise with the poor man who suffered an irreplacable loss.
But I still wonder, whose fault was it (a case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the car driver). In the city, where people consider it their fundamental right to drive on whatever side they please, whatever lane they fancy, traffic rules like helmets, seat-belts and signals be damned, perhaps one always needs to watch out, even if s/he is following the rules, for people who are not (coming from the opposite side, or jumping the signal).
A colleague of mine learnt this lesson, and more, the hard way, a few years ago. Late evening, he was returning back from work, driving well under speed limit. A person on a motorcycle jumped a light and crashed into him [the colleague was crossing rightly on his signal]. Worse, that person was not even wearing a helmet. My colleague took him to a hospital, and paid for the treatment. After a few days, the motorcycle guy demanded money to keep quiet, and threatened to file a FIR against him otherwise. Now, my colleague, in all righteousness, refused to pay up ransom money. So, the other guy filed a FIR, and my colleague was entangled in a court case for some years. Every two weeks or so, he had to go to the court for the hearing, only to get the next date. On every visit, everyone involved in the process wanted a bribe, including the peon who demanded 50 or 100 bucks only to let him mark his attendance.
Whose leader is it anyway?
I am strictly apolitical, politics is something I find more than uninteresting. But still, the mindset of the people in general, which is still more aligned to monarchy than democracy, amazes and frustrates me at the same time.
For years, Rahul Gandhi has been seen (or projected) as the savior, of THE PARTY and the country. A person who has spent a substantial part of his youth outside the country, and another substantial part safely ensconced in a private world - how can he understand and solve the problems of the common people. Someone who wakes up one fine day, decides that he is ready to assume the supreme responsibilty, and enters politics with a definitely chartered plan [a five-year plan ? ;-) ]. Someone who is so naive to believe, or at least state in public, that the country is only safe in the hands of his family.
The worst part is that there are people who fall for it.
Whose hair is it anyway?
I seriously think that the consumer today is spoilt for choices. Speaking for myself, the choices sometimes overwhelm me so much, I come back without choosing anything at all.
For example, I need a shampoo, for normal hair, and if possible, something that would prevent regular breaking/fall of hair. So I go to a supermarket, and find shelves upon shelves of shampoo. There are old players, new brands, and the ones that have diversified into shampoos, from other items. Each brand has several "specialized treatment" shampoos - for dry/normal/oily hair, for colored/highlighted/straightened/permed mane, with this oil, that conditioner, fruit extract for your crowning glory ... multiply, and how many choices have I got? A hundred? No? Okay, Fifty at least. Will coconut cream do wonders for my hair, or is it the chamomile oil my hair needed? Would my hair love those micro-granules (whatever they are!), or would an affair with apple extract be more fruitful? I start feeling dizzy, and return to the safety of my home, empty-handed.
Ditto for moisturizers, perfumes, clothes, mobiles, cars ....
... and ditto for the topic to blog about. Whose blog is it anyway ? ;-)
Today's newspaper reported yet another unfortunate accident that took place in Delhi. A person was driving a scooter on the wrong side of the road,on a flyover, when a speeding car coming from opposite side hit him. He and his child were fell down and sustained injuries, while his wife was thrown 15 meters down the flyover, and died immediately. The driver of the car is absconding, and a case has been registerd against him.
Now, I will not even remotely disagree with the fact that in general, people in Delhi drive rash. Nor will I not empathise with the poor man who suffered an irreplacable loss.
But I still wonder, whose fault was it (a case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the car driver). In the city, where people consider it their fundamental right to drive on whatever side they please, whatever lane they fancy, traffic rules like helmets, seat-belts and signals be damned, perhaps one always needs to watch out, even if s/he is following the rules, for people who are not (coming from the opposite side, or jumping the signal).
