Common sense not so Common!

One day last week  since I was help up at work I left office a little late. As expected I missed my usual bus and was left with good 20 minutes to spare. What better way to make use of your spare time than visit the library to exchange books. So headed to the library.

When I entered the library, I saw a lady in conversation with the library uncle. I kept my old books at the counter and was looking for new ones. When I was searching for books, I heard the conversation between the lady and the library uncle. No I wasn’t eavesdropping! Anybody could have heard their conversation provided one is not deaf and absent minded. Since I am neither I had no problem listening to it

Okay now let me write about the conversation. That is interesting part of the post. The library uncle also provides identity cards for the students of Kasturba Medical College (KMC). The lady in question was a student pursuing her MD in KMC. She had come to collect her identity card. The librarian handed over the card to her after collecting the fees from her. Just when she was about to leave, she decided she wants to see the ID cards of other students. The librarian was puzzled at this request. The lady sensed the librarian’s uneasiness and assured him that she wants to see the other cards just to make sure that all cards of the same quality!!!

The librarian reluctantly handed over the box which contained the ID cards. The lady began scanning all the cards. Most of the cards were of the same quality like the one she had, but she found one which was thicker than the one she had. She picked up that card and asked the librarian why was it thicker than the rest of the cards. The librarian politely replied that it was  an old ID card and the ones previously made were thicker since it was plain  thick paper. But the lady was not satisfied by his answer so much so that she refused to take her card because she wanted a new card which was thicker. The librarian tried explaining her that the one handed over to her was of better quality but she refused to believe him.

By this time, I finished picking up my books. I was waiting for the librarian to enter the book details in his register when the lady and the librarian were having a somewhat heated discussion. When I was standing there I peeked to look at both the ID cards. The ID card which the lady refused to take was indeed of better quality like the librarian said. But the lade choose the non waterproof, tear-able ID card over waterproof, non tear-able one. It is as good as saying the Smart phones available these days are no better than the large antique mobile phones because they aren’t as thick as the antique phones.

I had an urge to pitch in and help the librarian but decided against it thinking the lady might not take it well. The lady still kept arguing that is right and she wanted a replacement when I left the place.

One thing’s for sure. “Common sense is not so common after all”.

English vs Kannada!

Last evening on my way back home, when I boarded the bus all the seats were occupied. So, I stood leaning to the pole in the bus. In the seat next to where I was standing seated were a mother and her two children. On seeing me stand, the mother asked her younger one, a little boy to sit on her lap but the little boy refused.  The mother asked her daughter to make place for me. The girl stood up obediently. I sat next to the mother where the daughter was seated earlier.

I felt guilty since the girl had to give up her seat for me. So I asked the girl to sit on my lap. The language of conversation was Kannada. The girl gave me a blank look. I repeated again. This time too I got the blank expression. The mother pitched in just in time and said “Why don’t do speak to her in English?” I nodded and asked the girl to sit on my lap (this time in English). The girl gave me a smile before sitting on my lap. I asked the mother where were they from. Kundapura the mother replied. Now I was surprised. Kundapura is very much a part of Karnataka just a few kilometers away from Mangalore. The memory of Kundapura Kannada I had heard in college brought smile on my face. Kundapura version of Kannada is very colourful

Now the inquisitive me was more curious. I asked the mother if her daughter studies in a central syllabus school for which the answer was negative. However the mother added her daughter studies in an English medium school and  hence she is unable to speak in Kannada. This surprised me. So I began chatting up with the girl.

The girl said she was in standard 7 and Kannada is a part of her school syllabus. She also added she can read and write Kannada. Now  this surprised me. Isn’t speaking easier as compared to reading and writing? And when you are able to read and write a language how can you not understand it?? Or is it that the kids and (sometimes their parents too) just think it is fashionable to say they do not know their regional language inspite of having studied it in school? I have come across a few people who think speaking in their regional language will make them inferior. However surprisingly, they do not feel the same about Hindi. Guess Bollywood has to be given credit for it

I just hope the kids understand that it isn’t fashionable to not know your regional language. It would only make you look stupid when you say you have stayed in this  region/state all your life and not know the language spoken in the region. Also your ability to speak to speak a language does not make you any inferior!

Satyameva Jayate – A thought

There are very few people in India who haven’t  watched Satyamev Jayate. Since the show is also being aired on Doordarshan, it has been able to reach even the remotest places where Cable network is yet to set its foot.

Satyameva Jayate the brain child of Aamir Khan is addressing issues like female infanticide, child sexual abuse, dowry etc. The show has been applauded by the majority of the people. It has also infuriated a few doctors who claim that the doctors are shown in bad light.  Despite this the show has been well received.

There might be cynics amongst us who question the credibility of the show and its makers. A few of them might say the show could no good to anybody, except the makers of the show and their sponsors. Perhaps the makers will make a few bucks, so what? Can we not look at the larger good. If not anything, the show is making people aware. Awareness in my opinion is a virtue.

Having said all this, I cannot help asking this question.

Would Satyameva Jayate be as popular as it is today; if Aamir Khan wasn’t a part of it?

For most of us including me, the reason we all sat in front of our TV sets, when the first episode of Satyameva Jayate was aired was Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan, over the years has branded himself remarkably well and the audience can be sure that any film or TV show associated with him will be worth a watch. True to our expectations, Aamir Khan and his team have delivered a great show. This show deserves all the accolades for the way it addresses the sensitive issues.

But (without taking away any credit from the show) “Would Satyameva Jayate be so popular if it were hosted and produced by a lesser known  face ? ”  No doubt we are a celebrity fixated nation. We don’t mind giving Shah Rukh Khan all the credit when the  team partly owned by him wins the IPL. (Sorry, for deviating from the topic but I couldn’t help saying it.)

Do we need celebrities to draw audience to a show as good as Satyameva Jayate?

Do share your thoughts on this.

Image Courtesy : padmajav.wordpress.com