Chalta Hain...?

After the horrific bombings in Bombay's last November, as the leader of the state, what did Vilasrao Deshmukh do?  He ran to the Taj Hotel, like any good leader... HOWEVER not to see the damage, the carnage, the loss of so many innocent lives, the injustice of this horrendous act, but to make sure that his son, rising bollywood star Ritesh Deshmukh, plays the lead role in the next 'super-hit' movie directed by the one and only Ram Gopal Varma.  His deputy, RR Patil, further depicts the concern aroused by this incident, by making a bold public statement; 'such small incidents happen in big cities'.  This, unfortunately, also happens 'only in India'.

 

It is this attitude amongst the Indian population that represses this country from attaining its full potential... the 'chalta hain' attitude.  If the leaders, supposedly acting role models, of the entire state have openly exercised this attitude to dismiss one of the most shocking, tragic incidents in India's history, how can the common people be blamed? 

Time never seems to be a concern here.  I plan and push for children to come to painting class by four fifteen, but inevitably the class never seems to start before four forty at the earliest.  At four five, I have rely on a neighborhood kid to go door to door and call the rest, who waddle in one by one just woken up from their afternoon slumber.  At first, I felt offended and annoyed that they didn't take this seriously enough to be punctual and prepared.  After numerous classes, I have come to realise, it is the simple fact that these kids do not understand 'on time'.  I may sound like a hypocrite being the one to criticize lateness, as punctuality is definitely not something I can brag about (being a 'mehta' and all).  However, I do recognize it as a vice, whereas here tardiness is socially acceptable, if not expected...'chalta hain'.  

It makes me wonder if the two societies, I have been exposed to, are operating on two extremes? In one, time runs people's lives.  We schedule phone calls, meetings, social occasions, 'free' time, sleep all according to time, and live organized lives, leaving almost no room for spontaneity.  The other runs on sentiments, feeling sleepy...then go to sleep...feel like eating...eat but lacks order and planning.  One sucks out the sentiments, the 'feeling' from our lives while the other due to lack of foresight, hinders any substantial development.  Is it possible to find that balance and maintain it in either society?

Procrastination and lack of foresight are other traits hindering development.  Along with never planning according to time, it seems like the population only seem to think short term.  Exams ended in May, if I enquired about their summer plans in June and July, rarely did any provide a response, rarely were they worried...exams are first... summer plans 'chalta hain'.  Wanting to start a business and need funding, they ask the family friend next door to loan them some money... how will they pay it back?  No clue.  What marketing technique will be utilized? How much income will they need to maintain to sustain this business and pay off debt?  What type of customers will they mainly target?  How much are the monthly expenses?  What are goals for the business?  Questions of this nature may even confuse them.  Most of them feel that there is no need for so much planning...Sab 'chalta hain'.  

Being here, I have understood and come to peace with the fact that it is difficult to PLAN anything.  You can plan out as many routines as you want but if that routine lasts even a week, it will feel like an achievement.  I often go to someone's house and plan to stay for an hour, but find it absolutely impossible to leave before three hours have passed.  I plan to finish writing something in an hour, then coincidentally the electricity goes off and I cannot use my computer delaying the process. It is very difficult to exercise discipline and routine.  However, having said all this, I do recognize the importance of a goal.  This goal can keep changing and adapting to new situations, experiences or events, hence changing the plan, but it provides direction.  It provides a direction for an individual to focus and concentrate his / her energy.  The youth population is often without direction and guidance and therefore lack drive and determination to achieve their full potential... 'chalta hain'.  

But no...NAHIN 'chalta hain'.  If the population of this country operating on 'chalta hain' attitude, wake up one day with the epiphany that this is not necessary how it should work, they will be half way there to achieving full potential.