A colleague of mine learnt this lesson, and more, the hard way, a few years ago. Late evening, he was returning back from work, driving well under speed limit. A person on a motorcycle jumped a light and crashed into him [the colleague was crossing rightly on his signal]. Worse, that person was not even wearing a helmet. My colleague took him to a hospital, and paid for the treatment. After a few days, the motorcycle guy demanded money to keep quiet, and threatened to file a FIR against him otherwise. Now, my colleague, in all righteousness, refused to pay up ransom money. So, the other guy filed a FIR, and my colleague was entangled in a court case for some years. Every two weeks or so, he had to go to the court for the hearing, only to get the next date. On every visit, everyone involved in the process wanted a bribe, including the peon who demanded 50 or 100 bucks only to let him mark his attendance.
Whose leader is it anyway?
I am strictly apolitical, politics is something I find more than uninteresting. But still, the mindset of the people in general, which is still more aligned to monarchy than democracy, amazes and frustrates me at the same time.
For years, Rahul Gandhi has been seen (or projected) as the savior, of THE PARTY and the country. A person who has spent a substantial part of his youth outside the country, and another substantial part safely ensconced in a private world - how can he understand and solve the problems of the common people. Someone who wakes up one fine day, decides that he is ready to assume the supreme responsibilty, and enters politics with a definitely chartered plan [a five-year plan ? ;-) ]. Someone who is so naive to believe, or at least state in public, that the country is only safe in the hands of his family.
The worst part is that there are people who fall for it.
Whose hair is it anyway?
I seriously think that the consumer today is spoilt for choices. Speaking for myself, the choices sometimes overwhelm me so much, I come back without choosing anything at all.
For example, I need a shampoo, for normal hair, and if possible, something that would prevent regular breaking/fall of hair. So I go to a supermarket, and find shelves upon shelves of shampoo. There are old players, new brands, and the ones that have diversified into shampoos, from other items. Each brand has several "specialized treatment" shampoos - for dry/normal/oily hair, for colored/highlighted/straightened/permed mane, with this oil, that conditioner, fruit extract for your crowning glory ... multiply, and how many choices have I got? A hundred? No? Okay, Fifty at least. Will coconut cream do wonders for my hair, or is it the chamomile oil my hair needed? Would my hair love those micro-granules (whatever they are!), or would an affair with apple extract be more fruitful? I start feeling dizzy, and return to the safety of my home, empty-handed.
Ditto for moisturizers, perfumes, clothes, mobiles, cars ....
... and ditto for the topic to blog about. Whose blog is it anyway ? ;-)
14 comments:
Hahaha.. Excellent post Sigma. I sometime think in which country we are living ? India is really funny sometime.
I feel sorry for your colleague and angry for making Rahul our savior. But who am I? The vote will go to him even though I vote for TMC, CPM, CPI, FB (BJP hardly exists in WB). Its another fallacy of democracy :-)
Take care.
first the fault, it is of everybody around us, including us.
second, the leader, he is of spineless congressmen, if they can be called that, disgusting that in a democratic country, people are thought of as yuvrajs and madams as maharanis. khuda unke dushmano ki tabiyat nasaz rakhe.
third, m deeply pained that u returned home without purchasing anything :( hamari rozi-roti ka kya hoga? ab kuch to kaam karenge na hum advtg wale bhi. idle minds lead to idle thoughts and creative product classifications. isn't it ;)
@Pijush: I dont mind laughing at myself, as an individual or as a nation, but in this context, I cant bear to laugh at it. I feel really troubled about it, as would you, and most of our countrymen. And I feel utterly helpless, I dont know what I can do to change this. At times, one can say I am apathetic, but what I really think is that I am helpless.
Fallacy of democracy ... Democracy .. now what is that ? ;-)
@Adi: You are right, it is "our" fault - "we" as in nation. But why do we feel helpless about it?
You are pained?? Ye sab confusion tumhi logo.n ka kiya dhara hai! bhugto ab!! :-D
Sadly, the person who is at fault is determined by Whoeva is left alive or hurt less..
when people are driven by emotions, logic unfortunately takes a back seat (sometimes jus thrown out completely).
ofcourse the ones to be blamed for this is us... n no one else..
we keep sayin that one man cant change the system.. well the system is made up of the people..even if a few of us (or one of us) change, then there will be some improvements..
be the change you want to see in the world.
