Who is responsible?

Just finished watching the Big Fight on NDTV on Scarlet murder that is rocking Goa. There were Scores of people on the sandy beach waxing eloquently on the character of the deceased and the poor parenting of Fiona the mother and the failure of the government. The debate had some intellectual hues to it as well: many talking about subcultures and subtexts in the ongoing war between the insider and the outsider with Fiona categorically stating that the cameras wouldn't be there but for the outsiders. It was passing the buck game all the way that was played so boringly to a national audience.

Why are we trying to blame only the government for any tragedy? In this case the mother, who conveniently shifts the responsibility taking refuge in the so called warmth and cordiality of the Goans is equally to be blamed. No sensible person would trust a stranger with their daughter on a beach in the dead of night no matter what your faith in humanity is. After having risked your ward's life by your own foolishness how could you squarely blame the government for ineffiency?

What is happening to our own sense of responsibilty? To think the government or the police would protect every single individual in the country 24X7 is nothing short of stupidity. Is such a thing really possible? Are we not supposed to help ourselves by taking precautions and acting sensibly? We don't leave our house doors open thinking the police is there to protect us. The same logic should apply when we are outdoors too - basic precautions must be taken. In this case all of us are to be blamed - first the mother, then the child, then the accused and then the police, the govt. machinery and the people or the society at large- in the same order.

Another Tragedy!!!

Yet another tragedy and so quickly - even before the bitter memories of the previous one could be buried. What's worse is, it is a child this time - all of 10 years and so brutally killled, burnt alive, all because of a minor tiff in a marriage party. And it happened in our national capital, our capital that stands testimony to many such cruelties. I'm pained, shocked and ashamed.

No Value for human life?

I was deeply hurt this morning when i read the story about an autorickshaw driver who paid a costly price for jumping the signal - the price, his father's life. The old man couldn't wait and he died en route to the hospital. Interestingly and ironically the police say the cop who stopped them and demanded to see the papers and prevented the sick man from reaching the hospital in time was only doing his duty. Since when has our police force become so duty-conscious? Assuming that the cop in question was really making an attempt to enforce the law which he strictly believed in, couldn't he assess the situation and act accordingly as any sensible human being would? The old man in the auto was there fighting for life and how could one turn a blind eye to it? I'm not condoning the autodriver's offence; what he did was wrong - wrong in the eyes of the law. But, What should be taken into account here is the motive or the intention for the crime. You and I in the same situation would have jumped many signals to reach our loved one safely to the hospital. Can't the police force relax rules during emergencies? Or has the force become so mechanical and dehumanized that the rule book is more importnat than human life? A sensible, really duty-conscious cop would not have detained them but ensured that they reached the hospital well in time. When will our police force change?

Bloodless encounter

Teachers these days are a worried lot. Today, A fine balancing between professional and personal commitments is proving to be extremely arduous- at the risk of being termed stale i must say it's like walking the tight rope. Just as you pat yourself for having gotten over that difficult task you are bombarded with more problems - worse than before. Woe betide those with added responsibilities like heading a department or in charge of a class- for then, these problems assume greater proportions- you are immediately branded heartless or dictatorial. You end up earning the wrath of your wards for having shouted at them, or for having sent them out of the class- simply because you thought these goody goody chappies will learn their lesson. The grand finale is of course when you get to see some of these fellows (with nose in the air) returning to college just to spite you - just to prove they are a better lot. Many teachers, i'm sure have had such encounters and for those lucky ones who haven't, here's a sample laced with a little humour and a lot of imagination. The moral of the story is .......well you decide!

BLOODLESS ENCOUNTER
I was getting ready for my drama class. From across the table, Macbeth was staring at me. The task for the day was clearly cut out. I must communicate to a bunch of seventeen year olds forcefully and sensibly Macbeth’s depression, dejection and frustration just before his tragic death. In short, I must make them understand what life is. It seemed quite formidable and daunting. I was uncertain whether those who were kids only yesterday could comprehend what life is and the full import of Macbeth’s deep angst. Quite abruptly my reverie was cut short. Looking up I saw someone standing at the door, beaming with a smile.
“May I come in, sir?” For a moment I couldn’t trust my own ears. I thought I had misheard. He repeated the request, this time louder.
“Oh, yes, Please come in and have a seat.” I said feeling rather elated by his politeness. At a time when polite students are a rarity I didn’t want to let go of this encounter. He walked in casually and by the time he had parked his load on the chair I knew I had invited trouble.
“Sir, do you remember me?” he started. There was that ‘how can you NOT remember me’ tone in his voice. And yes, I remembered him, quite well too. Not that he was a prodigy or anything. But his ingenious ways for disrupting classes was an open secret.
“Of course I do,” I said hiding my discomfort. Then, nonchalantly I said, “So, how are you, young man?’
“How do you expect me to be?” he snapped. I wasn’t surprised at his retort. In fact, I knew he had the potential for deeper incisions. Light dawned on me- he had come with a purpose.
“Oh, come on man,” I said struggling hard to conceal my awkwardness. “I’m not omniscient. You must tell me.”
“Better than you, much better, you know.” It was clear he hadn’t forgotten those unpleasant ‘out-standing’ experiences at college.
“Oh, really!” I managed to mumble. “Good for you man.” By now I was thoroughly feeling embarrassed. I had offered him a seat and there he was glued to the chair determined to avenge me. I knew I had no escape. I let him run on.
“Mr……….,” he began. The transition from sir to Mr, I think was quite intentional. “I just joined this multinational company and do you know what my pay package is like? 30K.How’s that for a ‘useless guy’? In five years I’ll cross the 50k mark. Have you ever imagined where you will be after five years?”
Actually, I had imagined that many times over the years and I knew where exactly I would be. Couldn’t tell him, though.
“Anyways, thanks Mr………….” I was relieved my ordeal was coming to an end. “Thanks for teaching me what life is.” With a mischievous grin on his face he walked out, triumphantly. Shakespeare, from the table was still staring at me.
“Life is a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”