Incredible India--- Part 1

Every nation's biggest resource is her HUMAN resource and history testifies that intellect is directly proportional to the prosperity of the nation. The importance of this resource must be ensured that it is imbibed in every student of the country and come what may, never COMPROMISED. Unfortunately, in the current times- we are exactly doing the opposite- busy and happily unbolting the  basic social and family structure we are bred upon whilst risking our fellow (wo)men’s healthstyle. Couple of decades back, we were a busy nation- very typical of new emerging nation- PSUs, Agriculture, Transport, Manufacturing - multiple sectors-all  growing & focussed on building a brand new India. I strongly feel – relatively that was the era of the most clear vision and action. Work ethic was simple- Hard work Pays ...(if not now, but soon) Then, came the Haze- the Great Indian Magic Trick- Somewhere somebody announced- lets cut the chase- lets make MONEY, and people left everything  mid-way and rushed- all the Traditional sectors , thoughts, leaders, adages were dismantled. That’s when Illusion took over reality. Thats when we added ‘Incredible’ to India. Thats when we pawned our HUMAN resources........................

Lets look at US, can anyone expect the citizens there to forgo their lifestyle, pledge their heath, change their identity, impersonate accents, and adjust their timestyle to suit another country, that too for no intellectual but monetary gain ? NEVER. Why ? Because even a 5th grader would opine that its utter ‘foolishness’. But, what is disheartening is that- it is this exact 'foolishness' which our 'Incredible India' has wholesomely embraced. Fuelled by ' Globalisation', packaged as ‘The- In thing’,  glorified by new-age first generation business houses, termed as 'cheap labour' (yet we dont get it), wrapped under ESOPs, , there is no stone being unturned on this 'self-patting', blinding excursion- to drum-beat  that the whole world revolves around us. Do you really think this is the case ? The caricatures of West mocking at us, and  this circus of ours is so seething. Its like the ‘SDM’ running away with Oscars, and we rooting for the same- while the joke was on us. It is like the Anil Kapoor’s character in MI4, and the insane Bollywood pride that came along with- well, the world knew who the Jackass was.

Come to think of it- I cant stop myself being bewildered by what a mouse of a nation we are. For just a few Bucks more....we are ready to screw our health, and eventually our life and worse 'look-down' upon rest of the people/ sectors around us. We all know where a 20 sumthing fella subjected to night/ varying shifts of work for the next five or so years - would end up. How often, are parents missing out on Bedtime stories – for to participate in a ‘con-call’. While our other country counterparts party, kayake, ski, boast of work-life balance- we are......well- we all know what we are doing. Still, blatantly, like sheep (wonder what they must be thinking of us) demonstrating excellent herd mentality- day in and day out- we are internally succumbing to this nefarious lifestyle. Isnt it so obvious ?'OUT-SOURCING' which is simply and bluntly put ‘ too-shitty-a-job-to-waste-on, lets saddle it to someone else’. Why take so much extra pride doing it ? and build so much of hoo-haa around it. Its just another sector- its no way close to the traditional sectors of employment. Give the respect it deserves and nothing more. Yet, i cant fathom, as how come no eminent/ social personality/ media/ entrepreneurs/ ppl we look up to (hardly any one around) has ever debated this issue up, and asked this 'X' generation 'Y' ? 

Review: The Nothing Man

Would not call this brilliant piece- but certainly well worth a read and good value for Time. Personally it came as a rain for parched earth for me, since i was desperately looking for a break from the 'bhagatish' breed of novels ( am still reeling under the numb onslaught of R2020) Must appreciate the author, for bringing in the stylish and interesting narrative of 'back and forth'- i think this is was what kept me hooked to finish the book in one go. Also- the basic premise of the book was fresh and cheeky- the author himself capturing the gist with the analogy of ' a painter in search of his muse to finish his masterpiece'. Minimal characters which were etched out to the reader's satisfaction. I liked the wickedness, laziness, loser,  introspective, and ballsy nature of the protagonist- something which each of us would have experienced at some point of time or other.  The language was simple and genuine that it just solely conveyed the thoughts of the author to the reader, and nothing else. ( Reason i stress this- it is unlike again the 'bhagatish' breed where every third sentence is forced down with an analogy so that language does the holy ritual of converting more 'non-readers' into 'readers'!! enough of this shit !!)
Well if i need to complain for the sake of a review- i only have the grouse regarding few aspects of the plot. The premise of a current husband entertaining and budding up to an ex - seems improbable and unrealistic. What was the destination point ? I understand its was to complete to novel, BUT why had it to take a 'scandalous' route of finding a way to the ex-wife skirt ? Author could have served us with bit more 'creative liberty' here. The aspect of the ex-wife getting into depression and eventual marriage break-up was not well justified- would  have liked to know what triggered this - seemed too hurried and simple in the narrative. What happens to Brandy's boyfriend ? How often does one risk losing a boy-friend on a train just because you meet someone 'talkative' uncle on the train ? Seems surreal again. Well, at the end - i acknowledge e are reading a fictional novel, isnt it ? and hence i have forced to accept it under 'creative liberty' well exploited. To sum up- though the situations are dreamy- there are strung together with moments of emotions and feelings which every reader would have experience at some point or other in this life. I think thats the strong point of this book.
Out and Out - amazing first attempt, and I confess that i would look forward for the author's next book.