Be part of the solution..
abt the congress .. well the less said the betta.. paagalon ke mooh kaun lage..
waise bhi.. they dont merit the footage n the coverage they get.. NOT ONLY IN THE MEDIA, but also on blogs..
its not that one is betta than the other, saare ke saare ek hi thaali ke chatte batte hain.. haan, some are more stupid than the others, some are more eloquent.. but boil it down, they are all pretty much the same.
Politics is a profession, dont know why people still believe that a politician could infact have BETTERMENT OF SOCIET as his primary objective (unless, its his PERSONAL Betterment)
n finally.. Dude, product spam..
too much of everythin.. the same company manufactures 3 cell phones n releases em one after the other n gives u a compare product option, n u wonder.. DID THEY REALLY HAVE TO MAKE 3.. it couldve been accomodated into one phone easily..
n thats jus ONE example..
everyone wants to make money, n i dont blame em for it.. in ma opinion the guys comin up with the product spams are betta than the politicians.. ATLEAST they give u somethin for your money..
Ha Ha Ha... Couldn't stop laughing but at the same time totally empathize with you on all the issues cited here. And then anger & frustration takes place.
First case-Even I will not empathize with that man.
Your colleague’s case- Concerned authority should have rejected the motorcyclist’s case in the beginning itself. Where there are millions of cases pending, how can they afford to waste time on such a lifeless case?
Leader- I totally agree with you. Even I hate politics but I don’t want to see these leaders leading our country. But are we doing anything about it or can we really do anything ? So helpless we are but then why ?
Hair-Blame Adi :P
BTW, I don't come empty handed, I buy 2-3 of different brands which I think will suit me. After trying them all I can decide which one to go for next time. Better than empty handed I guess. ;)
Sigma, this discussion is quite interesting now. Let me put up some serious thoughts in this issue.
I like your comment “I feel really troubled about it, as would you, and most of our countrymen.” and totally agree with Lord Raj that “be the change you want to see in the world. Be part of the solution.” . We have so many quality and good people around and this is the time to start something, in our own way in which we feel comfortable.
I may sound a bit serious, but its important to keep focus on our goals, about what we are doing and what we are trying to achieve. Greenpeace, Charity all these are helpful for a society but the real help is to contribute something qualitative. The cumulative efforts of educated Indians will help our country to arise awake. I hope the things will change one day. Take care.
Congratulations for the 100th! Sorry to be late...
An excellent post for the issues it raises. About democracy: did you find something better?...
For a change: just left Bali and posted on Singapore at Blogtrotter.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
@Raj: I completely agree that we are the ones to be blamed for this state of anarchy. However the things like "Be the change you want to see in the world, be the solution" etc, are right, and ideal, but it is difficult to actually practice them. That is where I feel helpless. Leave alone trying to change the system, one cannot do the right thing, and be assured of his/her safety.
Let me relate an incident that happened with me day before yesterday. It was about 10 pm in night, and we were driving along on a two-lane road, on the correct (i.e. left) side of the road. There was a big trailer to our left, when suddenly a pair of headlights cropped up in our front - the chap was coming in the WORNG direction, at a high speed. We couldn't move to the left, since there was this trailer. We slowed down, and came to a stop. The chap in front didnt reduce his speed till the last moment. When he came head-to-head with us, we both stood at standstill for a minute or so, during which he glared at us with anger. In this meanwhile, the trailer crossed. We didnt change the course, since we were not wrong, and kept waiting. Instead of being the least bit sorry, this fellow swerved his car to the left, and while speeding away, shouted obscenities as US!! To be frank, I was scared after this - if they had been four people instead of two, they might as well have attacked us physically.
What change can you hope to bring about in such a place?
And regarding politicians, you are right - saare ek hi thaili ki chatte-baate hain :-D They are politicians, not leaders, and their sole aim is their own upliftment!
And I liked that - atleast htey give you something for your money!! :-)
@Cuckoo: I said I empathise with the man - after all he has paid a price that cannot be reversed. But the problem is, that people do not learn from others' mistakes, and there is no enforcement of the law. The traffic policeman will stand on the side, while people drive on wrong side, jump the signal. If they do catch people, it is only to extort money.
Well, that is interesting - you get three four brands! I am rather a pessimistic there - I dont like to buy things I might end up not using! :-)
@Pijush: I agree. And I hope so too. We have seen a lot of positive changes in last decade or so, and hopefully this will continue. The educated Indians are making effort, and many of us are doing our bit in small or big way. But there are things that we need, to be enabled. A small example - I (and many other working people) are staying long way from their homeplace. Now, I am in the voting list in my homeplace, but I cannot afford to take a leave for 2-3 days to go there and vote on the election day. The percentage of educated people in our country is still dismal, and most of them are unable to excercise the basic right to elect their candidate.
@Gil: Thanks a lot! And you are not late :-))
And no, I didn't find anything better than democracy. But when politics becomes family business, it can hardly be called democracy. :-)
Sure, I'll shortly see you in Singapore!!
Oh Sigma, happy that you both survived. I have some bad experiences too. Calcutta is even more horrible in terms of traffic and people hardly follow the rules.
Same for me regarding vote, I was not voting for last 2 times in Kharagpur and now I am listed neither in kgp nor kol :-)
You have a good writing skill, can try to write some free flow posts and some visual effect can make these post more interesting (since you are a good photographer it will be easy for you).
i think he who's not following the traffic rules should be held responsible for accident. And if both parties weren't following the rules, both should be executed.
and just choose any random shampoo, they're all the same :)
And whose Country is it anyway?...we all love this country and take so much pride to be the great citizens of India, but it is we ourselves are the culprits here, because the society is made of individuals like us and there are so many laws and rules in this country but we proudly and sometimes shamelessly violate them, whether the law enforcers or the law keepers, the root of the problem lies just from the top-down level and it just gets transferred from generation to generation. We have become so used to mediocracy that we have now forgotten what real Quality is and it today applies to every sphere of the society. Everyone of us think ourselves to be smarter but actually no-one of us is. We call ourselves to be the greatest democracy but sadly enough today the country is ruled by just a handful of individuals. We just keep dreaming of a shining Developed India, but the reality is quite different....Wonderful post!
hi sigma,
nice post...
came here after a long time and did not have much to say with shaayris anyways...
here is a small thought which my school teacher Krishnan Pandian told me once -
Dont despair you cant change the world in a day or two. Just do little changes every day in your life and one day you shall see, the world is indeed a better place!
@Pijush: Oh, it was scary, and was not wild imagination. The day before yesterday, the frontpage headline in th TOI was about a couple who were beaten up with rods by the driver and conductor of a minibus coming on the wrong side, since they dared to challenge the driver.
And thanks for your suggestion. Though could you elaborate a little bit more on what is exactly a "free flow" article? I could perhaps try my hand at it [and get something to post in this space other that poetry and book reviews ;-)]
@Maverick: Thanks for your response. But who is going to enforce the rules? And who is going to ensure the safety of the law-abiding citizens?
"They are all the same" .. LOL!
@Kalyan: You are bang on target with these lines:
"We have become so used to mediocracy that we have now forgotten what real Quality is"
"Everyone of us think ourselves to be smarter but actually no-one of us is."
Hoping for the day when the dream comes true ...
@PM: Thanks. But I didn't talk of shayari's in last so many posts! :-) Just kidding. It is fine. I quite understand.
It is indeed a wise thought that your teacher shared. Many of us have started making small efforts, even if they are at the individual level, and things seem to be improving, however slowly.
By "free flow" article, I mean to say something like short stories or small illustrative articles. You may imagine some character whom you can use to depict your thoughts :-)
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